Laos, Korea customs authorities boost cooperation
Laos, Korea customs authorities boost cooperation
The Ministry of Finance's Customs Department and the Republic of Korea's Customs Service have signed the Agreed Record on the 1st Bilateral Cooperation to improve capacity building in the sector in Laos.
The agreement contract was signed by the Director General of the Lao Customs Department, Mr Athsaphangthong Siphandone, and the Commissioner of the Korea Customs Service, Mr Joo Yung Sup.
The signing ceremony took place in Vientiane on Friday and was witnessed by Deputy Minister of Finance Mr Santiphab Phomvihane, customs officials from both sides and other invited guests.
Under the agreement, the two customs authorities will work on various issues in the sector and further bilateral cooperation.
The Korea Customs Service will help Laos with capacity building, and will support the establishment of Business Processing Reengineering/Information Strategy Planning for customs modernisation within the Lao Customs Department.
The two customs authorities will designate respective contact points for the purpose of facilitating bilateral trade and investment based on free trade agreements and their respective domestic laws.
If either authority notifies the other of difficulties in the clearance process, the two bodies will make an effort to address the problem, the agreement stated.
The two customs authorities agreed to hold the 2nd Bilateral Customs Heads' Meeting in Korea. The date and agenda will be arranged through future consultation between the two sides, following the 1st Bilateral Customs Heads' Meeting on Friday.
Prior to the first meeting, Mr Joo Yung Sup and his delegation visited the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge Customs Checkpoint in Vientiane.
The Lao Customs Department is responsible for governing and overseeing the flow of goods, people and vehicles into and out of Laos, operating customs offices, and collecting import and export duty fees.
The department advises businesses and travellers and participates in regional and international customs-related associations and programmes.
It operates regional offices in the provinces of Attapeu, Bokeo, Borikhamxay, Champassak, Huaphan, Khammuan, Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Phongsaly, Saravan, Savannakhet, Xekong, Vientiane and Xayaboury.
The Korea Customs Service overseas the efficient import and export of items, while aiming to detect and stamp out smuggled goods, drugs and terrorism-related items.
vientiane times
