The Mekong Delta Economic Cooperation (MDEC) forum closed in Ca Mau province on Oct. 21, issuing a joint declaration.

The declaration highlighted four jobs for 2012, including building policies on investment attraction in the Mekong Delta region to submit to the Prime Minister; a plan on regional tourism development; completing the project on an information centre in Ho Chi Minh City; and drafting an action programme to cope with climate change and rising sea level in order to reduce adverse impacts on the poor.

During the forum, the delegates agreed on the need to promote trade, investment and international economic integration, while creating regional linkages, especially between Mekong Delta provinces and HCM City .

Mekong Delta localities need to set up regional connections, in the spirit of solidarity, cooperation and efficiency, with coordination and support from central ministries and branches, the forum was told.

Delegates reached consensus on major issues regarding the mechanism and policy for regional development.

The three-day event, which drew some 500 domestic and foreign managers, businesspeople, economists and scientists, creates a breakthrough in the connectivity between businesses in the Mekong Delta region and HCM City and offers a great opportunity for enterprises to promote their brands to other nations across the world./.