The draft law on special administrative and economic units, also known as special economic zones (SEZ), will not be put on the agenda of a National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee session set for August 8 to 13, reported Sai Gon Giai Phong newspaper, citing a NA Office press release.

A view of Van Don in Quang Ninh Province, which has been chosen for a special economic zone. The consideration of the draft law on SEZs is delayed again

The draft law on SEZs was earlier expected to be tabled for discussion at the upcoming 26th NA Standing Committee session in Hanoi. And the committee's meetings set for September and October would not look into the draft law either.

NA General Secretary Nguyen Hanh Phuc said collecting public comment on the draft law on SEZs was still ongoing.

Earlier, a proposed regulation in the draft law on SEZs which allowed a land lease of up to 99 years caused public concern.

Therefore, the NA at its 5th meeting in May this year delayed a vote for the draft law until its next meeting to have more time to consult lawmakers, voters and the general public.

The draft law, if approved, would convert Van Don, Bac Van Phong and Phu Quoc into the country’s first SEZs, with the first two zoned for developing hi-tech industries and the last for tourism.

According to the NA's press release, seven draft laws on the agenda of the forthcoming NA Standing Committee meeting include the draft amended Laws on Education, the People’s Public Security Force, Special Amnesty and Anti-Corruption, the draft laws on livestock, cultivation and architecture, and the draft law on amendments and supplements to the Law on Higher Education.

SGT