The volume of goods flowing in and out of China through border gates located in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai is starting to show positive signs of growth amid outbreaks of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

About 1,200 vehicles carrying goods are passing through customs clearance
at the Kim Thanh Border Gate each day

The first eight months of the year saw the total value of imports and exports passing through the border gates in Lao Cai reach a total of US$2 billion, down 17% on year.

Despite this decrease, the figure remains positive as it comes after all sub-border gates and border crossings were closed as a result of complicated developments relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, with all import-export activities passing through Kim Thanh International Border Gate No.2.

At present, approximately 1,200 vehicles carrying dragon fruit, bananas, mangos, coffee, candy, cookies, and yellow phosphorus are passing through customs clearance at the Kim Thanh Border Gate each day as they export goods to China.

Ha Duc Thuan, deputy head of the Lao Cai Economic Zone Authority, said that in addition to facilitating administrative procedures, the province is also co-ordinating efforts with the Hekou border gate management board in an effort to improve the customs clearance capacity. This will be done along with seeking new high-value items to pass through the Lao Cai-Hekou International Border Gate.

To prevent the potential spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, Lao Cai has also implemented a range of prevention measures whilst rotating drivers through use of an isolation area.