Customs takes on bottlenecks

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved the project to enhance efficiency of specialised checks in import and export in an effort to improve the business climate and enhance competitiveness.
Customs takes on bottlenecks ảnh 1The project was considered important to cut time for customs clearance and reduce costs for businesses in line with international practices. (Photo:tapchitaichinh.vn)

Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved the project to enhance efficiency of specialised checks in import and export in an effort to improve the business climate and enhance competitiveness.

The project was considered important to cut time for customs clearance and reduce costs for businesses in line with international practices, as the country was striving to hasten customs reforms, in which specialised checks remained a bottleneck.

This was a part of the effort to reduce customs clearance time to the legal level of ASEAN-6, or below 10 days for export products and below 12 days for import products in 2016, and below five days for both import and export products by 2020. Notably, under the project, 87 legal documents related to specialised checks in customs clearance under the management of 13 relevant ministries must be amended.

Of them, 49 circulars and decisions belonged to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, 10 were of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, nine of the Ministry of Health and four of the Ministry of Construction.

The Prime Minister recommended that 85 out of the 87 documents be amended by the first quarter of next year while the deadline for the remaining two of the Ministry of Science and Technology was the end of 2016.

In order to achieve the goals, the project said that the legal framework about specialised checks must be completed together with renovations in checking methods to create favourable conditions for exports of Vietnamese products while setting standards for import products.-VNA

VNA

See more

Chili peppers are on the list of essential goods in Indonesia (Photo: VNA)

Indonesia reduces imports of strategic food commodities

In 2026, Indonesia is expected to have approximately 12 million tonnes of rice carried over from the previous year, supported by annual production of around 34.7 million tonnes. With projected consumption of 31.1 million tonnes, national rice reserves could reach approximately 16 million tonnes by the end of the year.

Hanoi’s roadmap to implement low-emission zones from July is providing a strong boost to the electric two-wheeler market (Photo: VNA)

Low-emission zone roadmap drives electric two-wheeler boom in Hanoi

From July 1, Hanoi will introduce time-based or area-based restrictions on petrol-powered motorcycles within Ring Road 1, with plans to expand coverage across the entire zone by 2028 and extend to areas within Ring Road 3 by 2030. The policy is expected to reshape travel habits for millions of urban residents.

Delegates at the opening ceremony of the Made in Da Nang Expo 2026 (Photo: VNA)

Nearly 300 firms join Made in Da Nang Expo 2026

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee Tran Chi Cuong said the exhibition is a large-scale trade promotion event aimed at showcasing products, connecting markets, and helping businesses enhance competitiveness while expanding domestic and export markets.

 Green production, standardised value chains key to fruit, vegetable sector growth

Green production, standardised value chains key to fruit, vegetable sector growth

Facing mounting pressure from increasingly stringent domestic and international standards, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable sector is accelerating its shift toward green, safe, and sustainable production models. Beyond changing farming practices, localities and businesses are stepping up efforts to standardise value chains and build brands to achieve growth targets for 2026.

Hiep Phuoc Industrial Park in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA)

Southern industrial real estate enters strategic growth phase

Key industrial hubs in the south, including Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai and Tay Ninh, are transitioning from a period driven largely by supply expansion and rising land prices to a more refined growth model. This new phase is shaped by infrastructure upgrades, supply chain restructuring, product improvement and greater emphasis on operational performance.

The launch of the Vietnam National Brand Week 2026 on April 16 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam National Brand Week 2026 opens

Running from April 16 to 23 nationwide, the Vietnam National Brand Week 2026 marks the 18th anniversary of Vietnam Brand Day (April 20, 2008 – 2026).