Very little is known about how long it custom clearance will take each time materials come in to the country, said Cho Hyung Joon from the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KorCham), adding that it always took too long.

Representatives from Japanese-owned businesses aired the same complaints at the regular forum between VCCI and foreign business associations.

Continuous and rapid policy changes in a short period of time have made it difficult for companies to plan business activities and investments, according to KorCham General Secretary Hong Sun.

Vietnam is facing a high risk of losing its competitive edge due to red tape, warned Alain Cany, chairman of Euro Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam.

At present, 5,500 administration procedures are effective at the central government, city/provincial, district and commune levels. They generate 82,786 forms and are ruled by 7,641 documents, according to figures compiled during stage one of Project No.30, which aims to simplify administrative procedures between 2007 and 2010.

Tuoi Tre - October 9, 2009