Thoi Bao Kinh Doanh (Business Newspaper) reportedthat the loans would be for up to 10 years and worth 70 percent of theproject cost.
The fund, managed by the Ministry of NaturalResources and Environment, will also give priority to projects to treatwaste at industrial parks, factories and workshops, domestic waste, andexhaust emissions.
Projects using environment-friendly andenergy-efficient technologies and equipment are also eligible for thepreferential loans.
The VEPF normally lends at 5.4 percent to environment protection activities.
Insiderssaid that the loans at 3.6 percent interest are meant to supportenterprises and investors involved in environment protection sinceprojects of this nature always require huge investments.
Thus, the loans could play a key role in the setting up of waste treatment plants at industrial parks.
Sinceit was established in 2002 the fund has provided loans and grants worth1 trillion VND (46.083 million USD) for 184 projects in varioussectors.
Of them, 32 costing 383 billion VND involved buildingwastewater treatment plants at industrial parks in the central andsouthern regions.