Vietnam’s Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre is striving to attract more investment in high-tech agriculture, given that it boasts nearly 100,000 ha of coconut trees, specialty fruits and nearly 10 million ornamental plants.
Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Cao Van Trong said the province has offered incentives to projects in and outside industrial zones, cut administrative red tape by 30-50 percent and established a public services group at the centre for investment and start-up promotion.
The locality has also assisted investors via investment promotion programmes, market connectivity, trade promotion and product display at domestic and foreign fairs. From the State and local budget, Ben Tre granted an aid of over VND 32.6 billion (US$1.41 million) to six businesses in the fields of animal breeding, farm produce processing and preservation.
Ben Tre has so far offered loans worth upwards VND 45 trillion ($1.95 billion), over VND 18 trillion for farming. Local farm produce have been shipped to 70 countries and territories worldwide. The province has attracted 24 out of 52 foreign-invested firms in agriculture with a total registered capital of $225.7 million, or 26 percent of the total foreign direct investment there.
Nguyen Minh Canh, Director of the provincial Department of Planning and Investment told en.vietnamplus.vn that in the near future, the province will continue improving the business environment and issuing support policies for investors, especially those in agriculture and rural development.
