ACAPR’s third meeting introduces structural revamp; EuroCham Vice-Chair Minh Nguyen appointed as vice-chair of committee

On 26 February, the Government Office hosted the third meeting of the Advisory Council and Taskforce on Administrative Procedure Reform (ACAPR). Chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, participants included leaders from various sectors, such as Government Office Minister-Chairman Tran Van Son, Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra, Director General of the Government Office’s Administrative Procedure Control Agency Ngo Hai Phan, and leaders from ministries and business associations. 

The meeting introduced a new structure for the ACAPR, under Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang’s leadership, emphasizing administrative procedure enhancement and private economic development. The revamped setup includes four key committees:

• Committee 1: Mechanisms, Policies, and Administrative Procedures Reform
• Committee 2: Evaluation of Administrative Procedure Reform Implementation
• Committee 3: Secretariat
• Committee 4: Research on Private Economic Development

EuroCham Vice-Chair Minh Nguyen has been appointed as the Vice-Chair of Committee 1. In collaboration with the Taskforce, Advisory Council, and relevant ministries, this committee will spearhead the creation of two thematic reports in 2024. The first report will focus on identifying mechanisms, policies, and legal barriers, offering solutions to attract investment and foster the development of renewable energy. The second will address and propose solutions within the banking sector, aiming to streamline financial processes and enhance economic growth.

During the session, Vice-Chair cum General Secretary of ACAPR Ngo Hai Phan provided a succinct overview of the Taskforce and Advisory Council’s performance in 2023, accompanied by recommendations and proposals aimed at addressing pertinent challenges. 

EuroCham Vice-Chair Minh Nguyen delivered a comprehensive presentation on behalf of our members, highlighting their experiences and challenges across several critical areas. These included on-spot import-export regulations, work permits for foreigners, visa policies, personal data protection, and facets of green development such as renewable energy, off-shore wind energy, and Direct Power Purchase Agreements (DPPA). Additionally, issues regarding the registration for investment in start-ups and innovation were addressed.

Additionally, other attendees at the meeting voiced a broad spectrum of concerns and recommendations, including issues related to environmental permits, ESG criteria, insurance policies, taxation, customs procedures, and the strategic investment in chips and semiconductors. Discussions also covered the facilitation of loans, as well as the streamlining of internal procedures within each ministry and locality. 

Addressing the concerns raised by ACAPR members, representatives from relevant ministries responded with proposed solutions. These included initiatives to review administrative procedures related to free trade agreements, consulting foreign investors, enhancing environmental protection measures, implementing digital transformation schemes, and piloting specialized administrative procedure reforms.

In his concluding remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang emphasized the importance of continued dialogue between the business community and government entities. He encouraged ACAPR members to be persistent in providing recommendations and facilitating information exchange to expedite reforms. Underscoring the need for tangible results, Deputy Prime Minister Quang expressed his expectation to see progress in addressing the proposed recommendations by the next meeting.

Taskforce members were encouraged to swiftly conduct research and respond to ACAPR members by March 2024, continuing to implement administrative procedure reforms across their respective ministries and industries. They are tasked with advancing solutions that promote digital transformation, support the green transition, leverage artificial intelligence, expand e-commerce, and enhance renewable energy initiatives, aligning with current trends and innovations.

Want to learn more about the ACAPR? Click here to read our recap of its inaugural meeting, and here for its second meeting.