Promoting the trade advantages of border economic zones

Bordering the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China), with a system of international and national border gates and diverse openings, Quang Ninh is an important trade gateway for the Northeast region and the whole country. In particular, border gate economic zones (BGEZs) have been playing an important role, becoming a driving force for socio-economic development, linking border trade, import-export and international tourism.

Vehicles carrying import and export goods through Bac Luan II border gate.

According to Decision No. 80/QD-TTg dated February 11, 2023 of the Prime Minister, Quang Ninh currently has 5 economic zones, including 3 economic zones: Mong Cai, Hoanh Mo - Dong Van and Bac Phong Sinh. These are synchronously planned economic zones, focusing on trade, services, logistics, supporting industries, associated with close cooperation with China. To date, the province's economic zones have attracted 118 investment projects, including 14 FDI projects (238 million USD) and 104 domestic projects (32,854 billion VND).

In particular, Mong Cai Economic Zone is identified as a national key area, with an area of ​​over 121,000 hectares, directly connected to international economic corridors such as Kunming (China) - Hanoi - Hai Phong - Mong Cai - Fangcheng (China). This is not only a border trade, logistics and service center, but also a national tourist area, associated with a modern coastal city and has strategic significance in terms of national defense and security. This is also the economic center of border trade, industry, seaports, logistics and comprehensive services of Quang Ninh province and the Northern key economic region; a national tourist area with the nature of sea and island tourism, modern and sustainable coastal urban areas; an area with a special strategic position, important in terms of national defense and security. Up to now, Mong Cai Economic Zone has attracted 102 investment projects (excluding projects in industrial parks), including: 12 FDI projects with a total investment capital of 212 million USD; 97 domestic projects with total investment capital of 32,547 billion VND.

Exporting goods through the temporary pontoon bridge opening at Km3+4, Mong Cai 3 ward.

In its development strategy, Quang Ninh identifies the economic zone as a pillar, playing a key role in international integration and regional cooperation. Therefore, the province pays special attention to investing in synchronous and modern infrastructure at border gates. Notably, on June 25, 2024, Quang Ninh and Guangxi announced the official opening of the Hoanh Mo (Vietnam) - Dong Trung (China) bilateral border gate pair and the Bac Phong Sinh (Vietnam) - Ly Hoa (China) customs clearance. This is an important event, concretizing the development plan of the Hoanh Mo - Dong Van and Bac Phong Sinh economic zones, contributing to expanding the trade corridor, promoting customs clearance of goods, and creating a premise for developing border tourism.

Quang Ninh has prioritized large resources to invest in infrastructure in the economic zones. Strategic transport systems such as Van Don - Mong Cai Expressway, National Highway 18, National Highway 279 have been completed, helping to quickly connect from the border gate to economic centers in the region and international seaports. Modern warehouse systems, logistics centers, dry ports, and inspection areas have been put into operation, creating maximum convenience for import and export activities. In particular, the Van Ninh General Port Project with a total investment of more than VND 2,248 billion in phase 1 is designed with modern and synchronous items, including a 500m long main wharf, allowing to receive 2 ships of 20,000 DWT, or 3 ships of 10,000 DWT at the same time; a 180m long barge wharf system; 3 access bridges; and a modern warehouse system serving general cargo and containers. In addition, the project also includes a CFS warehouse and port operator, contributing to creating a complete logistics ecosystem, promoting import-export activities in border areas.

Van Ninh general port is being invested in to contribute to promoting import-export activities in border areas.

Not only focusing on physical infrastructure, the province also pioneered in researching and implementing the model of "digital border gates, smart border gates", aiming to digitize management processes, shorten customs clearance time, and reduce costs for businesses. This is an inevitable direction to improve competitiveness in the context of increasingly digitalized and modernized international trade.

To attract investors to the Economic Zones, Quang Ninh has applied many preferential policies on tax, land and infrastructure fees. Newly invested enterprises in the Economic Zones enjoy a corporate income tax rate of 10% for 15 years, a tax exemption for 4 years and a 50% reduction for the next 9 years (before October 1, 2025). After this milestone, the preferential level will continue to be adjusted in accordance with the new Law, still ensuring high competitiveness.

Regarding land, depending on the location, investors can be exempted from land rent for 11 to 19 years, or even exempted from the entire lease term for some special incentive projects. Projects in the economic zone are also exempted from non-agricultural land use tax, creating maximum conditions for businesses to confidently expand production and business.

These open mechanisms, combined with strong administrative reforms and a transparent investment environment, have made Quang Ninh a "bright spot" in attracting investment, especially in the fields of logistics, border trade and supporting industries.

From 2020 to now, Quang Ninh's import-export activities have maintained stable growth, affirming its role as a trading center in the Northeast region. Along with that, the number of international visitors through border gates has continuously increased, especially at Mong Cai, Hoanh Mo, and Bac Phong Sinh, contributing to promoting trade, services, and promoting the image of a dynamic and integrated Quang Ninh.

Bac Luan II bridge border gate infrastructure is invested synchronously and modernly.

The results achieved affirm the role of Quang Ninh as a trading center in the region. However, to maximize the advantages, the province sets out the direction to continue upgrading border gate infrastructure, promoting the application of digital technology, developing logistics services, cross-border e-commerce, and expanding cooperation with Guangxi (China) in many fields. Along with that, the province also proposed that the Central Government supplement specific mechanisms, continue to perfect outstanding preferential policies for the economic zones; at the same time, strengthen the promotion and international investment promotion. Quang Ninh is also determined to build the economic zones into modern international trade, logistics, service and tourism centers, associated with ensuring national defense and security.

With its geographical advantages, diverse border gate system, synchronous infrastructure, and outstanding incentive mechanisms, Quang Ninh is increasingly asserting its role as the “trade locomotive” of the Northeast region. The Economic Zones are not only the driving force for economic development, but also a bridge for international cooperation, contributing to making Quang Ninh an attractive destination in the country’s deep integration process.

Huu Viet

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/phat-huy-loi-the-giao-thuong-cua-cac-khu-kinh-te-cua-khau-3375343.html