Securing the future

(Baonghean) - On the morning of November 11, the National Assembly discussed the draft Law on Science and Technology (amended), focusing on technology transfer. The issue that many delegates were concerned about was to include provisions in the law so that no one could take advantage of loopholes to bring outdated technology into Vietnam.

Perhaps after the serious marine pollution incident from Formosa Company and before that, the Tay Nguyen bauxite project caused by the use of outdated technology, not as committed by the investor, we have begun to realize the danger of the problem. In fact, the phenomenon of foreign and domestic companies circumventing the law to import outdated technology to save investment costs is not new but has been going on for a long time. Rich countries always find ways to push outdated technology.

to poor countries to replace new technology, avoid environmental pollution without spending money on technological waste treatment, and take advantage of investment costs again. As for poor countries, because of little money and personal interests, they are willing to accept and find ways to bypass the supervision of the competent authorities in this field to bring back old equipment, technology and machinery. Old, outdated technology increases production costs, leading to a decrease in competitiveness in terms of product quality and price. Thereby reducing the competitiveness of the entire economy. Just look at the factories on the list of "debtors of the economy" such as: Thai Nguyen Iron and Steel Factory, Ninh Binh Fertilizer Plant, Phu Tho Ethanol ... it is clear. The cause of the deadlock and failure of those large economic projects is the shadow of outdated equipment and technology. Not only does it cause economic damage, but more dangerously, outdated technologies also cause serious environmental pollution both in the short term and in the long term. And the danger from this pollution is immeasurable. In fact, in the past, we have been experiencing and deeply understanding that danger.

Therefore, there must be a strict set of laws with strong enough sanctions so that no one can and dares to bypass the competent authorities in this field and bring in technologies that impoverish the country. The reason for saying so is that many localities, in order to attract investment to accelerate growth, are willing to turn a blind eye to businesses importing substandard technologies. This phenomenon has occurred and the environment in many localities is suffering the consequences of that negligence.

The environment is being degraded from land, water, air, solid waste... And no one dares to predict that it will not happen again. If not strictly controlled, it will easily fall into a state of growth without future. That is, the economy grows but environmental pollution is rampant and uncontrolled, leading to disastrous consequences. Therefore, supplementing and amending to limit the shortcomings in the current law is a way to ensure the future.

Duy Huong