Six femal-led agriculture firms in Mekong Delta secure investment

The initiative provides tailored training and assistance for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) led by women in the Mekong Delta, aiming to enhance sustainable business practices and climate resilience.

From the 14 business proposals presented on October 17 in Can Tho city, six were selected for funding, according to an announcement from Deltaccelerate on December 6, with each project securing funding of up to AU$60,000 ($38,400).

The representatives from the six enterprises funded by Deltaccelerate. Photo: Deltaccelerate

Of the recipients, Mekong Coconut Oil Production Co., Ltd. (Cocovie) specialises in producing high-quality cosmetics and food products from Ben Tre’s coconut oil. Its approach includes preserving and utilising coconut trees that are more than 10 years old, as they can sequester 75 tonnes of carbon per hectare annually.

Cau Ke Wax Coconut Processing Co., Ltd. (VICOSAP), another recipient, focuses on creating confectionery, baking ingredients, and beverages from wax coconuts–a Tra Vinh speciality cultivated by Khmer communities. These coconuts demonstrate strong salt tolerance and adaptability to climate change.

The third enterprise to receive funding, Palmania JSC, produces health-oriented organic products from sugar palms cultivated by Khmer communities in An Giang province using sustainable farming practices.

Veritas Vietnam JSC/AirXCarbon, the fourth recipient, operates in bio-material transformation, producing carbon-neutral consumer goods such as coconut fibre-based products sourced from the Mekong Delta, while Dam Doi Three-Spot Crab Cooperative specialises in producing sustainable products from locally harvested three-spot crabs and shrimp in Ca Mau province.

The final firm on the list was ECOKA JSC, which manufactures handicrafts from climate-resilient materials like water hyacinth and grey sedge in Hau Giang province. These products are distributed on global e-commerce platforms.

The funding will support the expansion of trade promotion, marketing, brand development, product improvement, and training activities. Deltaccelerate is contributing AU$250,000 ($160,000) in total and can mobilise an additional AU$320,000 ($204,800) in counterpart funding from the enterprises to amplify the scheme's impact.

Deltaccelerate is made possible by a unique partnership between the Australian government and New Energy Nexus through the Business Partnerships Platform Climate Adaptation Partnerships in the Mekong Delta, announced in November last year.

The BPP supports business partnerships between the Australian government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and inclusive, commercially sustainable businesses to deliver strategic development outcomes, with a focus on gender equality, disability, social inclusion, and climate impact. Since 2016, it has supported 75 partnerships in 21 countries, partnering with 147 organisations across the private sector, social businesses, non-governmental organisations, and academic institutions.

Promoting sustainable economic development in Mekong Delta Many hot topics were discussed at the Mekong Connect 2022 Forum including measures to improve the quality of integration in science, technology, and innovation.

Australia prioritises support in Mekong Delta region The Vietnamese government is placing huge investment into developing the Mekong Delta region. Ciaran Chestnutt, deputy consul-general of the Australian Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City, spoke with VIR’s Hoang Oanh about the Australian government’s commitment to supporting the region.

Mekong Delta urged to strengthen connectivity to attract FDI firms Facilitating the foreign direct investment (FDI) flows is an effective solution to drive the development in the Mekong Delta region, according to insiders.