Quang Tri strengthens strategies to boost border trade development

Border trade activities show positive growth In recent years, the province’s border trade activities have seen significant positive results, meeting the travel and shopping needs of residents, thanks to local government investment and upgrades. This progress has contributed to the socio-economic development of border areas and strengthened the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos.

The Department of Industry and Trade has led efforts to organize meetings to disseminate the Vietnam-Laos border trade agreement and relevant circulars from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. A multidisciplinary team has surveyed auxiliary border gates and access points to select and recommend to the provincial People’s Committee a list of authorized auxiliary border gates for trade activities.

The department has advised the provincial government to recognize 13 traders in Vietnam-Laos border trade and has addressed requests from residents and merchants for access to these gates. Additionally, agreements have been finalized on locations and routes for several energy connection projects from Laos to Vietnam, in line with national electricity development plans.

In the border region, the department has supported production and business units with funding of nearly VND2.5 billion (US$97,860), which includes VND800 million ($31,315) for two trade promotion projects and VND1.7 billion ($66,534) for the application of advanced machinery and equipment from industrial promotion funds.

The provincial authority organized a conference to promote cooperation in the industry and trade sector between Quang Tri Province and neighboring Lao provinces, as well as connected businesses from both countries through various trade fairs.