In order to reach that goal, these provinces will focus on developing different sectors such as agri-forestry and aquatic processing products, energy and mechanical engineering. In addition, they will work with domestic and foreign science institutes to apply new technologies to industrial production, replace outdated equipment, train human resources in the high-tech sector and help to establish links with overseas companies.
Since 2000, the industrial sector in the Mekong Delta has maintained a high growth rate with production value reaching nearly US$82 billion in 2008, a five-fold increase over 1995.
The region currently ranks third in terms of industrial proportion with Can Tho, Kien Giang, Ca Mau and Long An taking the lead in the country. In the economic structure its industrial proportion has seen a year-on-year increase from 15.8 percent in 2001 to 29.8 percent in 2009.
The Mekong Delta is now set to sharpen its competitiveness by increasing investment capital for industrial development, raising the quality of industrial services, building waste treatment plants to protect the environment and developing high-tech human resources to keep pace with the international integration process.