(VOVworld) – Playing a key role in Vietnam’s socio-economic development strategy, the Mekong River Delta is the country’s largest agriculture and seafood production hub. To tap its potential and advantages, increase its growth quality, attract more foreign investment, to ensure regional economic development and become an attractive destination for investors, the 13 Mekong Delta provinces should outline a new direction.
Rice production in Tra Vinh is conducted in line with sustainable growth and reduction of the amount of plant protection chemicals
During international economic integration, it’s vital for Vietnam to balance socio-economic development and natural resource conservation.
This year’s Mekong Delta Economic Cooperation Forum in Vinh Long province – MDEC Vinh Long 2013 – was themed ‘Mekong Delta towards the Green Economy’. The green economy targets an unpolluted future, growth without disrupting ecological balance, environmental protection, conservation of bio-diversity, and exploration and effective use of natural resources. A green economy particularly aims to improve public awareness of the brands of the delta’s farm produce.
Vo Thanh Thong, Vice Chairman of Can Tho City’s People’s Committee, says “Can Tho will develop the green economy in four ways. We will focus on programs to build bigger rice fields to achieve economy of scale. In addition, the province has called for investment in 3 high-tech agricultural projects and studied new crop varieties in response to climate change.”
The highlight of this year’s forum was the region’s social welfare. Dao Minh Tu, Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam, says: “In the context of this year’s difficulties, banks have done their best to contribute to social security programs in the Mekong River Delta. Although these are social security programs, they should be managed as investment projects to ensure efficiency and avoid wastefulness and corruption.”
High-tech is applied to growing flowers in Sa Dec, Dong Thap province
The biggest result of MDEC forums has been long-term efficiency of investment projects in terms of sustainable development for the entire region along with increased funding. Through the six MDEC forums held so far, the Prime Minister has issued a number of policies and solutions to deal with the region’s obstacles. Bui Ngoc Suong, Deputy Head of the Southwestern Region Steering Committee, comments: “This year’s meeting aimed to raise awareness of the requirements of green growth, call for investment in industrial zones, and prioritize the development of green industrial and agricultural projects towards minimizing environmental pollution and green house emissions.”
Domestic and foreign businesses participating in the 2013 MDEC forum agreed that Mekong Delta provinces should continue improving the new production model that links production, consumption, and the application of advanced technologies to increase the competitiveness of Vietnamese goods in the global market. Truong Van Sau, Vice Chairman of the Vinh Long People’s Committee, says: “The forum lets Mekong Delta provinces including Vinh Long promote their image to the world and call on investors to invest in the region, focusing on developing a green economy. Ministries and central agencies have been involved in implementing the new model.”