Vietnam welcomes investors in the mining industry and is completing legislation on minerals that is in line with other countries in the world, says Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai.
Mr. Hai made the statement at the third Asean Ministerial Meeting on Minerals (AMMIN 3), which opened in Hanoi on December 9.
The Deputy PM said that the minerals law, which was approved by the National Assembly in November 2010, boosts administrative reforms, creates favourable conditions, and increases State management on mineral exploration activities in order to contribute to socio-economic development. Mining should be combined with processing activities that bring benefits to the State, localities, businesses, ecology, and national security, he added.
Mr. Hai affirmed that Vietnam is ready to exchange, learn and share experiences in management, exploration, and reasonable use of mineral resources with other Asean member countries.
“Vietnam wishes to lay out a single policy within Asean in trade and investment in mineral sector to foster the effective implementation of Asean Mineral Cooperation Action Plan (AMCAP) in the 2012-2015 period,” he stated.
The Vietnamese government leader also stressed the need to ensure sustainable development in the region’s mining activities, with a focus on creating good investment opportunities and protecting the environment. Capacity building and institutions are also matters of concern for the mining industry in Southeast Asia, he added.
Delegates adopted the Hanoi Declaration, detailing an action plan on mineral cooperation within the bloc for the 2011-2015 period. Accordingly, Asean member countries will establish an information sharing mechanism to harmonize their mineral policies, and create a more favourable environment for trade and investment.
