Investment in the infrastructure of border-gate economic zones must be synchronized with the system of Customs authorities

Mr. Nguyen Quang Bach

Some people think that despite a lot of investment, the infrastructure in Dong Dang-Lang Son Economic Zone is still different from the investment of the Chinese side, causing a significant impact on the cargo clearance process. What is your point about this?

Recently, the border gate economic zone has received a significant investment in infrastructure compared to the Chinese side. Therefore, it is not commensurate or equal. China invested very methodically, building a system of warehouses, yards, and non-tariff zones. Notably, China built a gathering place for a commodity with a separate area for cars and motorbikes, a separate area for fruit, and an area for machinery and equipment.

On the Vietnamese side, the infrastructure still has many shortcomings that need more investment. For example, despite a large investment, the system of wharves and yards still cannot meet the demand for clearance of goods on peak occasions. This is one of the reasons leading to cargo congestion. Moreover, besides the seasonal factor, when the harvest season comes, much fruit is gathered at the border gate, but the border gate is deserted at the end of the season.

Agricultural products brought to the border gate that is not immediately exported can be processed, repackaged or deeply processed, pressed into juice or processed into dried fruits. However, a cold storage system to preserve goods has not been built. These aspects need to be paid more attention to, promoting investment in fruit deep processing zones to avoid price pressure from importers and creating added value for export products.

Moreover, in terms of services related to import and export activities, Vietnam mainly focuses on road transport but has not diversified into other transportation services such as railways. In the past, railways have been a "salvation" for import and export activities in the context of anti-pandemic. However, the railway infrastructure has not yet met the set demand. As a result, Lang Son Customs has proposed much content related to railways and Vietnam Railways Corporation has recently paid more attention to rail transport.

Dear sir, human resources is an outstanding weakness that needs to be overcome to promote the import-export process and cargo clearance more conveniently, contributing to the development of the Dong Dang-Lang Son economic zone in the coming time. Is it true?

Currently, high-quality human resources in Lang Son are limited, especially customs broker agents. In Lang Son province, currently, there are only 22 businesses that are customs broker agents. Compared with the number of 3,600 enterprises of Lang Son in particular and especially the number of enterprises carrying out procedures through the Lang Son area of ​​the whole country, which is about 3,200-3,500 enterprises, the above 22 enterprises are minimal numbers. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the development of customs broker agents to support import and export activities.

Currently, regulations on customs broker agents are pretty strict, so it is difficult for businesses to meet the requirement. In addition, some businesses reflected that taking the customs broker agent certification exam was very difficult. Therefore, it is necessary to develop customs broker agents to adjust policies and loosen conditions. At the same time, it is necessary to research preferential policies for customs broker clearance agents, such as tax incentives, support for setting up businesses, and training.

Besides that, the subjects of labor involved in import-export activities and other services also need to improve their qualifications to meet enterprises' needs. For example, investors in factories manufacturing, assembling cars, assembling motorbikes, or other manufacturing industries need high-quality labor. However, the current human resources are difficult to meet.

From the perspective of the Customs authority, what suggestions and recommendations do you have to create more favorable conditions for import-export activities, contributing to promoting the development of Dong Dang-Lang Son Economic Zone?

Currently, the Customs sector is implementing Digital Customs and Smart Customs. Therefore, I suggest that the investment in equipment, infrastructure, and warehouses of Lang Son should be synchronized with the system of the Customs authority. For example, installing smart cameras, electronic barriers, electronic scales, and automated monitoring systems. When investment-related issues are integrated with the Customs system, it will create many advantages for customs inspection and supervision and facilitate import and export activities.

Thank you!