(ĐN)- A delegation of the National Assembly's Committee Science, Technology and Environment led by Chairman Pham Xuan Dung had a working session with Dong Nai provincial People’s Committee on July 8 on moving Bien Hoa 1 industrial zone (IZ).
(ĐN)- A delegation of the National Assembly's Committee Science, Technology and Environment led by Chairman Pham Xuan Dung had a working session with Dong Nai provincial People’s Committee on July 8 on moving Bien Hoa 1 industrial zone (IZ).
Chairman Tran Van Tu of the provincial People’s Council and Chairman Dinh Quoc Thai of People’s Committee received the delegation.
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| The delegation is inspecting wastewater discharged in Bien Hoa 1 IZ. |
At the working session, the NA delegation and local authorities decided to relocate Bien Hoa 1 Industrial Zone (IZ), for being the source of rising pollution in the Dong Nai River.
Dong Nai province has held talks with businesses in the IZ and found that most of them agree to closing the IZ and converting it into a modern trade and services area. However, they asked the authorities to come up with a detailed plan.
General Director Phan Van Binh of Nhat Nam J.S Co., furniture maker in the industrial zone, said “We have to restart every thing when relocating our factories, so we need at least two years to reinstall facilities before the final deadline. With enough time, we will try to keep our customers and skilled labour. Money for building new factories is a serious matter. We need a large sum of money to do so. Workers may lose their jobs as some factories have to be removed from the city.”
Chairman Bui Manh Hoa of Bien Hoa Foodstuff Mechanical J.S Co. said he would move his factory out of the city if the Government created good conditions and policies for his workers.
General Director Nguyen Van Loc of Bien Hoa Sugar J.S Co. said he was worried about the effect on his workers.
At the working session, representatives of the provincial People’s Committee suggested that the Government offer several incentive policies for displaced companies, including a 100 percent tax exemption for four years and a 50 percent tax exemption for the following nine years. They also proposed to set up a budget for land-clearance compensation and funds for incentive loans for companies that need to relocate.
Most of the National Assembly members attending the meeting gave their approval to the project to convert the industrial zone to an urban trade-and-services area for the purposes of environmental protection and economic development.
Vo Tuan Nhan, Deputy Chairman of the NA Committee for Science, Technology and Environment, said he supported the relocation project, but acknowledged that it would require huge resources.
“After listening to three enterprises in the industrial zone, I see that they are really worried. Relocating a factory to another place is not a simple issue. I agree with their opinions,” Nhan said.
The deputy suggested that Dong Nai province continue to tackle the pollution issue in the area and urged the local authority to consult enterprises in the zone.
Deputy Minister Bui Cach Tuyen of Natural Resources and Environment said that the industrial park’s outdated technologies contribute to air and water pollution. Accordingly, local residents, who live in and around the Bien Hoa 1 industrial zone, are pleased with the relocation plans. He stressed that the Sonadezi should expand the waste water treatment system at Giang Dien IZ, where factories in Bien Hoa 1 IZ will be relocated.
Reported by K.G
