On the evening of February 3, Official Dispatch No. 08/CĐ-TTg was signed to immediately address bottlenecks in food import-export activities and support businesses in complying with the updated food safety regulations. The Prime Minister emphasized that specialized inspection processes must be seamless, transparent, and absolutely free of unnecessary delays.
Establishing a 24/7 rapid response system
A central part of this directive is the creation of direct communication channels between authorities and enterprises:
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24/7 Hotlines: The Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Ministry of Industry and Trade are tasked with publicizing hotline information. These channels must be staffed around the clock to provide immediate guidance on administrative procedures.
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On-site Personnel: The Customs sector is required to maintain 24/7 staffing at key border gates, ensuring that electronic clearance systems remain stable during peak periods.
Flexible inspection and post-audit mechanisms
To prioritize the flow of goods, the Prime Minister requested the application of flexible measures in inspection workflows:
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Clearance based on commitment: For shipments with complete documentation as committed, authorities must grant immediate clearance.
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Parallel testing and post-audits: Sample testing can be conducted simultaneously with cargo movement or carried out at the enterprise’s warehouse after clearance.
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Priority for fresh produce: Localities must optimize traffic flow and designate specific assembly areas for fresh agricultural products and essential foods to minimize waiting times.
Decentralization and local capacity building
Local authorities are urged to assign tasks to specialized agencies and designate additional qualified testing facilities. The goal is to ensure that every locality possesses sufficient technical infrastructure to serve state management under the spirit of Decree 46.
In addition to accelerating progress, the dispatch also stresses the prevention of negative behaviors or corruption during the execution of official duties. The Ministry of Health will serve as the focal point, providing daily reports to the Government for timely policy adjustments.