Vietnam's parliament discusses bill on special economic zones

The administration of special economic zones should comprise of a chief and specialised agencies rather than the people’s councils and people’s committees, according to the majority of National Assembly deputies.

Discussing the bill on special administrative-economic region on November 10, many NA deputies stated that the local apparatus should be small-sized and efficient, which is a major factor when attracting investors.

Many deputies stated that if the people’s councils and people’s committees are still organised in special administrative economic zones like other administrative regions, such zones would become less exceptional.

Meanwhile the model in which each zone is headed by a chief nominated by the chairman of a province to which the zone belong to, and appointed by the prime minister would create breakthroughs in the administrative apparatus.

However, they also stated that more considerations should be given to a mechanism, which will supervise the chief of a special economic zone in order to prevent abuse of power when the people’s council is not organised.

A deputy suggested forming a centralised agency to review legal documents issued by a chief so that preventive action could be taken immediately.

Presenting the bill to the parliament, Minister of Planning and Investment Duong Chi Dung stated that the appeal of current economic zones and industrial parks is subsiding, therefore it is necessary to established special economic zones with breakthrough policies.

Such special zones will be established in Van Dong, Bac Van Phong and Phu Quoc, which possess strategic locations and potential for a number of industries that could compete internationally.

Dung added that similar zones have been developed in the world since 1942 and they have become an engine of national growth.

(Source: NDO)