HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Phạm Gia Túc has called for urgent measures to address border-gate bottlenecks affecting the transportation of goods and equipment for Vietnamese companies investing in Laos, aiming to reduce costs and speed up project implementation.

Túc said at a meeting on November 10 that Vietnamese firms investing in Laos, particularly those operating in the energy and mining sectors, often encounter obstacles in moving goods across the border. In some cases, requirements to use international border gates have lengthened transport routes, increasing costs and affecting investment progress and efficiency.

These obstacles must be addressed to facilitate business operations and strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries, the deputy PM said.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyễn Việt Sơn said that the ministry has worked with relevant ministries, agencies and local authorities to review the problems and gather recommendations from businesses and provincial authorities.

The ministry has drafted a Government resolution to address immediate difficulties in transporting goods for Vietnamese investment projects in Laos.

It also proposed reviewing relevant regulations for amendments as a longer-term solution.

Representatives of ministries, agencies and local authorities stressed the need to ensure adequate infrastructure and effective coordination among agencies responsible for managing and monitoring cross-border trade.

The mechanism should specify the types and volumes of goods permitted, clearly assign responsibilities to relevant agencies and strengthen coordination to prevent smuggling and trade fraud while maintaining border security and safety.

Concluding the meeting, Túc said the mechanism must clearly define its scope and beneficiaries, focusing on supporting Vietnamese investment projects in Laos.

He called for detailed lists and quantities of eligible goods to ensure they are used for their intended purposes and to prevent abuse of the policy.

Túc asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade to finalise the draft resolution and submit it to the Prime Minister for consideration. — VNS