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Impressive changes recorded in Mekong Delta region

VGP – After two years of implementation, Resolution 120 on sustainable development of the Mekong Delta in response to climate change has created impressive changes in the region in which GDP growth rate touched 7.8%, the record high over the last four years.

June 17, 2019 2:46 PM GMT+7

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PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc convened a conference on sustainable growth in the Mekong Delta region in response to climate change on September 26, 2017. The conference drew the attendance of ministries, agencies, localities, experts, and scientists to discuss and seek comprehensive solutions for the region. 

Following the conference, the Government issued Resolution 120/NQ-CP, dated November 17, 2017 (Resolution 120) on sustainable development of the Mekong Delta in response to climate change. 

PM Phuc also issued an action program to implement the Resolution. 

After two years of implementation, the resolution has created impressive changes, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. 

GDP growth rate was impressive at 7.8% which is the highest level over the last four years (meanwhile national average GDP growth rate was 7.08%). Regional export turnover recorded US$ 15.7 billion for the first time. 

Perfecting mechanism and policy system

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh said that the region focused on agricultural development in a modern, sustainable, safe manner, transport infrastructure, urban development in combination with changing climate change factors. 

The Government introduced Decree 57/2018 on mechanisms and policies aiming to attract investment into agricultural and rural development on April 17, 2018 and Decree 98/2018 regarding incentive policy development linkages production agricultural products. 

The PM also ratified a series of projects and schemes in favor of sustainable growth in the Mekong Delta Region in response to climate change especially the Program on building residential clusters and housing in flooding areas in the 2018-2020 period for residents in seven provinces namely Dong Thap, An Giang, Kien Giang, Long An, Tien Giang, Vinh Long, Hau Giang and Can Tho city.

The Project on construction material development in favor of island projects by 2025 as stipulated in Decision 126, dated January 25, 2019. 

Ministries and agencies reviewed, composed and issued sustainable development mechanisms for the region especially incentive policies which encourage the private sector to engage in climate change response in the 2016-2020 period and the 2021-2025 period. 

Modern economic transformation

Ministries, agencies, and localities have spared no effort to improve the investment environment. 

The Government also deployed numerous policies on investment promotion and market expansion. 

A series of credit policies on rice were applied towards high-tech farming. 

Accordingly, agricultural production structure has shifted towards more production of seafood and fruits and less paddy cultivation. Large-scale production sites have been formed, specializing in producing key agro-products including shrimp, catfish, rice, and fruits. 

In 2018, shrimp output hit 0.623 million tons, accounting for 70% of national quantity. Catfish output was 1.41 million tons, accounting for 95% of total output. Fruit production hit 4.3 million tons, making up 60%. Paddy production was 24.5 million, accounting for 56%. 

Some agricultural products pocketed high export revenues including dragon fruits with US$ 1.1 billion. Mango fruits were permitted to enter Japan and the Republic of Korea. Dragon fruit, longan, star fruit, and rambutan were allowed to enter the U.S./. 

By Khanh Phuong