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Tighter import-export controls called for
The Vientiane Department of Industry and Commerce has called for improvements in the coordination of imports and exports as existing inefficient controls are providing loopholes for the illegal import of goods.
Deputy Director of the Vientiane Department of Industry and Commerce Mr Sompasong Sanguanvong made the recommendations yesterday at the National Seminar on Preparedness for Accession to the World Trade Organisation and Asean Community, at which the country's import and export policies were discussed.
“The scheme that was introduced to fast track the authorisation of documents for imports and exports is being taking advantage of by some traders who illegally import goods, and some traders from neighbouring countries involved in illegally directly importing goods,” he said.
According to Mr Sompasong, most goods imported and exported through Vientiane are processed automatically in an effort to expedite trade, with the longest authorisation process taking 10 days.
The value of goods imported across the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge in the 2009-10 fiscal year was US$950 million, with the value of exports in the same year recorded at US$600 million. Imports of fuel and gas amounted to US$211 million, and vehicles and spare parts US$111 million. Exports of timber and wood products were worth US$3.4 million, of which US$161,000 was timber and US$1.9 million finished products.
Mr Sompasong said the value of imports into the capital is most likely much higher than recorded figures because many companies, factories and other organisations receive import authorisation from the Department of Planning and Investment or the Ministry of Planning and Investment.
“Many companies import vehicles through the checkpoint themselves after receiving authorisation from the department or ministry, so we don't have a record of the value of the imported items,” he said.
Goods that the Department of Industry and Commerce is authorised to approve for import include paddy rice, cement, concrete, steel and semi-steel products, heavy machinery, 15-seat vans, finished goods, and minerals.
There are 285 import-export units and around 2,600 plants and factories in Vientiane, of which 678 are managed by the department, while 190 are under the control of district authorities.
Mr Sompasong said imprecise information on the location and size of warehouses hinders the effective management of imports, while ineffective controls on goods imported by individuals facilitate illegal trading.
He called for the formulation of regulations to manage warehouses and ensure stricter controls on items imported by travellers.
vientiane times
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