Lookatvietnam – Export Processing and Industrial Zones Authority (Hepza) has asked for stronger power from the city government to cope with environment pollution, saying it should have the right to okay or reject projects on environmental protection grounds.

The proposal comes after the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment last month issued a circular demanding tougher appraisal of environment impact at new projects. Under the circular, the authorities of industrial parks, export processing zones, economic zones and high-tech parks around the country, as well as provincial governments must carefully appraise the possible environment impact before licensing new projects.

Under current regulations, the provincial department of natural resources and environment is mandated to assess and approve the environment protection measures of new projects investing into industrial parks and export processing zones.

“The most important thing for the enterprises is they must do what they pledge in their environment protection measures during production,” Tuan said.

(Source: SGT)