Exploiting the advantages of border economic development

With the advantage of a long border and many border gates, An Giang is focusing on investing and upgrading connecting traffic infrastructure and implementing many solutions to enhance cooperation, promote border trade, create momentum to promote socio-economic growth, and improve the lives of local people.

Authorities at Tinh Bien International Border Gate inspect goods before exporting to Cambodia. Photo: TRUNG HIEU

Border trade activities flourish

An Giang has a border of more than 100km, adjacent to the Kingdom of Cambodia, is an important gateway for national trade, connecting provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta with the Kingdom of Cambodia and ASEAN countries. The whole province has 7 border gates, including 3 international border gates of Tinh Bien, Vinh Xuong and Ha Tien. In addition, Khanh Binh border gate is being prepared to expand and upgrade to an international border gate by road and river. This is An Giang's advantage in developing border trade.

The friendly relationship between An Giang and the Cambodian border provinces of Takeo, Kandal and Kampot continues to be maintained, creating favorable conditions for people and businesses on both sides of the border to trade. The province also organizes business delegations to attend fairs, exhibitions and trade promotion conferences in Cambodia, contributing to increasing annual import and export turnover.

Tan An Bridge was built to contribute to completing the traffic network all the way to Vinh Xuong International Border Gate. Photo: TRUNG HIEU

According to the Department of Industry and Trade, since the beginning of 2025, border trade activities have been smooth and convenient. The total import and export turnover at key border gates such as Ha Tien, Giang Thanh, Tinh Bien, Vinh Xuong, Khanh Binh in the first 7 months of the year is estimated at 84.49 million USD, of which exports reached 62.38 million USD.

In Vinh Xuong commune - the locality with Vinh Xuong International Border Gate, border management work has been effectively implemented. Secretary of the Commune Party Committee Tran Hoa Hop said: “The commune closely coordinates with functional forces in managing the import and export of goods; controlling people entering and exiting the border; combating smuggling and trade fraud. At the same time, coordinate with the Provincial Economic Zone Management Board and departments and branches to strengthen communication, attract investment, create an open and favorable investment environment for businesses to conduct trade, import and export activities through Vinh Xuong Border Gate Economic Zone”.

Focus on infrastructure investment, expanding development space

Identifying border trade as a driving force for local socio-economic development, An Giang focuses on investing in and upgrading transport infrastructure connecting border gates. Along with investing in upgrading provincial roads, the province is focusing on implementing the Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang expressway project, phase 1, passing through the province. In addition, the province has proposed the Central Government to support investment in a number of important transport projects such as: The route connecting the starting point of the Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang expressway to Tinh Bien border gate and the route connecting the starting point of the expressway to National Highway 91 to Khanh Binh border gate (along National Highway 91C); the Ha Tien - Rach Gia - Bac Lieu expressway project; the coastal road project connecting the old Kien Giang province with Ca Mau province...

The completion of the Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang Expressway will help shorten the time for transporting goods and reduce logistics costs from the border gates of An Giang province. Photo: TRUNG HIEU

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ngo Cong Thuc commented: "If the important transport projects proposed by the province are approved by the Central Government for investment support, combined with the vertical and horizontal intra-provincial routes to create a seamless and smooth transport network, it will help shorten the time to transport goods from the border gate, reduce logistics costs, and improve the competitiveness of goods, especially agricultural and aquatic products. The completed projects will help An Giang expand its space, attract investment, and create momentum for socio-economic development."

According to Head of the Provincial Economic Zone Management Board Tran Minh Nhut, in order to facilitate trade activities between the border area and neighboring countries, the Provincial Economic Zone Management Board closely coordinates with inter-sectoral functional units in the management and supervision of vehicles and goods passing through the border gate; ensuring strict implementation of border gate regulations, maintaining security and order in the border area.

To date, industrial parks and border economic zones in the province have attracted 67 projects (including 11 projects with 100% foreign capital), with a total registered capital of more than VND13,587 billion and about 31,800 workers. "The province always focuses on promoting administrative procedure reform, simplifying customs procedures, improving transport infrastructure; strengthening economic cooperation and promoting trade and investment activities in border areas. Thereby, opening up the border economy, creating momentum to promote economic growth, reduce poverty and improve people's lives," said Mr. Tran Minh Nhut.

Import and export goods through Tinh Bien International Border Gate. Photo: TRUNG HIEU

In the coming time, An Giang will continue to focus on developing infrastructure for industrial parks and border economic zones, creating favorable conditions to attract investment and develop mechanical engineering, energy, agricultural, aquatic and food processing industries and supporting industries. Continue to effectively implement the cooperation program between the province and localities bordering Cambodia in developing border trade. In particular, An Giang will actively support businesses operating in industrial parks and border economic zones to apply information technology and digital platforms in management and production to increase productivity, operational efficiency and reduce emissions. These efforts are expected to turn the An Giang border area into a new growth pole, contributing positively to the overall development of the entire Mekong Delta region.

LE TRUNG HIEU

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/khai-thac-loi-the-phat-trien-kinh-te-bien-mau-a427374.html