NA deputies raise concerns about FDI re-registration By Nguyen Hien. dtinews.vn NA deputies are worried that the renewal of business licenses for FDI firms that use backward technologies may turn Vietnam into the dumping ground of the world.   Vedan's factory discharged waste into Thi Vai River Statistics show that about 3,000 out of 6,000 FDI enterprises did not follow regulations and were yet to re-register although the deadline had passed.  The government proposed to amend Article 170 of the Enterprise Law to save those FDI firms that wanted to continue operations, but the proposal encountered opposition from NA deputies. Deputy Trinh The Khiet from Hanoi said that although he agreed to make the amendment to the article, he still thought the impact to the environment needed to be considered. He took example that in 2008, Vedan's factory sewer discharged waste water into Thi Vai River and caused problems to Dong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces and HCM City. "If we accept low-technology factories then our children will face the consequences later." he said. Statistic from the Ministry of Planning and Investment showed that 80% FDI firms use average technology, 14% use outdated machines and only 5-6% have high-technology equipment. Several firms have taken advantages of loopholes to import outdated machines into Vietnam. According to Deputy Phan Van Quy, they should only allow a number of FDI firms to re-register based on current plans and policies. "I don't know if this situation is caused by low awareness, state agency irresponsibility or because the NA agreed to pass an impractical bill. Only when everything is made clear, I'll be content to pass this bill with the belief that similar situations will not occur." Deputy Nguyen Thanh Hai said. Meanwhile, Deputy Hoang Thanh Tung said the amendment which forgive violations and granted re-registration for FDI firms would cause bad precedent. "If the current economic situation were not as bleak, would we make the amendment? Yes, we'd still make those moves because we are cornered. Many firms haven't followed the registration rules since July 2011. This is absurd." Deputy Ngo Van Minh said.