The city of Long Xuyên in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang. The province is calling for support from the Government, ministries and agencies to make it more attractive to domestic and foreign investors. — Photo xuctiendautu2018.angiang.gov.vn

AN GIANG — The Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of An Giang has witnessed a reduction in the number of new investment projects and the amount of newly registered capital since the beginning of this year, local authorities have said.

So far this year, the province has attracted 44 new projects with total registered capital of more than VNĐ5 trillion (US$215 million), down by five projects and more than VNĐ10.2 trillion ($44 million) in value from the same period last year.

Lê Văn Nưng, vice chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, called for support from the Government, ministries and agencies to make An Giang more attractive to investors.

Nưng said his province will suggest authorities offer support in infrastructure for transportation and logistics services to contribute to the economic development of the locality and the Mekong Delta.

The official added that An Giang will connect with international organisations and foreign trade and investment counselors, especially from promising markets such as Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, Israel, the US and several European countries, in an effort to lure more foreign direct investment.

According to the provincial Department of Planning and Investment, the province will hold working trips to South Korea to boost investment in the hi-tech and agro-forestry processing sectors as well as seek opportunities to sell rice, aquatic products and fruits during the rest of the year.

An Giang will also partner with the National Tourism Advisory Council to hold a seminar on developing tourism and discuss the best way to market the province as a destination for visitors.

The province will step up administrative reforms, improve its investment climate and enhance its competitiveness to attract more projects.

Director of the provincial Department of Planning and Investment Lê Văn Phước said the province would focus on building a level playing field for both Vietnamese and foreign investors. They will receive preferential taxes and land lease and credit support, among other incentives.

The provincial People’s Committee has maintained its weekly “business coffee break” model to meet with local enterprises, helping to remove bottlenecks in their operations.

An Giang is now calling for investment in 60 projects, with priority given to sectors such as hi-tech agriculture, eco-tourism, resort tourism, the processing industry and the support industry. — VNS