On the morning of 8/12, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet co-chaired the inauguration ceremony for the Tan Nam - Meun Chey international border gate. This new facility, located between Vietnam's Tay Ninh province and Cambodia's Prey Veng province, marks a significant step in enhancing trade and connectivity between the two nations.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the Tan Nam border gate inauguration ceremony. Photo: Hoang Nam

Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his vision for Tan Nam - Meun Chey to become a model for modern international border gates. He emphasized its role in leading digital transformation and meeting the demands of border control, trade, and tourism. The project aims to transform the border region into "a security belt, a bridge of friendship, a growth driver, and a pillar of public trust."

The Prime Minister urged ministries, sectors, and localities on both sides to strengthen coordination in border management, ensure security and order, and combat cross-border crime. He also called for simplifying procedures, digitizing customs clearance processes, and building smart border gates to reduce time and costs for businesses.

Tan Nam international border gate. Photo: Hoang Nam

For Tay Ninh province, Prime Minister Chinh requested prompt completion of planning for transport, digital, and electricity infrastructure around the border gate area. This initiative seeks to create conditions for businesses from both countries to invest in logistics, warehousing, and border trade centers. He also suggested researching preferential policies to boost import and export. Businesses and industry associations were encouraged to proactively seek new cooperation opportunities.

The Tan Nam International Border Gate project, which commenced late last year, had a total investment exceeding 270 billion VND. It comprises five main components: the national gate, a combined control station, a ceremonial square, a border guard station, the main access road, and technical infrastructure systems.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Hun Manet also cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Tan Nam - Meun Chey Friendship Bridge, connecting the two sides of the border.

Tay Ninh currently shares over 368 km of border with Cambodia, featuring four international border gates: Moc Bai, Xa Mat, Tan Nam, and Binh Hiep. This is complemented by a system of main and sub-border gates and three border economic zones, all playing a significant role in cross-border trade.

Hoang Nam