A farmer harvest rice in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta. — Photo baodautu.vn

CẦN THƠ — Experts highlighted the development potential of the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta to Vietnamese and French entrepreneurs yesterday during an investment promotion seminar in Cần Thơ City.

During the event, representatives of about 30 Vietnamese provinces and cities invited French investment in nearly 60 projects, hoping to raise more than US$7.1 billion in investments.

In the delta alone, Long An Province called for $18.3 million in investments in a food storage centre in the Đồng Tháp Mười area. Cà Mau Province called for $3.5 billion in investments in Hòn Khoai seaport.

Cần Thơ introduced a hi-tech farming zone project worth $26 million. Cồn Sơn tourism complex sought $100 million in investments.

An Giang Province called for investments in a heart hospital and an urban upgrade for a climate change adaptation project.

Trương Quang Hoài Nam, vice vhairman of the Cần Thơ People’s Committee, said these were all key projects of the localities.

Nguyễn Phương Lam, deputy director of the Việt Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI)’s Cần Thơ branch said the delta is the largest agricultural production region of the country, accounting for more than 40 per cent of agricultural yield nationwide.

Rice and aquacultural products from the region each represented roughly 56 per cent of national yields.

The Mekong Delta region also contributed significantly to some of the country’s value chains with export values exceeding $1 billion, such as rice, tra fish and shrimp exports.

Lam said the Delta, with it population of 17-million-people, was worth investing in because of its proven track record of economic growth and good investment climate with proper infrastructure.

The Mekong Delta is also one of the regions impacted most strongly by climate change, which has opened up significant investment opportunities for foreign businesses.

Nicolas Du Pasquier, chairman of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Việt Nam, said France could share important experience coping with climate change with local provinces and cities.

CIRAD, a French research institute in Việt Nam, has already helped the Delta improve catfish cultivation.

According to VCCI Cần Thơ, France currently ranks 16th among 116 countries and territories investing in Việt Nam, with 469 projects and a total investment capital of $3.43 billion.

As of September, there are 22 French projects in the Delta, with a combined registered capital of nearly $115 million.

Entrepreneurs from 50 Vietnamese businesses and 20 French companies, plus representatives from the French cities of Brest, Choisy-le-roi, Rennes and Le Grand Perigueux, attended yesterday’s seminar.

The seminar was part of the 10th Việt Nam – France co-operation conference which opened Wednesday and ends today.

Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam told attendees Việt Nam would create more favourable conditions for French businesses to invest in the country. – VNS