Directive No. 04/2002/CT-BTC of the Minister of Finance on continuing to stabilize, build, and develop the Customs sector and successfully implement the Sector's Work Program

DIRECTIVE OF THE MINISTER OF FINANCE

Regarding the continued stability, construction, development of the Customs sector and the successful implementation of the sector's work program

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In recent years, all customs officials have continuously strived to successfully complete the tasks assigned by the Party and the State, especially in the first nine months of 2002, the entire sector completed a large volume of work according to the goals, plans, and schedules set out, gradually implementing the Customs Law into practice. These achievements were due to the efforts, hard work, and positive contributions of the entire cadre and staff from central to local levels within the sector.

Continuing to implement the Government's administrative reform program, including the restructuring of the administrative management system to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of state management, on September 4, 2002, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 113/2002/QD-TTg regarding the transfer of the General Department of Customs to the Ministry of Finance.

Implementing the Prime Minister's Decision, the Director of the General Department of Customs has issued a decision to hand over, and the Minister of Finance has issued a decision to accept the entire customs organizational system into the Ministry of Finance in its current state as of September 10, 2002.

To strictly implement the Prime Minister's Decision, while ensuring the continued stability of the Customs sector to successfully fulfill the assigned political tasks, the Minister of Finance requests:

1/ Heads of units at all levels in the entire Customs sector cooperate with party committees and mass organizations to strengthen political and ideological education for each cadre and staff member in their unit, thoroughly understand and strictly enforce Decision No. 113/2002/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister, decisions of the Minister of Finance related to the transfer of the General Department of Customs to the Ministry of Finance; encourage cadres and staff to stabilize their thoughts, be confident in their work, uphold the traditions of the sector, unite, overcome difficulties, and excel in completing assigned tasks.

2/ The leadership of the General Department of Customs directs units throughout the sector to continue implementing programs aimed at improving organizational structures and personnel; developing and perfecting regulatory legal documents to strictly implement the Customs Law, streamline administrative procedures; complete the project on computerization and modernization of the Customs sector; strengthen inspection, supervision, and monitoring of the implementation of assigned tasks by units within the sector; review and re-examine work processes, strengthen checks and controls on the performance of duties by each organization and individual cadre and staff; ensure discipline and order in all areas of activity of the sector in accordance with the Customs Law.

Heads of units at all levels in the entire sector continue to manage and direct their units in accordance with existing legal documents, regulations, and provisions of the Ministry of Finance and the General Department of Customs.

3/ Functional units of the Ministry of Finance and the General Department of Customs urgently coordinate to implement necessary measures to maintain the normal operation of customs organizations from central to local levels, ensuring that the Customs sector successfully implements its work programs and plans for 2002 and subsequent years.

4/ Heads of units at all levels in the entire sector strengthen supervision and inspection of compliance with legal regulatory documents on customs, operational directives of the General Department, and other mechanisms and policies related to the activities of the Customs sector; promptly identify and resolve emerging issues within their authority, and report to the Minister of Finance for guidance on resolving issues beyond their authority to prevent work delays.

5/ Heads of units at all levels in the entire sector direct cadres and staff in their units to study and propose active measures to manage and organize the collection of import and export taxes in accordance with legal regulations and assigned plans; resolutely and effectively prevent tax evasion and fraud; seek the leadership of the party committee and support from local authorities and related sectors in handling tax arrears, striving to achieve and exceed tax revenue targets; actively engage and closely cooperate with functional forces to combat smuggling at both central and local levels to effectively carry out anti-smuggling and anti-commercial fraud tasks within their customs jurisdiction; continue to consolidate and stabilize operations to fully utilize the positive role of the party organization and mass organizations in their units; creatively apply appropriate forms and methods in political and ideological education to enhance awareness and self-discipline in the extensive movement for building discipline, integrity, and propriety among cadres and staff.

6/ The leadership of the General Department of Customs continues to strictly adhere to the reporting system for work with party organs and the Prime Minister as stipulated, while also reporting to the Minister of Finance for oversight and guidance; implement the preparation of work programs and plans and regular ten-day reports on the progress of task implementation and other required reports as per the Ministry of Finance's regulations to ensure unified management of the Minister of Finance over the General Department of Customs' organizational system.

7/ Heads of units at all levels in the entire sector proactively assess the implementation of 2002 tasks and prepare to develop work programs and plans for 2003 for their units.

8/ Heads of units under and affiliated with the Ministry and heads of units at all levels in the Customs sector base their specific functions and tasks to strictly implement this Directive.

Upholding the fine tradition of 57 years of construction and development of the Vietnam Customs Service (September 10, 1945 - September 10, 2002) and the results of three consecutive years (1999, 2000, 2001) of successfully exceeding the main targets and tasks assigned by the Government, all officials and civil servants of the Customs Service must unite closely, unify their will, and continue to strive to achieve victory in completing the tasks for 2002 and subsequent years./.