PM: Gov’t to establish strong regional coordination mechanism for Mekong Delta

VGP – The Government needs to set up a strong and effective regional coordination mechanism for the Mekong Delta, said PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc at his working session between the 13th National Party Congress's Sub-committee on socio-economic affairs and localities in the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City on July 16.

July 17, 2019 10:41 AM GMT+7

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc attends the working session between the 13th National Party Congress's Sub-committee on socio-economic affairs and localities in the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City on July 16, 2019 - Photo: VGP

According to the reports at the meeting, as many as five localities in the Mekong Delta are listed among top 10 in the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI).

However, the region is facing a number of challenges caused by climate change such as sea level rise, saltwater intrusion, landsides and floods, lack of close connectivity between localities and limits in infrastructures and transport.

Speaking at the event, PM Phuc supposed that the Mekong Delta has favorable natural conditions for the development of high-quality agriculture, asking the region to identify the vision of the region till 2045, heading to the fast and sustainable development of regional connectivity and making breakthroughs in some sectors.

He required urgent completion of the region master plan in a multidisciplinary integration manner with new thinking and vision by the end of 2020, which connects Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho City and brings benefits for all.

He requested establishing a mechanism for mobilizing resources for the implementation of the master plan, of which the State budget needs to add VND45,000 billion compared to the 2016-2020 period to launch crucial infrastructure programs and projects for regional connectivity, climate change adaption, clean water for production and life for local people.

The PM highlighted the importance of restructuring agriculture on the basis of high technology and effectiveness and closely attached to consumption market, production line and product trademark, referring to boosting education and training and improving the quality of human resources for localities in the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City.

The Government leader asked for building urban chains, creating forces for development and shifting population structure, adding that Ho Chi Minh City is a development partner of the Mekong Delta, stressing the necessity of the comprehensive connectivity between Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta.

By Thuy Dung