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| Government to tighten licensing of golf projects |
| 10-APR-2008 Intellasia | Saigon Times Daily page 1 |
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| 10 Apr, 2008 - 7:00:00 AM |
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Investors who are keen on golf course projects in Vietnam maybe face more difficulties in the near future because the government has decided to tighten the investment flow into the sector.
In a statement issued by the government office last week, prime minister Nguyen Tan Dung asks relevant ministries and localities to check the zoning plans of gold courses around the country in a time many golf courses have been licensed by provincial authorities.
PM Dung requires the ministries of Planning-Investment, Culture, Sport and Tourism, Environment Natural Resources and provincial people's committees to review the zoning plans of golf courses nationwide. Besides, these bodies must appraise the impacts of golf course projects that have been approved, and make reports to the government this May.
The instructions stem from the fact that so many golf courses have been approved in large cities, provinces. According to the prime minister, this sector has seen faster development than the economic growth of localities in general.
Therefore, the government asks ministries, agencies and localities authorities to evaluate the benefits and impacts of golf projects to ensure the efficiency of these projects, especially in land use.
Golf experts say the total number of around 50 golf courses to be available countrywide still poorly compares to the more than 200 courses in Thailand, where golfing and tourism have developed well.
In a short period this year, Long An province has received applications for 18 golf course projects and the local authorities have approved 13 already. The five remaining projects are being finalised for approval.
Can Giuoc District alone has seven golf course projects, while another poor commune in Long An has five golf projects and some of them are underway.
Meanwhile, HCM City Department of Zoning and Architecture has passed to the city government a draft land zoning plan for golf courses in the wake of rising investment in this sector. The department had proposed locations for 13 golf projects in the city, including the operational Thu Duc Golf and Country Club in Thu Duc District.
Many experts have warned of consequences of golf projects in Vietnam. They said too many golf projects in a city or province will do more harm rather than benefit.
Firstly, the environment will be polluted by chemicals discharged from golf courses. Secondly, golf courses consume huge volumes of clean water (one 18-hole golf course needs a volume of clean water enough for 20,000 families a day).
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