The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho intends to raise industrial production value to 109.8 trillion VND (5.1 billion USD) in 2015, up 12.5 percent from 2014, thus increasing the proportion of the industry sector in the region’s economic structure to 35.7 percent.

The city will restructure its agro-aquatic product processing industry with the intent to expand the rate of processed products to 22 percent of the industry’s output, from 17 percent in 2014, said Duong Nghia Hiep, Deputy Director of the city’s Department of Industry and Trade (DoIT).

The province also plans to funnel more than 50 trillion VND (2.3 billion USD) into the application of advanced technology in local businesses in an attempt to beef up production in sectors with strong domestic and international demand, such as rice, aquaculture, garments and textiles, footwear, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods.

For aquatic product processing and rice export, two of its largest sectors, the city will develop a quality control system in line with international standards to meet increasing high-end international demand.

The city will also work to establish trade connections with regional provinces and Ho Chi Minh City to further expand its wholesale and retail network.

Additionally, Can Tho will devise more incentives and support for private sector and small- and medium-sized enterprises in terms of workers’ skills, transportation, finance, information, and technology, among others.

In 2014, Can Tho enacted numerous measures to address production and operation concerns of local firms while facilitating improved access to financial resources.

The city’s industrial production value alone rose to 97.6 trillion VND (4.6 billion USD) in 2014, up 12 percent from 2013, ranking among the top regional earners in the sector.

In 2014, the Mekong Delta region’s industrial production value reached nearly 185 trillion VND (8.5 billion USD), accounting for 30.6 percent of its overall economy which hit a record 469 trillion VND (21.7 billion USD).

The Delta is comprised of 12 provinces and Can Tho city with a total area of 40,000 square kilometres and a population of 18 million. It is the country’s largest granary and a major aquaculture region.-VNA