Dong Thap: Joint Forces to Improve Investment Environment

Dong Thap province has a comprehensive river system mainly interconnected with the Tien and Hau rivers which form 5,300-ha fishing grounds, the source of aquatic supply. It is the third largest rice producer with an annual output of more than 2.8 million tonnes (70 percent being high-quality variety) and the largest tra fish (Pangasius bocourti) with an annual volume of over 300,000 tonnes. These two staples, plus a number of other traditional products like processed foods, pharmaceuticals, petroleum and apparel, brought export turnover to nearly US$600 million in 2010. The value was expected to reach US$750 million in 2011 and higher in the following years.

 

At a recent Dong Thap investment promotion conference held by the Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee and Saigon Newport Corporation, Chairman of People’s Committee Le Minh Hoan said, defining the extremely important role of businesses in socioeconomic construction and development, that the province has carried out many solutions to build up a favourable business environment to attract more foreign investment. The evidence for the province’s efforts is a very high ranking of provincial competitiveness index (PCI). Last year, it secured third place out of 63 provinces and cities rated.

 

The province always focuses on building infrastructure systems, especially traffic projects. Currently, the provincial road system has reached almost the entire province. In the coming time, when Ho Chi Minh - N2 Road, N1 Road, and upgraded National Road 30 and National Road 54 are completed, they will completely change the correlation of the province to major cities in Vietnam and in Cambodia. In addition, important cooperation between Dong Thap province and Saigon Newport Corporation aims at utilising waterway transportation to boost containerised exports right from Dong Thap province, a great opportunity for businesses.

 

Mr Tran Khanh Hoang, Deputy General Director of Saigon Newport Corporation, said “Seven months ago, Saigon Newport Corporation won the trust of Dong Thap province’s leaders and was invited to join forces in operating ports and developing logistics services in the province.

 

When we deploy the project, we receive care, assistance and cooperation from local governments. And yesterday, we inaugurated Tan Cang - Sa Dec Terminal, directly managed and operated Tan Cang - Cao Lanh, opened some new barge wharves, and provided all-package logistics services for importers and exporters in Dong Thap province using Cat Lai Terminal to ship their goods to Asia and using Cai Mep Terminal to ship their goods to the United States and Europe.”

 

Ms Truong Thi Le Khanh, President and CEO of Vinh Hoan Corporation, said: "I was very much impressed by quick administrative procedure completion when I came here for the first time. From a small business entity 14 years ago, we are now a leading tra fish exporter of Vietnam. We are running a self-contained production line, from breeding, culturing, feed processing to construction processing. Each year, our export turnover reaches millions of US dollars.”

 

Mr Chau Minh Dat, Deputy General Director of Hoang Long Group, stressed that Hoang Long Group invested in the Hoang Long aquatic complex in Phu Cuong commune, Tam Nong district, started official operations in 2010, and reaped initial success. “From the angle of PCI, we highly appreciate Dong Thap province for utilising available competitive advantages in geography, natural resources and labour force to attract investors and, more importantly, prove its competency in creating competitive edges for investors in the province,” he noted.

 

At the investment promotion conference, provincial leaders witnessed the signing of 16 memoranda of understanding on cooperation and investment in Dong Thap province.