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HCMC will map out a pilot plan for greenizing the first five industrial parks (IP) this year and next as it is moving toward a green economy.

Nguyen Thi Lan Huong, head of the General Planning Department at the HCMC Export Processing Zone and Industrial Park Authority (HEPZA), said the other 12 operational EPZs and IPs will be made greener in 2025-2030.

A view of the Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone in HCMC (Photo: Le Hoang)

At a press conference held on March 30 on the performance of the city’s EPZs and IPs in the first quarter and their development orientation in 2023-2030 with a vision toward 2045, Huong said the land lease contracts with many investors at Tan Thuan EPZ would expire by 2041. In addition, multiple investors at the zone have shifted to software, hi-tech and services business.

Tan Binh and Binh Chieu IPs are now surrounded by densely-populated residential areas. Meanwhile, Hiep Phuoc and Cat Lai IPs are being developed into eco-industrial and logistics zones, respectively.

In the transformation process, HEPZA will seek feedback from enterprises in such zones and business associations, infrastructure development companies and experts.

The orientation might be revised by the city to suit the actual conditions when necessary.

A HEPZA representative said the conversion would be promoted and implemented step-by-step to create a consensus and protect investors’ interests. The projects at the EPZs and IPs can operate as normal if they are still valid but they are required to improve technologies.

HEPZA will set technology criteria for enterprises at the EPZs and IPs to enable them to improve technology or relocate. The city will also have a support policy for and encourage businesses to convert out-of-date technology into modern technology or arrange land for enterprises’ relocation, subject to their needs.

Currently, there are over 700 local and foreign enterprises in the above EPZs and IPs.

Le Hoang

(The Saigon Times)