VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam and Cambodia will increase customs co-operation, focusing on border co-operation, to create favourable conditions for the two countries' trade and struggle against smuggling and trade fraud under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in Phnom Penh last Wednesday.

Vietnamese and Cambodian officials last Thursday agreed to boost co-operation in the fight against cross-border trafficking of wild animals in the southern province of Tay Ninh and Cambodian province of Kampong Cham.

The two sides gave a nod of approval to an action plan to lay ground for co-ordination in patrolling, forest management and information exchange through regular meetings between the two provincial authorities.

The border area between Tay Ninh and Kampong Cham has been identified as a "hot spot" where smugglers illegally transport rare animals into Viet Nam from Cambodia.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the trafficking involves cross-national criminal rings equipped with modern technology.

The MoU was signed by Director General of the Viet Nam General Department of Customs Nguyen Ngoc Tuc and Director General of Customs and Excise Department of the Royal Government of Cambodia Pen Siman.


Director general Pen Siman affirmed that relations between the two customs agencies have developed strongly, contributing to the economic development of both countries.


Director general Tuc proposed Cambodia increase exchanges of information relating to imports and exports of goods and the fight against smuggling and trade fraud via borders and create favourable conditions relating to exit and entry procedures for tourists between the two countries.


He suggested Cambodia organise a third border customs conference in Cambodia in the third quarter of this year and effectively enhance bilateral meetings between customs agencies of border provinces between the two countries.


The Vietnamese side proposed Cambodia create favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to bring provisionally-imported machines and equipment to Cambodia to implement rubber plantation projects.


The two sides shared a common concern about forecasts that indicated that the smuggling and illegal transport of goods via the Viet Nam-Cambodia border would become more complex.


The Vietnamese delegation is scheduled to attend a customs conference between ASEAN countries, Japan and the Asian Development Bank today in Phnom Penh.


VietNamNet/Viet Nam News