Mekong Delta Economic Cooperation Forum 2012 opens

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh and more than 600 delegates from ministries, provinces, cities, businesses as well as international guests and thousands of local people took part in the event hosted by the Steering Committee of the Southwestern Region and Tien Giang People’s Committee.

Addressing the forum, Deputy PM Ninh said he hoped that the forum will help forge closer links among Mekong Delta provinces, thus allowing the provinces to attract more investment and effectively exploit the region’s advantages in agriculture.

He urged relevant ministries, local authorities and the business community to exchange information and opinions as well as work together to find measures to remove obstacles and difficulties blocking investment and business in the region.

The Deputy PM suggested that Mekong Delta provinces pay due attention to the work of planning, especially in irrigation, cultivation and aquaculture, and processing. The provinces should also speed up administrative reforms and design suitable policies to attract and facilitate investment and business.

The five-day forum include a series of events such as the second Consultation Conference for the Mekong Delta Plan, Mekong Delta farmer forum, Mekong Delta Fruit and Vegetable Trade Fair, Mekong Delta investment, trade and tourism promotion conference and Mekong Delta Business Forum. The MDEC steering committee is expected to release a joint statement proposing measures and policies to help Mekong Delta develop a sustainable and quality agriculture.

The same day, the second consultation conference for the Mekong Delta Plan (MDP) took place with the participation of more than 160 delegates.

The Mekong Delta Fruit and Vegetable Trade Fair 2012 also opened in the framework of MDEC Tien Giang 2012 on Dec.5.

Among more than 500 pavilions at the fair, 86 are from Mekong Delta provinces and cities introducing their key agricultural products and 14 are from foreign partners.