WASHINGTON: The Government Office last weekend sent a document requiring the ministries of Finance, Justice, Industry and Trade, Planning and Investment, Transport, and Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) to work with the municipal People’s Committee to review the collection of fees and report to the Prime Minister before March 20. Last week, the municipal People’s Committee released a document affirming that the collection had adequate legal foundation. It said the fees were much lower than that of Lao Cai (a half for 20-feet container and 62.5 per cent for 40-feet container). It added that Hai Phong City was the first locality in the country to charge fees at seaports and so, it could not compare its fees with other localities having seaports. Earlier this month, VCCI submitted a document to the PM, saying that the fees being collected under Resolution No 148 were much higher than the current levels of up to 70 per cent.
VCCI said the fees for the use of infrastructure, service facilities and public utilities at Hai Phong’s seaports were increased for two consecutive years since 2015. It added that businesses believed the city’s roadmap for an increase of fees had been too short, as the fees were increased thrice within three years. The Ministry of Finance on January 25 had said the fees being collected should ensure competitiveness and create a favourable investment environment for firms. The ministry also asked the Government Office to ensure that the charges were in line with the payment ability of enterprises, and transport through the seaports and operations are conducted smoothly.
