From 2015 to 2019, the Ministry of Planning and Investment worked with the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) on transforming traditional industrial zones into eco-industrial zones with funding from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The project on the implementation of eco-industrial parks in Vietnam according to the approach from the Global Eco-Industrial Park Program with a total cost of 1.8 million USD has been deployed in Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Dong Nai province, Da Nang, and Hai Phong.
Under the project, 72 businesses have implemented 900 energy saving and cleaner production solutions and reduced 32 Kilo tons of CO2 annually. In the 2020-2023 period the Swiss government will continue to help 3 industrial parks in Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, and Dong Nai province to convert into ecological industrial parks. This model is expected to be replicated across Vietnam.
The Vietnamese government hopes that by 2030, 40% to 50% of localities will plan to convert traditional industrial parks into eco-industrial parks, and 8%to 10% of localities will build new eco-industrial parks.
Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Duy Dong said: “Implementing this model, businesses are recognized as ecological IPs and their images and products will be promoted as environmental friendly ones. Technical support is free which will help them reduce production costs and gain higher profit.”
Moving toward a green economy is a key factor for businesses in industrial and economic zones to raise their competitiveness and develop sustainably. It shows the government’s determination to realize its sustainable development commitments.
