DongThap (VNS/VNA) - The Mekong Delta needs todevelop value-added agricultural products to enter global value chains,officials have said.

Amiddeep global integration, trade links are a driving force for economicdevelopment, said Le Quoc Phong, Secretary of the Party Committee of DongThap province.

Withan open economy, Vietnamese-made goods will face strong competition from foreign-madegoods.

Phongspoke at the Mekong Connect - CEO Forum held in Dong Thap province earlier thisweek.

LeMinh Hoan, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, pointed outthat application of scientific and technological advances in agriculturalproduction are needed to create more value-added products.

Enterprisesare encouraged to co-operate with State agencies in science and technologyresearch so they can produce quality products, Hoan said.

Inthe agro-aqua-forestry sector, exports hit more than 40 billion USD thisyear, he said. 

NguyenMinh Hai, Vice Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham), saidthere are 39 Vietnamese Geographical Indications (GIs) in the EU,including Bac Lieu salt and Vinh Kim star apples from the Mekong Delta region,providing an adequate framework for further promotion of imports ofquality products.

TheEU maintains some of the highest sanitary, phytosanitary, origin tracing, andsustainable standards in the world.

Haihighlighted the importance of raising local standards and developing newvalue-added products which can compete internationally, particularly in the EUmarket with its population of 450 million.

The EU-VietnamFree Trade Agreement (EVFTA), which came into effect in August this year, haspaved the way for increased trade between the EU and Vietnam.

Theelimination of tariffs under the EVFTA is expected to benefit key exportindustries, including agricultural products, but technical barriers totrade are expected to be raised, imposing challenges for Mekong Delta productsand services to penetrate the EU market.

MaryTarnowka, executive director of AmCham Vietnam in HCM City andDa Nang, said many AmCham member companies like Cargill, Coca-Cola,Suntory Pepsi and Pharmacity already have extensive operations in theMekong region.

Agriculturalproducts from the Mekong region, like shrimp, catfish, dragon fruit andmango, are now exported throughout the US.

TheMekong region has the potential to attract considerably more investment andsustainable growth. It has some of the richest natural renewable energyresources in the world, such as solar and wind. 

AmChammember companies are eager to partner in renewable energy development inthe Mekong region – from supply of solar panels and wind turbines toproject development and energy generation.

VuTien Loc, Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), saidlocalities in the Mekong Delta need to invest in sustainable agro-economicdevelopment, as well as infrastructure to improve connectivity in the regionand HCM City economic hub.

Thefifth Mekong Connect - CEO Forum attracted 700 enterprises, Governmentleaders, and domestic and foreign experts who have concerns and interestsrelated to the Mekong Delta.

Theforum was organised by the ABCD Mekong regional networkincluding Can Tho city and provinces of An Giang, Ben Tre, and Dong Thap, inco-ordination with the Business Association of High Quality Vietnamese Productsand the Leading Business Club./.