Transport and trade businesses can look forward to the prospect of filling their customs forms for imports, exports, and transit just once for the entire process when the “Single-window” system comes into effect with US assistance.

Vietnam has committed to putting a national system into operation by 2010 and to joining a group ‘single window’ scheme with the nine other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by 2012, Nguyen Manh Tung, Deputy Head of the General Department of Customs Reforms Board, said at a press briefing in Hanoi on June 30.

He briefed reporters on the outcome of a two-day workshop, which had wrapped up earlier in the day, saying representatives from business circles and Government agencies had input their suggestions to the national master-plan in a collective effort to implement the procedure on schedule.

A draft master-plan will be submitted to the national steering board, which consists of leaders from 13 relevant ministries and agencies, for consideration and approval, he said.

Michael Satin from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) emphasised the US Government’s willingness to help Vietnam realise its commitments through the ASEAN Secretariat as a practical measure to help boost trade in the Southeast Asian market.

The scheme, which aims to streamline customs procedures, save time and money, will benefit all relevant parties, especially ordinary people, he said.

He pledged assistance throughout each phase of implementing this “Single-window” system among ASEAN member states, adding that USAID has worked with a number of partners in the region for economic integration.

Le Anh Quang from the ASEAN Secretariat said the organising board has deemed it wise to first draw opinions from business circles on the form the proposed new system should take, especially medium and small-sized enterprises, as they stand to benefit most from the plan.