HCMC — Authorities of Phu Quoc Island are stepping up efforts to attract investors to develop waste and wastewater treatment projects as the island prepares to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in 2027.
Nguyen Thanh Tung, head of the Phu Quoc Economic Zone Management Board, said the provincial government of An Giang has assigned the agency to oversee several key infrastructure projects, including waste treatment, wastewater management, and clean water supply systems in An Thoi and Duong Dong.
The authority has worked with multiple foreign investors interested in environmental infrastructure projects and has selected an investor for the Bai Bon waste treatment plant in Ham Ninh Commune and the Cua Can water supply plant.
However, other major projects — such as the An Thoi solid waste treatment facility and wastewater and clean water plants in Duong Dong — have yet to secure investors.
Tung said the lack of investors stems from high compensation costs and limited profit margins, along with uncertainties in wastewater volumes and household collection fees.
To address these issues, the authority is advising the provincial government on setting clear pricing mechanisms for wastewater treatment and household collection rates. Once agreed, the agency plans to accelerate investor engagement for waste and water infrastructure on the island.
Phu Quoc’s infrastructure plan for APEC 2027 includes several major projects worth a combined VND3.56 trillion. These include the Bai Bon waste treatment and waste-to-energy plants in Ham Ninh, solid waste and wastewater treatment plants in An Thoi and Duong Dong, and the Duong Dong 2 and Cua Can water supply facilities.
The projects will be developed through public-private partnerships (PPP) and commercial investment models.
