HÀ NỘI — Bến Tre will provide incentives for investments in rural areas and the agricultural sector to tap the largely unexploited potential of the southern province.

Cao Văn Trọng, chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said at the investment promotion forum held on Tuesday which attracted around 350 enterprises that the province has advantages in farming and aquaculture.

It has nearly 80,000 hectares of coconut and 28,000 hectares of specialty fruits together with 47,000 hectares for aquaculture.

“Encouraging investments in agriculture is a focus to tap Bến Tre’s potential and strength,” Trọng said.

Trọng said Bến Tre would prioritise investments in hi-tech agriculture projects as well as investments in projects with high added-value.

He added that the province aimed to become the centre for agricultural production and distribution in association with ecotourism development.

Bùi Dương Thuật, director of the Mekong Fruit Import-Export Company, said that farming land is still scattered, making it difficult for enterprises to invest and collect products from farmers.

Thuật said that it was necessary to reduce intermediaries to increase profits for both farmers and enterprises.

Director of the provincial Department of Planning and Investment Nguyễn Minh Cảnh said that the province would continue to improve the business climate and introduce incentive policies for investments in agriculture and rural development. Supports would also be provided to firms in applying advanced quality management system, he said.

There were about 450 firms investing in agriculture in Bến Tre, accounting for 17 per cent of the number of firms in the province and 30 per cent of the total registered capital.

Their export revenues were estimated to total US$215 million in the first eight months of this year.

So far, the province has attracted $225.7 million foreign direct investment (FDI) in agriculture, or 26 per cent of total registered FDI.

Bến Tre farming products were now present in 70 countries and territories. — VNS