The Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Viet Nam Cooperative Alliance held a national forum on  collective economy and cooperatives  under the theme “Opportunities and challenges of collective economic development” on October 14. 

The national forum on  collective economy and cooperatives  under the theme “Opportunities and challenges of collective economic development,” Ha Noi, October 14, 2019 - Photo: VGP

 The forum drew the attendance of Deputy PM Vuong Dinh Hue, who is the Head of the Committee for Reform and Development of Collective Economy and Cooperatives, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Central Economic Commission Cao Duc Phat, and President of the Viet Nam Cooperative Alliance Nguyen Ngoc Bao. 

The forum attracted 500 delegates including ministerial, sector, and local leaders, those from political and social organizations, cooperative alliances of 63 localities, experts, and scientists. 

President of the Viet Nam Cooperative Alliance Nguyen Ngoc Bao said that the forum targeted to collect mechanisms and policies to promote collective economy and evaluate new styles of collectives in localities; policies to promote collectives.

Mr. Nguyen Phi Duc, President of Duong Lieu collective at Hoai Duc district said that so far a large number of collectives have yetbeen allocated land or given land use certificates. 

He proposed the Government allow localities to balance land lease funds for collectives and provide special mechanisms. 

Under Decree 46/2014/ND-CP, dated May 15, 2014 on regulations on collection of land and water lease, the rents of the agricultural land area within the local limits under the regulations of the laws with regard to the farm households, members of agricultural cooperatives under all inclusive agreements with the enterprises, agricultural production cooperatives switching over to land lease and signing land lease contracts with the competent authorities shall be exempted until the end of 2020.  

Hence, Mr. Duc suggested the Government cut 50% of land lease for agricultural collectives and cut land lease fees for non-agricultural cooperatives. 

The Ministry of Planning and Investment reported that in the 2013-2018 period, 2,044 agricultural cooperatives were allowed land lease (accounting for 14% of total number) with a total area of 12,676 hectares. 

So far, a large number of cooperatives  are using land without legal papers on land. Some cooperatives are operating inefficiently without any business and production operation but using land. 

The Ministry of Planning and Investment also promised to research and propose adjustments to the Law on Land towards more preferences for cooperatives./.