Experts and representatives of businesses in the Mekong Delta provinceof Ben Tre gathered at a workshop on April 7 to call for creditincentives for local agricultural export.

GeneralDirector of Ben Tre Export and Import Joint Stock Company (Betrimex)Tran Van Duc highlighted the need for specific credit packages targetingagricultural production, processing and export.

Representatives from the Luong Quoi coconut processing company suggestedthe Government make amendments to financial policies on developingagricultural and rural areas, with the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV)lowering the annual USD lending interest rate ceiling.

Meanwhile, Dr Le Tham Duong from the University of Banking emphasisedthe role of farming households in the development of the region,suggesting that credit incentives should be devised to increase theiragricultural production.

SBV Deputy Governor NguyenKim Anh valued the potential of agricultural production and laudedefforts made by local households towards that end.

The SBV pledged to continue its support for local businesses andresidents to enhance the value of local products and ensure sustainableand rapid development in the region, Anh added.

In2014, the national agricultural export value exceeded 30 billion USDincluding major Mekong Delta products, according to Anh.-VNA