Mekong Delta records high growth in first six months
Mekong Delta records high growth in first six months
The Mekong Delta region reached an average economic growth rate of 9 per cent in the first six months of 2013, nearly double the average growth rate of the entire country.
According to figures released at yesterday's meeting, the region attained high growth rates in industrial production, imports/exports, investment, retail and services turnover and finance and credit.
However, a majority of residents in the region have encountered difficulties due to the global and domestic economic downturn. The report released by the Steering Board for the Southwest Region at their meeting in Can Tho City yesterday, said that the low sales of rice, seafood and fruit, the three major commodities the Mekong Delta produces, was one of the biggest problems facing the Delta's residents.
Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh said that economic growth had helped to reduce the number of poor families in the area and also ensured social welfare across the region.
Ninh praised the successful coordination between the Steering Board for the Southwest Region and ministries and Government agencies in carrying out the programmes.
Ninh said the Steering Board and provincial authorities must supply guidelines for the rest of 2013 on the implementation of resolutions issued by the National Assembly and provincial People's Committees to reach the targets set for 2013.
Local authorities must try to remove the difficulties that face the production and business sectors, increase the consumption of goods and deal with bad debts.
Management of the market must also be enhanced and the fight against smuggling and trade fraud should be strengthened.
Provincial authorities must also keep a tight rein on budgetary incomes and expenses at every locality and agency.
Ninh said that provincial authorities and agencies must also ensure that production is conducted in a sustainable way, by re-structuring crops and businesses in each locality
Co-operation forum
Meanwhile, the Steering Committee for the Mekong Delta Economic Cooperation Forum and the region's Social Welfare Fund have discussed preparations for the forthcoming forum.
The forum, themed "œMekong Delta Region, Towards a Green Economy", is scheduled to take place in Vinh Long Province between November 21 and 24.
The activities will include seminars, trade fairs and exhibitions, attracting more than 500 stands showcasing domestic and foreign businesses.
As part of this year's forum, there will be a seminar on ways of developing orchards in line with VietGap (Vietnamese Agriculture Practices) standards and the Global GAP standard, as well as a seminar on promoting investment in the Mekong Delta region.
This year's forum will focus on issues related to social welfare,struggling businesses and investment in projects that focus on climate change.
"Activities at the forum must include images of the Mekong Delta. With these, localities in the region will be able to enhance links between each other to exploit the region's potential and attract more investment to the Delta," said Ninh.
The provinces in the region have finished the preparations for 127 projects, requiring a further investment of VND413 trillion (US$19.6 billion), plus projects worth US$1.2 billion to be introduced during the forum.
The forum is an open-link activity aimed at improving relations between the provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta region; cooperation between ministries and departments and cooperation between localities and international organisations.
The overall goal is to increase economic growth in the Mekong Delta region.
The Steering Board for the Southwest Region has worked with the State Bank of Viet Nam to support the steering board of the Mekong Delta Social Welfare Fund.
As of late June, commercial banks in the region have provided loans worth VND499 billion (US$23.8 million).
The funds have helped provinces and cities in the region to build five nursery and primary schools.
Three more nursery schools and two rural roads will be built in the region in the near future, from a pot of VND100 billion.
The Ca Mau Oil - Fertiliser Company has provided VND15.4 billion, while Ha Noi City's authorities have pledged support of VND10 billion, according to a representative from the fund.
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