On 11 September 2023 in Hanoi, the Workshop "Structured exchange on EIP development between Vietnam and Indonesia within the framework of the Global Eco-Industrial Park Programme (GEIPP)", organized by UNIDO, was an opportunity for Vietnam and Indonesia to share and exchange information on practical experience in developing eco-industrial parks, as well as the process of implementing industrial symbiosis to support the development of eco-industrial parks.

Mr. Le Thanh Quan, Director General of the Department of Economic Zones Management, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Project Director, welcomed the Indonesian delegation. Mr. Quan introduced the results of industrial park development in Vietnam over more than 30 years. He said that the industrial parks and economic zones are improving the competitiveness towards the advanced models to effectively use energy and resources, together with the technology and digital transformation in management and production activities. At the same time, the recent pandemic showed that countries need to develop strategies and policies towards improved resilience. On the other hand, international commitments on sustainable development, response to climate change, zero emission commitments and new Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) require countries, as well as the business community, to change their development strategies and policies towards sustainable production, to meet the standards of the global value chains. The EIP model is considered optimal for the above goals, aiming to implement a circular economy to replace the traditional linear economy.

Ms Vuong Thi Minh Hieu, Deputy Director General of the Department of Management of Economic Zones, MPI, presented an overview of the development stages and policies of industrial parks and economic zones in Vietnam. Ms. Hieu affirmed: "With the close coordination as well as the enthusiastic and effective support of MPI, SECO, UNIDO, and the determination of the Industrial Park Authorities, the project has achieved positive results in all three aspects of economics, environment and society, spreading and raising awareness about the meaning and importance of the development of EIPs at the central and local levels".

At the workshop, Ms Nguyen Tram Anh, National Technical Specialist of UNIDO, presented the project results in transforming selected industrial parks in EIPs.

Mr. Heru Kustanto, Director General of the Department of Industry, Ministry of Industry of Indonesia, Head of the Indonesian Delegation, shared with the participants about the context of IP development and EIP transformation in Indonesia. Currently, Indonesia has 112 industrial parks in operation and 3 industrial parks have been selected to convert to EIPs in framework of UNIDOs project, contributing to good management on all three pillars of environment, economy and society. Mr. Heru Kustanto added: "Vietnam is a country with good policies to attract investors. Currently, the international investors are more interested in doing business in Vietnam. Indonesia wants to learn from Vietnamese policies and experiences in this topic."

Mr. Le Thanh Quan highly appreciated the results achieved and closed the workshop. Delegates and participants from Vietnam and Indonesia were very enthusiastic in sharing information in state management and EIP development, as well as relevant policies.

Structured exchange on Eco-Industrial Parks between Vietnam and Indonesia

"Structured exchange on Eco-Industrial Parks between Southeast Asian countries (Vietnam and Indonesia) within the framework of the GEIPP" took place in 3 days from 11-13 September 2023 in Hanoi and Hai Phong City, with many exchange and discussion activities on EIP development policies between relevant agencies of Vietnam and Indonesia; jointly exchange and share information with Hai Phong Economic Zone Management Board, industrial park developers of DEEP C and Nam Cau Kien, which are already transforming into EIPs. In particular, the delegation visited and met representatives from Flat International Vietnam company in Deep C IP and Tan Thuan Phong in Nam Cau Kien IP to learn about industrial symbiosis solutions.