Mekong Delta localities become more competitive

• Mekong Delta’s rice yield rises in winter-spring crop
• Mekong Delta’s raw shrimp prices soar
• Mekong Delta’s agriculture ahead of integration challenges.

Nguyen Phuong Lam, deputy director of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Can Tho branch, made the statement at a press conference on April 4.

In 2015, Ca Mau province was listed in a low group in the PCI ranking, however, it became a mid-low performer in the next year. 

In 2016, two provinces entered top 10 and six provinces were listed in the top 15 nationwide. 

Dong Thap was the top locality in the region, with its provincial competitiveness index third among 63 provinces and cities nationwide.

The region still faces limitations, including poor vocational training. Last year, eight localities were classified in the nation’s bottom tier of 15 provinces with the lowest rate of labour training.

Lam said that the PCI surge is not enough for the region to attract more foreign direct investment as it must also improve infrastructure and transport links.

Localities with high and stable PCI rankings such as Dong Thap, Can Tho and Vinh Long will see more newly-established enterprises than those with a lower index, such as Bac Lieu and Ca Mau, he added.