Meeting with Customs Department on 2nd of September 2021
ECCIL together with its Platinum Sponsor, AIF Group and members Coca Cola had an opportunity to visit Mr. Phoukhaokham Vannavongxay, the Director General of Customs Department on 2nd September 2021.
The purpose of the meeting is to inform and discuss with public sector regarding customs matters especially challenges that ECCIL members are facing including loading and unloading products at the border, difficulties on changing cargos at the border, challenge of the payment by using Lao National Single Window as well as a request to have a meeting between customs department and private sector directly in order to update and disseminate relevant rules and regulations from time to time.
The Director General together with the team were glad to have a meeting with ECCIL as customs department could use such opportunity to clarify and inform ECCIL as the representative of private sector in several topics. He also provided explanation on the difficulties of loading and unloading products at the border as one of the safety measures set by the Task Force Committee while customs department has been using several of international standards in terms of trade facilitation for instance the benefits of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program which allow private sector to make advance payment as well as payment extension, reduce processes of checking products by checking at the company’s warehouse directly and etc.…
In addition, Mr. Phoukhaokham Vongvannaxay also agreed to strengthen the cooperation between customs department and ECCIL by planning to join a meeting invited by ECCIL and its members as participations in the near future.
Customs department also emphasized the role of the department as a service provider to private sector and public general. Therefore, customs department is pleased to hear from private sector regarding difficulties and warmly welcome every suggestion to improve the service.