(HANOI) – The Marche region is the bridge for export flows from Europe to the Asean countries (Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Birmania, Cambogia).
The creation of a privileged customs corridor between the Marche intermodal hubs and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam- which is a strategic Asean country – in order to make customs and shipping procedures faster and easier is the aim of the “Italy-Vietnam blue corridor” project.
The Italian business delegation is headed by Regione Marche Government represented by Councillor Bora Manuela, with the support of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, with the aim of signing a bilateral agreement with the leading Sea-port Authorities of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to boost the volume of transit goods through the Marche logistics infrastructure network. Shifting traffic flows from/to Vietnam to Marche logistics hubs means a drastic reduction of transit time and handling costs of goods.
The first day of the visit is focused on the presentation of the project at the Ministry of Transports and Infrastructures. The second day of meetings starts at the Central Bureau of Vietnamese Customs Authorities: the delegation meets the Vice General Director, Mr.Vu Ngoc Anh who agrees on urging the implementation of a mutually-agreed customs harmonisation of procedures to efficiently run the transit of goods between the two countries. The use of state-of-the-art technologies and applications also means an automatic identification of the cargo, a quicker inspection and higher safety and security levels on incoming and outgoing flows with a specific focus on the forgery of goods.
The Vietnamese customs authorities are pleased with the “fast corridor” plan and wish to promptly meet the Italian Customs Bureau for further technical talks on this subject.
The later meeting involves the Vice-Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr.Do Tang Hai. The Vietnamese counterpart shows interest on the project because it promotes growth of both import and export of Vietnamese goods and services: the key element of interest is the drastic reduction of transport costs. According to Vietnamese Government sources, transport costs represent 22% of the total cost of export goods and the “Blue corridor” project can reduce costs of transport by 15%.
“The interest shown towards the fast corridor project is a very important feedback to the development of the economic system of our region – adds Councillor Bora. The signature of international agreements on intermodal logistics is the basis for an economic growth and, therefore, employment growth.
As a matter of fact, the economic and employment growth rate of Northern European leading sea-ports such as Rotterdam and Anvers are a good example of how the handling of goods generates wealth and economic development to local communities. Therefore, I would like to point out that this agreement will increase the competitiveness level of small and medium-sized companies of our territory: the opening of a fast corridor on the Adriatic sea will reduce the cost of shipping our goods which means more competitive retail prices for our export in the Asean markets.”
