The Government chief stressed the point at the conference on agricultural development in the Mekong Delta region held in Kien Giang province on Sunday.

The region, accounting for 50 percent of the country's rice output and 95 percent of rice export, is now facing two critical issues: limited infrastructure capacity and limited quality of the workforce

In addition, the region has been hit hard by climate change, threatening lives and livelihoods of millions of people there.

In a bid to foster the development of the region, the Government has recently approved a master plan for the Mekong Delta region in the 2021-2030 period with a vision towards 2050.

The plan targets 6.5 percent of economic growth rate in the next five years. GRDP is set to expand by 2-2.5 times by 2030 in comparison that of 2021. Agro-forestry-fishery sector will account for about 20 percent of GRDP, industry - construction about 32 percent; services about 46 percent; product tax excluding product subsidy about 2 percent.

By 2030, the region will house 830 kilometers of highway, 4,000 kilometers of national road, four airports, 13 sea ports, 11 passenger port clusters and 13 inland water clusters of inland waterway cargo ports.  

The Mekong Delta region will focus on developing high-quality commodity agriculture, combining with trade, logistics services, eco-tourism, industry, focusing on processing industry, improving the value and competitiveness of agricultural products.

Regarding industrial development, the Mekong Delta will develop industry in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner, focusing on developing the processing industry and supporting industries to improve the value and health of the people.   

By 2030,  no new coal-fired power plants will be built except the ongoing coal-fired power plants which are under construction namely Duyen Hai II (Tra Vinh), Long Phu I (Soc Trang), Song Hau I (Hau Giang). Wind power will be developed in Ca Mau peninsula. Power plants capable of flexibly adjusting and storing battery sources to ensure stable operation of the power system with a high proportion of renewable energy sources will be built. Gas power projects in Bac Lieu, Kien Giang and Long An will be put under consideration for construction after 2030./.