Govt says rules on software export management no longer necessary

HCMC – The Government will not issue regulations managing export and import of software products and services as earlier expected, as such rules are deemed as unnecessary, according to Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam.

According to a new dispatch just issued by the Government Office, the Deputy PM said the draft regulation is not necessary, as problems faced by information technology (IT) companies have been solved. Therefore, the Government has decided not to issue the rule.

Earlier, the Government asked the Ministry of Information and Communications to come up with regulations to help address problems faced by IT enterprises. However, the Finance Ministry has already issued relevant regulations to deal with the problems.

The HCMC Computer Association and the Vietnam IT Outsourcing Alliance once petitioned the Ministry of Information and Communications not to issue any regulations as they would make life more difficult for IT firms.

They reasoned the export of software products and services occurs instantly and thus cannot wait for competent agencies to verify their documents, issue export permits, and check software products as prescribed in the draft regulations.

Meanwhile, some software-outsourcing companies said if the draft regulations were passed, they would have to employ more staff responsible for export and import paperwork.

Besides, certain information related to software processing must be kept secret under contracts with foreign partners while the draft regulations demand such details to be revealed. This would spell great trouble for IT firms.

Chi Thinh – The Saigon Times