National Assembly decides to postpone passing the Law on Special Economic Zones

On behalf of the National Assembly Standing Committee, Chairman of the Law Committee Nguyen Khac Dinh presented a report proposing to adjust the time for considering and passing the draft Law on Special Administrative-Economic Units of Van Don, Bac Van Phong and Phu Quoc.

Scene of the 5th session, 14th National Assembly. Photo: Chinhphu.vn

Mr. Nguyen Khac Dinh said that the results of synthesizing the opinions discussed at the Hall as well as the written comments showed that the majority of opinions agreed with the necessity of promulgating the draft law and the scope of regulation; highly appreciated the reception and adjustment of the draft law.

However, this is a new, complex and unprecedented Law project; many provisions on mechanisms and policies in the draft Law are groundbreaking in terms of both organizational structure and viewpoints and development orientations in the context of increasingly deep international integration and the complicated developments in the international and regional situation; opinions of National Assembly deputies, veteran officials, experts, scientists and voters on some contents of the Law project are still different.

On the basis of seriously absorbing the opinions of National Assembly deputies, people of all walks of life and voters, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly has been cautious, considered many aspects and agreed with the Government to revise the Draft Law in the direction of not stipulating special cases in which the land use term for production and business in special zones can be extended to no more than 99 years.

At the same time, the National Assembly Standing Committee agreed with the Government to propose that the National Assembly allow the approval of this Law Project to be postponed from the 5th session to the 6th session to have more time to study and absorb the maximum valid opinions of National Assembly deputies, veteran officials, experts, scientists and the people; to complete the draft law, ensure the successful construction of 3 special economic zones, maintain national security and sovereignty.

The Standing Committee of the National Assembly proposed that the National Assembly assign the Government to preside over and coordinate with the Standing Committee of the National Assembly to direct the organization of research, receive opinions, revise the draft law and complete the draft resolutions and projects on the establishment of special economic zones to report to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly for comments before submitting them to the National Assembly for consideration and approval at the 6th session.

Direct ministries and local branches to strictly manage land use in areas where special economic zones are expected to be established, actively prepare resources and ensure conditions so that when laws and resolutions are passed, they can be implemented immediately; at the same time, strengthen information and propaganda to clarify issues of concern to the majority of voters and people to create high consensus with the contents of the draft law.

Immediately afterwards, National Assembly deputies voted to approve the proposal to adjust the time for passing the Law on Special Administrative-Economic Units of Van Don, Bac Van Phong and Phu Quoc.

Speaking at the working session this morning, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan emphasized that people should stay calm and trust in the decisions of the Party and State, especially the draft laws that the National Assembly is discussing always listen to people's opinions.