Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Hau Giang Provincial People’s Committee, Tran Van Huyen, stated that the release of the 2024 Mekong Delta Annual Economic Report by VCCI, with the theme “Mobilizing Investment for Sustainable Development,” is not only timely and relevant but also urgently needed—especially as the entire region is entering a new development phase.

Chairman of Hau Giang Provincial People's Committee Tran Van Huyen speaks at the ceremony - Photo: Dinh Dai.

According to Chairman of the Hậu Giang Provincial People’s Committee Tran Van Huyen, the Mekong Delta is a fertile land and the country’s largest center for agriculture and aquaculture. However, paradoxically, the region’s contribution to the national GRDP accounts for only about 13% of the country’s GDP. This indicates that the Mekong Delta’s vast potential has yet to be effectively harnessed.

“This year’s report highlights a critical reality: investment capital mobilization for the Mekong Delta — from both public and private sectors — remains significantly lower than in other regions. FDI inflows into the region account for just around 4–5% of the national total. The capital-output ratio (ICOR) is high, indicating low investment efficiency. Public investment has yet to create a leading effect, while private capital remains hesitant due to a lack of available land, underwhelming policy breakthroughs, and limited connectivity infrastructure,” Chairman Tran Van Huyen assessed.

He also strongly resonated with the report’s conclusion: “If the capital challenge can be solved, the region could undergo a transformative breakthrough.”

According to him, the challenges facing the Mekong Delta are not limited to capital alone but stem from a combination of factors: weak interregional transportation infrastructure, high logistics costs, a shortage of high-quality labor, and significant labor migration.

“If these bottlenecks can be resolved, the region could emerge as a new growth pole — even becoming a model region for ecological agriculture, modern processing industries, and a circular economy,” Chairman Tran Van Huyen emphasized.

Mrs. Sarah Hooper - Australian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City speaks at the event - Photo: Dinh Dai.

Mrs. Sarah Hooper, Australian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, remarked that the 2024 Mekong Delta Annual Economic Report is an important product aimed at promoting sustainable and inclusive development in the Mekong Delta.

She noted that despite its strengths in agriculture, the region continues to face systemic challenges, including limited infrastructure, labor shortages, vulnerability to climate change, and low levels of public investment—all of which hinder the region from fully realizing its economic potential.

“Building on Australia’s long-standing support for the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) between our two countries, Australia remains a committed partner to the region, supporting efforts in areas of mutual interest and promoting sustainable growth and long-term prosperity for the Mekong Delta,” Mrs. Sarah Hooper affirmed.

From a business perspective, Mr. Tran Chi Nguyen, Deputy General Director of Ca Mau Petroleum Fertilizer Joint Stock Company (PVFC), also expressed appreciation for the recommendations in the 2024 Mekong Delta Annual Economic Report—especially those grounded in science and practical realities to help build a favorable business environment and support enterprises.

Mr. Tran Chi Nguyen – Deputy General Director of Ca Mau Petroleum Fertilizer Joint Stock Company (PVFC) also praised the recommendations in the 2024 Mekong Delta Annual Economic Report – Photo: Dinh Dai

As a business actively supporting the development of agriculture and farmers, Mr. Nguyen expressed strong support for greater investment in transportation infrastructure, logistics, and seaports to help reduce shipping costs and enhance the export capacity of agricultural products from the Mekong Delta.

In addition, he advocated for the implementation of green credit policies and preferential credit packages for high-tech agricultural enterprises, to support both businesses and farmers in investing in modern production.

He also called for the promotion of public-private partnership (PPP) models in agricultural logistics and crop variety research, allowing enterprises to closely collaborate with local authorities and research institutes to quickly apply scientific advancements to real-world production.

Furthermore, he emphasized the need for training and developing a high-quality agricultural workforce—particularly a team of mid-level managers with deep expertise—to meet the demands of sustainable agricultural development.

Sharing the same perspective, Mr. Pham Tien Hoai, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Hanh Nguyen Logistics Joint Stock Company, and Chairman of the Hau Giang Business Association, also praised the 2024 Mekong Delta Annual Economic Report. He noted that the report was built with input from businesses and business associations—from the selection of the report’s theme to identifying challenges faced by enterprises and investment opportunities in the region, all aimed at proposing priority policy recommendations.

He added that the involvement of invited experts in drafting the report ensures objectivity and a solid foundation, accurately reflecting the real issues shared by businesses in the Mekong Delta.

Mr. Pham Tien Hoai believes that if resources for the Mekong Delta’s economy continue to improve, businesses in the region will grow stronger – Photo: Dình Dại

He emphasized that the business and investor community can regard this report as a valuable source of information for investment planning, as well as for engaging in critical policy advocacy to support the development of the Mekong Delta’s economy.

According to Mr. Hoai, the Mekong Delta is currently facing at least three downward spirals: a “budget spiral,” a “labor spiral,” and an “economic structure spiral.” The first two—related to public investment and labor—are closely linked to the third, which concerns the region’s economic structure.

“The choice of the 2024 theme—Mobilizing Investment Resources for Sustainable Development of the Mekong Delta—is highly appropriate. It addresses the urgent need to break the region out of its downward spirals and builds upon findings from previous reports in a coherent and progressive manner,” Mr. Hoai stated.

He also expressed his belief that if resource allocation to the Mekong Delta continues to improve, both his company and other regional enterprises will grow stronger, contributing more to the well-being of local communities and improving overall quality of life.

“I fully support the report’s policy recommendations. As a logistics and export business, I strongly advocate for the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, and digital platforms in the planning, monitoring, and operation of investment projects. These technologies will help enhance transparency, improve productivity, and reduce risks during implementation. The rapid completion of transport infrastructure projects will facilitate fast and safe goods circulation, lower costs, and increase competitiveness for businesses investing in the Mekong Delta,” Mr. Hoai shared.

VCCI Chairman Pham Tan Cong and VCCI Vice Chairman Vo Tan Thanh present flowers to thank the expert group and authors of the 2024 Mekong Delta Annual Economic Report – Photo: Dinh Dai

Mr. Hoai also noted that the manufacturing and processing sector in the Mekong Delta accounts for only 14% of total private investment—lower than the national average of 19%. Currently, the region still lacks tailored credit policies to support its key economic strengths. Therefore, the report’s recommendations on mechanisms and policies to improve businesses’ access to credit are highly appropriate, as they could help promote a green agriculture sector aligned with modern processing industries. From there, the development of specialized industrial zones tailored to the strengths of each province—such as agricultural processing, renewable energy, and logistics—would be feasible for the Mekong Delta.

Regarding improvements to the investment environment, Mr. Hoai emphasized that simplifying administrative procedures would help businesses seize opportunities. “Reducing inefficiencies through institutional reform is one of Vietnam’s boldest ongoing innovations, and I believe the Mekong Delta will witness strong transformations, keeping pace with the country’s more dynamic economic regions.”

“The report also emphasizes the need to leverage proactive advantages so that the Mekong Delta can continue to grow rapidly in the near future. As a young entrepreneur working in one of the region’s key sectors, I will continue to innovate our business model. At the same time, in my role as Chairman of the local Business Association, I will actively engage in dynamic policy advocacy, support our members in accessing technology, enhance competitiveness, and expand markets—contributing to the development of the Mekong Delta,” Mr. Hoai affirmed.