Officials from the Ministry of Industry and Trade and local departments in the southeastern region called for better government and commercial linkages in order to improve economic growth.

Participants at an annual conference on the industrial and trade sector held in HCM City noted that linkages among the industrial and trade sector of HCM City and the provinces of Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Tay Ninh, Lam Dong and Binh Thuan has helped stimulate economic development in the region during the past years.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Nam Hai said the southeastern region has played a leading role in the country in the industry sector and linkages there have brought benefits in production, investment attraction, trade and others.

Last year, the southeastern region was the industrial hub of the country, with industrial production value reported at 555.4 trillion VND, an increase of 13 percent over 2010.

The figure was equal to 45 percent of the country’s industrial production value.

Exports expanded last year, with turnover of 61.8 billion USD, accounting for 64.2 percent of the country’s export revenue.

The region expects to reap an export turnover of 70 million USD and an industrial production value of 639 trillion VND this year.-VNA