HCM CITY — Đồng Nai Province has been working with agencies on a project to turn Biên Hoà I Industrial Zone into a commercial and service centre.

The People’s Committee of Đồng Nai Province gave approval for Sonadezi, an industrial zone development company, to implement the project.

The Biên Hoà I Industrial Zone has 80 businesses, 40 of which have a land-lease contract until 2051.

The province said it would take back land from businesses that have expired land- lease contracts.

For those businesses that still have land-lease contracts, the province will offer compensation so they can relocate as soon as possible.

According to Sonadezi, the total cost of the project is VNĐ15 trillion ( US$ 658 million), including VNĐ2.4 trillion for construction and equipment, VNĐ 7.5 trillion for compensation and clearance, and VNĐ1.3 trillion for supporting businesses and labourers.

The project is expected to be completed by 2025.

Businesses in the industrial zone emit more than 9000m3 wastewater per day.

Millions of people in Biên Hoà Province and southern provinces are affected by the polluted water from the Đồng Nai River.

Trần Văn Vĩnh, deputy chairman of Biên Hoà Province’s People’s Committee, said that most businesses in industrial zones have outdated technology. To protect water sources of the Đồng Nai River, they need to be relocated.

Nguyễn Phú Cường, secretary of Đồng Nai Provincial Party, said that, in order to solve environment problems, by the end of 2022 the province would shut down Biên Hoà I Industrial Zone.

The project is expected to bring great benefit, solve environmental problems, and develop the province, he added.

The province proposed this project 10 years ago, but it was delayed due to the authorities’ changing dates on when the industrial zone should be shut down. — VNS