Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in a recently-signed dispatch ordered the adoption of urgent measures to alleviate goods congestion and facilitate the export of agro-products along the border with China.

The dispatch was issued at a time when border gates in the northern border province of Lang Son have seen an upsurge in the number of container trucks carrying farm produce for export, resulting in a prolonged customs clearance process and limited clearance capacity.

Several fruits, meanwhile, are now ready to harvest in the country. This could pose a higher risk of congestion at the border gates as more container trucks transporting fruits for export to China will head to these areas.

Therefore, PM Chinh urged the authorities in northern border provinces and relevant agencies to review regulations on the import and export of farm produce between Vietnam and China.

They were told to work with the Chinese side to streamline the customs clearance process, extend business hours for customs clearance services, and enhance the performance of customs clearance, so as to prevent agro-products from getting damaged due to hot weather and a long wait at the border gates.

The authorities of border provinces also have to closely monitor and forecast the traffic volume of vehicles carrying goods to the border areas and promptly take measures to cope with possible congestion.

PM Chinh asked ministries and relevant agencies to join hands with businesses to promote the consumption of farm produce in the local market, as well as take timely actions to remove obstacles hindering trading activities via border gates.

In addition, the chief of the Vietnamese government told relevant ministries and agencies to roll out measures to promote exports through official channels and diversify transport methods in the long run.

They have to focus on expanding export markets, removing technical barriers to trade, and facilitating negotiations with China on farm produce quality management.

They were also tasked with developing farming regions that have adequate scales and meet requirements on product origin, traceability, food safety, and geographical indication.

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