Myanmar has legislated a law governing industrial parks that empower regulatory bodies to punish polluters and land speculators. The Industrial Zone Law is enacted on May 26 to address the frequent problem of land speculation and improve environmental governance of over 60 industrial zones throughout the country. The law defines the responsibilities of different levels of committees and bans investors from occupying plots for speculation purposes.
This legislation creates and implements pollution control management and proper waste disposal. If the zone does not already have a collective system in order, investors are now legally accountable for “failing to make their own arrangements for waste disposal.” On top of that, investors are required to submit to the authorities a project plan and completion date within six months. Failing to comply will result in a penalty of 10 percent of the land value, permit revoked or imprisonment. By virtues of this legislation, it will better governance and environmental management of the industrial zones.