Hanoi (VNA) – Ensuring defence security is the numberone principle when designing the draft law on special administrative-economicunits, affirmed Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung.

Talking to the media on June 6 on the sidelines of theongoing fifth session of the 14th National Assembly, Minister Dung stressedthat there is no intention to barter defence security for economic benefitswhen drafting the law.

According to him, the establishment of three specialeconomic zones of Van Don, Bac Van Phong and Phu Quoc asserts the determinationof the Party and Government to change the way of thinking and make a consensusin direction to create a new rule and mechanism in order to attract moreinvestments from inside and outside the country.

He advised the public to have a sound mind and an objectivepoint of view as the draft law stipulates clearly and equally in a generalenvironment for every economic component and all countries.

The minister noted that the building of special zones doesnot go against the Constitution, and does not affect national sovereignty anddefence security, the environment and public health.

He added that the drafting board will submit the draft lawto the National Assembly and it has no right to decide. The final decision willbe made by the NA Standing Committee.

Explaining the time limit of 99 years of land lease, theminister said that the NA Standing Committee is assigning authorised offices tocollect opinions on the bill, including this issue, to be submitted to thelegislative body.

He stressed the need to design tighter conditions and definewhat special or extremely special cases are to receive land lease.

Institution and environment are the most important factors.Therefore, 25 out of 85 articles of the bill address this issue, not theincentives.

Incentives are essential, but in a reasonable level in orderto create a favourable environment and institution, Dung added.-VNA