10th β 12th October 2023
The WCO Technology Conference & Exhibition 2023 is underway at the National Convention Centre in Hanoi, Vietnam. It is co-hosted by the General Department of Vietnam Customs. His Excellency, Deputy Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Tran Luu Quang, delivered a keynote address, while other opening remarks were delivered by the WCO Secretary General, Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, and the Director General of the General Department of Vietnam Customs, Mr. Nguyen Van Can.
Deputy Prime Minister Quang welcomed all delegates to Vietnam and commended the strong collaboration between the WCO and various Vietnamese Government entities in successfully organizing the conference. He emphasized the pivotal role played by Customs in embracing digital transformation, digitizing infrastructure, and optimizing available human and financial resources, resulting in more efficient organizations. He urged all members to support Customs reform and modernization processes by incorporating technology and digitization into their mandate delivery.
Dr. Mikuriya highlighted that joint efforts and collaboration would lead to more efficient trade facilitation and innovative approaches to addressing future challenges and fostering business partnerships. He emphasized the conference’s theme, “Embracing the Digital Age: Leveraging Technology, Fostering Innovation, and Nurturing the Next Generation of Customs Professionals,” aimed at exploring how innovation and technology can support Customs in its roles of trade facilitation, protection of society, and revenue collection, while emphasizing the importance of people in the digital transformation process.
Director General Nguyen Van Can appreciated the WCO for its support in sustainable capacity building for Customs Members. He underscored the significance of technology and automation in enhancing Customs’ efficiency and effectiveness in trade facilitation. He also shared the progress made by Vietnam Customs in digital transformation and automation.
The ROCB Director Larry Liza will be part of a panel discussion on βScaling up for Efficiencies in Trade Facilitation, Safety and Security β.
By Faith Mosongo
