The government has agreed to establish three special economic zones.

The government has just given its official opinion on the proposal to establish special economic zones in three provinces: Quang Ninh, Khanh Hoa, and Kien Giang.

Accordingly, in the resolution issued at the November session, the Government agreed on the principle of building three special administrative-economic zones: Van Don (Quang Ninh), Bac Van Phong (Khanh Hoa), and Phu Quoc (Kien Giang), with the orientation that each special administrative-economic zone will choose to develop its own strengths, aiming to maximize the potential and comparative advantages of each zone, create new development momentum, ensure resource allocation by region, and create a ripple effect nationwide.

Perspective view of the planning design for the Van Don Special Economic Zone, Quang Ninh.

The Government has assigned the People's Committees of Quang Ninh, Khanh Hoa, and Kien Giang provinces to take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment and other relevant ministries and agencies to finalize the special administrative-economic zone projects; and to propose to competent authorities specific mechanisms and policies to develop draft laws on special administrative-economic zones for each zone.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment, in coordination with relevant ministries, agencies, and localities, is urgently incorporating the Government's feedback and finalizing reports on the projects. This includes updating, analyzing, and comprehensively evaluating international experience in this field; and proposing specific preferential economic mechanisms and policies applicable to special administrative-economic units.

The Party Committee of the Ministry of Planning and Investment reports to the Party Committee of the Government for comments before reporting to the Politburo as prescribed.

Based on the proposed mechanisms and specific policies of the provinces, and the conclusions of the Politburo, the Ministry of Planning and Investment is assigned to lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Interior, the People's Committees of the provinces, and relevant ministries and agencies to prepare proposals for the drafting of laws on special administrative-economic units: Van Don, Bac Van Phong, and Phu Quoc, and report to the Government for comments before submitting them to the National Assembly.

Regarding planning and construction issues, in the aforementioned resolution, the Government also requested the Ministries of Construction, Natural Resources and Environment, and Transport to coordinate with localities to review planning related to urban management, especially in large cities, and propose solutions for rectification.

Specifically, the Ministry of Construction, in coordination with the People's Committees of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, will organize inspections and audits of urban planning management, especially the planning and licensing of construction of new urban areas and high-rise apartment complexes, and report to the Prime Minister in the second quarter of 2017.

According to Bao Anh/vneconomy