Workshops on Industrial symbiosis in Industrial Park (IP) were organized in 22^nd, 24^th and 25^th November, 2022 at Deep C (Hai Phong), Hiep Phuoc IP (Ho Chi Minh city) and Amata IPs (Dong Nai) respectively. There were more than 160 participants in total, including managers of Hai Phong Economic Zone Authority, Dong Nai Park Management Authority, representatives of Ho Chi Minh city Export Processing and Industrial Zones Authority, Dinh Vu, Hiep Phuoc, Amata Bien Hoa IP infrastructure companies, tenant companies and provincial departments. Representatives of UNIDO, national and international experts presented and facilitated the workshops.

In Hai Phong, Mr. Bui Ngoc Hai General Deputy Director of Hai Phong Economic Zones Authority welcomed the participants and explained that the development of industrial symbiosis in particular, and the development of eco-industrial parks in general, have been prioritized in Vietnams sustainable industrial park development strategy, as well as in Hai Phong city’s one. Developing eco-industrial parks is an inevitable choice of Vietnam, a competitive advantage of businesses and a new requirement, helping fast-moving businesses to build their new competitive positions. So, EIP transformation has been included in the Resolution No. 06/NQ-TU dated on April 7, 2022 of the Hai Phong City Party Committee on management and development of the industrial parks and industrial clusters in Hai Phong city to the year 2025, towards 2030.

Sharing the same view, Mr. Le Dang Danh, Deputy General Director of the Dong Nai Industrial Parks Authority, also affirmed that the implementation of industrial symbiosis not only helps businesses reduce production costs and resource use, but also improve business’s performance and protect the environment towards sustainable development. Mr. Danh committed that the Dong Nai Industrial Park Authority will closely coordinate with the infrastructure business company, creating the most favorable conditions for Amata Industrial Park and enterprises in the industrial park to successfully implement industrial symbiosis.

The workshops have provided general insights into key concepts, methods and tools related to the identification and implementation of industrial symbiosis; information on industrial symbiotic options which have been studied and implemented in Vietnam and some international industrial parks. UNIDO, VNCPC and other national and international experts created interactive exercises for workshop participants to stimulate a discussion about existing industrial symbiosis opportunities at the industrial parks.

Enterprises have become more familiar with the important role of industrial symbiosis implementation for the benefit of both enterprises and the industrial park. However, the discussion also highlighted that there are still many legal barriers related to the reuse of treated wastewater and waste in the IP that need to be removed. Since many enterprises in Hiep Phuoc IP would like to engage in industrial symbiosis and solid waste (or by-product) exchange, Mr. Giang Ngoc Phuong, Deputy General Director of Hiep Phuoc Industrial Park Joint Stock Company, requested UNIDO and MPI to propose relevant Authorities to run demonstrative projects on waste reuse in Hiep Phuoc Industrial Park as the basis for future policy solutions.

During the event, enterprises and experts achieved initial consensus to implement the highest potential industrial symbiosis identified by the project at each IP. 

To end of the workshops, Ms. Nguyen Tram Anh, UNIDO Project representative, highlighted that these high potential industrial symbiosis opportunities will be studied further on their economic feasibility and environmental and social benefits, in cooperation with relevant enterprises, to make a detail implementation plan.