The Mekong Delta introduced 74 projects in need of investment at a conference held by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI)’s Can Tho branch in Can Tho City on November 20.

The projects focus on hi-tech agriculture (13 projects), aquaculture at sea, the processing industry (14), tourism-culture (11), urban development and industrial park infrastructure (14) and manufacturing (7).

Themed “The Mekong Delta’s economy post 2015- future business and investment visions for the food processing sector”, the event aimed to supply quality and accurate investment information in the region’s localities for domestic and foreign investors.

More than 230 representatives from trade promotion agencies, companies, financial institutions and investment funds from the UK, Australia, Japan, the US, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Singapore, India and local businesses participated in the event.

According to VCCI, the Mekong Delta is a dynamic economic region with great advantages in natural resources and geographical position. The region supplies more than 90 percent of the nation’s rice production, 50 percent of national seafood output and many other aquacultural products for export every year.

Vo Hung Dung, Director of VCCI in Can Tho said the business environment in the region’s localities has improved since 2009 and the region’s economy will continue to enjoy high growth in the next decade due to the rapid improvement of transportation, electronics, low labour costs and abundant food sources.

Investment prospects in the region’s food sector are relatively high, considering many free trade agreements Vietnam has signed including the Trans-Pacific-Partnership (TPP) and the Vietnam-European Union Free Trade Agreement (Vietnam-EU FTA), he added.

Can Tho People’s Committee Chairman Vo Thanh Thong said regional localities commit themselves to create the most favourable conditions for investors by developing infrastructure, and improving manpower, services and administrative procedures.

According to statistics of VCCI Can Tho, the Mekong Delta, which has 12 provinces and Can Tho City, attracted 2.3 billion USD worth of foreign direct investment in 2011-2014. The region posted an annual economic growth rate of 8.8 percent in the period.

VNA