Hanoi (VNA) – Lawmakers voiced support for appointing a single chief torun each special administrative-economic unit, instead of setting up People’sCouncils and People’s Committees, while discussing a draft law on such units onNovember 22.

The Government decided to develop three specialadministrative-economic units - Van Don in northern Quang Ninh province, BacVan Phong in central Khanh Hoa province, and Phu Quoc Island in southern KienGiang province.

National Assembly (NA) deputies agreed on the needto issue the law, adding that to create breakthrough development for thesespecial zones and to ensure their competitiveness, the law could stipulate preeminentmechanisms and policies different from existing laws.

However, anydifferences need to conform with the Constitution while ensuringdefence-security and the rights of local residents, they noted.

One option proposed in the draft law is to notestablish People’s Councils and People’s Committees in the special units.Instead, the Prime Minister would appoint chiefs of these zones, and they wouldhave authority to decide and organise all administrative and socio-economicactivities in their respective units.

The other option is organising localadministrations comprising People’s Councils and People’s Committees, as pernormal localities.

A number of deputies supported the first option,saying that it creates a special apparatus for the special units’administration.

[Law on special ad🌃ministrative-econ༒omic units to boost growth]

Deputy Thach Phuoc Binh from Tra Vinh provinceadvocated the appointment of chiefs of special administrative-economic units,noting that self-reliance and self-management are the soul of specialadministrative-economic units. However, he did point out the draft mechanism tocontrol the power of the chiefs is vague and needs to be detailed.

Meanwhile, deputy Nguyen Thai Hoc from Phu Yenprovince noted the selection of the chiefs would be crucial, as success orfailure depends on personnel work. The mechanism for selecting the chiefs mustbe open and transparent so as to choose capable and visionary leaders.

Nguyen Thi Le Thuy, a legislator representingBen Tre province, said the apparatus of the special units’ as the first optionwill help pilot reforms and be in line with some international practices.

Deputy Pham Van Hoa from Dong Thap province saidin the first option, although the chiefs are given authority, they are bound bytoo many restrictions. They would be monitored by provincial People’s Councilsand provincial committees of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and report tochairpersons of provincial People’s Committees when necessary. 

Therefore, he supported the second option, whichis setting up People’s Committees and People’s Councils in the specialadministrative-economic units, but adding that the power of these agenciesshould be streamlined.

The discussion was part of the ongoing fourthsession of the 14th NA in Hanoi.-VNA