VietNamNet Bridge - Concerns about the inflow of outdated equipment into Vietnam were raised by the media at a press conference held by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment on Tuesday after the suspension of Circular 20 (which took effect on September 1), which prevented the import of used equipment.

Minister Nguyen Quan said the circular had faced a strong reaction from some businesses, especially foreign-invested ones, which have imported many old technologies. Some FDI associations proposed to review and amend Circular 20.

Quan said that the idea and objectives of Circular 20 are good, because it helps state agencies closely manage and prevent the importing of obsolete technology into Vietnam, but it is unfeasible.

For example, the circular stipulated that the old equipment imported into Vietnam must be 5, 8, 10, or 15 years old since the date of manufacturing but enterprises said that many pieces of equipment are still good after 30 years.

The circular also required inspection of old equipment in order to assess the level of environmental pollutants, energy consumption and quality, but in fact Vietnamese assessment organizations cannot do this task.

"The old equipment cannot be assessed when they are not assembled yet. If enterprises are permitted to import old equipment after quality assessment, they will suffer big losses for storage fees. If the old equipment is assembled for testing and then determined to not meet standards, it will be very difficult to disassemble and re-export them," Minister Quan said.

Based on this reality, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment and the Ministry of Industry and Trade worked with a number of ministries and agencies and decided to halt the Circular. However, according to Minister Quan, the circular will be reviewed and amended to be re-issued in early 2015.

Regarding the information that China is discharging a massive volume of outdated technology and Vietnam may be a market for this, Minister Quan said that the Ministry annually updates information about closed businesses in China and their discarded equipment in order to inform Vietnamese companies.

"China can easily bring outdated equipment into Vietnam via informal channels so Vietnam should remain alert and cautious about equipment imported from other countries. Management agencies will strengthen quality control to avoid the risk of becoming the technology landfill of the world," Minister Quan said.

Na Son