Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - The disruption caused by the pandemic to production inindustrial parks (IPs) and export processing zones (EPZs) is leading some tosuggest a radical overhaul in the way in which these areas operate in thefuture. 

Expertssaid the practical application of more people-orientated models of work willhelp factories in IPs and EPZs across the country, enhancing productivitycompetitiveness, saving costs and protecting the environment.

HoangQuang Phong, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry(VCCI), quoted data from the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) whensaying: “Vietnam has 575 IPs and EPZs in 61 provinces and cities.”

Phongadded that they are home to thousands of local and internationalbusinesses from 122 countries and territories around the world.

However,many of these bases lack social infrastructure meaning they are failing to meetthe needs of workers and the development of businesses.

Phongsaid: “Most industrial parks mainly focus on building and developinginfrastructure for production and focusing on profits, focussing on economicbenefits without paying due attention to the development of social infrastructurefor workers.”

Hementioned: “While workers have not yet settled down, it could affect thequality of labour and the economic, production and business development on thewhole.”

Asan example of how settling down could help, Long Hau IP in Long An province washighlighted as one of the top enterprises in Asia for its people-focused model.

TranHong Son, General Director of Long Hau JSC, told Vietnam News: “The applicationof a customer-oriented approach has made Long Hau one of the few IPs in thecountry that is highly appreciated by prestigious domestic and foreignorganisations for business performance.”

Nextto HCM City and connecting other provinces along the National Highway 50, the500 ha IP in Long Hau commune does not follow the traditional IP model ofother factories, but built itself as a close circle encompassing all thenecessary infrastructure.

TheIP includes a customs office, a standard wastewater treatment plant, a fire-fightingstation, police station, service centre, polyclinic, kindergarten, conveniencesupermarket and a residential area with a capacity of more than 6,000 people.

TheIP is home to 200 domestic and international firms, many of which have theirheadquarters and factories at the IP.

Sonadded, “We spent 33 per cent of the land fund to build public works as wewant to make everything done in our IP.”

Sonsaid that they provided accommodation for workers, helping them to contributeto the success of the firm. During the pandemic, the isolated accommodationhelped reduce the risk of the virus spreading to the community.

Withsuch facilities, Long Hau IP is ready to offer favourable conditions to welcomea wave of new investment, production and business transformation of domesticand foreign enterprises to Long An.

OnNovember 25 the IP launched a conference with their Korean partners,inviting them to stay with its IP in Da Nang as the production hub of Vietnam.

Asanother example, late last year, Nam Cau Kien IP in Hai Phong City opened theso-called ‘Kyousei-no-niwa' Garden, a Japanese garden that covers 30,000 sq.m,using water directly treated from a wastewater treatment plant in the park.

TheIP not only produces commodities but has all the typical features of aneco-park. Its production chains are circular from input to output throughreuse, refurbishment and recycling of solid wastes and wastewater.

Whileexperts said such facilities have met the basic requirements of a circulareconomy, which keeps products and materials in use for as long as possible toget the maximum value, chairman of the IP, Phan Hong Diep, saidthe IP model aimed at creating a symbiotic association between theeconomy, environment and society to achieve the final goal of an increase insustainable natural resources flows.

Inthe future, the Ministry of Construction (MoC) said it would coordinate withthe relevant ministries and branches to study and potentially amend the HousingLaw 2014 on the investment and construction of housing for workers in IPs andEZPs. Any amendments will be submitted to the National Assembly.

HaQuang Hung, Deputy Director of the Department of Housing and Real Estate MarketManagement, told local media: “The investment in social housing development,especially housing for workers in IPs, is a necessary solution to restoreproduction and economy after the pandemic.”

Inaddition, the MoC proposed that the provincial People's Committee must arrangeaccommodation for at least 50 percent of workers in IPs.

TheGovernment of Vietnam considers the construction and development of industrialparks and economic zones a major policy to encourage socio-economicdevelopment. Recently, several regulations on IPs and EZs have been issued,amended and supplemented to improve the operational efficiency of these realestate facilities.

DecreeNo. 82 in 2018, on the management of IPs and EZ, has created a relativelycomplete legal basis to support enterprises in building and maintaining newreal estate projects. 

TheNational Assembly has also adopted the national land-use master plan for2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, and a five-year land-use plan for 2021-2025.By 2030, the total land area of industrial property will rise by an additional120,000ha. In 2021-2025, the designated land area for industrial real estatewill increase by 62,000ha./.