Vietnam’s National Assembly has once again deferred finalization of its draft law on Special Economic Zones beyond October in order to allow more time for public and expert consultation.
The controversial bill, covering the special administrative and economic zones of Van Don, North Van Phong and Phu Quoc, was scheduled to be passed on 9 October. However, the Vietnam News Agency is reporting that the bill will now be delayed.
The draft law, first discussed last October and amended in May, provides a series of provisions aimed at attracting foreign investment including a 99-year land lease option – an increase on Vietnam’s current land law which only allows for a maximum lease of 70 years.
However, disagreement within parliament over a number of provisions, including the land lease extension, saw the bill postponed in June.
Vietnamese officials have also discussed cutting previously agreed tax incentives for casino operators in the nation’s special economic zones.