Lao Cai, Yunnan strengthen trade exchanges

Despite import and export activities between both Vietnamese and Chinese businesses through border gates in Lao Cai being reduced due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two localities have exerted great efforts to ensure a “green channel” remains for transportation whilst also facilitating customs clearance procedures.

Furthermore, a working group has been established in a bid to quickly resolve problems which may occur at the Kim Thanh Road Border Gate along with other border gates to ensure import and export activities continue in a safe manner.

Ha Duc Thuan, deputy head of the Lao Cai Economic Zone Authority, said total import and export turnover of goods via Lao Cai border gates since the beginning of the year have risen by 15.5% on-year to reach more than US$3 million, of which exports climbed to over US$1 trillion.

Major export items also include peeled board, tapioca starch, coffee, confectionery, and yellow phosphorus, while some of the key imported commodities are fertilisers of all kinds, fruit and vegetables, iron and steel, machinery and equipment.

Moving forward to the upcoming Lunar New Year, both sides will continue to facilitate customs clearances for agricultural products, whilst also moving to adjust various types of fees and cross-border payments towards creating the optimal conditions for local enterprises.

The two sides are set to host a range of trade promotion activities, including trade fairs and fruit festivals, facilitate customs clearance through Kim Thanh border gate and Ho Kieu railway border gate to avoid congestion, while boosting closer cooperation in combating COVID-19 pandemic.