Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved a master plan to protect the environment of Phu Quoc Island, a district in the southern province of Kien Giang.
The scheme will ensure the sustainable development of the island while it is being developed into an upscale international tourism and commercial centre.
Between now and 2010 investment priorities would be given to commercial projects that include environmental protection in their plans.
Factories and companies must use clean technologies and ISO 14001 management standards, according to the government’s scheme. A waste treatment plant with a capacity of 200 tonnes per day will also be built.
By 2020, 100 per cent of solid waste and sewage from household and industrial sources will be treated properly, and all local residents will be provided with fresh water.
The plan calls for protection of the island’s forests and improvement of air and water quality.
As part of the long-term plan toward 2020, areas of mangrove forests will be replanted and coral and algae reserves set aside.
Eco-tourism sites and itineraries within a national park on the island will be set up and a buffer zone surrounding the park established.
The plan also calls for the creation of a database system to monitor sources of pollutants, which will be strictly controlled, and fees for public services will be collected to generate revenue.
Agencies have been asked to draw up regulations to ban investing in sectors that could harm the environment, including the production and use of building materials containing toxic chemicals.
Licences for 21 investment projects valued at US$1.72 billion have been issued this year.
The Phu Quoc International Airport and An Thoi Port are also currently being built.
