Minister Nguyen Chi Dung: Don't have negative thoughts about special economic zones
“The problem is how to regulate without creating loopholes. Pushing it in the direction of fear of this and that is not right, it will lead to falling into people's trap.”
Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung emphasized this when answering the press on the sidelines of the National Assembly this morning (June 6), regarding the draft Law on Special Administrative-Economic Units of Van Don, Bac Van Phong, and Phu Quoc being submitted to the National Assembly at the 5th Session.
PV:Recently there have been many opinions about special economic zones, what is the opinion of the drafting agency, sir?
Minister Nguyen Chi Dung:The drafting and reviewing agencies have said a lot, the decision-making power belongs to the National Assembly.
PV:Public reaction because of the Chinese element?
Minister Nguyen Chi Dung:In the draft Law, there is not a single word about China, there are only things that they deliberately understand in that direction and push the issue up, dividing our relationship with China. The Law stipulates equality in a common environment, with all economic sectors and with all countries, the international integration environment that we are opening. Therefore, everyone is equal and does not restrict this person or that person.
People are thinking negatively. No one can come here to do anything when our country has sovereignty, we have to calm down, consider and listen.
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| Minister Nguyen Chi Dung: If you are afraid, you cannot do anything. |
PV:Does the drafting committee propose to review the comments, sir?
Minister Nguyen Chi Dung:The power now belongs to the National Assembly. The drafting agency has no power now. We listen and the Standing Committee of the National Assembly will implement whatever direction it gives. The drafting agency has also presented its views many times. The agencies must listen to what is right, accept and make corrections, and explain what is unclear. If you are afraid of everything, you cannot do anything.
In 1988, Deng Xiaoping spoke in Shenzhen, and at that time there were many opinions. Deng Xiaoping said, “Let’s do it, no more discussion.” In 1992, there was another wave of opinions, and Deng Xiaoping said the same thing again. And now that sentence is engraved on a stone tablet in Shenzhen. We must learn anything good, no matter who it is. We have sovereignty, independence, and intelligence, so why should we be afraid of anything?
PV:Special economic zones are necessary but there are concerns, sir?
Minister Nguyen Chi Dung:Why not understand the concern that the Law is not attractive enough to succeed, how to make the Law come into being successful, instead of thinking about how to reduce fear. I am very dedicated, respectfully listen to everyone's opinions and absorb them.
For example, the problem is how to make the regulator not create loopholes. Pushing in the direction of fear of this and that is not right, falling into people's trap, wanting us to keep struggling like that without being able to break out. We have to be bold to do it, what needs to be strict, then design it strictly, doing it cautiously is right but that does not mean not doing it.
PV:What about the 99-year land lease option, sir?
Minister Nguyen Chi Dung:If possible, design stricter conditions, what is special, what is really special, what is allowed. Second, the process must be stricter and the authority must be higher.
PV:The most important thing is the institution and business environment for investors to succeed, but the design is more favorable?
Minister Nguyen Chi Dung:Don't say that. Institutions and environment are the most important. Of the 85 articles, 25 deal with that issue, not the issue of incentives. Incentives must exist, but at a reasonable level, and have been adjusted down a lot and are very reasonable, still moving in the direction of creating a favorable environment and institutions.
PV:Is there any suggestion that we should pilot this in one location first?
Minister Nguyen Chi Dung:This must be objective, fair, calm, intelligent, courageous, should not mislead public opinion, otherwise later will be guilty of history.
PV:Delegates warn against trading national defense and security for the economy?
Minister Nguyen Chi Dung:In designing the Law, there is no intention to trade national defense and security for economic benefits. The number one principle in designing this Law is to ensure national defense and security.
PV:Thank you!./.
