HCM City (VNA) – A workshop was held in HoChi Minh City on September 15, discussing policies for and measures to develop eco-industrialparks in Vietnam.

The event was co-organised by the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), and the Swiss StateSecretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

As heard at the workshop, between 2015 and 2019, the MPI,UNIDO, SECO, and other sponsors worked together to pilot models ofeco-industrial parks in Ninh Binh, Da Nang and Can Tho. As a result, over 70 businesses have implemented more than 900 energy saving and cleaner productionsolutions, saving 76 billion VND (3.21 million USD) and cutting 32 kilotons ofCO2 annually.

In the 2020-2023 period, the Swiss Government is continuing to helpthree industrial parks in Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong and Dong Nai convert into eco-industrial parks in accordance to an international framework. This will serve as a premiseto multiply the model across the country.

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Thi BichNgoc said that the eco-industrial park model can play a positive role in thenational sustainable development strategy only when it is multiplied nationwideand is supported in terms of policy, technology, finance, information and a closeconnection mechanism between domestic agencies and international organisations.

She highlighted the need for more guidelines on technicalregulations and standards by ministries and sectors as well as technicalguidance from domestic and international experts, especially for industrialsymbiosis networks and circular economy solutions.

It is also necessary to issue preferential policies onfinance for eco-industrial parks, Ngoc added.

Vice Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee Vo Van Hoansaid the southern economic hub is committed to working closely with the MPI and UNIDO in implementing a project on the implementation of eco-industrialparks in Vietnam according to the approach from the Global Eco-Industrial ParkProgramme.

The over 1.8 million USD project aims to improve theeconomic, environmental and social efficiency of the industry and includeregulations on eco-industrial park development in relevant mechanisms andpolicies.

Swiss Consul General Werner Bardill in HCM City hoped that more and moreindustrial parks in Vietnam will participate in the transformation process to achievesustainable growth and improve their competitiveness in the time to come./.