Ensuring defence security is the number one principle when designing the draft law on special administrative-economic units, affirmed Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung 

Talking to the media on June 6 on the sidelines of the ongoing fifth session of the 14th National Assembly, Minister Dung stressed that there is no intention to barter defence security for economic benefits when drafting the law.

According to him, the establishment of three special economic zones of Van Don, Bac Van Phong and Phu Quoc asserts the determination of the Party and Government to change the way of thinking and make a consensus in direction to create a new rule and mechanism in order to attract more investments from inside and outside the country.

He advised the public to have a sound mind and an objective point of view as the draft law stipulates clearly and equally in a general environment for every economic component and all countries.

The minister noted that the building of special zones does not go against the Constitution, and does not affect national sovereignty and defence security, the environment and public health.

He added that the drafting board will submit the draft law to the National Assembly and it has no right to decide. The final decision will be made by the NA Standing Committee.

Explaining the time limit of 99 years of land lease, the minister said that the NA Standing Committee is assigning authorised offices to collect opinions on the bill, including this issue, to be submitted to the legislative body.

He stressed the need to design tighter conditions and define what special or extremely special cases are to receive land lease.

Institution and environment are the most important factors. Therefore, 25 out of 85 articles of the bill address this issue, not the incentives.

Incentives are essential, but in a reasonable level in order to create a favourable environment and institution, Dung added.-VNA