Decision No. 177/1998/QĐ-TTg on试行某些政策于国际口岸桥滩省海防市区域

DECISION OF THE PRIME MINISTER

Concerning the pilot application of certain policies

in the international border gate area of Cau Treo, Ha Tinh province

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Government Organization Law dated September 30, 1992;

Considering the proposal of the Chairman of the People's Committee of Ha Tinh Province at Document No. 891/CV-UB dated July 31, 1998 and the opinions of relevant central ministries and agencies,

DECISION:

Article 1. Permitting the pilot application of certain policies in the international border gate area of Cau Treo, Ha Tinh province, including Kim Son commune and Tay Son town, Huong Son district, Ha Tinh province.

The international border gate area of Cau Treo shall be prioritized for trade, import-export, services, tourism, and industry development according to the laws of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and in accordance with international practices.

The Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam respects and protects the legitimate rights and interests of domestic and foreign investors investing in the international border gate area of Cau Treo in compliance with current Vietnamese laws, policies, and international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a signatory or participant.

Article 2. Trade and commercial service activities in the international border gate area of Cau Treo shall be carried out in accordance with current regulations, including: import-export activities, temporary import for re-export, transit goods services, duty-free shops, bonded warehouses, product display shops, trade fairs and exhibitions, sorting and packaging, assembly, processing of export goods, branches of domestic and foreign companies, cargo transportation services, storage, warehouse, tourism, hotels, restaurants, banks, border market.

Businesses established under various economic sectors in accordance with the law are allowed to directly engage in import-export of goods (except those prohibited by the State). For goods managed by quotas and those subject to specific conditions, they must comply with current State regulations and guidance from the Ministry of Commerce.

Foreign goods temporarily imported into the international border gate area of Cau Treo before re-exporting shall be stored in bonded warehouses; when exported to other countries, re-export procedures shall be processed; if goods stored in bonded warehouses in the international border gate area of Cau Treo cannot continue to be transferred, they shall be returned to their place of origin.

The Ministry of Commerce authorizes and guides the People's Committee of Ha Tinh Province to issue permits for organizing trade fairs and exhibitions for organizations both within and outside the country in the international border gate area of Cau Treo. - The People's Committee of Ha Tinh Province is permitted to actively negotiate with the authorities of Bolikhamsay Province to cooperate in building and managing border markets in accordance with the Border Market Regulations between Vietnam and Laos.

Article 3. Investment incentives policy:

Encouraging domestic and foreign investors to invest in production, business, and infrastructure construction in the Cau Treo border gate area in accordance with the Law on Domestic Investment Promotion and the Law on Foreign Investment in Vietnam. In addition to enjoying existing legal incentives, they also enjoy:

Investors investing in the Cau Treo border gate area shall pay 50% less land rental fees compared to the current national price framework applied in the international border gate area of Cau Treo.

Foreign investors in the international border gate area of Cau Treo shall enjoy the lowest tax rate within the tax framework stipulated by the Law when repatriating profits abroad.

The Chairman of the People's Committee of Ha Tinh Province is authorized to issue decisions approving group B and C basic construction projects in the border gate area based on agreements with the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Article 4. Regarding investment capital for the international border gate area of Cau Treo:

To accelerate the robust economic and social development, security, and defense of the international border gate area of Cau Treo over a period of five years (from the date of issuance of preferential mechanisms and policies), the State will allocate 50% of the total customs revenue collected annually within the international border gate area of Cau Treo to the area through the provincial budget. The amount of investment and the list of infrastructure projects funded from this source shall be proposed by the People's Committee of Ha Tinh Province and decided by the Ministry of Planning and Investment after obtaining the agreement of the Ministry of Finance.

Investors in the Cau Treo border gate area may raise domestic and foreign capital through appropriate means to build infrastructure and production, business, and service facilities in line with Ha Tinh Province's socio-economic development plan, ensuring national security and defense.

Construction of industrial, civil, and infrastructure projects in the international border gate area of Cau Treo shall be carried out in accordance with current Vietnamese laws governing investment management and construction.

The People's Committee of Ha Tinh Province has the authority to award a sum of money to organizations and individuals who successfully attract non-reimbursable investment (outside government budget sources) for economic and social projects in the border gate area, in accordance with specific regulations set by the Ministry of Finance.

Article 5. Regarding entry and exit through the international border gate of Cau Treo.

Foreign nationals and overseas Vietnamese citizens may enter and exit the country through the border gate in accordance with Vietnamese laws on entry and exit and visa agreements or arrangements concluded between Vietnam and other countries.

Citizens of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (hereinafter referred to as Lao) residing in border districts adjacent to the international border gate area of Cau Treo may enter and exit the area using border identification cards or border travel documents issued by competent Lao authorities. Their temporary stay in the area shall not exceed seven days.

Lao citizens and other foreigners holding ordinary passports entering the area shall be exempted from visa requirements for entry and exit. Their temporary stay in the area shall not exceed fifteen days. If they wish to travel to other parts of Ha Tinh Province or other provinces in Vietnam, they must apply for visas at the international border gate of Cau Treo through the Exit-Entry Administration (Ministry of Public Security) in accordance with current regulations on entry and exit.

Business entities, foreign investors, overseas Vietnamese participating in investment, production, business, tourism, and other service activities in the border gate area may enter and exit the border gate area using passports or permits issued by the Exit-Entry Management Authority (Ministry of Public Security) authorized to be granted by the Ha Tinh Provincial Police.

Article 6. Regarding the management organization of the international border gate area of Cau Treo.

The People's Committee of Ha Tinh Province shall establish a Border Gate Area Management Board for Cau Treo to implement centralized and unified management of this area.

The Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Finance, the General Department of Customs, the General Department of Tourism, and related agencies shall cooperate with the People's Committee of Ha Tinh Province to effectively manage the operations of the Border Gate Area Management Board for Cau Treo.

After two years of implementation, the People's Committee of Ha Tinh Province shall be responsible for coordinating with relevant central ministries and sectors to conduct a review of the application of the aforementioned preferential policies and report to the Prime Minister to promptly adjust and supplement any necessary issues.

Article 7. This Decision takes effect from January 1, 1999. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of agencies under the Government, and the Chairman of the People's Committee of Ha Tinh Province shall proactively implement and bear responsibility for enforcing this Decision according to their functions, tasks, and authorities./.