The Government agreed to postpone the submission of the Special Economic Zone Law project.

Part of Bai Truong complex, Duong To commune, Phu Quoc district. Photo: Dinh Quang Thieu

According to a press release from the Government Office sent at 3 a.m. this morning, June 9, the Government has agreed with the National Assembly Standing Committee to submit to the National Assembly for consideration and postpone the approval of the Draft Law on Special Administrative-Economic Units (Special Economic Zone Law) from the 5th Session of the 14th National Assembly to the 6th Session to have more time for research and completion.

According to the Government Office, the Draft Law on Special Administrative-Economic Units of Van Don, Bac Van Phong and Phu Quoc has been elaborately and carefully developed to institutionalize the Party's Resolutions and concretize the 2013 Constitution, creating a legal basis for building three special economic zones, creating growth poles and testing breakthrough regional development institutions with great influence.

The draft Law was submitted to the National Assembly for comments at the 4th Session of the 14th National Assembly.

At this session, after receiving the enthusiastic and responsible opinions of National Assembly deputies, scientists, economists, experts, voters and people nationwide, the Government agreed with the National Assembly Standing Committee to submit to the National Assembly for consideration and postpone the approval of this Law Project from the 5th Session to the 6th Session of the 14th National Assembly to have more time for research and completion.

This is to ensure that the draft Law, when submitted to the National Assembly for approval, meets the requirements and aspirations of National Assembly deputies, voters and people, successfully builds three special economic zones, and maintains national security and sovereignty.

Regarding the issue of land lease term, it will be considered and submitted to the National Assembly for application as stipulated in the Land Law, without stipulating special cases extending up to 99 years.

The scale of the three economic zones mentioned in the draft law

As reported, the draft Law on Special Administrative-Economic Units of Van Don, Bac Van Phong, and Phu Quoc submitted to the 5th session of the National Assembly has received many concerns and debates on many issues, especially the land lease term for investors of up to 99 years.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the National Assembly on June 4, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that in recent days he has received many letters, messages, and calls from experts, veterans, and people, and has also grasped information from public opinion related to the provisions of the draft Law on Special Administrative-Economic Units of Van Don, Bac Van Phong, and Phu Quoc.

Regarding the regulation on the maximum period of land allocation of 99 years, the Prime Minister said: "The draft law stipulates that in special cases, the Prime Minister will decide on this matter. Of course, in those special cases, before deciding, the Prime Minister must consider and report to the competent authorities."

The Prime Minister affirmed that the Government and the National Assembly Standing Committee will listen to public opinion to report to the National Assembly to decide on this issue. The National Assembly will carefully consider and may not accept that regulation, the Government will implement according to the National Assembly's decision."