View of the Workshop. Photo: Quoc Khanh/VNA
The workshop was attended by about 200 delegates from ministries and sectors such as: Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry; provinces and cities: Yen Bai, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Bac Giang, Son La, Nghe An, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Dak Lak, Binh Thuan, Lam Dong; associations, suppliers, production and business enterprises.
In 2021, logistics costs in Vietnam account for about 16.8% of the value of goods while this cost in the world is currently only about 10.6%. It can be seen that logistics costs have been a "burden" on the shoulders of exporters and this situation can be prolonged if there is no drastic change from authorities at all levels as well as from businesses. Therefore, at the workshop, delegates discussed and offered solutions to promote import and export activities associated with building a logistics system in Lao Cai to best meet the needs of businesses.
Lao Cai has an interregional and inter-international transport infrastructure system including: high-speed roads, railways, waterways ... and the near future has airmail. Lao Cai border gate economic zone with nearly 16,000 hectares has relatively adequate infrastructure and services and is 1 of 8 key border gate economic zones invested by the Government.
The master plans for the development of Sa Pa National Tourism Area and Lao Cai Border Gate Economic Zone have been approved, especially the Prime Minister has agreed to build Lao Cai city to become a transshipment center on the economic corridor, is the center of economy, trade, foreign affairs and international cooperation.
According to Director of the Institute of Strategic Studies, Industrial and Trade Policy Nguyen Van Hoi, in order to further promote the role of a bridge between exports and imports, Lao Cai needs to develop logistics centers in Lao Cai towards becoming core service centers in the circulation and distribution of goods, effectively serving export and import activities on the Kunming - Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong - Quang Ninh economic corridor.
Lao Cai needs to be reasonably linked with commercial, industrial, road transport, waterways, railways, land use planning and other socio-economic infrastructure development plans. In particular, the Director of the Institute of Strategic Studies, Industrial and Trade Policy emphasized the need to develop logistics centers in Lao Cai in a sustainable way, closely combined with ensuring national security and defense, creating jobs on the spot, protecting the environment, and green growth.
In order to promote the development of logistics services in Lao Cai province, according to the Vice Rector of the University of Economics and Business Administration, Thai Nguyen Dinh Hong Ninh University, Lao Cai needs to encourage enterprises to participate in associations and groups of businesses in the supply chain to increase competitiveness. Because Lao Cai's logistics service enterprises have a relatively small capital size, mainly from 1 to less than 5 billion VND, the current fragmented and small self-operation will reduce the efficiency and professionalism of the service, causing price competition.
Discussing solutions to build a smart logistics system and supply chain linkage in Lao Cai province, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Viet Trung Logistics Joint Stock Company Nguyen Xuan Quynh proposed that Lao Cai should soon establish a logistics business association to support warehouse businesses, Logistics yard implements the following contents: Information on mechanisms and policies for developing logistics services; application of information technology in the process of supply chain management, logistics; professional training... to improve the quality of human resources in logistics.
At the same time, Lao Cai needs to research and build a reliable and authentic LPI (logistics efficiency index) evaluation system, as a basis for basing, evaluating and orienting the development of logistics services in the locality.
The total value of exporting, importing, buying, selling and exchanging goods through border gates in Lao Cai province in the first 10 months of 2022 is estimated at 1,807.35 million USD (down 40.57% over the same period in 2021) reaching 41.08% compared to the plan.
Deputy Director of Lao Cai Department of Industry and Trade Nguyen Huy Tuong said that in the coming time, in order for import and export activities through Lao Cai border gates to return to normal and have breakthroughs, Lao Cai province will continue to innovate ways to promote and attract investment, approach investors in a proactive way. At the same time, promoting investment promotion activities for corporations and enterprises with strengths in the field of processing and manufacturing industry in the markets: USA, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Europe, Middle East, China ...
Specialized management units at the border gate continue to review and cut unnecessary administrative procedures; publicity and transparency of administrative procedures to create conditions for people and businesses to fully and conveniently access and implement.
At the same time, urgently complete and officially put into operation the public service gate at the international border gate of Road No. II Kim Thanh in order to transparency of procedures and processes at the border gate, shorten the time for customs clearance of import and export goods.
Huong Thu (VNA) -baotintuc.vn
