Bringing the Mekong Delta towards a green economy

On the evening of November 25, the 6th Mekong Delta Economic Cooperation Forum MDEC-Vinh Long 2013 with the theme "Mekong Delta towards green economy" officially opened in Vinh Long City.

Attending the opening ceremony were Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh, Head of the Southwest Steering Committee; former General Secretary Le Kha Phieu; leaders of ministries and local agencies of the Mekong Delta, the Central Highlands, the Northwest, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Nguyen Phong Quang, Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the Southwest Steering Committee, said that through each organization, the connection and cooperation in economic development, investment promotion, social security and solving other important issues between provinces in the Mekong Delta region have become increasingly close and effective.

The theme “Mekong Delta towards green economy” this year aims to raise awareness of all levels, sectors and people about sustainable economic development and green growth; at the same time, promote the image, potential and strengths of the region to international friends, strengthen economic cooperation, promote investment-trade and tourism among localities in the region; between the region and other regions in the country.

The main activities of the Forum include: Investment Promotion Conference; Bilateral exchange meetings between the diplomatic corps and leaders of provinces and cities; Workshop on urban development linkage in the Mekong Delta region towards green economy; Business Forum of the region with Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi; Workshop on developing and replicating green agricultural production models; Exchange conference between leaders of 13 provinces and cities with Ho Chi Minh City; MDEC-Vinh Long Steering Committee Conference 2013.

Of the total 138 key projects calling for investment with a total capital of 416,000 billion VND, the People's Committees of the Mekong Delta provinces have granted investment certificates to 26 projects with a total capital of 6,985 billion VND and 93.17 million USD, and agreed in principle to 5 projects with 2,168 billion VND.

Through the activities of the Forum, the Organizing Committee has mobilized sponsors to support and provide funding for social security work, contributing to improving and enhancing the lives of disadvantaged households in the area. In 2013, the Organizing Committee mobilized over 700 billion VND to support social security.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh expressed his delight at the dramatic changes in the Mekong Delta after 10 years of implementing the Politburo's resolutions and conclusions on the development of the Mekong Delta.

Leaders of Mekong Delta localities awarded investment certificates to 3 Large investment project with total value of more than 1,000 billion VND and 26 million USD.

As a result, the Mekong Delta's economic structure has shifted in the right direction, with GDP increasing 3.5 times, per capita income increasing 2.5 times, the poverty rate decreasing from 14.2% to 9.2%, and the lives of people, especially those in disadvantaged areas, have changed significantly.

However, the Deputy Prime Minister said that the socio-economic situation in the Mekong Delta region is also facing significant challenges in sustainable development, infrastructure, human resources, etc.

Therefore, the Deputy Prime Minister requested that central ministries, branches and localities in the region must closely combine economic development of the region with ensuring social security, caring for the material and spiritual life of the people, especially the poor, ethnic minorities and people in remote areas.

In addition, the activities of the Forum need to be linked to reality, solving problems arising in the process of socio-economic development. Based on the issued mechanisms and policies, localities proactively create resources, open mechanisms, strengthen connections to promote investment attraction, especially investment in fields and areas with high spillover, creating a strong driving force to bring the Mekong Delta region towards a green economy - a sustainable development economy.

On behalf of the Government, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh commended organizations, individuals, businesses and investors who have always stood side by side with the Government and made practical contributions to social security and poverty reduction in the Mekong Delta. Businesses and investors continue to care, contribute and share together for an increasingly better life for the people of the Mekong Delta.

The Deputy Prime Minister also presented a Certificate of Merit from the Southwest Steering Committee to the State Bank of Vietnam for its contributions to credit in the Mekong Delta.

The Organizing Committee of MDEC-Vinh Long 2013 also awarded social security certificates to 13 localities participating in the Forum.

According to Rural Economics