(VOVworld) – The Mekong River Delta trade promotion conference opened in Vinh Long province on Monday.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh (middle) chaired the 2013 Mekong River Delta trade promotion conference  (Source: VOV)

The event is within the framework of this year’s Mekong Delta Economic Cooperation (MDEC) forum in Vinh Long. Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Steering Committee of the Southwestern region, Vu Van Ninh, affirmed that Vietnam in general and the Mekong River Delta in particular have become attractive destinations to investors. The Vietnamese government has always paid attention to improving investment environment and administrative reform. The government has also enhanced dialogue and investment in infrastructure especially the transportation system, airports and seaports, and assured legitimate rights for investors to invest in the region. Mr. Ninh urged concrete policies and mechanisms to create the best possible conditions for enterprises and investors.

A workshop on banking credits to promote socio-economic development in the Mekong River Delta was held on Monday afternoon within the framework of MDEC – Vinh Long 2013. The participants agreed that the banking system needs to continue supporting the Mekong Delta region in providing loans and credits to help localities develop sustainably. Under the plan, the loans will mainly be used to boost cultivation, processing and the export of rice, seafood, fruit and green tourism.

Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said the Official Development Assistance for the Mekong River delta accounts for 7 percent of that for Vietnam as a whole, equivalent to 4 billion USD and Foreign Direct Investment making up 2.2 percent or 11 billion USD. Vietnam hopes other countries will continue to maintain their ODA to help the region develop its infrastructure, human resources and enhance cooperation in processing agricultural products for export, animal food processing and dealing with climate change.