Developing land by extending towards the sea is a national benefit

During the meeting, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Le Minh Ngan, stated that the draft decree on coastal reclamation activities is aimed at serving economic and social development, environmental protection, disaster prevention, and climate change adaptation. The decree does not regulate coastal reclamation activities for national defense and security purposes, which aim to protect the sovereignty and national interests in carrying out defense and security missions in Vietnam’s seas and islands.

The decree focuses on planning and land use plans for areas designated for coastal reclamation; establishment, appraisal, and approval of coastal reclamation investment projects or reclamation items of investment projects; land allocation, land lease, and transfer of areas designated for coastal reclamation; and the final acceptance of completed coastal reclamation.

The draft decree stipulates the determination of land use fees, land rental fees for the reclaimed land area; issuance of land use certificates, ownership of residential houses, and other assets attached to the reclaimed land; regulations on the handling and referral of cases that have submitted requests to transfer coastal areas before the effective date of this decree.

Regarding some divergent opinions, representatives of ministries and sectors have exchanged and agreed on deducting the reclamation costs from the land use fees and land rental fees; regulations that only investors who have completed the acceptance of the reclamation and fulfilled financial obligations regarding land are granted land use certificates, ownership of residential houses, and other assets attached to the land formed from reclamation activities.

In addition, opinions also suggested that the decree should review and supplement construction projects related to transportation infrastructure, ports, fishing ports, and fishing industry support facilities at sea within the scope of regulation; establish process maps for implementing reclamation projects;

Separate the process of appraisal and approval of investment projects for coastal reclamation and reclamation items using public investment capital and private capital; clearly stipulate the timeline for implementing investment projects using land formed from reclamation activities; shorten the time for the final acceptance of completed reclamation activities…

Providing guidance at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha stated that developing land resources through coastal reclamation is in the national interest. In this activity, the state plays a leading role and encourages enterprises to participate. At the same time, it is necessary to control coastal reclamation activities in harmony with the management, exploitation, and use of the sea to preserve environmental values, natural resources, and ecosystems in national sectoral planning, ensuring defense and security…

Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the decree on coastal reclamation must be closely and feasibly integrated, consistent with the specialized legal system; decentralized and delegated with the responsibility of management, inspection, and supervision based on specific criteria and standards. Reduce redundant and integrated procedures into a unified procedure set to optimize the resolution time of ministries and sectors, reduce costs and time for investors…