NIC and Can Tho University to develop startups in the Mekong River Delta

Can Tho University signed agreement with NIC (under the MPI)

Under a workshop on sustainable development in the Mekong delta taking place on June 16, Can Tho University signed an agreement with the Ministry of Planning and Investment's (MPI) National Innovation Centre, with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Can Tho, with Rynan Technologies Vietnam JSC to utilise resources of all sides, and deliver better value for socioeconomic development.

With the vision and mission of these units, the cooperation will promote the resources of the parties, connecting and implementing activities to make practical and effective contributions to the development of innovation and the startup ecosystem in the Mekong River Delta region and the country in general.

"Innovation and startups are key drivers of the economy, contributing to resolving global woes and challenges, towards the sustainable development of the region and the country," said Ha Thanh Toan, rector of Can Tho University.

"Promoting collaboration is an inevitable trend to solve the regional and global issues of the Mekong Delta. Under the new context, the recent strategies, resolutions, policies, and master plan from the government are a strong driving force for the new development of the Mekong Delta."

Can Tho University has been playing a key role in education, research, technology transfer and community services for the development of the region. It is also actively leading and implementing many national and international collaborative programmes and projects, to contribute more effectively to the Mekong Delta, country, and region.

MPI deputy minister Tran Duy Dong speaking at the workshop

Tran Duy Dong, MPI deputy minister, said with the goals of the digital transformation across the country, developing digital economy should be based on innovation and science technologies, improving productivity, quality, performance, and competitiveness of the economy, closely connecting local and overseas markets.

The Mekonng delta is the biggest centre for producing rice, fruit, and seafood in the country, with a key role to ensure food nationwide. Despite its great advantages and opportunities for the development, the region also struggles with numerous challenges.

"Many policies of the Party and state have been carried out to enable the region to become a sustainable agricultural economy hub of the country and ASEAN by 2030," Dong said. "Cities and provinces in the region should utilise science technologies and innovation to catch up and surpass the development of other localities."

ADB agrees on loans for important projects in Can Tho The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed on loans for important projects in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho.

Investment of 304.3 million USD proposed to upgrade Mekong Delta roads The Ministry of Transport has proposed projects to upgrade and improve three national highways, 53, 62 and 91B, in Cuu Long (Mekong Delta) provinces.