Before that, in 2 days, December 27 and 28, 2021, your side temporarily stopped customs clearance at the border gate to disinfect and fight the epidemic, then import and export activities took place normally.

According to information from Mr. Hoang Chi Hien, before the Covid-19 epidemic, an average of 600-800 vehicles passed through the border gates of Lao Cai province every day, of which 80% were vehicles from China. Currently, only Lao Cai international border gate operates, mainly for official export.

The percentage of Chinese side is the owner of goods, accounting for 60%, Vietnamese enterprises mainly make declarations, so there is no congestion. Lao Cai actively reduces infrastructure fees, arranges conditions for drivers while waiting for delivery. Last time, there was only short-term local congestion.

Mr. Hien expressed concern about Chinese enterprises taking advantage of the border resident policy to enjoy the policy of 8,000 yuan, reducing costs. “If we maintain this policy, it will be difficult.”

Regarding agricultural products exported through Lao Cai border gate, according to statistics of Lao Cai Department of Industry and Trade, dragon fruit products account for the highest proportion and largest value in exports through this province. Specific figures in 2019 reached $ 800 million, in 2020 it was 600, this year due to the stoppage from July 18, it reached $ 450 million. From August 5-8, after testing, Ha Khau Trade Department sent a note to stop importing dragon fruit from Lao Cai.

Discussing the issue of transporting agricultural products by rail, Mr. Hien said that the biggest limitation is preservation and transshipment. On the other hand, the railway system between Lao Cai and China is not synchronized in terms of track gauge.

Mr. Hien added that the Yunnan - Laos high-speed railway is about to be inaugurated, so agricultural products from Laos, Thailand and Cambodia coming here will be huge. Currently, agricultural products from ASEAN countries are flooding in Kunming.

To facilitate the export of agricultural products, the Lao Cai Department of Industry and Trade proposed the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development soon negotiate and sign an agreement on quarantine of agricultural, aquatic and seafood products, expanding the list of fruits. Export to China because you still have a lot of demand for Vietnamese agricultural products.

Lao Cai Department of Industry and Trade also proposed building transshipment points, gathering goods before customs clearance. At the same time, this locality is reviewing and building green border gates and safe buffer zones to be able to maintain operations at stable border gates because the Chinese side has done it, and will tighten it even more in the future. on epidemic prevention and control at border gates.

Mr. Hien said, with the approval of the Ministry of Transport, the province will build a railway with a gauge of 1,435 cm to connect with Yunnan. Lao Cai province has also established a special working group with the participation of many sectors to discuss with the Chinese side and propose to extend the clearance time.

Bich Nguyen