The agreement on reinforcement of the out-of-date customs functions at the port was signed on October 15 in Hanoi by the Governments of Vietnam and Japan.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Finance Do Hoang Anh Tuan said that the project would create a breakthrough in the reform of the activities of the customs sector.

Under the project framework, the Government of Japan will help the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVNC) set up a large-scale X-ray container inspection system at the port.

According to GDVNC, the quantity of import and export goods in Vietnam is increasing quickly, with the majority of goods coming and going in containers. In 2007, the number of containers passing through Cat Lai Port accounted for 70 percent of the total containers transported through HCM City and about 40 percent of Vietnam’s total volume. However, current customs inspections are still done by hand.