Mekong Delta targets US$15 billion in export revenue

Mekong Delta provinces aimed to reach a total export revenue of US$15 billion in 2017, an increase of 9.4% compared to 2016, according to the Steering Committee for the Southwest Region.

Last year, the provinces of the Mekong Delta exported US$13.7 billion worth of commodities, up 7.4% over 2015 with key export products being aquatic products, rice, processed food, garments and textiles, footwear and handicrafts.

Some provinces posted high export revenues, including Long An at US$6.6 billion, Tien Giang at US$3.3 billion, Can Tho at US$1.4 billion and Dong Thap at US$1.2 billion.

To achieve the target set for 2017, the Mekong Delta provinces will continue to carry out key measures including trade promotion, investment promotion and market expansion to seek new markets for export.

In addition, provinces in the region will gradually change the structure of their export products towards products of higher added value and technological content while reducing the export of crude agricultural products with low added value.

Regarding the export of agricultural products, the Mekong Delta provinces will increase their exports of products with high value such as fruits and vegetables and decrease their exports of rice products with low value.

These provinces will also pay more attention to administrative reforms and removing difficulties for enterprises in terms of banking loans and the application of technology in production.

Particularly, the leaders of some provinces with high export revenues, including Long An, Tien Giang, Can Tho and Dong Thap, will hold regular talks with enterprises to help them remove obstacles to promote production.

(Source: NDO)