The Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long drew a total social investment capital of 5.335 trillion VND (244 million USD) in the first six months of 2015, up 8.8 percent from the same period last year.

Of the figure, non-State capital increased 10 percent and foreign direct investment capital increased 44 percent.

The province has nine newly-registered projects with 649 billion VND (30 million USD) in total capital focusing on agro-products and food processing, commerce and business.

Another 113 enterprises were established, bringing the total number of businesses operating in the province to 3,915 with a combined capital of 18.5 trillion VND (850 million USD).

The encouraging results are attributed to provincial efforts to create a coordination mechanism among sectors and localities to cut down red tape.

Dialogues with enterprises were organised to address any emerging issues in a timely fashion.

The province also encouraged enterprises to invest in key sectors such seafood processing, rural infrastructure and commerce.

The one-stop-shop mechanism between the Department of Planning and Investment and the management board of industrial zones or between the Public Security and the Tax Department were established.

The province also published 77 new administrative procedures, revised eight procedures and removed 73 procedures to increase transparency and draw investors.-VNA