At the second Mekong Delta Startup and Innovation Forum 2024 last month, Pham Thien Nghia, Chairman of Dong Thap People’s Committee, delivered a message emphasising the goal of fostering a green growth economy while encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation.

The province is encouraging entrepreneurship through dialogues of all shapes and sizes

Dong Thap remains committed to maintaining public-private dialogue forums, creating new resources, and attracting domestic and foreign investments, Nghia said.

Simultaneously, the province has rolled out initiatives to enhance production and business management capabilities, foster innovation, and increase the application of science and technology.

The province’s development ambition this year has been to craft a constructive government with digital citizens, a circular economy, and green growth. Since the beginning of the year, despite various market challenges and fluctuations domestically and internationally, Dong Thap authorities have committed to bolstering the province’s image and driving socioeconomic development in line with this goal.

This commitment is evident in the province’s consistent high performance across multiple indices. In the Provincial Competitiveness Index, Dong Thap has ranked among the top five localities nationwide for 16 consecutive years. The Satisfaction Index of Public Administration Services, Public Administration Reform Index, and Provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance Index have all seen improvements, while the Provincial Green Index has shown significant progress.

Provincial management authorities at all levels have promoted the 2024 development message into everyday life. By integrating these goals into development initiatives, Dong Thap is set to create a cohesive, attractive, and distinctive provincial identity.

Leveraging local strengths, Dong Thap has focused on transitioning towards a green and circular economy while reducing emissions and environmental pollution. These efforts have allowed the province to adapt effectively to new global trends. Despite challenges in both domestic and international markets, Dong Thap’s economy has therefore continued its rebound pace and grow steadily in 2024. Social and economic stability have laid the foundation for Dong Thap’s economy to manage growth exceeding 6 per cent in the first 11 months of 2024.

The province’s industrial production has regained momentum and further expanded, with businesses increasing output to meet domestic and export market demands.

For the first 11 months of 2024, local industrial production index grew 8.5 per cent compared to the same period in 2023, driven by key products such as processed seafood and milled rice. The consumption index for the processing industry surged 14.8 per cent on-year.

Trade and services maintained growth, effectively meeting consumer demand. The total retail sales of goods and services in the year to end of November reached $5.35 billion, up 12 per cent on-year, achieving 88.6 per cent of full-year target.

Tourism indexes showed positive outcomes, with continually launching of new products and services to catch people’s burgeoning recreational needs.

In the first 11 months of the year, Dong Thap lured 4.1 million visitors, including 37,000 non-nationals. Tourism revenue for the period came to $81.2 million, showing a 16.7 per cent jump on-year, already surpassing the annual target.

Several key export and import items posted significant growth, such as rice husking and polishing volume up 17.5 per cent, processed seafood up 8.8 per cent; noodles, rice paper, and similar products up 20.6 per cent; and animal and aqua feed up 11.7 per cent.

The province’s total export value came to nearly $1.79 billion, shooting 34.5 per cent on-year, equal to 127.6 per cent of the full-year target. Local import value approximated $758.5 million, up 1.5 per cent on-year, equal to 95 per cent of the plan.

Dong Thap continues to enhance local business and investment environment, strictly adhering to its principle of going in companion with businesses. Provincial leaders have conducted multiple visits to observe business operations and preparations for workers’ welfare during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday.

Since the outset of the year, over 600 new businesses have been set up in Dong Thap with registered capital reaching $173 million, bringing the total number of operating businesses to more than 5,300 units.

Additionally, the province gave the nod to seven new ventures, with total registered capital value amounting to $227 million.