The Ca Mau gas-power-fertiliser project

Mekong Delta provinces are working closely together to develop a feasible strategy to raise their industrial production value to VND302 trillion by 2015, which would account for about 40 percent of the country's total GDP.

To achieve this target, they aim to boost progress of the Ca Mau gas-power-fertiliser project and the O Mon electric power plant to supply sufficient energy for production.

The Long An-Tien Giang-Can Tho and Can Tho-An Giang-Kien Giang industrial triangles and the Can Tho-Soc Trang-Bac Lieu-Ca Mau quadrangle are currently taking shape.

The provinces will strengthen cooperation with Ho Chi Minh City and the southeastern region to develop industries based on their own advantages, with a focus on refining and processing seafood, foodstuffs, sugar cane, coconuts, pineapples and condensed fruit juice using advanced technology.

Other areas for concentration include cement manufacturing, stone and sand exploitation for construction, heavy and high-tech industries and consumer products for export to Cambodia.

The localities will build an additional 36 industrial zones and complete their seaports to handle 10,000 tonne ships, begin construction of the Ho Chi Minh City-Can Tho highway, and upgrade national roads linking Can Tho to Ca Mau and Kien Giang.

They will also establish an industrial zones association to attract more investment and cooperate with research institutes and universities to transfer technology, apply scientific advances in training, and improve skills required for labourers.

Businesses in the region will be supported in mobilizing capital and improving their competitiveness by cutting production costs, protecting the environment, ensuring food safety and creating brand names for their products. They are advised to establish comprehensive delivery networks and managing the quality of their products in line with international standards./.