New golf course projects must be approved by PM

The Ministry of Planning and Investment must submit new golf course projects to the PM for consideration and approval.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked local governments to check golf course projects located in their areas and report to the government in the fourth quarter about the area of each golf course, particularly how much agricultural and forestry area is devoted to these projects.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment will combine with related agencies to develop a master plan on golf courses in accordance with the social and economic development plans of each province, city and the entire nation.

The Ministry is responsible for suggesting a licencing mechanism for golf courses to ensure decentralisation in investment licencing and preventing land speculation in the name of golf course projects.

The Prime Minister has asked the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment to research and assess the impacts of chemicals used at golf courses on the environment. Based on the research, the Ministry has been instructed to issue standards on the environment in building golf courses in Vietnam and penalties for violators.

VNN

>   UK bank remains upbeat about Vietnam’s trade deficit (27/08/2008)

>   Bridge won’t impede Saigon River shipping (27/08/2008)

>   Egypt – a potential market for Vietnamese seafood (27/08/2008)

>   Retail petrol prices down by additional VND1,000/litre (27/08/2008)

>   Techmart Lang Son 2008 to kick off (27/08/2008)

>   Vietnam eyes future of software testing (27/08/2008)

>   Textile-garment industry to set high export targets for 2009 (27/08/2008)

>   Vietnam earns over US$1 billion from rubber exports (27/08/2008)

>   TNT expands network in Vietnam (27/08/2008)

>   95% of Vietnamese hit by inflation (27/08/2008)