The coordination among Mekong Delta localities and between them and Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and the southeastern region hasn’t formed a sustainable connectivity, thus causing the unavailability of a particular mechanism to attract investment to the region.

Participants at a business forum in Vinh Long province made the assessment on November 26.

According to the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, more than 51,000 businesses are operating in the Mekong Delta region, but the economic recession has reduced their sales and hindered access to capital sources.

Representatives from sectors, localities and experts called on businesses to build a long-term cooperation programme and a development plan in line with the region’s planning, which focuses on rice, aquatic products and fruits.

They also asked the Government to issue a particular policy in order to attract investment to these three key products, better infrastructure, facilitate capital access, and create a fund supporting regional businesses.

Representatives of the business circle proposed that central and local authorities strengthen businesses’ confidence by increasing dialogues, strictly punishing those causing red tape for businesses, and popularising the Government’s aid programmes.

The forum was part of the annual Mekong Delta Economic Cooperation Forum (MDEC Vinh Long 2013), which came to an end on November 26.

Soc Trang province will be the host of next year’s MDEC, expected to focus on the region’s climate change resilience.-VNA