Lam Dong agrees on investment appraisal methods suitable for bauxite

Permanent Vice Chairman of Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee Le Trong Yen chaired the meeting.

Reporting at the meeting, Mr. Le Binh Minh, Deputy Director of the Department of Finance, said that there are currently 7 bauxite mining and processing projects underway in Lam Dong province. These include: the project to expand and increase the capacity of Nhan Co alumina plant (exploiting Nhan Co cluster); Dak Nong alumina plants 2, 3, 4 and 5 belonging to the Dak Nong bauxite - alumina project complex; along with Lam Dong Cluster 1 of the Vietnam National Coal - Mineral Industries Group and Lam Dong Cluster 2 of Truong Hai Group Joint Stock Company.

Mr. Le Binh Minh, Deputy Director of the Department of Finance, reported on the implementation of contents related to investment policies for aluminum processing plant projects.

In general, all projects have valid documents and are being implemented according to regulations. In particular, the two Dak Nong 3 and Dak Nong 5 alumina plants currently have two investors registered for each project, and there are still problems with the land use purpose when proposing to convert to non- agricultural production and business land for implementation. Regarding these contents, the Standing Vice Chairman of Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee requested relevant departments and branches to handle them in accordance with the provisions of law.

A common problem of aluminum projects as well as many projects in the energy sector is the overlap of functions and tasks in the appraisal process. Specifically, the Department of Industry and Trade is responsible for managing the industrial sector, while the Department of Finance is assigned to appraise the project, leading to difficulties in coordination and clearly defining the roles between the two agencies.

Mr. Ton Thien San presented the views of the Department of Finance.

The representative of the Department of Finance said that the unit cannot perform the task of selecting, inviting bids, and appraising documents at the same time due to lack of expertise to make a comprehensive assessment, so it is recommended that there must be coordination. Although Circular 5775 of the Ministry of Finance assigns the Department of Finance to appraise the invitation for bids, in the special context of aluminum projects, it is necessary to assign tasks more reasonably and objectively.

Mr. Nguyen Ba Ut - Director of Department of Industry and Trade presented his views — Mr. Nguyen Ba Ut, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, presented his views.

Director of the Department of Industry and Trade Nguyen Ba Ut said that recently, the Department has coordinated with the Department of Finance to develop a set of criteria and complete the process based on consultation with ministries and branches. According to Mr. Ut, assigning the Department of Industry and Trade to preside over the development of the set of criteria is appropriate; however, the capacity to select, appraise and evaluate investors is not the Department's strength. Therefore, he proposed applying the provisions of the Law on Bidding and the Law on Investment, assigning the Department of Finance to select investors; at the same time, it is possible to invite independent consulting units to ensure objectivity.

At the meeting, representatives of the Department of Justice, Department of Construction, Department of Agriculture and Environment, Provincial Police and the Office of the Provincial People's Committee agreed to propose the establishment of an interdisciplinary appraisal team of the province or invite an independent consulting unit to participate in the scoring. Based on the appraisal results, the Department of Finance will conduct the appraisal according to regulations; the Department of Industry and Trade will develop a set of scoring criteria. This approach aims to ensure objectivity, transparency and independence in the bidding process and is consistent with the functions and tasks of each department and branch according to the law.

Permanent Vice Chairman of Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee Le Trong Yen concluded the working session.

Concluding the working session, Standing Vice Chairman of Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee Le Trong Yen acknowledged the sense of responsibility of the departments and branches. He emphasized the need to develop a unified process to ensure a synchronous approach, creating a basis for the Provincial People's Committee to effectively direct and operate when handling issues related to off-budget projects. Accordingly, the project belongs to the field of which department or branch, that unit will propose to establish an Appraisal Team or Council; the Department of Finance is responsible for carrying out procedures related to investment, bidding, etc. This is to ensure objectivity, convenience and full compliance with legal regulations during the implementation process.

Standing Vice Chairman of Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee Le Trong Yen emphasized that the effective implementation of off-budget projects will contribute to achieving the growth target according to Resolution 01 of the province, but must be carried out in the spirit of compliance with the law, ensuring proactiveness, independence, objectivity and responsibility of the head of each unit.

He requested the Provincial People's Committee Office to fully synthesize opinions at the meeting, complete the report to submit to the Provincial People's Committee; at the same time, requested departments and branches to develop a roadmap and implementation plan before December 31.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/lam-dong-thong-nhat-phuong-phap-tham-dinh-dau-tu-phu-hop-voi-cac-du-an-bauxite-alumin-404047.html