Hanoi (VNA) – After being stuck at Karachi Port in Pakistan for an extended period due to border tensions and conflict blocking exports to Afghanistan, nearly 500 containers of Vietnamese tea have now been cleared by Pakistani authorities for re-export.
This decision removes one of the biggest obstacles facing Vietnam’s tea exports in recent times. The outcome was achieved thanks to the close direction of the Prime Minister as well as the persistent and proactive efforts of the Ministry of Industry and Trade through multiple bilateral working channels with Pakistani authorities.
Accordingly, the ministry instructed the Vietnam Trade Office in Pakistan to work regularly and directly with relevant agencies in the host country to seek solutions.
At the same time, it has closely coordinated with the Vietnamese Embassy in Pakistan to hold numerous direct meetings and discussions at various levels, urging Pakistani authorities to apply flexible measures to handle Vietnam’s tea consignments. Diplomatic notes and official letters were also sent to Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce, requesting consideration of special mechanisms to facilitate the re-export of the tea containers to third-country markets.
As a result of these joint efforts, on December 31, Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce issued an official document granting exemptions from existing regulations on the suspension of goods transit to Afghanistan, and approving the re-export of the stranded cargo containers at Karachi Port to other seaports, based on requests from enterprises or relevant logistics units.
This decision provides a crucial legal basis for releasing nearly 500 containers of Vietnamese tea, helping enterprises minimise losses related to warehousing and storage costs, protect product quality, and stabilise cash flow.
The successful resolution of the issue highlights the proactive, responsible, and supportive role of the Ministry of Industry and Trade in safeguarding the legitimate interests of Vietnamese businesses and tea growers, especially amid the complex and unpredictable changes in international trade and regional logistics.
The ministry will continue closely monitoring the re-export process, coordinate with relevant agencies of both countries to support enterprises in completing necessary procedures, and strengthen market risk warnings to help businesses better manage risks and operate more proactively in their export activities in the coming time./.
VNA
