On December 5, Politburo member and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a meeting of the Government Standing Committee, giving opinions on the project of a shopping mall preparing to submit to competent authorities and on proposing mechanisms and policies to promote the development of a national petrochemical and energy refining center in Dung Quat Economic Zone (Quang Ngai).
According to the report, there are currently more than 7,000 special economic zones and e-commerce zones in operation in the world; with increasingly greater importance in the modern economic development strategy of developing and emerging countries.
The current e-commerce model is also expanded into multi-functional areas in industry, urban areas, services, finance, high technology, innovation, and maximum attraction of development resources.
In Vietnam, the general legal system does not have specific regulations on the mechanism, policies, management and operation of e-commerce zones.
Recently, the National Assembly has issued resolutions on piloting a number of specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Da Nang City and Hai Phong City, including content on e-commerce areas.
The Ministry of Finance said that it is expected that in 2026, e-commerce platforms will be established in Da Nang, Hai Phong, and Ho Chi Minh City; by 2030, the whole country will have about 6-8 e-commerce platforms and similar models in localities with favorable conditions.
By 2045, the whole country will have 8-10 e-commerce zones and similar models that meet international standards, competing with countries in the region, contributing 15-20% of GDP.
In his concluding remarks, the Prime Minister stated that this is a new thing, agreeing on policies but implementing them must be feasible and effective; the goal is to experiment with policies and contribute to socio-economic development, meeting immediate and long-term goals, especially the two 100-year strategic goals.
The head of the Government noted to clarify the concept of e-commerce zones, similarities and differences with international trade centers; mechanisms and policies for these two subjects to have similarities and other similarities, need to flexibly and creatively apply existing regulations.
The selection of a pilot location for an e-commerce platform must be suitable, regional-based, in accordance with the spirit of the pilot (the number is not large and there is a certain time for assessment), the Prime Minister requested that agencies refer to international experience, based on Vietnam's conditions to build specific, appropriate, superior, competitive, feasible mechanisms and policies but not too much affect the general investment environment.
In particular, policies that have both general regulations and specific characteristics suitable for different areas and localities.
To pilot the e-commerce platform, the Prime Minister stated that it is necessary to deploy tasks to convert from policies to policies, planning, infrastructure development, resource attraction, development, application of high technology, smart management, and human resource training.
It is necessary to pay attention to the issue of population, ensure progressive social security, a bright green, clean, civilized and modern environment; organize a streamlined apparatus, operate effectively and efficiently, increase decentralization and delegation of authority, increase the initiative of the e-commerce zone and strengthen supervision and inspection.
Regarding the National Oil Refining and Energy Center, the Prime Minister requested ministries, branches, localities and the National Energy Industry Group (Petrovietnam) to review, clarify the existing contents and may apply new contents, specific, breakthrough policies, and be stronger to propose to competent authorities.
