Promoting Thanh Hoa - Hua Phan border trade cooperation

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - On the morning of July 29, the Conference "Cooperation in developing border trade and connecting enterprises between Thanh Hoa province and Hua Phan province" was held in Thanh Hoa with the participation of the Department of Industry and Trade of the two provinces, members of the Steering Committee for border trade activities of Thanh Hoa province and enterprises of both sides.

Conference overview.

Speaking at the opening of the conference, Mr. Tran Duc Luong, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Thanh Hoa province, emphasized: Thanh Hoa and Hua Phan (Lao PDR) are two neighboring provinces closely linked not only by geography but also by a long-standing traditional friendship. Promoting border trade cooperation is a key task to realize the sustainable development orientation between the two localities.

Deputy Director of Thanh Hoa Department of Industry and Trade Tran Duc Luong spoke at the conference.

“Today’s conference is an important event for both sides to review the results of border trade development cooperation in the past time; to exchange, listen, and resolve difficulties and obstacles of businesses on both sides in the process of investment, production and business cooperation. At the same time, to propose specific solutions to strengthen business connections, promote import and export of goods, expand investment and production cooperation markets, and improve the efficiency of border trade activities between the two provinces practically and effectively in the coming time,” said Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade Tran Duc Luong.

In the period of 2021-2025, the total import and export turnover across the border between Thanh Hoa and Hua Phan will reach nearly 385 million USD. Of which, exports will reach more than 349 million USD, with key products being construction materials, petroleum, machinery and equipment, and consumer goods. Imports will reach over 35 million USD, focusing on agricultural and forestry products, wood, and iron ore.

Transport and immigration activities have been maintained stably, meeting the needs of trade and visits between people on both sides. From 2021 to now, nearly 200,000 people and more than 52,000 vehicles have passed through the border gate. Currently, there are 21 passenger and cargo transport enterprises operating regularly on the Vietnam - Laos route.

Representative of Thanh Hoa Provincial Border Guard Command speaking at the conference.

Border management, anti-smuggling, trade fraud, and illegal entry and exit are closely coordinated between the functional forces of the two provinces, strictly handling violations, contributing to maintaining security and order and a healthy trading environment.

Comrade Thong Suc Som Pha Van, Provincial Party Committee member and Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Hua Phan province, expressed his hope that the two Departments would closely coordinate to effectively implement the Border Trade Agreement and the Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement between the two provinces.

Speaking at the conference, Mr. Thong Suc Som Pha Van, Provincial Party Committee member and Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Hua Phan province, informed: Hua Phan province has a 568km long border with Vietnam, including Thanh Hoa through two border gates Na Meo - Nam Xoi and Ten Tan - Som Vang. In recent times, trade relations between the two provinces have been vibrant. Vietnamese enterprises, especially Thanh Hoa enterprises, have increasingly expanded their investment in Hua Phan, contributing to promoting the economy and life of border residents.

In 2024, Hua Phan's total export value will reach 46.76 million USD (64.39% of the plan), of which exports to Thanh Hoa will account for 9.64 million USD (20.62%), mainly agriculture, forestry and minerals.

There are currently 158 Vietnamese enterprises operating in Hua Phan, of which 59 are from Thanh Hoa, accounting for more than 37%, with a total investment capital of more than 850 billion kip.

Comrade Thong Suc Som Pha Van expressed his hope that the two Departments of Industry and Trade of Thanh Hoa and Hua Phan would closely coordinate and effectively implement the Border Trade Agreement and the Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement between the two provinces.

From there, continue to create favorable conditions for businesses to invest, trade, promote the issuance of preferential C/O according to the Agreement; promote transportation connections, and speed up customs clearance of goods. At the same time, enhance information sharing, professional coordination and foster the special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos through exchange activities and congratulations on important events between the two localities.

We hope to continue receiving support from Thanh Hoa province in developing border infrastructure, training human resources, and sharing administrative reform experiences to improve competitiveness and attract investment in the Laos-Vietnam border area.

Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Hua Phan Province Thong Suc Som Pha Van

During the discussion, Thanh Hoa and Hua Phan enterprises highly appreciated the potential for two-way cooperation, especially in the fields of logistics, agricultural products, construction materials, consumer goods and cross-border e-commerce.

However, businesses also reflect that there are still many barriers that need to be removed such as border gate infrastructure, logistics costs, tax policies, and unsynchronized administrative procedures...

Mr. Kham Keo Un A Nong Nut, Chairman of the Hua Phan Provincial Council of Commerce and Industry, discussed at the conference.

Representatives of enterprises proposed that the two provinces should speed up the planning and development of logistics centers in the Na Meo - Nam Xoi border gate area, increase the application of information technology in border management, and regularly organize trade connection programs and exhibitions for enterprises of both sides to access markets and partners; simplify procedures and shorten the time to open representative offices; support enterprises with customs procedures...

Thanh Hoa business representative speaking at the conference.

Closing the conference, a representative of the Thanh Hoa Department of Industry and Trade affirmed: Border trade is not only a simple economic activity but also a bridge of friendship and cooperation for mutual development between the two provinces. Therefore, the requirement is to shift from formal to substantive cooperation, from connecting goods to accompanying businesses.

Representative of the Department of Industry and Trade of Hua Phan province presented gifts to the Department of Industry and Trade of Thanh Hoa province.

Representatives of the Department of Industry and Trade of the two provinces and members of the Steering Committee for border trade activities of Thanh Hoa province, and businesses took souvenir photos.

The Department of Industry and Trade of Thanh Hoa province will continue to promote its role as the standing agency of the Steering Committee for Border Trade Activities of Thanh Hoa province; proactively coordinate to remove bottlenecks in mechanisms, policies, customs procedures, quarantine, logistics infrastructure, etc. to create maximum favorable conditions for import and export activities across the border. The contents agreed by the two sides will be quickly concretized by plans and actions of relevant departments and branches.

The Department also requested that businesses of the two provinces be more active in maintaining connections, exchanging information, and forming sustainable investment, production and consumption links. Authorities at all levels will continue to create favorable conditions in terms of mechanisms, policies, and service infrastructure to promote healthy, effective, and safe border trade cooperation, contributing to improving the lives of people in border areas, building a peaceful, stable, cooperative, and mutually developing border.

Minh Hang

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/day-manh-hop-tac-thuong-mai-bien-gioi-thanh-hoa-hua-phan-256399.htm