Joint Circular No. 221/2012/TTLT-BTC-BCT guiding the management and use of state budget funds for implementing the Cleaner Production Strategy in Industry until 2020

JOINT CIRCULAR

Guidelines on the management and use of state budget funds for the National Target Program to address environmental pollution and improve the environment for the period 2012-2015
implementing the Cleaner Production Strategy in Industry until 2020 

Pursuant to Decree No. 60/2003/NĐ-CP dated June 10, 2003 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of the State Budget Law;

Pursuant to Decree No. 118/2008/NĐ-CP dated November 27, 2008, of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Finance;

Pursuant to Decree No. 189/2007/ND-CP dated December 27, 2007, issued by the Government, detailing the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Industry and Trade;

Pursuant to Decision No. 1419/QD-TTg dated September 7, 2009 of the Prime Minister approving the "Cleaner Production Strategy in Industry until 2020";

The Minister of Finance and the Minister of Industry and Trade issue this Joint Circular guiding the management and use of state budget funds for implementing the Cleaner Production Strategy in Industry until 2020 as follows:

Article 1. General Provisions

1. This Circular guides the management and use of state budget funds for implementing component projects of the Strategy approved by Decision No. 1419/QD-TTg dated September 7, 2009 of the Prime Minister approving the "Cleaner Production Strategy in Industry until 2020".

2. Projects must be approved by competent authorities to meet the conditions for allocation of funds and implementation.

3. Funds for implementing component projects of the Strategy shall be guaranteed from the state budget under the economic development expenditure (including grant funds). Additionally, efforts should be made to mobilize financial support and investment from domestic and foreign organizations and individuals and other lawful sources to implement the Strategy's projects.

Central provinces and cities shall proactively use local state budgets and other lawful sources to implement the Strategy's tasks.

4. Units using state budget funds to implement the Strategy's tasks and projects must ensure proper use according to regulations; be subject to inspection and supervision by competent authorities; and settle accounts for funds used in accordance with current regulations.

Article 2. Contents of Expenditure for Implementing Strategy Projects

1. Enhancing Awareness and Capacity for Applying Cleaner Production in Industry

a. Promoting awareness about cleaner production through mass media: radio, television, newspapers.

b. Printing materials, leaflets, posters on cleaner production.

c. Organizing communication seminars on cleaner production to introduce and disseminate information about cleaner production and showcase model demonstrations to appropriate audiences.

d. Developing programs, compiling textbooks, materials, and technical guidance on cleaner production.

đ. Publishing special newsletters on cleaner production.

e. Organizing communication contests on cleaner production: developing contest rules, organizing meetings and conferences to launch the contest, judging, announcing, and awarding prizes.

g. Training to enhance capacity for entities supporting, disseminating, advising, and implementing cleaner production: industrial associations, lecturers, central and local government officials (Department of Industry and Trade, Local Promotion Centers), technical staff at provincial level.

2. Supporting the Application of Cleaner Production in Industrial Enterprises

a. Supporting cleaner production assessments for industrial enterprises.

b. Supporting technical training on cleaner production for industrial enterprises.

c. Industrial enterprises transferring, innovating, and perfecting technology are encouraged to transfer and implement in accordance with the Law on Technology Transfer (No. 80/2006/QH11) and guidelines regarding the National Technology Innovation Fund.

3. Improving the Network of Organizations Supporting Cleaner Production in Industry

a. Establishing advisory units for applying cleaner production in the Department of Industry and Trade and local promotion centers based on proposals developed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, taking into account local circumstances.

b. Building a system for reporting and evaluating cleaner production implementation.

4. Developing and Operating a Database and Electronic Information Portal on Cleaner Production in Industry at the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

5. Improving Financial Mechanisms and Policies to Promote the Application of Cleaner Production in Industry (investigations, evaluations, policy recommendations).

Article 3. Expenditure Level

1. The expenditure levels for implementing Strategy projects must comply with current financial expenditure standards set by authorized state agencies.

2. The maximum expenditure for supporting cleaner production assessments for industrial enterprises shall not exceed 50% of consulting costs but shall not exceed 50 million VND per enterprise.

Article 4. Establishment, execution, and settlement of state budget

The preparation, execution, and settlement of economic development expenditure for implementing Strategy projects shall be carried out in accordance with current laws and guidelines on the State Budget Law. This Circular supplements certain points as follows:

1. Regarding budget preparation

Annually, based on the Prime Minister's Directive, the Circular guiding the preparation of the state budget issued by the Ministry of Finance, the contents of implementing Strategy component projects, current financial expenditure regulations, and certain expenditure levels specified in this Circular.

Units assigned to implement Strategy component project contents prepare budget estimates to report to the Ministry of Industry and Trade for consolidation into the Ministry's annual budget draft, which is then submitted to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Investment for consolidation and submission to the Government and the National Assembly for approval.

2. Allocation and transfer of the budget

Based on the budget allocated by the authorized authority, the Ministry of Industry and Trade develops a plan to allocate funds to subordinate budget units implementing Strategy projects to submit to the Ministry of Finance for review and audit in accordance with current regulations.

3. On budget execution

Based on the state budget expenditure budget allocated by the authorized state agency, units implementing the projects withdraw the budget from the State Treasury where transactions are conducted. The State Treasury where transactions are conducted implements expenditure control in accordance with current regulations.

Article 5. Reporting, Inspection, and Audit Work

1. Units assigned to implement Strategy projects are responsible for submitting regular annual reports on implementation as guided by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

2. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is responsible for coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies to inspect the implementation of Strategy project contents and fund usage to ensure proper and effective use.

3. Annually, the Ministry of Industry and Trade shall compile the implementation status of the Strategy and report to the Prime Minister, simultaneously sending it to the Ministry of Finance.

Article 6. Implementation

THIS CIRCULAR SHALL TAKE EFFECT FROM FEBRUARY 10, 2013.

During the course of implementation, if there are any difficulties, units are requested to reflect them to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry and Trade for review and appropriate amendments./.