Hanoi (VNA) – A draft law on special administrative-economic zoneshas been adjusted based on feedback with the aim of creating a new developmentmodel that will bring breakthroughs to the zones.
At a meeting on April 4 to review items to be submitted to the fifth plenarysession of the 14th National Assembly, lawmakers heard that manychanges to several contents of the draft law including planning, special mechanismsand policies on socio-economic development, and organization of a special zone’sgovernment.
Most National Assembly deputies agreed the revision was a positive step toboost the development of special administrative-economic zones, including Van Don,Bac Van Phong and Phu Quoc.
In the morning session, one of the hottest discussions focused on whether toestablish a counselling committee for special administrative zones.
According to the draft, State management of the special administrative zone’sPeople’s Committee, especially in ensuring that tasks given by ministries andagencies are completed, would be exerted via this counselling committee, whichwould be formed by the Prime Minister.
However, NA deputies expressed concerns that with high autonomy being thespecial administrative zone’s raison d’etre, this committee would slow theoperation of the special zone’s authorities, and that more agencies is againstthe Government’s efforts to streamline administrative procedures.
DeputyTo Van Tam from the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum said it is notnecessary to form the counselling committee as it will ease the proactiveness ofthe People’s Committee of the special zone and its Chairman.
However, deputy Hoang Quang Ham from the northern province of Phu Tho said theestablishment of the counselling committee is a new way to supervise andbalance power when these special zones are granted huge power.
Regarding land use term, according to deputy Pham Thi Thu Trang from Quang Ngaiprovince, currently the land law only provides for a maximum of 70-year termwithout mentioning any exceptions, permission to grant a 99-year land lease to‘special projects’ in special administrative zones must be clarified and itsimpacts be assessed.-VNA