The Mekong Delta will try to increase its economic growth by 11-12
percent per annum from now until 2020 in order to enhance living
standards for people in the region.
The Steering
Committee for the Southwestern region announced that the agricultural
sector will make up to 40 percent, industry – nearly 30 percent, and
services – over 30 percent of the region’s economy.
In the field of agriculture, the region will diversify products,
strengthen intensive farming, establish areas specialising in particular
plant varieties like rice, fruit and short-time industrial trees.
Natural materials for industries and animal feed will also be heavily
developed.
Aquaculture, a strength of the region,
will have due attention paid to its expansion. The region will invest in
developing the irrigation system and protecting ecosystems, especially
the coastal salt-marshes in Dong Thap Muoi area, Long Xuyen Quadrangle,
west of Hau River and Ca Mau peninsula.
Small
and medium-sized industries will be efficiently developed. The
industrial sector will soon exploit the gas potential of the Southwest
sea area, aimed at developing gas-electricity- nitrogen fertiliser
industry. Additionally, industrial clusters, sea transport, agriculture
and aquaculture processing, engineering industry and construction
material production will also be developed. Can Tho city is considered
the centre for these efforts.
In the services
sector, Mekong Delta provinces will pour appropriate investment into
developing trade and tourism, especially eco-tourism. Among others, Phu
Quoc island in Kien Giang province will be transformed into a tourist
hub.
From now to 2015, the region will invest in
training, upgrading machinery and equipment, and applying scientific and
technological processes to production.
Infrastructure will be further improved with the focus on rural road
networks, highways connecting the region with Ho Chi Minh City, sea
and river ports, and Tra Noc airport in Can Tho City.
A number of universities will be upgraded while some new colleges are
to be established. The region will also modernise its provincial and
district hospitals and hasten the construction of medical facilities
specialising in treating cancer, gynecology-obstetrics, and heart and
lung diseases.-VNA