How to apply the ASEAN Framework for Extractive Industries Governance in Vietnam’s condition was the focus of a workshop held by the Centre for People and Nature Reconciliation (PanNature) in Hanoi on December 5.

Speaking at the event, PanNature Director Nguyen Viet Dung said that the governance framework serves as a tool to help ASEAN member countries develop extractive industries responsibly and transparently, thus contributing to promoting sustainable economic growth at regional, national and local levels.

It provides principles and prescriptions to harmonise policies related to this field as well as guidance to set up tools supervising resources exploitation in each member state, he stated.

Extractive industries play an important role in attracting investments and providing input materials for industrial production as well as greatly contribute to economic growth in many ASEAN nations.

Especially, oil, gas and mineral exploitation is considered a key field to realise common goals of the ASEAN Economic Community, scheduled to be established by 2015.

Most ASEAN countries with rich natural resources are facing challenges in governing its extractive industries. Bad governance has lead to slow economic growth, environmental degradation, and social conflicts.-VNA