Earnings from agricultural product exports via Lao Cai International Border Gate in the northern province of Lao Cai since the beginning of 2018 exceeded US$250 million, up 40% year on year.
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| At the Lao Cai international border gate |
Tran Anh Tu, deputy head of border gate’s customs sub-department, said among farm produce, dragon fruits and litchis saw the highest rises in export turnover.
During the reviewed period, more than 284,500 tonnes of dragon fruits and nearly 7,900 tonnes of litchis were exported through the border gate, ranking in US$185.7 million and US$4.1 million, up 688% and 162%, respectively.
Other agricultural products also enjoyed export growth such as pepper with over 16,600 tonnes worth US$46.7 million; vegetables with almost 11,000 tonnes worth US$19.6 million and watermelon with 12,400 tonnes worth US$4.7 million.
The rises were attributed to bumper crops in Vietnamese provinces and cities as well as Lao Cai’s efforts to encourage domestic businesses to export agricultural products via the border gate.
The province cut border gate-related fees while authorized forces such as customs, border guards and plant quarantine, have created optimal conditions for exporters to speed up customs clearance.
Customs officers have also begun their work hours from 30-60 minutes earlier than the opening hour of the border gate to help enterprises complete procedures.