USAID/VNCI II Monthly Report March 2012

263/QD-TTg, aiming to reform administrative procedures (APs) and related regulations in 24 areas, including investment, market entry, tax, and customs. The Plan was developed by the Administrative Procedure Agency (APCA) in consultation with relevant ministries, cities, and provinces, as well as the private sector through the Advisory Council for AP reform. Priorities were set by both the private sector and government, and the Plan is modeled after the South Korean "bundle review approach." The Prime Minister set a target of cutting at least 30% compliance costs to ensure real reform happens. The USAID/Vietnam Competitiveness Initiative (USAID/VNCI) supported the design and implementation of the Plan through regulatory reform and capacity building for APCA. The initiative aimed to address issues at both policy and procedural levels, with a focus on simplifying administrative procedures and reducing compliance costs. Capacity building for APCA was a key component of the initiative, with USAID/VNCI supporting the development of a network of 87 control units across ministries and provinces with 12,000 personnel. Training courses were conducted on AP bundle review, handover of the National Database, and introduction of e-government in public service delivery. The initiative also facilitated a discussion between APCA and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on the development of a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system for AP reform. Donor coordination on regulatory reform was another key aspect of the initiative, with USAID/VNCI facilitating meetings and discussions between APCA and other donors, including the World Bank and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The initiative aimed to link the Economic Management Competitiveness Credit (EMCC) with the future regulatory reform plan and to support APCA's initiative through the EMCC program. The Administrative Procedure Reform (APR) work plan 2012 was approved, with 29 Working Groups conducting reviews in 29 fields. The work plan was in line with the Prime Minister's Decision No. 263/QD-TTg dated March 5, 2012, and key issues to be reviewed included APs relating to investment, land, and construction, individual identification, and business chop. USAID/VNCI advisory team provided support to APCA to develop this work-plan. Communications were also a key aspect of the initiative, with USAID/VNCI's advisors assisting APCA on media relations. A media briefing was held on Decision 263, and series of reports were aired on VOVTV, VTC, and VTV1, showing deeper analyses of reform's progress and its issues. The initiative also worked with the private sector to standardize branding applications for AP reform and to support the increased demand of communication work for AP reform. Regulatory reform and regulatory impact assessment (RIA) were also key components of the initiative. RIA training courses were conducted for staff of the Ministry of Transport, with a focus on current transport policy issues such as motor vehicle fees and fines for violation of transport provisions. The initiative also supported the development of better regulations, including the Law on Civil Status, and provided support to the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) in this regard.