Preparation for further opening-up

Specialty Agricultural Products Trade is only the beginning of Sino-Laos frontier trade and economic and trade cooperation, and active preparations are being made further deepened cooperation.

According to the introduction of Wu Wenzao, the Deputy County Chief of Jiangcheng County, the opening-up of port and the development of trade meant the further enhancement of opening-up level, and Jiangcheng County would take measures to boost the upgrading of frontier trade. Firstly, it would accelerate the development of frontier tourist routes, and try to realize non-local certificate handling as soon as possible. Foreign tourists may handle certificate at the port, and tourists may enjoy “Sino-Laos frontier travel” in regulated time only by right of exit permit. Secondly, it would accelerate the construction of duty free shops at Mengkang Port, in order to attract more tourists. Thirdly, it would accelerate the construction of Mengkang Frontiersmen Pedlars' Market, and provide the “3-year rent-free” preferential policy for merchants settled here. At present, a permanent market is in construction, and is estimated to put into use at the end of this year. Fourthly, it would coordinate the import of mineral products and agricultural products. At present, the policies and conditions are mature for importing agricultural products, and at the next step, it will coordinate the import of mineral products. Fifthly, it would construct bonded warehouses. Bulk commodities such as grain, etc. may be stored in such warehouses, and related taxes may be paid after such commodities are exported.

Background information:

Jiangcheng County is located at the edge of China, Vietnam and Laos, and the frontier line is up to 183km long, so this county has extremely excellent conditions for opening-up to the outside world along the frontier. Combining with the particular location superiority of “one city connecting three countries”, Jiangcheng County aims to grow into a golden frontier portal for Yunnan Province to open to Vietnam and Laos.

Mengkang Port is 126km away from Pu'er City, 35km away from Jiangcheng County, 450km away from Kunming City, and 52km from Yuewu County, Phôngsali, Laos. What corresponding to Mengkang Port is Laos Landui Port. Mengkang Port was formally opened to the outside world on December 28, 2013, and the opening-up of this port promoted the trade contacts between China and Laos. In 2014, Jiangcheng County realized an import and export trade volume of USD21.87 million, 95,518 tons of goods were imported and exported, and up to 72,032 person times of personnel entered and left the border; the main goods imported and exported included coal, timber, sugar cane, building materials, agricultural machines and tools, articles of daily use, etc., showing great potentials for development of frontier trade.