The Mekong Delta province of Bến Tre’s socio-economic development in the first half of the Party Committee’s five-year term (from 2016-21). — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — The Mekong Delta province of Bến Tre’s socio-economic development in the first half of the Party Committee’s five-year term (from 2016-21) showed that it had reached 50 per cent of 10 of its 13 targets, according to the Sài Gòn Giải Phóng (Liberated Sài Gòn) newspaper.

The Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of the province from 2016 to July 2018 reached 6.92 per cent, with positive changes in economic structuring, including trade and services, more high-tech rather than traditional agriculture, and development of industry and construction.

Infrastructure for a modern retail system, along with rural markets, has been built.

The value of agricultural production for the period reached VNĐ66.7 trillion (US$3 billion), nearly 50 per cent of the target set by the provincial Party Committee’s resolution.

Industry and construction had annual growth of 10.22 per cent.

The coconut processing industry and support industry have continued to grow. From 2016 to 2018, the industries gained a turnover of nearly VNĐ60 trillion ($2.6 billion).

The province has attracted 44 investment projects for total capital of VNĐ625 billion ($27.5 million) in the period.

Investment for nine new residential areas on 526ha totals VNĐ1.7 trillion ($74.5 million) in capital.

The province now has 97 co-operatives working in six fields, including industry, light industry, agriculture-seafood, trade and services, transport, and natural resources and environment.

Administrative reform has improved along with its provincial competitiveness index, increasing by seven positions in comparison with 2015, ranking five among 63 cities and provinces.

The province’s investment encouragement policy has reached significant results, with 84 per cent of newly established enterprises and 48 per cent of household businesses of the target.

Finance and banking activities have achieved good results, with total budget collection reaching VNĐ8 trillion ($351 million), over 50 per cent of the target.

The annual income per capita has reached VNĐ35.2 million ($1,600). — VNS