On May 9, 2018, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) issued a plan for implementing the Scheme on promoting payment via banks for public services such as taxes, electricity, water use, education fees, healthcare and payments for the social security programs.
The objectives of the plan are to implement effectively Decision No. 241/QD-TTg dated February 23, 2018 of the Prime Minister approving the Scheme on promoting payment via banks for public services: taxes, electricity, water use, education fees, healthcare and payments for social security programs; to identify specific tasks, due times and responsibilities of the relevant entities in the implementation of the Scheme.
The plan consists of the following tasks: (i) Finalizing the legal framework and policy mechanisms for payment via banks; (ii) Applying modern forms and methods to facilitate payment via banks for public services and social security programs; (iii) Studying to formulate measures for exchanging and sharing information between the public service providers and the banks; (iv) Enhancing coordination among ministries, agencies, local authorities and enterprises in the implementation of measures aiming at promoting payment via banks for public services; (v) Continuing to ensure safety and security of payment activities, thus improving customers’ trust; (vi) Enhancing information and communication, as well as implementing effectively other support measures.
The SBV entities, which are assigned to be the leading units for the implementation of the tasks in the plan, are responsible for organizing the implementation to ensure the progress of assigned tasks. The Payment Department is responsible for supervising and speeding up the implementation of the tasks mentioned in the plan; acting as the focal point to collect and consolidate reports on reviewing the implementation of the Scheme to be submitted to the Prime Minister as regulated.
In addition, the SBV Governor also required the SBV branches in provinces and centrally controlled cities to implement promptly and effectively the mechanisms and polices on payment, acquiring information on the payment activities in their localities to report and make recommendations to the local authorities and the SBV Governor in conformity with the regulations. The commercial banks and foreign bank branches are required to formulate their own plans for the implementation of the Scheme, and report the results to the SBV on an annual basis.
The Decision took effect from the date of signing.
Le Hang