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Customs officials prepare for regional integration
Customs officials are learning more about tariff classification in order to prepare Laos for regional and international integration.
A three-day training course on tariff classification is taking place in Vientiane from March 5-7.
Acting Director General of the Customs Department and Head of the Customs and Trade Facilitation Project under the Ministry of Finance, Mr Athsaphangthong Siphandone, said that tariff classification is an important issue and has a direct effect on national revenue collection.
“If officials cannot clearly define tariffs, it affects tax and tariff collection, so it is important that officials understand the procedures involved and implement them effectively.”
Mr Athsaphangthong said “We are preparing an improved tariff classification system, which we expect to be used nationwide within this year.”
As an Asean member, Laos is now working to develop a Lao National Single Window to link to the Asean Single Window system of electronic trade document processing. Under the agreement, Laos and the newer Asean member countries must establish their National Single Windows no later than 2012.
The National Single Window system will facilitate fast, transparent, and effective trade and will also facilitate implementation of the national socio-economic development plan.
Mr Athsaphangthong said “Customs work, especially tariff classification, must comply with regional systems to ensure regional integration.”
“At the same time, we are now preparing to implement the new Customs Law, and tariff classification is a key part of this law.”
“Laos is now also preparing to join the World Trade Organisation, so our customs work is increasingly important,” he added. “So this year I urge all officials to pay more attention and learn as much as they can so they are well prepared for the challenges ahead.”
The training course was run by foreign experts who specialise in tariff classification and have experience working with international customs.
Participants learned about the basics of tariff classification, the General Interpretative Rules and the Complementary Publication and Databases.
The workshop was organised by the Customs Department and the Customs and Trade Facilitation Project.
The Customs and Trade Facilitation Project aims to facilitate trade by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of customs administration. The project will simplify customs procedures, eliminate redundancy, reduce transaction costs and the time taken to clear goods, and increase transparency and accountability.
vientiane times
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