Introduction
Hekou Border Economic
Co-operation Zone (HKBECZ) is a state-level border
zone in Yunnan province that was approved by the
State Council in the early 1990s. It is one of
three similar zones in the province where the main
border trade involves Sino-Vietnam business.
The Zone is separated from Vietnam only by a
bridge and is linked to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi
via Yunnan- Vietnam Railway, Kunming-Hanoi highway
and the Red River.
Investment
Climate
Sino-Vietnamese business is
growing fast, especially in recent years. In 1999,
total foreign trade of Sino-Vietnam businesses
amounted to USD 72.21 million while border trade
was USD 45.94 million.
Main export products include clothing, cotton
yarn, ceresin wax, mechanical equipment,
batteries, fruits, rice seeds and tobacco.
The Vietnamese government fully endorses
Sino-Vietnam border trade. With effect from 15
January 1999, import and export had been
catalogued in accordance with the international
tax rate. Also, three kinds of products, namely,
rubber, coal and marine, are exported with zero
tax rates. Since March 1999, the government has
encouraged more trade channels and more types of
products for trade.