FIDC lacks coordination in resolving problems at My Xuan A2 Industrial Park

Come to work but do not sign the minutes

Regarding the fact that Formosa International Development Company Limited (FIDC) still owes tens of billions of VND in unpaid water bills, leading to the water supply unit, Phu My Water Supply Joint Stock Company (PhuMy Wasuco), reducing 50% of water pressure to My Xuan A2 Industrial Park (IP) (invested by FIDC), the People's Committee of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province has directed to continue supplying water until March 31, and organized work between the parties, along with secondary enterprises in the industrial park to clarify and resolve problems.

According to the report of the Provincial People's Committee, FIDC believes that secondary investors have not paid the expenses in the industrial park, leading to difficulties in paying water bills. Therefore, the Provincial Industrial Park Management Board (BQL) organized a meeting with FIDC, with 27 secondary enterprises participating to learn and clarify this content.

However, neither FIDC’s legal representative nor the investors’ representatives attended. Instead, Ms. Lo Boi Thanh (Deputy General Director of FIDC) and two others attended under power of attorney.

According to the minutes of the meeting, FIDC requested confirmation that it had provided the debts until January 31. As for why the secondary enterprises had paid the full water bill to FIDC, but FIDC had not paid the water supply unit, Ms. Thanh did not answer, because she thought this content was not included in the meeting invitation.

Secondary businesses believe that FIDC's announcement of debt at a new price is not consistent with the signed contract (or agreement). They request FIDC to announce the correct price and issue invoices for businesses to pay.

On that basis, the Management Board requests FIDC to compile statistics on the payment status of secondary enterprises that have paid FIDC up to February 28, and send them to the Board before March 6; as well as request FIDC to continue working with PhuMy Wasuco to ensure water supply for My Xuan A2 Industrial Park.

However, all three FIDC members who attended the meeting did not sign the meeting minutes.

Previously, FIDC also lacked coordination many times.

In reports sent to the Provincial People's Committee and units, the Provincial Industrial Parks Management Board emphasized the content of FIDC's lack of cooperation with state management agencies.

For example, on December 21, 2023, the Management Board held a meeting to listen to the recommendations of businesses in My Xuan A2 Industrial Park, but the company did not participate. Therefore, the Management Board registered to work with FIDC on January 4, 2024, but when arriving, only one employee recorded the opinions of the working group, while the leader was busy receiving other guests.

Next, the Management Board continued to send a document inviting FIDC to work on February 2, but this unit replied that it could not arrange to attend for many reasons.... And at the end of February, FIDC sent people to participate in the work but did not sign the minutes as above.

Therefore, the Management Board reported to the Provincial People's Committee the above contents and determined that FIDC did not demonstrate the goodwill, responsibility and obligations of an industrial park investor in the process of implementing the signed contract with secondary enterprises. Especially in paying debts to the water supply unit, when the secondary enterprises have paid monthly water bills to FIDC. At the same time, it proposed that the Provincial People's Committee consider and direct competent agencies to intervene and resolve the matter to prevent other possible consequences and complicated situations, especially situations that may affect production activities in My Xuan A2 Industrial Park.

Still owe more than 19 billion VND in water bills

According to PhuMy Wasuco's report to the Provincial People's Committee and related units, as of February 25, FIDC still owed more than 19 billion in unpaid water bills. The unit is still providing stable water supply to My Xuan A2 Industrial Park until the end of March 2024 while waiting for debt settlement under the direction of the People's Committee of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province.

Source