VietNamNet Bridge – HCMC will leave out 17 industrial clusters from its master zoning plan for industrial production to ensure the city will have only 13 industrial zones (IZs) covering nearly 764 hectares in total in 2020, heard a meeting on July 7.

Illustrative image -- File photo

According to the HCMC Department of Industry and Trade, the 17 industrial clusters cover a total area of around 900 hectares and will be converted into industrial parks (IPs), areas for industrial production facilities or have their functions changed.

The IZs kept in the zoning plan will be mainly located in outlying districts like Binh Chanh, Hoc Mon, Cu Chi and Nha Be.

Previously, HCMC planned to develop up to 30 industrial clusters. However, only some of them have attracted infrastructure developers and investors like Nhi Xuan, Le Minh Xuan and Xuan Thoi Son A.

The department said it is necessary to reduce the number of IZs as the city’s available land is limited and site clearance is not easy.

At the meeting on adjustments of the IZ plan, HCMC vice chairman Tat Thanh Cang told relevant agencies to review land no longer suitable for farming and forestry plantations to convert it into industrial land.

Preliminary estimates indicated Hoc Mon, Binh Chanh and Cu Chi districts have around 1,800 hectares available for industrial production where site clearance and compensation is not needed.