The Lao Cai International Border Gate (Photo: tuyengiao.vn)Hanoi (VNA) - Authorities in China’s Guangxi provincehave decided to extend the closure of border gates and continue to suspend thetrading of goods by individuals until the end of February due to the new coronavirus (Covid-19) threat, according to theConsulate General of Vietnam in Guangxi province.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) also said thatauthorities in Yunnan province have so far released no official information onthis issue, but due to the continuing threat of the Covid-19 epidemic, they are likelyto make the same decision.
Individual trade at border markets is still the main way ofexporting some of Vietnam’s farm produce to China, including dragon fruits andwatermelons.
Therefore, this decision is expected to have a significantimpact on exporting these agricultural products to the neighbouring country,according to the MoIT.
The MoIT and the Ministry of Agriculture and RuralDevelopment (MARD) recently issued warnings about the problem.
The two ministries have proposed local businesses regulatethe volume of exported dragon fruits and watermelons via individuals at theborder markets and increase exports under contracts.
The batches of agricultural products exported undercontracts, including dragon fruits and watermelons, are still allowed to carryout customs procedures as usual, though clearance takes longer due to strictmeasures for control of the epidemic.
According to reports from provinces sharing a border withChina, as of February 9, there were only 173 trucks carrying dragon fruits in LangSon province and 152 in Lao Cai province, not much higher than the volume atthe end of January.
The MoIT has requested logistics enterprises, especiallythose with cold storage, to continue supporting agricultural businesses facingdifficulties in export to China, including giving priority to farm produce inneed of preservation and reducing costs for storage, warehousing, transport,and loading and unloading of goods.
The MoIT has also proposed distribution businesses, tradecentres and supermarkets continue to help farmers sell the produce.
Meanwhile, the MoIT and the MARD would continue to findnew export markets and partners, including trade offices and commercialcounsellors of Vietnam in other countries, promoting consumption ofagricultural products./.
VNA
