On 30 August 2023 in Dong Nai province, UNIDO in collaboration with Dong Nai Industrial Zones Authority (DIZA) organized a meeting with the related parties to discuss the feasibility, methods and plans to implement urban industrial symbiosis solutions between Amata Bien Hoa industrial park and surrounding urban areas, contributing to the transformation of Amata Bien Hoa industrial park to the eco-industrial park.

Attending the meeting were leaders and officers in charge of environment and technical aspects from the DIZA, Amata Dong Nai Industrial Park, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Department of Industry and Trade, the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Construction, Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the police’s firefighting agency, experts of the United Nations Industrial Organization (UNIDO).

At the meeting, Mr. Le Xuan Thinh, UNIDO expert delivered a presentation about four feasibility studies on urban industrial symbiosis for Amata industrial park as follows:

• Sharing human resources and firefighting facilities between Amata IP and Bien Hoa City
• Developing renewable energy for companies in Amata IP
• Reusing of treated wastewater of the IP’s wastewater treatment system to water plants in the premises of Amata IP and surrounding areas
• Developing a shared online platform for job recruitment at Amata IP

During the discussion, considering the feasibility of the proposed industrial symbiosis solutions, the participants highly appreciated the projects support for Amata Industrial Park during the identification of these opportunities. They agreed to select two opportunities (1) “Sharing human resources and firefighting facilities between Amata IP and Bien Hoa City" and (2) "Developing a shared online platform for job recruitment at Amata Industrial Park" as the most practical and feasible options which can be implemented in the near future.

For the case of "reusing of treated wastewater to water plants in Amata Industrial Park and neighboring urban areas" is very potential, but it has to deal with the legal regulations about reusing water for watering plants. UNIDO experts will review the international standards and make appropriate policy recommendations.

The participants agreed with the proposal and benefits of deploying rooftop solar power on the factory roofs, however, the solar power development must comply with the Power Plan VIII. Thus, this industrial symbiosis opportunity cannot be implemented yet because it needs to get opinions and guidance from the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Ms. Duong Thi Xuan Nuong, Deputy Head of DIZA, said that Amata Industrial Park, Dong Nai Department of Industry and Trade, Department of Natural Resources and Environment will need to consult with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on related issues such as reusing of treated wastewater to water plants and developing the rooftop solar power in the IPs.

Ms. Nguyen Tram Anh, National Technical Specialist of UNIDO expressed her thanks to the DIZA and all stakeholders at the meeting. The Project will continue working with Amata Industrial Park and local departments to propose policy recommendations to relevant ministries to promulgate appropriate regulations to timely support the implementation of these solutions in the coming time.