Cambodia's sand reserves can adequately meet the long-term construction and reclamation needs of the southern provinces of Việt Nam. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Transport conducted a field survey on the feasibility of importing construction sand from Cambodia to Việt Nam.

According to the results, Cambodia's sand reserves can adequately meet the long-term construction and reclamation needs of the southern provinces of Việt Nam.

Statistics show that Cambodia is currently exporting approximately 50,000 to 60,000 cubic metres of sand to Việt Nam every day. The Cambodian government supports free market trading of sand, does not intervene in pricing and will issue certificates of origin. It also requires proper licences, tax payments and adherence to regulations for sand extraction, transportation and export.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade recommended that the government assign the Ministry of Transport to lead and coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to review and determine the total demand and quantity of sand needed by Vietnamese enterprises and construction contractors. This will enable proactive negotiations with Cambodian companies for sand purchase contracts in accordance with the regulations of both countries.

Currently, Cambodia has granted extraction and export licences to only three domestic companies (foreign companies are not permitted to extract sand). Among these, Chaktomuk Cambodia Company exports around 40,000 to 60,000 cubic metres of sand daily to about 15 to 20 Vietnamese companies. Sok Theara Company, which has a sand mine reserve of over 200 million cubic metres, has not yet exported sand to Việt Nam. Global Green Energy Company supplies approximately 10,000 cubic metres per day to two or three Vietnamese companies.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Cambodia is ready to issue certificates of origin for sand purchased in Cambodia to minimise fraud and smuggling.

In early April, Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà chaired a meeting in Hồ Chí Minh City with relevant ministries, sectors and localities to discuss the situation of sand materials for the foundation of the Hồ Chí Minh City Ring Road 3 project.

During the meeting, the Ministry of Transport stated that from 2021-2025, the Mekong Delta and Southeast regions were implementing 21 expressway and key traffic component projects. The total demand for road embankment materials for these projects would be nearly 77 million cubic metres, including about 7 million cubic metres of soil and nearly 70 million cubic metres of sand.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the demand for sand for the foundation of Hồ Chí Minh City Ring Road 3 is approximately 9.3 million cubic metres, with about six million cubic metres needed in 2024 alone. Currently, the amount of sand from domestic mines committed to the project is about seven million cubic metres leaving a shortfall of about 2.3 million cubic metres.

The Hồ Chí Minh City Real Estate Association reported that Cambodia was willing to export about 100 million cubic metres of sand to Việt Nam within one year. Therefore, the Deputy Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Industry and Trade to report on the results of negotiations for importing construction and foundation sand from Cambodia for consideration and decision. — VNS