Mekong Delta region makes up 18% of GDP

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In the period, the region’s average gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth reached 7.5%, while per capita income in 2018 is estimated at US$2,217, said Nguyen Tuan of the MPI’s Local and Territorial Economy Department at a recent conference in Can Tho city.

Tuan said that in 2016-2018, the region earned US$45.8 billion from exports, achieving 47.6% of its target for 2016-2020 at US$96.3 billion. He said the Mekong Delta has experienced good economic growth and positively transformed its economic structure.

The region is the country’s top group in terms of the provincial competitiveness index (PCI), thanks to its improved investment environment and reformed administrative procedures, he said.

The Mekong Delta comprises Can Tho city and 12 provinces – Long An, Dong Thap, Tien Giang, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Ben Tre, An Giang, Hau Giang, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau and Kien Giang.

Known as the country’s rice bowl, the region has seen low foreign investment, ranking only fourth out of six major economic regions in foreign direct investment attraction, reflecting inefficientsupport policies for enterprises, noted Tuan. He added that only 58% of labourers in the region are trained, lower than other regions.

Under the public investment plan for 2016-2020, the Mekong Delta was allocated VND184 trillion (US$7.91 billion). So far, the region has received 57% of the funds, or VND105 trillion (US$4.51 billion).

In 2019, total capital demand of 19 localities in the Mekong Delta and Southeast Region is estimated at more than VND136.5 trillion (US$5.86 billion), up 11.4% compared to 2018 and equivalent to 69% of the capital planned for 2019-2020.

A report by the MPI showed that demand accounts for nearly 32% of the total planned investment of the country in 2019.