Synchronizing measures to promote import and export and prevent smuggling through Chi Ma border gate area

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Ms. Doan Thu Ha, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Lang Son province chaired a working session to check the import and export situation of goods and the fight against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods at Chi Ma border gate area on June 16. Photo: Mai Luu

According to the report of the Management Board of the Dong Dang - Lang Son border gate economic zone, in the first five months of the year, the import and export situation of goods through Chi Ma border gate averaged about 70 trucks carrying import and export goods daily. Accordingly, since the beginning of the year, the import-export turnover of goods reached US$208.6 million, up 161% over the same period in 2022.

Following the direction of the People's Committee of Lang Son province, the Management Board of the Dong Dang - Lang Son border gate economic zone and related agencies have coordinated to create maximum favourable conditions for the customs clearance of import and export goods through the Chi Ma border gate; regularly organize exchanges and talks with the People's Government of Ninh Minh district (Guangxi, China) to increase the time for customs clearance procedures, increase the list of import and export goods through the pair of border gates.

Although the turnover has increased over the same period, the number of vehicles carrying goods through Chi Ma border gate is still low, not commensurate with the potential of the pair of the Chi Ma - Ai Diem bilateral border gates.

According to the report of 389 Lang Son Steering Committee, in the first five months of the year, the situation of smuggling across the border was basically under control. However, there were some times when there was a situation of transporting small goods through the area. Accordingly, the anti-smuggling forces in Loc Binh district inspected and handled 170 smuggling cases, trade fraud, counterfeit and banned goods; administrative violation of 170 cases. The total amount of administrative violationswas nearly VND 11 billion, with the value of violation goods nearly VND 9.7 billion.

At the meeting, inspecting the situation of import and export of goods and the fight against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods at Chi Ma border gate area chaired by Ms. Doan Thu Ha, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Lang Son province on n June 6, representatives of departments, branches, functional forces at the border gate, leaders of Loc Binh District People's Committee, exchanged, discussed and clarified a number of contents related to the implementation of tasks of agencies. authorities, functional forces on import and export goods management, border management, coordination work against smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods crossing the area.

Ms. Doan Thu Ha and representatives of leaders of agencies and forces inspect the situation at the border gate area. Photo: Mai Luu

Also at this meeting, Ms. Doan Thu Ha said that the infrastructure of the border gate area had not been synchronized; The list of import and export goods through the border gate was also unsatisfactory with a bilateral border gate, which had made the number of trucks carrying goods through Chi Ma border gate still low, not commensurate with the potential of the pair of border gates. At the same time, the management area was large, there were many shortcuts,and trails,the coordination among anti-smuggling forces in the area was sometimes not tight,and the equipment for import and export goods was not synchronized.

Therefore, the situation of smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods still took place occasionally.

Ms. Doan Thu Ha emphasized that the main task would still continue to implement drastic and synchronous solutions to promote the import and export of goods through the border gate. In particular, the Management Board of Dong Dang - Lang Son border gate economic zone should assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with relevant agencies and forces to continue to perform well the exchange and negotiation work with the functional forces of the opposite border gate to promptly remove and promote customs clearance of goods through the border gate.

At the same time, it is necessary to synthesize and propose to the Provincial People's Committee the contents beyond its authority to create maximum favourable conditions for goods import and export activities through border gates in the province, including Chi Ma border gate. Ms. Ha also suggested that Lang Son Customs Department should continue to create favourable conditions for businesses and traders to participate in import-export activities through the province; proactively review and grasp the situation of import and export of goods, advise the Provincial People's Committee to implement mechanisms and policies to manage and administer import and export activities.

Ms. Doan Thu Ha discussed with the representative of the Chi Ma border gate Customs Sub-Department about the import and export situation of goods through Chi Ma border gate. Photo: Mai Luu