Vietnam, Australia strengthen fight against customs violations

The General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) and the Australian Border Force (ABF) took a significant step toward enhanced cooperation by signing a new plan to collaborate on customs investigations and monitoring during talks in Hanoi on May 7.A

At the signing ceremony (Photo: VNA)
At the signing ceremony (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – The General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) and the Australian Border Force (ABF) took a significant step toward enhanced cooperation by signing a new plan to collaborate on customs investigations and monitoring during talks in Hanoi on May 7.

The plan, signed by GDVC Director General Nguyen Van Can and ABF Commissioner Michael Outram, signified a commitment to sharing expertise and tackling customs violations.

This collaboration comes amid a thriving economic relationship between Vietnam and Australia. Two-way trade has reached nearly 15 billion USD in recent years, solidifying Australia's position as Vietnam's 10th largest trade partner.

Recognising this growth, both sides highlighted the importance of optimising trade facilitation with effective customs control to ensure national security and safety.

The newly signed plan outlines a collaborative approach to combating illegal commercial activities like smuggling, trade fraud, and the movement of prohibited goods, with a particular focus on drugs, tobacco, and controlled substances.

The GDVC expressed its appreciation for the ABF's ongoing support within the framework of the Container Control Programme (CCP) and its active participation in the Mekong Dragon Campaign, a regional initiative co-initiated by Vietnam.

It additionally requested the ABF's support in enhancing the capacity of its dog teachers and trainers.

The ABF side said it had appointed representatives at the Australian Embassy in Vietnam to contribute to further developing the friendly and cooperative relationship between the two sides.

Concluding the talks, both sides agreed to hold talks every two years to review progress and draft future cooperation directions./.

VNA

See more

The Lao Bao border gate, Huong Hoa district, Quang Tri province. (Photo: VNA)

Nearly 200 projects registered in Quang Tri's IPs

Two economic zones and two industrial parks in the central province of Quang Tri have so far attracted nearly 200 investment projects, with a total registered capital exceeding 172.4 trillion VND (6.78 billion USD) and a planned land use of over 5,978ha.

At the meeting (Photo: VNA)

PM urges business leaders to drive economic growth

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh encouraged businesses to actively engage in large-scale national projects, such as the North-South high-speed railway, standard-gauge railways connecting with China, urban railways, and the nuclear power project.

Production at Minerals Holding Corporation in Lao Cai province. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam’s industrial production inches up 0.6% in January

According to Director of the GSO’s Industry and Construction Statistics Department Phi Thi Huong Nga, Vietnam could achieve breakthrough industrial growth in 2025 and beyond by leveraging its advantages and accelerating digital and green transformation as well as meeting the increasingly stringent requirements of the international market.