The Conference was attended by Ms. Phan Thi Khanh Duyen - Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh - Deputy Director of the Department of Customs, representatives of provincial departments and branches, representatives of freight transport companies and businesses in the province.
Overview of the Conference
At the Conference, representatives of Viet Nam Railway Corporation, Hanoi Railway Transport Joint Stock Company (JSC), and Saigon Railway Transport JSC introduced export and import activities through Viet Nam railway systems, as well as the transport potential of Song Than International Terminal. According to businesses, Binh Duong has a convenient location, which is close to the center of Ho Chi Minh City and located in the Southern Key Economic Region. Binh Duong has become the most dynamically developing industrial, commercial, and service province of the southern region and also Viet Nam. Binh Duong currently has foreign trade relations with 102 countries and territories, ranking 4th in exports and imports nationwide (accounting for 7.8% of total export and import turnover), of which exports account for 8.7%, and imports account for 6.8% of the country's value. However, up to now, most export and import activities in the province are mainly carried out by sea through two main seaports, i.e., Cai Mep port and Cat Lai port.
Song Than Station is located on National Highway 1A, bordering Binh Duong province and Ho Chi Minh City, capable of connecting with many neighboring provinces and cities. It is the largest freight station of Viet Nam Railways. According to statistics, in 2022, mining output through Song Than station reached about 1.6 million tons. Departing from Song Than station, two railway lines are formed, i.e., Song Than - Dong Dang and Song Than - Lao Cai. From there, the export and import activities of businesses are directly connected to Chinese railways and the railways of countries located on the Asia-Europe railway transport route such as China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Russia, and the EU.
Representative of Saigon Railway Transport JSC introduces export and import activities through Viet Nam railway systems and the transport potential of Song Than International Terminal
Speaking at the Conference, the Hanoi Railway Transport JSC said that it has a warehouse and yard system with an area of 5,800 m2 to meet the transportation needs of customers at the Song Than Station. Goods from the southern region are loaded at Song Than station to the northern provinces on specialized trains and unloaded at Giap Bat and Yen Vien stations, etc. At present, every week, the Company organizes 20 pairs of trains on the North-South route, spread evenly throughout the days of the week. In addition, the transportation of goods from Song Than International Terminal to stations throughout the railway network by section train transport meets the diversity of types of goods transported at a slower time. Types of goods transported by rail transport at Song Than station include container goods, groceries, fertilizers, agricultural and forestry products, confectionery, electronic components, etc., and other types of goods allowed to be transported. The average annual output of goods loaded and unloaded at Song Than station is about 475,500 tons and 500,600 tons, respectively.
Department of Customs and freight transport companies' leaders answer questions from businesses
Discussing at the conference, transportation businesses answered questions related to reducing costs for export and import businesses solutions, methods and advantages of rail transport compared to other modes of transport, etc.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh - Deputy Director of the Department of Customs concludes the Conference
At the conclusion of the Conference, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh - Deputy Director of the Department of Customs emphasized the important benefits of transporting goods by rail in the current general context and future trends. He suggested railway companies research the most optimal plan for establishing service prices to help reduce businesses' freight costs. At the same time, they must ensure that goods are transported safely and on time as committed; and create conditions for businesses' import and export activities to be convenient and effective.