Import-export turnover "warms" again

(Baonghean) - Previously, Nghe An's main source of import-export revenue was automobiles and motorbikes. In recent years, that number can be counted on the fingers. Loss of large revenue sources, combined with the recession of the global economy (import-export enterprises have reduced production and business) and many enterprises do not participate in import-export activities through Nghe An...

That fact caused the import-export turnover of the province to decrease sharply. However, with appropriate, flexible and bold ways of operating innovation of the functional sectors, favorable conditions were created for businesses, so the import-export sector began to "warm up" again and created a large import-export turnover for the province.

Super fine white stone powder exported through Cua Lo port.

Previously, customers had to wait for hours, even days, to complete procedures and customs clearance of goods, but now at Nghe An Customs, these procedures are only completed in 8 minutes per declaration. The change is also reflected in the fact that Customs leaders come to businesses to meet and discuss import-export work and organize dialogue conferences with businesses to remove difficulties and obstacles in the import-export sector.

In addition, the industry also supports and creates all conditions to attract businesses to carry out customs procedures... With innovative ways to better serve customers, Nghe An Customs Department not only actively contributes to creating a favorable environment to attract investment, but also fulfills the responsibility of "gatekeeper" in the field of import and export in Nghe An.

Ms. Ho Thi Thu Ha - Deputy Director of Nghe An Minerals Joint Stock Company said: "As one of the enterprises actively participating in the import-export sector in Nghe An, in recent times, all levels and sectors in the province, especially the Customs sector, have created favorable conditions for enterprises to operate.

Typically, from the beginning of 2012 until now, despite the complicated weather conditions and right before, during and after the Lunar New Year, due to the request of partners, the company had to export more than 25,000 tons of raw limestone and superfine white stone powder to customers in Korea, Japan and India, but the Customs officers were still enthusiastic, creating favorable conditions for the business to export goods in accordance with the signed contract.

It can be seen that, with that approach, Customs has "attracted" businesses to participate in import-export activities. Vinh Customs Branch is one of the units that effectively implement import-export work. Mr. Ho Sy Thang - Head of Vinh Customs Branch said: "In addition to implementing well policies on tax, tax rates, tax calculation prices, and following the correct procedure for determining tax calculation prices, the branch also collects correctly, collects fully and submits to the budget on time. Propaganda work attracts businesses, creating favorable conditions for businesses inside and outside the province to carry out customs procedures. In 2011, there were 112 businesses participating in customs procedures, including 3 state-owned enterprises; 106 limited liability companies, private enterprises and individuals. Thanks to the innovation of customs activities, many new businesses have been attracted to participate in import and export, such as Cat Hung Company Limited, Phuc Duc Private Enterprise, SEMEC Steel & Construction Equipment Joint Stock Company, Hanoi Forest Products Joint Stock Company, Traffic Construction Corporation 4, Hoang Gia Wood Exploitation Joint Stock Company, GLOBE FARM Vietnam Company Limited...".

Last year, Vinh Customs Branch completed customs procedures for 2,553 sets of declarations with a total import-export turnover of over 234.3 million USD, of which imports reached 119.7 million USD and exports reached nearly 114.6 million USD. The main imported items were: Machinery and equipment for investment projects, production materials such as rolled aluminum, chemicals, kraft paper, plastic pellets, round wood, sawn wood of all kinds... Exported goods included: various types of stone, stone powder, electrical equipment (exported to Laos), wood and wood products, handicrafts, fruit juice, common alcohol, various types of tea... In 2011, the Customs Branch of Nam Can International Border Gate (Ky Son) had 26 enterprises participating in customs procedures and import-export items, mainly exporting: cement, various types of iron and steel, proximane roofing sheets, floor tiles... made in Vietnam. Imports include: sawn timber, round timber of all kinds, corn kernels, scrap of all kinds... from Laos to Vietnam.

In 2011, the Customs sector completed customs procedures for 3,609 sets of declarations, with a total import-export turnover of 439.8 million USD, an increase of 87.7% over the same period in 2010, of which exports reached nearly 263 million USD, imports reached nearly 177 million USD; in the first 2 months of 2012, the import-export turnover value reached 161 million USD. 194 enterprises registered and completed customs procedures and the main exported goods were: white stone of all kinds, stone powder, electrical equipment, iron ore, manganese ore, wood of all kinds imported from abroad, acacia wood chips, cement, iron and steel of all kinds, sea salt, proximum roofing sheets, floor tiles produced in Vietnam, wood and wood products, handicrafts, fruit juice... The main imported goods were: refined palm oil, crude soybean oil, soybean meal, liquid asphalt, auto parts, 2-wheeled motorbikes, mogas, diesel oil, sawn timber, round timber of all kinds, corn kernels, scrap of all kinds... machinery and equipment of investment projects, production materials such as rolled aluminum, chemicals, kraft paper, plastic granules...

One area that has been highly effective in facilitating import and export businesses is the pilot of electronic customs procedures at Vinh Customs Branch and Port Customs Branch. 12 businesses have registered to pilot the process with 364 sets of declarations, with a total import and export turnover of over 31.3 million USD. Currently, the industry is applying declarations for 5 types of import and export goods, but in the near future, Customs will apply it to all types of import and export goods.

From a shortage of import-export revenue and monotonous import-export goods, in recent times, Nghe An Customs has created a new "driving force" in the import-export sector and attracted more and more businesses to participate with rich and diverse goods, creating a large import-export needle for the province.

Hoang Vinh