Southwest Region Steering Committee Deputy Director Nguyen Phong Quangtalked to the Lao Dong (Labour) newspaper about breakthrough measuresfor the development of the Mekong Delta region.
Q: Can you tell us about some of the Mekong Delta region's achievements over the past year?
A:The Mekong Delta region has contributed more than 50 percent of thecountry's total production, over 90 percent of total rice exports, 70percent of fruits and 52 percent of aqua-products in the country. Theregion also has a lot of potential for developing the food, energy andtourism industries.
In 2014, the region's economic growth ratehas reached 8.98 percent. It is estimated that rice output wouldincrease by more than 25.4 million tonnes. More than 800,000 tonnes oftra fish and nearly 448,000 tonnes of shrimp were produced.
Totalexport turnover has reached more than 15.2 billion USD, an increase of16.9 percent compared with the same period in 2013. Average income was39 million VND (1,850 USD) per capita annually.
The committee hasasked the Government to handle big problems in region, such asagriculture, policies for immigrants or preferential policies fordevelopment of Phu Quoc island.
Q: What have been the major difficulties facing the region?
A:A main difficulty in attracting investment was the shortage ofpreferential mechanisms and policies for the region. The area lacksskilled workers, while transport and irrigation infrastructure are stillweak. Agricultural products for export haven't brought in high earningsor gained competitiveness in the global market.
There are manyshortcomings in forecasting market and production, processing,consumption and application of science and technology in agriculturalproduction. There is no substantial co-operation between regional andinternational investors.
Q: What are some measures that could help the region develop in the coming year?
A:Localities should collaborate closely and implement measures tocontribute to rapid, sustainable development in the region in the comingyears.
The committee will continue to ask the Government to workon projects and improve regulations in the Mekong Delta region between2014 and 2019. It will also ask about a Mekong Delta regional project onimproving farmers' training, and the production of rice, tra fish,shrimp and fruit.
The construction of expressways like TrungLuong-My Thuan My Thuan-Can Tho and other key national infrastructureprojects will start in the coming years. We will continue doingresearch, and ask the Government to create a special policy foragriculture and rural development in the Mekong Delta region and on PhuQuoc island.-VNA
Q: Can you tell us about some of the Mekong Delta region's achievements over the past year?
A:The Mekong Delta region has contributed more than 50 percent of thecountry's total production, over 90 percent of total rice exports, 70percent of fruits and 52 percent of aqua-products in the country. Theregion also has a lot of potential for developing the food, energy andtourism industries.
In 2014, the region's economic growth ratehas reached 8.98 percent. It is estimated that rice output wouldincrease by more than 25.4 million tonnes. More than 800,000 tonnes oftra fish and nearly 448,000 tonnes of shrimp were produced.
Totalexport turnover has reached more than 15.2 billion USD, an increase of16.9 percent compared with the same period in 2013. Average income was39 million VND (1,850 USD) per capita annually.
The committee hasasked the Government to handle big problems in region, such asagriculture, policies for immigrants or preferential policies fordevelopment of Phu Quoc island.
Q: What have been the major difficulties facing the region?
A:A main difficulty in attracting investment was the shortage ofpreferential mechanisms and policies for the region. The area lacksskilled workers, while transport and irrigation infrastructure are stillweak. Agricultural products for export haven't brought in high earningsor gained competitiveness in the global market.
There are manyshortcomings in forecasting market and production, processing,consumption and application of science and technology in agriculturalproduction. There is no substantial co-operation between regional andinternational investors.
Q: What are some measures that could help the region develop in the coming year?
A:Localities should collaborate closely and implement measures tocontribute to rapid, sustainable development in the region in the comingyears.
The committee will continue to ask the Government to workon projects and improve regulations in the Mekong Delta region between2014 and 2019. It will also ask about a Mekong Delta regional project onimproving farmers' training, and the production of rice, tra fish,shrimp and fruit.
The construction of expressways like TrungLuong-My Thuan My Thuan-Can Tho and other key national infrastructureprojects will start in the coming years. We will continue doingresearch, and ask the Government to create a special policy foragriculture and rural development in the Mekong Delta region and on PhuQuoc island.-VNA
