The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta region targets annual economic growth of 12percent through 2020, hoping to raise per capita income to 70 millionVND (3,350 USD) per year, according to the Southwest Region SteeringCommittee.
The region will be developed into a focaleconomic zone, an area specialising in food and fisheries produce,according to a report released at an exhibition that opened in Can Thoon April 27 to showcase its achievements in the past decade.
Speaking at the inauguration, Deputy PM Vu Van Ninh, who is also headof the Southwest Region Steering Committee, reaffirmed the strategicrole played by the Mekong Delta in the country's economy.
"It is headed in the right direction in tapping its advantages andpotential and contributing to the country's development," he added.
In the first decade of this century, the region grew at 11.7 percentand accounted for 18-19 percent of the country's GDP and 10 percent ofexports.
Its average annual industrial growth rate in the period was 18.8 percent.
Eleven industrial parks were established, attracting 743 million USD and offering over 70,000 jobs.
But a report released at a conference held to promote investment in theregion on the exhibition's sidelines on April 26 said the achievementsfall short of potential.
Economic development remainedunsustainable and not very competitive, and faced high risk. Agriculturewas threatened by climate change and rise in sea levels. Infrastructurewas not well developed, making the region less attractive to investors.
There was a shortage of qualified and skilled labour.
The region also suffers from a brain drain, losing out to HCM Cityand the south-eastern region, leading to shortages of qualifiedworkers.
At the conference, the steering committee called for investments of nearly 1.6 billion USD into 178 major projects.
Nguyen Phong Quang, its deputy head, said the region will tap gasreserves off the south-west coast, set up wind and thermal power plants,and further develop transport, irrigation, and other infrastructurefacilities.
More than 480 businesses in Can Tho and otherMekong provinces are displaying their products at nearly 1,200 stallsat the exhibition which will remain open until May 1.
Theinauguration of the fair, being held to mark the 37th anniversary ofReunification Day, was attended by Politburo member Le Hong Anh.
Le Hong Anh and Deputy PM Vu Van Ninh inaugurated the Vo Van KietHighway linking Can Tho city with Tra Noc Airport on April 26
The 6.9-km long, 50-metre-wide road cost 1.85 trillion VND (89 million USD) raised by issuing Government bonds.-VNA
The region will be developed into a focaleconomic zone, an area specialising in food and fisheries produce,according to a report released at an exhibition that opened in Can Thoon April 27 to showcase its achievements in the past decade.
Speaking at the inauguration, Deputy PM Vu Van Ninh, who is also headof the Southwest Region Steering Committee, reaffirmed the strategicrole played by the Mekong Delta in the country's economy.
"It is headed in the right direction in tapping its advantages andpotential and contributing to the country's development," he added.
In the first decade of this century, the region grew at 11.7 percentand accounted for 18-19 percent of the country's GDP and 10 percent ofexports.
Its average annual industrial growth rate in the period was 18.8 percent.
Eleven industrial parks were established, attracting 743 million USD and offering over 70,000 jobs.
But a report released at a conference held to promote investment in theregion on the exhibition's sidelines on April 26 said the achievementsfall short of potential.
Economic development remainedunsustainable and not very competitive, and faced high risk. Agriculturewas threatened by climate change and rise in sea levels. Infrastructurewas not well developed, making the region less attractive to investors.
There was a shortage of qualified and skilled labour.
The region also suffers from a brain drain, losing out to HCM Cityand the south-eastern region, leading to shortages of qualifiedworkers.
At the conference, the steering committee called for investments of nearly 1.6 billion USD into 178 major projects.
Nguyen Phong Quang, its deputy head, said the region will tap gasreserves off the south-west coast, set up wind and thermal power plants,and further develop transport, irrigation, and other infrastructurefacilities.
More than 480 businesses in Can Tho and otherMekong provinces are displaying their products at nearly 1,200 stallsat the exhibition which will remain open until May 1.
Theinauguration of the fair, being held to mark the 37th anniversary ofReunification Day, was attended by Politburo member Le Hong Anh.
Le Hong Anh and Deputy PM Vu Van Ninh inaugurated the Vo Van KietHighway linking Can Tho city with Tra Noc Airport on April 26
The 6.9-km long, 50-metre-wide road cost 1.85 trillion VND (89 million USD) raised by issuing Government bonds.-VNA
