Can Tho promotes infrastructure, attracts investment, processing industry

(Chinhphu.vn) - On August 5, leaders of Can Tho City and departments and branches worked with the Vietnam Federation of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Mekong Delta branch on economic and business development activities in the area.

Vice Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee Nguyen Van Hoa speaks at the meeting - Photo: VGP/LS

Exports reached 4.3 billion USD but did not meet requirements

According to VCCI Mekong Delta branch, the socio -economic situation in the region in 2024 recorded many positive changes, GRDP of the whole region is estimated to increase by 7.3%, the highest growth rate in the past 5 years, surpassing the period before the pandemic. Import-export turnover is estimated to reach over 42 billion USD, up 18% over the same period.

At the meeting, representatives of VCCI Mekong Delta branch also pointed out the strengths, weaknesses and challenges in economic development of Can Tho city, and proposed important solutions to promote development, especially in the field of private enterprise development.

Mr. Nguyen Phuong Lam, Director of VCCI Mekong Delta Branch, said that the economic growth rate of Can Tho City is higher than the national average, but still not strong enough compared to expectations. The economic structure of the city is inclined towards trade and services, so it is necessary to increase the proportion of industry to create growth momentum. Along with that, the city's export turnover reached 4.3 billion USD, but still did not meet the requirements. At the same time, the economic scale of the city is ranked at an average level compared to major cities.

Besides "strengths that are not strong enough compared to the city's stature", the economic growth rate is not enough to create momentum for the city.

A major weakness is that the number of enterprises in Can Tho City is still very small. In the first six months of the year, the city had 18,000 operating enterprises, which is over 5 enterprises/1,000 people, a very small number compared to the national average of 9.2 enterprises...

On the other hand, foreign direct investment in Can Tho City is not high. All three localities after the merger have nearly 130 projects with about 34 billion USD. Among the 5 provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta, except for Tay Ninh, Can Tho City ranks 4th in the Mekong Delta, only higher than Ca Mau, while the remaining provinces are all higher than Can Tho City.

In addition, Mr. Lam also warned about the risk that in the next 5 years, other localities will catch up with the current retail level of Can Tho City, or in other words, Can Tho is gradually losing its position as a retail center.

Director of VCCI Mekong Delta Nguyen Phuong Lam proposed some solutions to attract businesses to Can Tho. In particular, it is necessary to improve the management capacity of the government to create a favorable business environment. Along with that, infrastructure development, especially industrial park infrastructure, logistics zones, and transportation, is needed to attract investment.

In addition, build an economic development strategy, focusing on key industries and fields such as technology, science, tourism, trade and services. At the same time, support the development of private enterprises, especially large enterprises with the ability to lead development.

According to Mr. Lam, VCCI's records show that the business community and investors are interested in industrial parks, transportation and logistics.

From there, he said that Can Tho City needs to prioritize logistics development. The problems of the city's industrial zones have also been resolved; traffic is enjoying the expressways, the only thing left is to connect these routes with local traffic; the human resources from universities and colleges are very large, the problem is the policy to attract and solve employment...

With its agricultural strengths, Mr. Lam suggested that Can Tho City should focus on the processing industry. The city needs to set out a direction for developing a green economy and green tourism. At the same time, to develop the private economy, it is necessary to reform institutions and the business environment; the management capacity and service efforts of officials; along with the dynamism of the government...

First 6 months of the year: 2,153 new businesses granted

Vice Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee Nguyen Van Hoa said that the Government has set a target of double-digit economic growth of over 10% for Can Tho City in 2025 and the following years. The city is currently developing a specific scenario including solutions to remove difficulties for businesses. Along with that, it is promoting the disbursement of public investment capital and attracting private investment in infrastructure development. At the same time, it is focusing on developing science and technology, cooperative economy, private economy and international cooperation.

According to the People's Committee of Can Tho City, in the first 6 months of this year, the city has granted new licenses to 2,153 enterprises with a total registered capital of over 11,000 billion VND, an increase of more than 37% in the number of enterprises. Along with that, industrial parks have also granted new licenses to 4 projects with a total registered capital of nearly 700 million USD. In addition, the city has 14 newly granted investment projects (domestic capital, outside industrial parks) with a total registered capital of over 1,400 billion VND.

LS

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/can-tho-day-manh-ha-tang-thu-hut-dau-tu-cong-nghiep-che-bien-102250805181502763.htm