With the theme of “Mekong Delta towards green economy”, the Mekong Delta Economic Cooperation Forum (MDEC) – Vinh Long 2013 caught domestic and international attention. The forum also gathered opinions of experts and local authorities and initiatives of business community, investors and scientists to propose the Government to issue investment mechanisms and policies, strengthen regional connectivity, support the Mekong Delta to boost green and sustainable growth.
The highlighted events of the forum were Mekong Delta Investment Promotion Conference and Social Security Programme in 2013. The conference, attended by nearly 1,000 participants, discussed the deployment of interest rate support measures, and credit boost in Mekong Delta provinces, with funding priority given to agricultural and rural development. This is the basis for the Government and the ministries to review and study the new issue, amendment or supplement to policies on improved planning of the aquaculture, export rice processing, and infrastructure investment increase, particularly transport development, ports and science and technology transfer. The meeting also debated the further strengthening of roles, supports and operational efficiency of professional associations. Especially, at the Mekong Delta Investment Promotion Conference, local provinces and cities introduced 138 key projects and called for a combined investment capital of VND416 trillion (US$20 billion) and US$1.89 billion and awarded investment certificates to 26 projects with a combined capital of VND6,094 billion (US$300 million) and US$93 million.
Besides, the Social Security Programme mobilised nearly VND720 billion, of which banks granted VND654 billion, to help the poor in the region.
Notably, at MDEC – Vinh Long 2013, the workshop on “Linking urban development in the Mekong Delta region towards green economy” had eight representations from officials of ministries, central agencies and international organisations, focusing on proposals and recommendations to reviewing and assessing issued documents and standard regulations related to sustainable urban development, quickly build and issue assessment norms on environmental sustainability, issue a national programme on building environmentally sustainable cities for Vietnam, reviewing flood control planning and building management capacity for and community awareness of climate change, identifying suitable urban system models for wetland, coping with climate change and sea level rise.
In addition, the workshop on “Developing and expanding green agricultural production model” assessed the application of green agriculture production practice and agricultural product value chains, hence helping localities to approach and apply suitable processes to actual local conditions to produce safe, quality products, protect environment, and enhance the competitiveness of local agricultural products.
MDEC – Vinh Long 2013 was also incorporated with many meaningful events aimed at strengthening cooperation among localities in the region as well as between the region and other localities in the country, international organisations and foreign countries. At the G 13+1 Conference, delegates assessed comprehensive socioeconomic cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City with 13 Mekong Delta provinces and cities and listened to opinions of central officials, business community and investors to work out suitable solutions for more economic cooperation in the coming time. To date, 26 bilateral meetings and exchanges between leaders of Mekong Delta provinces and cities with diplomatic corps from India, Japan, the Philippines, Slovakia, Thailand, Indonesia and other nations have been held. With their potentials and advantages introduced to foreign visitors, Mekong Delta localities have established cooperative relationships to boost economic cooperation, green growth and international integration.
MDEC – Vinh Long 2013 uplifted its significance and importance in the process of regional and international integration of Mekong Delta provinces and cities. Remarkably, this forum witnessed many cooperation agreements signed.
Phuong Hien
Đăng ký: VietNam News
