Ecological and environmentally friendly industrial parks are the solution that the Government has seen early on. However, after two years of issuing the decree, the whole country still has no industrial park recognized as meeting the standards.
Eco-industrial parks have become a legal concept in Decree 35/2022/ND-CP. Accordingly, there must be enterprises participating in cleaner production activities and efficient use of resources. Enterprises in this industrial park must have links and cooperation in production to carry out industrial symbiosis activities.
This environmentally friendly industrial park model is expected to contribute to improving the competitiveness of the economy and promoting sustainable development. However, the implementation is facing many difficulties and confusion.
Symbiotic mechanism
According to Mr. Bruno Jaspaert - CEO of Deep C Industrial Park (Hai Phong), the biggest problem in Vietnam today is the lack of legal regulations suitable for development practices.
“At this time, Vietnam does not have any preferential policies specifically for eco-industrial parks while the investment costs, investment time and investment effort in these zones are higher and take longer.”
For example, Mr. Bruno said, to install a wind power pole, Deep C had to wait for technical standards for wind power installation in industrial zones. Or to recycle waste within the zone, it also had to apply for a waste collection and treatment license before it could collect waste.
“Without creating a good symbiotic mechanism, the circular economy will be very difficult to operate and develop,” said Mr. Bruno.
Sharing the same view, Mr. Pham Hong Diep - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Shinec Joint Stock Company, Investor of Nam Cau Kien Industrial Park (Hai Phong) said that the standards and regulations for ecological industrial parks need to continue to be improved.
Rooftop solar power is a solution, but there are no supporting and encouraging regulations. Investing in and building ecological industrial parks is related to a series of laws such as the Planning Law, Investment Law, Land Law, Real Estate Business Law, etc. while the policy consistency of these laws is still a question mark.
Next, Mr. Diep said that the policy mechanism to encourage investors, FDI enterprises as well as domestic enterprises need to be synchronized so that they can connect with each other, build a circular economic system as well as a symbiotic business system in industrial parks.
“Businesses really need policy mechanisms to inspire them. For example, preferential policies for eco-industrial parks equal to economic zones, and extending land use terms,” Mr. Diep proposed.
Government efforts
Before advising the Government to issue Decree 35, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, with international funding, implemented a number of pilot projects to support traditional industrial parks to switch to ecological models that are more environmentally friendly.
Specifically, in the period 2015-2019, with funding from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Khanh Phu and Gian Khau industrial parks (in Ninh Binh), Hoa Khanh (Da Nang), Tra Noc 1 and Tra Noc 2 (Can Tho) piloted the implementation of some conversion contents.
In 2020-2024, with financial support from Switzerland, this model was replicated in a number of industrial parks in Hai Phong, Dong Nai, and Ho Chi Minh City.
The pilot results have contributed additional data for the Government to issue Decree 2022 in 35, with a separate section of 10 articles on eco-industrial parks. However, to date, no eco-industrial park in the country has been recognized under Decree 35.
Regarding this issue, Ms. Vuong Thi Minh Hieu - Deputy Director of the Department of Economic Zones Management recognized that resources for conversion and investment in ecological industrial parks are a big problem for businesses.
Regarding the legal corridor, Ms. Hieu said, the Ministry of Planning and Investment will review, synthesize, and advise competent authorities to soon complete regulations related to ecological industrial parks.
Regarding capital sources, the Ministry of Planning and Investment will continue to connect with funds and support networks for industrial park conversion around the world to support domestic enterprises; continue to support enterprises in accessing green credit lines.
In addition, she said, the agency is also coordinating with relevant ministries and branches to review and amend legal documents on environment and water resources to encourage industrial parks to develop according to new models, including ecological industrial models.
Source: Law Newspaper
