BackStories » Vietnam » Formosa Postpones Opening of Ha Tinh Steel Mill

Formosa Postpones Opening of Ha Tinh Steel Mill

Formosa Plastics Group has postponed the scheduled operation date of its Ha Tinh steel mill indefinitely.

The parent company behind Hung Nghiep Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Corporation confirmed the news on Wednesday, reports VnExpress. Vice President Chang Fu-ning of Formosa told media outlets the steel mill's June 25 start date had been delayed, and no new date has been set.

Since April, Formosa has been mired in a series of controversies, namely a suspected link to central Vietnam's mass fish die-off. Though government officials announced in late April that they had found no conclusive link between the steel mill and the death of tons of fish in the East Sea, local authorities have kept a close eye on the company's facility in Vung Ang economic zone, monitoring its wastewater discharge and looking into the firm's tax records.

As a result of the latter, authorities are requiring Formosa to pay VND 1.55 trillion (US$70 million) in back taxes, reports Dan Tri. In response to these charges, Fu-ning told reporters that Formosa has been in contact with the Ministry of Finance regarding the alleged tax evasion and is hoping to resolve the issue soon.

Vietnamese officials also informed the media that Formosa's application to begin operations is still pending.

The steel mill began construction in 2013 and is expected to add a port and a power plant to its facilities by 2020. It is Taiwan's first steel furnace investment project in an overseas market.

[Photo via Ha Tinh Economic Management Board]


Related Articles:

Formosa Suspected of Tax Evasion in Vietnam

What We Know So Far About Central Vietnam's Fish Die-Off

[Video] Officials Find No Conclusive Link to Formosa in Mass Fish Deaths


Related Articles

in Vietnam

$14 Million Approved For Restoration Of Hanoi’s 112-Year-Old Long Biên Bridge

The fate of one of Vietnam’s most beloved and storied structures took another positive turn last week when the government approved a $14 million restoration package for Long Biên Bridge.

in Vietnam

'Amazing Race Vietnam' Apologizes for Challenge Harming Coral Reef

An underwater challenge during this year’s installment of The Amazing Race Vietnam is not sitting well with environmentalists.

in Vietnam

'Engaging With Vietnam' Conference Ruminates on Heritage in Huế

“Living with Heritage, (Re)Creating Heritage: Vietnam and the World” is the title of the 14th Engaging with Vietnam conference, a series of activities including academic panel discussions, keynote tal...

in Vietnam

1.2m Vietnamese Move to Cities a Year: Report

Up to 1.2 million Vietnamese migrate to cities each year, according to a recent report.

in Vietnam

10 Killed, Over 30 Missing in Central and Northern Vietnam as Storm Son-Tinh Brings Flash Floods

Heavy rains from storm Son-Tinh, which eventually weakened to a tropical depression, have caused flash floods and fatalities in central Vietnam.

in Vietnam

104-Year-Old Great-Great Grandmother Fights Off Robber

Taking advantage of the elderly will inevitably result in some bad karma, a lesson a Dong Nai man quickly learned after attempting to rob Vo Thi Bai, a 104-year-old woman.

Partner Content