Lai Chau develops border trade economy, strengthens international cooperation

Previously, people's trading activities mainly took place at border markets, exchanging small-scale agricultural products and household goods. Now, with the open-door policy, businesses in the province have gradually approached large markets, signed contracts to export agricultural products and minerals through Ma Lu Thang border gate (Phong Tho commune). This is an important "bridge" for Lai Chau to trade goods with China and thereby connect with the regional market. According to statistics from the Department of Industry and Trade, the total import-export turnover through Ma Lu Thang border gate in the period of 2021-2025 reached over 163 million USD, of which the export turnover reached about 63 million USD; Import turnover reached about 100 million USD. The total state budget revenue in the area during this period is expected to be over 210 billion VND, including import-export taxes, fees and charges collected by competent authorities.

Citizens complete exit procedures at Ma Lu Thang border gate.

In addition, the province is interested in and strongly directs planning work, focusing on the Ma Lu Thang border gate economic zone planning until 2045 and the Muong So industrial zone planning (Phong Tho commune). The planning is oriented to be synchronous and modern, associated with the development of border trade economy, trade, logistics services and metal processing industry, agriculture and forestry products. To date, Ma Lu Thang border gate has attracted 49 projects with a total registered capital of over 6,800 billion VND, mainly in the fields of trade, services, logistics, agricultural processing, hydropower and supporting industries. The projects have created stable jobs for thousands of workers, raising the average income of the area to about 45 million VND/year, higher than the average level of Phong Tho district (old). This result affirms the effectiveness of planning work associated with investment attraction, creating momentum for socio-economic development in border areas, while at the same time contributing to ensuring national defense and security and enhancing the province's international integration capacity.

Mr. Hoang Quang Co in Son Binh village (Phong Tho commune) shared: Before, my family's life, like many households in the village, was very difficult, mainly growing corn. After the cadres came down to propagate and mobilize the family to switch to growing bananas for export. With convenient traffic routes, traders buy products, from selling bananas, the family has a stable income, investing in buying machinery and equipment for production.

Along with that, the province focuses on foreign affairs with Yunnan province (China); closely coordinates with Kim Binh district and Kim Thuy Ha Border Gate Management Office (China) in border gate management, creating favorable conditions for customs clearance activities between the two sides. Directs the Economic Zone Management Board to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation with the Kim Binh district government (China) to unify the promotion of border economic development, facilitate customs clearance of goods, towards building the Ma Lu Thang - Kim Thuy Ha border gate pair into a prosperous and prosperous border gate. Regularly exchange information and coordinate to handle difficulties in import and export activities, contributing to creating maximum convenience for businesses and improving the efficiency of the border gate economic zone. Currently, the province is directing the Economic Zone Management Board to coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs to prepare cooperation contents with the Management Board of the Ca Cuu Industrial Zone (Yunnan, China) to establish a regular cooperation mechanism, focusing on developing and using mineral resources, promoting investment, business services, expanding markets and cross-border industrial cooperation. There is a mechanism for close, long-term exchange and communication, creating new momentum for border economic development between the two sides...

Customs officers guide citizens through procedures at the transaction counter.

Mr. Vu Huy Hoa - Head of Lai Chau Economic Zone Management Board said: In addition to the achieved results, the development of border trade economy, strengthening international cooperation, improving the operational efficiency of border economic zones and economic integration capacity still has certain limitations, development is not commensurate with the potential and strengths of the province. Import and export turnover is still low compared to border gates in the region, attracting investment lacks large projects and motivation. Traffic and logistics infrastructure is not synchronous, high costs, not meeting competitive requirements. Investment attraction and incentive policies are not attractive enough compared to other border economic zones. These are bottlenecks that have lasted for many years, making it difficult for Ma Lu Thang border gate to make a breakthrough. Therefore, in order for the border economy to develop rapidly, it is necessary to exploit geographical advantages combined with synchronous infrastructure, flexible policies and extensive international connections. Only then can Lai Chau become a center connecting trade, services and tourism in the region.

With the goal of promoting the economic development of the border gate with the large Chinese market; building Ma Lu Thang border gate into a dynamic, effective, and internationally developed economic zone; an important growth pole - the economic development center of the Northern border economic belt, becoming the driving force for the development of the Northwest region. To achieve this goal, in the coming time, Lai Chau province will continue to complete the planning and develop synchronous infrastructure, prioritizing traffic works connecting with Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway, bonded warehouses, logistics centers and Muong So industrial park to create a foundation to attract large projects, promote economic development. Strengthen international and inter-regional connections by accelerating the construction of the Ma Lu Thang - Kim Thuy Ha multi-purpose road bridge, promoting cooperation with Yunnan province (China), expanding connections with neighboring provinces such as Lao Cai, Dien Bien, Son La to form a complete border economic development network.

It can be affirmed that developing border trade economy, strengthening international cooperation, improving the efficiency of border economic zones and international economic integration capacity are not only economic tasks but also have political, defense and strategic foreign affairs significance. With the high determination of the entire Party Committee, the support of the central government and the solidarity of the people of all ethnic groups in the province, we believe that Ma Lu Thang border economic zone will become a new driving force of international integration, contributing to Lai Chau's rapid, green and sustainable development.

Source: https://baolaichau.vn/kinh-te/lai-chau-phat-trien-kinh-te-bien-mau-tang-cuong-lien-ket-hop-tac-quoc-te-1032217