Lao Cai ensures smooth cross-border trade during Tet

Lao Cai's January cross-border trade reach nearly 183 million USD. (Photo: VNA)

Lao Cai (VNA) – Customs officials will be on duty to ensuresmooth flow of goods via Lao Cai Border Gate in the northern mountainous provinceof Lao Cai during Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, head of the province’s economiczone authority Vuong Quoc Vinh said on February 6.

A report from the provincial Department of Industry and Trade showed that Lao Cai January cross-border trade reached nearly 183 million USD, ayear-on-year surge of 39.66%.

The province shipped 62.54 million USD worth of products via the gate, up30.86% from the same time last year, while spending 38.18 million USD on importsfrom China, increasing 42.81% yearly.

Deputy head of the Lao Cai Border Gate Customs Office Nguyen Thi Thanh Binh saidthat trade activities at the gate have been stable from the outset of the year,with customs procedures cleared for more than 300 vehicles per day.

Currently, there are some 600 enterprises registering for trade activities viathe border gate, she added.

As Lao Cai eyes 4.5 billion USD in trade via the border gate in 2024, theprovince has directed competent sectors to enhance innovation and comprehensivedigital transformation, helping improve transparency in administrativeprocedures.

Besides, the province will work toeffectively implement the cooperation agreements between Vietnam and China,develop the Lao Cai – Hekou International Border Gate, adjust land andconstruction planning inside the border gate economic zone, and step upinfrastructure development at the border gate, among others./.

VNA