Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc emphasized the necessity of removing obstacles and facilitating the implementation of projects by businesses, thereby contributing to the promotion of economic cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.
On the afternoon of November 10, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc chaired a meeting to address difficulties and bottlenecks at border crossings concerning the transport of goods for investment projects undertaken by Vietnamese enterprises in Laos.
Reporting at the meeting, the Ministry of Industry and Trade stated that, in accordance with the directives of the Government and the Prime Minister, the Ministry has collaborated with various ministries, sectors, and localities to review challenges and obstacles related to the transport of goods intended for investment projects by Vietnamese investors in Laos.
During the meeting, representatives from the localities largely agreed on the need to establish a mechanism to resolve these difficulties, urging the prompt implementation of solutions to facilitate the transport of goods for investment projects in Laos.
Participants also highlighted the importance of ensuring adequate infrastructure and coordinating with relevant authorities to manage, inspect, and monitor import-export activities as the new mechanism is put into effect.
Representatives from the ministries and sectors expressed general consensus on the policy to remove obstacles and the necessity of drafting a Government Resolution. At the same time, they requested further clarification regarding the legal basis, authority, scope of application, and the necessary conditions to ensure the feasibility of the resolution during its implementation.
The opinions expressed emphasized the need to clearly define the categories and volumes of goods intended for the projects, as well as the responsibilities of regulatory authorities. Furthermore, they underscored the importance of strengthening coordination among functional agencies to ensure security and safety, prevent smuggling and commercial fraud, and guarantee compliance with the regulations and agreements between Vietnam and Laos regarding border gate management and cross-border activities.
Following the input from various ministries, sectors, and localities, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc concluded the meeting by stressing that any mechanism for resolving these issues must clearly define its scope and the entities to which it applies, with a primary focus on supporting investment projects undertaken by Vietnamese investors in Laos. He also emphasized the need to specify the categories and volumes of goods to ensure they are used for their intended purposes and to prevent any potential abuse.
Ministries, sectors, localities, and functional agencies must coordinate closely to facilitate business operations while simultaneously ensuring strict oversight of the transport of goods through border gates.
The Permanent Deputy Prime Minister requested that the Ministry of Industry and Trade incorporate the feedback from the various ministries, sectors, and localities to further review and refine the draft Resolution, ensuring it aligns with legal regulations, reflects practical realities, and remains feasible for implementation.
Highlighting the need for urgent and decisive action, the Permanent Deputy Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Industry and Trade to work closely with the Government Office and relevant agencies to expedite the finalization of the documentation and report to the Prime Minister, in order to proceed with the formal procedures for the issuance of the Government’s Resolution in accordance with established regulations.