New opportunities and momentum for border gate economic development.

Building on existing foundations, coupled with decisive leadership from local authorities, and the support of businesses and the people, An Giang's border economic zones are facing a great opportunity to "take off," playing a strategic role as a trading hub in the Southwest region.

Officers at the Ha Tien International Border Gate checkpoint inspect people and vehicles crossing the border. Photo: Tien Vinh

Strategic trade hub

These days, at the Ha Tien Border Economic Zone, the atmosphere of trade is bustling from early morning to late afternoon. Many large trucks travel back and forth on the roads leading to the border gate. Shipments are quickly inspected, packed, sealed, and then transported to transit warehouses.

The Ha Tien Border Economic Zone, spanning 1,600 hectares, is organized into functional areas: a duty-free zone, an industrial zone, a tourism zone , and a modern residential and urban area. According to Nguyen Luu Trung, Secretary of the Ha Tien Ward Party Committee, the Prime Minister approved the general planning for Ha Tien and the Ha Tien Border Economic Zone until 2040 in Decision 189/QD-TTg, dated February 22, 2024. “This will be a crucial driving force and foundation to help Ha Tien become an ideal destination for domestic and foreign investors. Many import-export businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises in the Southwestern region, choose to import and export goods through the Ha Tien International Border Gate.”

According to Mr. Nguyen Luu Trung, the Ha Tien Border Economic Zone benefits from many supportive policies, creating favorable conditions for import and export businesses. This allows businesses to easily access the Cambodian market and neighboring countries. Border management agencies facilitate import and export procedures, saving time and costs. "It can be said that Ha Tien is gradually becoming an important border trade economic center in the Southwest region, contributing to the province's economic growth and regional integration," said Mr. Nguyen Luu Trung.

With its coastal location and proximity to Southeast Asian countries, An Giang enjoys favorable conditions for international trade. An Giang is also considered a commercial and economic hub connecting three major cities: Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho City, and Phnom Penh (Kingdom of Cambodia). Besides the Ha Tien Border Economic Zone, the province has several border gates, such as the Vinh Xuong International Border Gate, the Tinh Bien International Border Gate, and the Khanh Binh Border Gate. According to Decision 456/QD-TTg dated March 22, 2016, of the Prime Minister, the An Giang Border Economic Zone is defined as a comprehensive, multi-sectoral economic zone encompassing industry, trade, services, tourism, urban development, and agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, linked to international border gates. As an important transportation hub and a center for economic exchange and development among countries in the Mekong sub-region, especially in relations with Cambodia... In recent years, the Khanh Binh border gate area has attracted 7 investment projects, the Vinh Xuong international border gate 1 project, and the Tinh Bien international border gate 10 projects. These projects, once operational, have created jobs for thousands of workers.

Driving forces for border region development.

Over the past period, An Giang has flexibly applied policies to promote border economic development such as investing in transportation and trade infrastructure, expanding urban areas, and facilitating import and export through border gates. A series of solutions have been implemented synchronously, including: Upgrading transportation and trade infrastructure; expanding urban areas; promoting trade connections with Cambodia, gradually forming dynamic and modern border economic zones. Along with developing many key economic sectors suitable to the potential of the border region, the province's border economic zones are gradually becoming a bright spot in cross-border economic cooperation, contributing to improving the lives of the people and affirming its role as an important economic and trade center in the Southwest region of the country.

With numerous outstanding advantages, An Giang will leverage its combined strengths and optimize the potential of its border economic zone system in the coming period. Chairman of the An Giang Provincial People's Committee, Ho Van Mung, stated: “The province will connect the border through a system of 9 border gates, including 3 international border gates (Khanh Binh border gate is being prepared for upgrading to an international border gate), helping to boost border gate economics and trade with Cambodia and the Mekong sub-region. At the same time, it will strengthen regional connectivity and linkages through the Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang expressway (to be completed in 2026), the N1 route, and soon the Ha Tien - Rach Gia - Bac Lieu expressway to create favorable conditions for attracting investment, developing logistics infrastructure, border trade, and promoting economic, cultural, and international cooperation with Cambodia.”

Border Economic Zones are not only the "locomotive" of the border region's economy, but also play a crucial role in ensuring national defense and security. Developing modern border economic zones, integrated with cultural exchange and international cooperation, will help An Giang become a shining example of cross-border cooperation, contributing to improving the lives of residents and narrowing the development gap between border and inland areas.

GIA KHANH - DANH THANH

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/the-va-luc-moi-cho-phat-trien-kinh-te-cua-khau-a423539.html