Developing the Border Economy

According to Mr Ha Viet Ai, Director of Cao Bang Trade and Tourism Department, in the last year, especially since the implementation of Decree 53/2001/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister on border gate economic zones, the infrastructure of the border gate economic zones have been developed and the economic, trade and tourism cooperation expanded successfully. In 2007, Tra Linh border gate commercial centre and Duc Long – Thach An border marketplace have been built and began operating. Local and foreign enterprises in Ta Lung border gate economic zone have started business activities such as an agriculture and fruit processing plant, the hotel of Minh Chau joint venture company, and duty free shops.  Import-export activities have been promoted, the main export items are iron ore, semi-processed manganese, agriculture and forestry products, and pharmaceuticals. The main import items are coke (coal), clinker, vehicles, electronic parts and fruit.

 

Considering the border economy as an important sector, Cao Bang focuses on promoting trade and tourism and developing economic cooperation with Guangxi (China). Mr Ai said that business meetings and seminars between the two sides have been organized to boost bilateral trade and develop Ta Lung – Thuy Khau into an international border gate. Cao Bang will ask the permission of the Prime Minister to open border trade in Ha Lang and Na Lan to increase import-export activities. In 2006, the international transport line was opened linking Cao Bang – Long Chau – Sung Ta (China), and increasing economic cooperation between the two sides. In the coming years, Cao Bang will develop the three border economic zones of Ta Lung, Tra Linh and Soc Giang into driving forces for the whole province’s socio-economic development.

To promote the border economy, Mr Ai disclosed that Cao Bang will focus on main export items to develop a stable market, increase the import of equipment and materials, reduce the import of consumer goods already made at home, expand processing industries for export products such as bamboo mats and pharmaceuticals, and organize trade fairs to attract investment and expand markets. The province will also improve the investment and business environment to encourage the participation of local and foreign economic sectors in import-export activities at border gates.