Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien chaired the Conference. Photo: Internet.

This is the second time since the beginning of the 15th Government term that the Ministry of Industry and Trade has organized this Conference to assess the causes, tasks and main solutions to promote socio -economic development of border localities and assess the implementation of economic, trade and investment cooperation between Vietnamese localities and Chinese localities sharing the border.

Attending the conference were Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan; representatives of the Government Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Finance, etc.; representatives of leaders of 7 northern border provinces with China, including: Cao Bang, Dien Bien, Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Lang Son, Quang Ninh.

Speaking at the opening of the Conference, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien emphasized that currently, some border gates between Vietnam and China have applied technology, improved customs clearance frequency and promoted better border trade. Trade promotion activities, connecting traditional trade between border provinces of Vietnam and China have been restored in many diverse forms. The socio-economic situation of border localities has also improved, especially the harmonious living atmosphere between the ethnic groups of the two countries and the two localities is more friendly. A number of investment projects have been implemented in this area, including domestic investment as well as foreign investment in the area.

Conference on Promoting Economic and Trade Cooperation between Northern Border Provinces and China. Photo: Internet.

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien suggested that localities as well as ministries and branches discuss and propose solutions to enhance economic and trade cooperation between the two countries in general, especially between localities sharing a border.

At the conference, representatives of 7 northern border localities with China such as Cao Bang, Dien Bien, Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Lang Son, Quang Ninh shared the results achieved in the trade and investment situation in the localities in the border area; existing problems, limitations and directions, tasks, and proposed solutions to promote economic and trade cooperation between the northern border provinces and China.

Representatives of relevant ministries/sectors such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the General Department of Customs (Ministry of Finance); representatives of leaders of Departments and Divisions under the Ministry of Industry and Trade also answered recommendations related to the issue of opening, upgrading, and recognizing border gates; quarantine of animals and plants at border gates, trails, and openings; opening the market for agricultural products exported to China, etc.

Acknowledging the opinions and recommendations of localities and ministries/sectors, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan noted that, in addition to promoting the export of Vietnamese goods to China, the import of goods from China is very important because it is related to raw materials for production.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan also requested ministries, sectors and localities to create favorable conditions for both export and import trade; pay attention to infrastructure; restructure border trade and focus on implementing a number of activities to serve the upcoming visit of General Secretary and President Xi Jinping to Vietnam./.

Thu Hang