Mekong Delta strives for sustainable development

The conference brought together leaders of the Steering Committee for the South-western Region, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Education and Training, Can Tho city, and An Giang and Hau Giang provinces.

Delegates made an in-depth analysis of burning issues in the region, including agriculture and rural development, improvements of farmer livelihoods, regional connectivity, transport and education-training development, investment allocations and use, and specific incentives for the region.

They also defined the role of the Steering Committee for South-western region, and the roles and responsibilities of Mekong Delta provinces, particularly the nucleus city of Can Tho.    

In the 2001-2010 period, all Mekong delta localities maintained political stability and national defence and made great strides in socio-economic development.

They built more than 10 national highway routes with a total length of 2,500km, 70 provincial roads, and nearly 11,500 bridges, while upgrading 23,200km of roads connecting to the national highway system.

Over VND4.6 trillion was mobilised to build flood control works, including those in the flood-prone Long Xuyen Quadrangle and the Plain of Reeds, and complete 35 irrigation works.

A large amount of investment was poured into education-training and health care, giving the whole region a facelift.

However, the region has revealed weaknesses in its development, including its unsteady economic growth, inefficient operation of industrial production, and low competitiveness of products.

Delegates agreed to develop the Mekong Delta into the leading agricultural and aquaculture area and one of the biggest energy production centres in the country.

The Mekong Delta comprises Can Tho city and An Giang, Bac Lieu, Ben Tre, Ca Mau, Dong Thap, Hau Giang, Kien Giang, Long An, Soc Trang, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh and Vinh Long provinces.

It is Vietnam’s largest rice basket, producing more than half of the country’s total rice output. It is also home to the country’s biggest aquaculture industry, which produces most of shrimp and tra and basa fish for export.