Lang Son: Enhance solutions to promote import and export of goods

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Importing and exporting goods at Chi Ma border gate. Photo: H.Nu

According to areport byLang Son People's Committee, the import and export of goods through border gates in the first six months of the year encountered many difficulties due to the effects of Covid-19. Due to theoutbreak of Covid-19, China has increased controloverimport and export, only implemented customs clearance at five border gates: HuuNghi, Tan Thanh, Coc Nam, Chi Ma and Dong Dang Station; stopped customs clearance at secondary border gates and shortened customs clearance time to five hours/day and breaks on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. At the same time, China has restricted imports of some items from Vietnam.

The above factors have caused import and export in general and Vietnam's export goods to China through Lang Son province in particular to face many difficulties, causing congestion of export goods in warehouses. In the middle of April 2020, the number of export vehicles at Lang Son border gates was always more than 2,000 vehicles.

In that situation, Lang Son province has directed all levels and branches to implement many solutions to remove difficulties for import and export.In particular, quickly set up a specialized driving team to transport goods across the border; direct functional agencies to proactively negotiate with the Chinese side to agree on measures to remove difficulties.

In addition, Lang Son province has recommended to localities that have exported agricultural products, industry associations, enterprises, traders exporting agricultural products, fruits to regulate export goods brought to border gates in Lang Son to avoid congestion, damage to traders and producers when the situation of clearance of goods facesdifficulties.

Along with the Covid-19 pandemic, which has been controlled by both Vietnam and China, since May 1, 2020, the Chinese side has restored the normal customs clearance time at the pair of Tan Thanh - Po Chai border gates, at the Chi Ma border gate has cleared customs seven hours/day from the beginning of June.

However, Coc Nam border gate still maintains customs clearance of five hours/day and breaks on holidays and weekends. Although the number of export vehicles at the border gates in the beginning of May decreased significantly compared to the middle of April, the import-export turnover of goods through Lang Son province in the firstsix months of the year has been greatly reduced.

Statistics from the Lang Son Customs Department show that the total import-export turnover is estimated at US$1,320 million, only achieving 24% of the yearly plan, down 42.9% over the same period in 2019. In particular, exports reached US$640 million, only equaling 20% of the plan, down 52.9%; import reached US$680 million, only equaling 28.4% of the plan, down 28.4%. Local goods exported wereestimated at US$42 million, only equaling 28% of the plan, down 37.3%.

In order to promote import and export activities across the region in the last months of the year, Mr. Ho Tien Thieu said Lang Son province has instructed the authorities to continue to discuss with China and propose to implement the clearance time through pairs of border gates like Tan Thanh - Po Chai, Coc Nam - Lung Nghiu and Chi Ma - Ai Diem as before; restore import and export activities through Na Nua, BinhNghi, Na Hinh and Po Nhung border gates.

At the same time, creating favorable conditions for vehicles and operators to carry out import and export activities through border gates; improve customs clearance capacity, prevent goods congestionfrom happening at border gates. Lang Son province will also renovate and expand a specialized route to transport goods through the 1119-1120 landmark area.

Continue to coordinate the operation, management of import and export activities at the dedicated route of transporting goods in the area of 1088 / 2-1089 landmarks to increase clearance capacity, actively exchange with the Chinese side to complete the procedures for bringing this route intooperation and belongs to the international border gate of HuuNghi (Vietnam) –HuuNghi Quan (China).