The Steering Committee of the Mekong Delta Economic Cooperation (MDEC) 2012 Forum held a conference in Tien Giang province on December 7 to summarise the forum’s activities and issue a joint statement proposing mechanisms, policies and measures to develop quality and sustainable agriculture in the region.

The joint statement affirmed the committee members’ promise to strengthen cooperation by studying the “Mekong Delta Plan” on climate change adaptation as well as supplementing and completing regulations on land use planning.

On the basis of reviewing mechanisms and policies for the region’s key products, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will coordinate with other relevant ministries and agencies to issue suitable mechanisms and policies that will support the production and consumption of rice, seafood and fruit in the region.

The document emphasised the need to strengthen links in the Mekong Delta, support and multiply the model of large-scale fields in an effective way, and develop craft villages while promoting investment, trade and tourism based on each locality’s strengths and the common interests of the whole region.

The committee spoke highly of the outstanding achievements recorded during MDEC Tien Giang 2012 and the forum’s six years of promoting the image, potential and strengths of the Mekong Delta, as well as economic, trade, investment and tourism cooperation it has boosted within the region, between the region and Ho Chi Minh City and other national regions.

In addition, the ministries, agencies and localities agreed on measures to exploit the regional provinces’ available resources in a reasonable and effective way on the basis of strengthening cooperation from MDEC Tien Giang 2012.

The five-day forum includes a series of events that comprises the second Consultation Conference for the Mekong Delta Plan, the Mekong Delta Farmer Forum, the Mekong Delta Fruit and Vegetable Trade Fair, the Mekong Delta investment, trade and tourism promotion conference and the Mekong Delta Business Forum.

The committee also agreed that Vinh Long province will host MDEC 2013./.VNA