A view of FPT Software Company in Ha Noi. Viet Nam is making an effort to promote the use of e-Government programmes. It aims to become one of the top four IT application users in ASEAN by 2016. — Photo www.reviewcompany.vn

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Viet Nam's Government is set to release a resolution this month aimed at boosting the use of e-Government programmes.

The target is for the country to break into the UN E-Government Readiness Index (EDGI)'s top four in ASEAN by 2016, and the top three by 2017, reported Hai Quan (Customs) newspaper.

The resolution aims to boost the development of e-government and enhance the quality and efficiency of state agencies to better serve the public and enterprises.

It will also make state agencies' activities on the internet more transparent.

According to the 2014 EDGI, Viet Nam ranked 99th out of 193 countries worldwide, and fifth among ASEAN countries.

Promoting the application of IT in management activities is one of the main focuses of the Government's efforts to improve the business environment and enhance national competitiveness.

The percentage of enterprises conducting electronic tax declarations last year increased from 65 per cent to 95 per cent, reported.

The time it took to pay taxes also fell from 537 to 247 hours per year.

A national one-door customs mechanism has been launched with the aim of reducing customs clearance time from 21 to 14 days for exports and 13 days for imports, while bringing down costs by 10-20 per cent.

The Ministry of Health is also focusing on IT applications in the healthcare sector.

Last year, all central-level hospitals applied computing software, while the percentage in provincial and district level hospitals was 68 per cent and 61 per cent.

The Ministry of Health is piloting electronic medical files and hospital management systems at the National Hospital of Pediatric, Thanh Hoa Pediatric Hospital, National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Hospital of Traditional Medicine, Ha Tinh General Hospital and Hue Central Hospital.

These hospitals will receive funding to upgrade their management software to provide better services for both doctors and patients.

The sector also plans to issue electronic health insurance cards by 2018, aiming to save time and increase the effectiveness of medical examinations and treatment. —VNS