The northern port city of Hai Phong will import the country’s first solar bus with help from the Japanese city Kitakyushu.

The two cities signed a co-operation agreement in 2014.

With support from Japan's Ministry of the Environment, they have jointly developed a Green Growth Promotion Plan in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and promote sustainable growth in the north’s largest port.

The Japanese local government hopes it will spur the overseas business for local companies in Kitakyushu.

Japanese Soft Energy Company will provide the solar bus and transfer technology to Quoc Hung Trading Company Limited. The bus will be field tested a five years before the model is multiplied.

To give support, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue agreed with the Ministry of Finance's proposal to apply the taxes of temporary import and re-export, transit goods in this case.

The bus will be exempted from import tax and VAT.

Hai Phong and Kitakyushu's co-operation covers various fields including energy, transport, waste sectors as well as Cat Ba Island conservation.

Haiphong’s traffic in 2010 emitted over 4 million tonnes of CO2, accounted for 21.2% of Vietnam total's gas emissions.

In addition, dust concentrations in the city were also 3-5 times higher than permitted levels.

At some intersections, the CO and NO2 concentrations were 1.2-1.5 times higher than permitted as there are busy port, airport and several national key routes across the city such as the national highways 10 and 5A. Noise pollution has also been an issue.

Because of poor service and inconvenience, only 1% of the citizens use buses. Many buses have also not been regularly serviced. Haiphong’s local authorities hope to reduce the gas emissions to 8.6%.

Dtinews