Enterprises' reluctance to invest in green technology and poorenforcement of environmental laws are hampering Vietnam's sustainabledevelopment, experts said.
Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) andDirector General of Vietnam Environment Administration Bui Cach Tuyensaid the country's economy is still too dependent on industries such asmining that pollutes the environment.
He said thecountry's natural resources need to be exploited more efficiently. Toachieve this, firms must invest in better infrastructure, waste disposaltechnology and improve employees' environmental awareness.
Cao Sy Kiem, a member of the National Monetary Policy ConsultingCommittee and chairman of the Vietnam Small and Medium EnterpriseAssociation, said cash-strapped enterprises do not have the funds toinvest in green technology and are instead directing resources towardsnew technology and better working conditions for employees.
In addition, some do not see the benefits of investing in environmental protection, he said.
Tran Vu Hoai, vice chairman of Unilever Vietnam, a founding member ofthe Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development, saidenterprises need to be made fully aware of the need to protect theenvironment.
He also said a roadmap should be formulatedto force firms to become more environmentally friendly that includesbetter supervision and stiffer sanctions.
Hoang DuongTung, vice general director of the Vietnam Environment Administration,said awareness about the need for environment protection has improved inrecent years. He also said the Government allocates 1 percent of itsnational spending each year on environmental protection.
However, he said enterprises needed to be better informed about the Lawon Environment (1993), which was amended in 2005 and may be furtherrevised next year.
Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) andDirector General of Vietnam Environment Administration Bui Cach Tuyensaid the country's economy is still too dependent on industries such asmining that pollutes the environment.
He said thecountry's natural resources need to be exploited more efficiently. Toachieve this, firms must invest in better infrastructure, waste disposaltechnology and improve employees' environmental awareness.
Cao Sy Kiem, a member of the National Monetary Policy ConsultingCommittee and chairman of the Vietnam Small and Medium EnterpriseAssociation, said cash-strapped enterprises do not have the funds toinvest in green technology and are instead directing resources towardsnew technology and better working conditions for employees.
In addition, some do not see the benefits of investing in environmental protection, he said.
Tran Vu Hoai, vice chairman of Unilever Vietnam, a founding member ofthe Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development, saidenterprises need to be made fully aware of the need to protect theenvironment.
He also said a roadmap should be formulatedto force firms to become more environmentally friendly that includesbetter supervision and stiffer sanctions.
Hoang DuongTung, vice general director of the Vietnam Environment Administration,said awareness about the need for environment protection has improved inrecent years. He also said the Government allocates 1 percent of itsnational spending each year on environmental protection.
However, he said enterprises needed to be better informed about the Lawon Environment (1993), which was amended in 2005 and may be furtherrevised next year.
Tung said stiffer penalties need to beimposed on firms that broke environmental laws. He said a lot of firmsat the moment would rather pay the existing fines than go to the expenseof treating their waste.
In the last few years,environmental authorities have stepped up inspections. Fines have alsoincreased 10-fold. The most serious environmental infraction can incur afine of 400-500 million VND.
Tung also said firms that violated the law should be named and shamed in the media.
Christoph Von Waldersee, managing director of Asia Water DevelopmentCorporation, said that emerging economies such as Vietnam always faceenvironment issues resulting from rapid growth.
"Wheninvesting into public utilities, the private sector usually looks forhigh yields... while the public sector can generate the political will,legal framework and share both the burden and profits," he said.
The forum on economic growth and its environmental impact was co-organised by Vietnam Holding Limited and MONRE last week. /.
In the last few years,environmental authorities have stepped up inspections. Fines have alsoincreased 10-fold. The most serious environmental infraction can incur afine of 400-500 million VND.
Tung also said firms that violated the law should be named and shamed in the media.
Christoph Von Waldersee, managing director of Asia Water DevelopmentCorporation, said that emerging economies such as Vietnam always faceenvironment issues resulting from rapid growth.
"Wheninvesting into public utilities, the private sector usually looks forhigh yields... while the public sector can generate the political will,legal framework and share both the burden and profits," he said.
The forum on economic growth and its environmental impact was co-organised by Vietnam Holding Limited and MONRE last week. /.
