Vietnam Sea Sand Traders Seeking PM OK for Exports

Dozens of sea sand trading firms in Vietnam are seeking permission from the Prime Minister and ministries to keep exporting sea sand after facing a sudden ban of the Vietnam General Customs Department on Oct 30.

 

Under the department’s decision, businesses nationwide are banned to export all kinds of sand, causing them big losses.

 

The decision was contrary to the government’s regulation issued in early October, banning exports of construction sand and pebbles from Oct. 5 to curb massive sand extraction and export in the Mekong Delta region in recent months but still allowing local firms to continue export sea sand under the inked contracts.

 

The Ministry of Construction also asked coastal provinces and cities nationwide to suspend signing of new sea sand export contracts from Oct 8 in line with the government’s regulation.

 

The Mekong Delta region exported 9.2 million tons of sand in the first eight months of this year, jumping eight times over the whole volume of last year, of which, 90% were exported via ports in Can Tho City.

 

Singapore was the region’s biggest export market during the time. (Local sources)