Border trade contributes significantly to local economies

October 11, Deputy Prime MinisterGovernmentTran Hong Ha signed Decision 1161/QD-TTg promulgating the Plan to implement the Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region Planning for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050.

The plan sets out key tasks to implement the Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region Planning for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050. It focuses on developing dynamic areas, growth poles, important economic corridors, and advantageous economic sectors.

Accordingly, one of the objectives of this Plan is to develop regional growth poles in Thai Nguyen, Bac Giang, Lao Cai, Son La, Lang Son, Phu Tho. Promote the development of agricultural product chains, typical tourism and border gate economy.

Specifically, focus on developing a system of 05 border gate economic zones in the area including: Thanh Thuy border gate economic zone, Ha Giang province; Cao Bang border gate economic zone, Cao Bang province; Dong Dang - Lang Son border gate economic zone, Lang Son province; Ma Lu Thang border gate economic zone, Lai Chau province; Lao Cai border gate economic zone, Lao Cai province.

Long Sap Border Gate (Son La)

In which, developing 3 border gates applying the border gate economic zone policy includes: Long Sap international border gate, provinceSon La; Chieng Khuong border gate, Son La province; Tay Trang international border gate, Dien Bien province.

Thus, the Plan mentioned 2 important border gates of Son La - one of the famous "fruit and vegetable granaries" of the North. Currently, Son La has more than 274 km of border adjacent to Hua Phan and Luang Prabang provinces (Lao PDR). Of which, there are 17 border communes in 6 districts, including: Sop Cop, Song Ma, Mai Son, Yen Chau, Moc Chau and Van Ho. In recent years, Son La has issued many policies and strategies, prioritizing resources for socio-economic development, associated with strengthening national defense and security, ensuring the border area develops, stably and sustainably.

Son La Department of Industry and Trade informed that, in general, border trade activities between Son La and provinces of Lao PDR, although still limited, have contributed significantly to promoting production and circulation of goods, meeting the needs of production and life of border residents. The management of border trade activities of Son La province in recent years has contributed to maintaining political security and social order and safety in the Vietnam - Laos border area.

In 2023, Son La province has built a priority investment list to upgrade key routes connecting to the border gate area, such as National Highway 43, National Highway 4G, Provincial Roads 102, 103, 105; granted Vietnam - Laos transport licenses to vehicles in the province. Continue to implement the project to build Nam Lanh sub-border gate, Sop Cop district; build a Control Station, housing for officers and soldiers at Keo Muong opening and complete the project to build Na Cai sub-border gate, Yen Chau district.

The import and export of goods and agricultural products through border gates is maintained and expanded. The Department of Industry and Trade of Son La province informed that in the period of 2018-2023, import and export activities at border gates in Son La province have operated stably. However, the turnover value is still very low compared to the whole country (average of less than 1 million USD/year), the structure of goods is still monotonous, there has not been a significant change in the structure of goods and methods of border trade exchange.

Increase investment in border gate areas

To promote the development of border gate economy, in July 2024, the People's Council of Son La province issued Resolution 349/NQ-HDND on approving the adjustment of the investment policy of the project to invest in building Long Sap main border gate, Son La province into an international border gate.

Accordingly, it is expected to invest 83 billion VND to upgrade Long Sap border gate into an international border gate with the goal of building the border gate area into a border gate service and tourism center, a financial, trade and border service center, with a synchronous and modern infrastructure system.

At the same time, improve the material and spiritual life of the people, exchange and cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in general, Son La province, the Northwestern sub-region of Vietnam and the Northern Lao provinces in particular.

The adjusted investment scale includes the National Gate combined with the Joint Control Station, weighing and screening station, quarantine station, chemical inspection and quarantine yard, bonded warehouse, preliminary processing yard, unloading yard, exit bus station, entry bus station, export bus station, border guard station, customs station, medical station, trees and technical infrastructure.

In addition, build a road system according to urban road standards and build a technical infrastructure system.

Time, project implementation in 2024 and 2025.

Previously, on December 22, 2020, the Government issued Resolution No. 182/NQ-CP on upgrading Long Sap main border gate, Son La province to an international border gate. On December 31, 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a diplomatic note to the Lao side that our Government had decided to upgrade Long Sap main border gate, Son La province to an international border gate and requested the Lao side to soon upgrade Pa Hang main border gate, Hua Phan province to an international border gate.

On the side of the Department of Industry and Trade of Son La, it will coordinate with departments, branches, and People's Committees of border districts to focus on implementing key tasks and solutions such as continuing to maintain propaganda and dissemination of regulations on border trade (Decree No. 14/2018/ND-CP dated January 23, 2018 detailing border trade activities; Decree No. 69/2018/ND-CP dated May 15, 2018 detailing a number of articles of the Law on Foreign Trade Management...).

In addition, coordinate with functional forces and People's Committees of border districts to monitor the border trade situation at border gates and border openings in the province; Review the current status of border trade infrastructure.

Maintain cooperative relationships and information exchange with the Department of Industry and Trade of Northern Laos provinces; support the improvement of competitiveness of enterprises and cooperatives in the province. Continue to implement national and local industrial promotion programs and projects.

Continue to coordinate with departments and People's Committees of districts and cities to organize trade promotion programs inside and outside the province (Safe agricultural products week, direct and online trade connection conferences...) to support businesses to participate in promoting, introducing and connecting to consume products and goods...

Lan Phuong