The Cha Lo International Border Gate Economic Zone (EZ) of central Quang Binh province has seen vigorous growth of commercial activities in recent years and is expected to become a goods and services trading hub for Vietnam with neighbouring Laos and Thailand.

The zone is located in a province that shares roads No. 8 and No. 12 with eight other provinces of Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. Its position is also favourable to connect with other counterparts such as Lao Bao in nearby Quang Tri province and Cau Treo and the Vung Ang Economic Zone in Ha Tinh province.

Goods trading via the Cha Lo border gate so far this year have amounted to 929.5 million USD, surging by 34 percent from a year earlier, while 75 billion VND (nearly 3.49 million USD) in taxes have been collected here.

More than 33,000 vehicles have travelled and almost 250,000 people have passed through this port of entry, representing 96 percent and 101 percent of the respective figures during the same period last year.

In order to improve trading activities and services at the border gate, the Quang Binh People’s Committee has urged close coordination among administrative units, including the provincial Economic Zone Authority, border guards, customs, migration police, health quarantine, animal and plant quarantine and the State Treasury, said Pham Huu Loi – Deputy Head of the Economic Zone Authority.

On February 21, 2014, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung approved a master plan on developing the Cha Lo International Border Gate Economic Zone before 2030.

The zone has now received a substantial facelift with basic infrastructure like roads and water supply facilities under construction at a quick pace.-VNA