“Although their GDP contribution is small, they have received special favors, including obtaining capital,” he said.

Another NA representative from HCMC, Tran Du Lich, said: “The corporations often say they have operated effectively. So, they should have issued bonds rather than ask for bank support.”

NA representative Tran Ngoc Vinh from Hai Phong City warned against ineffective investment by state-owned corporations, including in stock market and real estate, which have hurt them-selves and caused a lot of difficulties for small and medium enterprises.

Many NA deputies also said, the staff at these corporations still got high salaries and bonuses. NA representative Vinh said Electricity of Vietnam had set aside 36 percent of their profits for such purposes.

“Related authorities should enforce inspection of the use of capital in investment,” said NA representative Dang Huyen Thai from Hanoi. “It’s hard to evaluate their repayment capacity in order to grant bank loans.”

Contradictory reports

A recent government report showed 60 percent of enterprises found flouting environmental protection being penalized and 60 percent of industrial zones having wastewater treatment systems, said NA Pham Le Chi of Quang Ninh Province.

However, another government report said 70 percent of industrial zones and 90 percent of production enterprises had no such systems, he pointed out.

NA deputy Nghiem Vu Khai from Dien Bien Province said the government’s target to handle 65 percent of enterprises flouting environmental protection regulations was unfeasible.

Many NA deputies also suggested more consideration be given to environment protection before authorizing foreign investment projects.

They felt the government should clarify responsibilities for recent environmental pollution offences by enterprises, including Vedan Vietnam in Dong Nai Province and Miwon Vietnam in Phu Tho Province.

On the sidelines of the session, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Pham Khoi Nguyen said Vietnam will intensify surveillance over the implementation of environmental protection regulations, especially in paper, beer, chemical and ship making industries.

Vietnam has considered environmental protection in mapping out 2009 socioeconomic plans, but investment in the protection work and the implementation of environmental regulations should be carefully calculated and monitored, Nguyen said.

Reported by Thanh Nien staff