The conference on trade promotion and import and export development in the Mekong Delta region held in Cần Thơ City on Thursday. — Photo bnews.vn

HÀ NỘI — A conference on trade promotion and import and export development in the Mekong Delta region opens today, focusing on existing and potential strengths in the region, including fruit, seafood and the possibility of energy production.

Held in Cần Thơ City, the conference attracted around 200 delegates both in person and online.

On the sidelines of the conference, there is an exhibition space to promote products of localities and enterprises in the region, while creating opportunities for trade connection between suppliers of goods and services in the Mekong Delta region with import-export enterprises.

The Việt Nam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade) said that in addition to rice and seafood, fruits were also a strength in the production and export structure of the region.

At the same time, it also has great potential for oil and gas and renewable energy such as wind energy, solar energy and tidal energy.

Statistics from the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) show that many Vietnamese commodity groups have exceeded the export turnover of more than US$1 billion, such as vegetables, rice and shrimp, mostly from the Mekong Delta.

On average the Mekong Delta region contributes about 31 per cent of the GDP of the entire agricultural sector, with about 50 per cent of rice output, 95 per cent of rice exports, 60 per cent of fish exports and approximately 70 per cent of fruits of all kinds.

Despite many strengths, the economy in the Mekong Delta is considered to have not developed commensurate with its potential.

In addition, the development also faces challenges such as climate change, water resource depletion and saline intrusion.

Therefore, accurately assessing the potential and challenges, and implementing suitable development solutions are essential for achieving the goal of making the Mekong Delta a region with a relatively high level of development compared to the rest of the country. — VNS