Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Planning andInvestment (MPI) held a teleconference on August 31 to look into orientationsfor making plans on socio-economic development and public investment in thesoutheastern and Mekong Delta regions in the next few years.

Addressing the conference, which was attended byofficials from 19 provinces and cities in the two regions, Minister Nguyen ChiDung said the plans for 2021 and the 2021-2025 period need to be consistentwith and bring into play the achievements obtained during 2016-2020 whiledevising development strategies, plans and solutions that can tap into localpotential and advantages, thereby making breakthroughs and stronger developmentin the new period.

Development directions must centre on the peopleby paying attention to ensuring social security and sustainably reducing poverty,especially in ethnic minority communities and remote, border and insular areas,so as to narrow the development gap among regions, he noted.

According to the minister, the southeasternregion has to particularly prioritise mobilising resources for developingseaports, airports and roads linking local ports. Cargo transportation shouldalso be coordinated rationally to optimise local seaports, including Cat Laiand Cai Mep-Thi Vai.

Meanwhile, localities in the Mekong Delta shouldpay heed to solving problems related to transport, water storage reservoirs andriverbank and coastal erosion, Dung said, adding that transport corridorsshould be developed into economic ones so as to expand the space fordevelopment.

The MPI expected that between 2021 and 2025,southeastern provinces and cities will garner the best possible conditions fordeveloping the economy and making use of the switch of global investment flows,attract large-scale and hi-tech investment to form value chains, stronglydevelop services, and step up administrative reforms and investment businessimprovement.

Global supply chains will soon be formed in thisregion, which will become a technological and manufacturing hub of Vietnam. HoChi Minh City’s role as an economic locomotive will also be upheld so that theregion will remain a growth driving force of the country in the time ahead.

For 2021-2025, Mekong Delta provinces and citiesare set to strive to reach a higher development level, per capita incomesurpassing the national average, and eco-agriculture and hi-tech farming makingup a bigger proportion in the local economy. 

Besides, diverse resources will be usedefficiently to turn the Mekong Delta into a prosperous region adapted toclimate change. Transport infrastructure will be expanded to connect localitiesin the region and link the Mekong Delta with HCM City and the southeasternregion, the MPI added./.