Investors in Australia show interest in Can Tho, a Vietnamese city, as it readies for significant growth and development.
Can Tho's municipal People's Committee Chair, Truong Canh Tuyen, recently painted a stunning vision of opportunities in a working session with the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Viẹt Nam (AusCham). The gathering, led by Executive Director Edwin Law, was a testament to the burgeoning ties between the Mekong Delta city and foreign investors.
The New Can Tho City — A Regional Powerhouse
Beginning July 1, Can Tho will amalgamate with neighboring Hậu Giang and Sóc Trăng provinces, giving birth to a sprawling Can Tho city spanning 6,400 sq.km, equivalent to four times its current size, with a population of over 4.2 million, nearly trebling its existing figure. This union is set to revolutionize trade, services, the marine economy, high-tech agriculture, and other sectors in Can Tho and the broader Mekong Delta region.
Green Light for Investors
Tuyen shared that investors will enjoy the highest incentives provided by Việt Nam's Investment Law and recent Finance Ministry guidelines. The city is committed to refining tailored policies and mechanisms to attract businesses, especially in priority sectors such as transport infrastructure, renewable energy, and high-tech agriculture.
Transforming Can Tho's Marine Economy
One of the most tantalizing prospects is the relocation of the Trần Đề deep-water port from Sóc Trăng to Can Tho. This critical piece in Vietnam's national seaport strategy will reduce logistics costs for agricultural exports, granting the Mekong Delta improved access to global markets. Not only that, the port's arrival will unlock potential in offshore wind energy and aquaculture in coastal areas.
Embracing the Digital Agriculture Revolution
A 415ha agricultural zone has been established in Hậu Giang, along with a 28ha digital economy zone. These zones aim to drive modern farming, making strides in hi-tech practices while contributing to the wider digital economy. Can Tho already excels in commerce, services, sci-tech, logistics, education, and specialized healthcare. Its designation as a 250ha regional hub for agricultural processing and distribution will further boost its standing.
Tuyen emphasized Can Tho's plan for one million hectares of high-quality and low-emission rice, with 250,000 hectares already in production. The city's Department of Finance will serve as the liaison between Australian investors and local authorities, assisting them in establishing partnerships.
Building a Stronger Partnership with Australia
Law, accompanied by representatives from 14 Australian firms in education, energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, and the green economy, expressed AusCham's interest in strengthening ties with Can Tho. He saw the city as the pulsating heart of the Mekong Delta, perfectly aligned with Việt Nam's national development goals. The ambition is to form collaborations for trade promotion, forge business-to-business links, and support sustainable projects that align with Can Tho's vision.
Chairman of the Cần Thơ municipal People's Committee Trương Cảnh Tuyên highlighted local potentials and strengths during a working session on Tuesday with a delegation from the Australian Chamber of Commerce in our website (AusCham) led by its Executive Director Edwin Law. - VNA/VNS Photo
The union of Can Tho with Hậu Giang and Sóc Trăng is poised to unleash the Mekong Delta's full potential and transform it into a regional powerhouse for trade, services, marine economy, and high-tech agriculture by 2025 and beyond. This exciting chapter promises to spark a new wave of growth momentum and drive comprehensive development in the region, with investments from both local and foreign partners playing a pivotal role.
- The amalgamation of Can Tho, Hậu Giang, and Sóc Trăng provinces will create a vast city, offering incentives for businesses, particularly in sectors like transport infrastructure, renewable energy, and high-tech agriculture, as revealed by Can Tho's municipal People's Committee Chair, Truong Canh Tuyen.
- The relocation of the Trând Đề deep-water port from Sóc Trăng to Can Tho is a significant step in Vietnam's national seaport strategy, potentially reducing logistics costs for agricultural exports and enhancing the Mekong Delta's access to global markets.
- Can Tho's pursuit of a digitally-driven agricultural revolution is evident in the establishment of an agricultural zone and a digital economy zone in Hậu Giang, designed to promote modern farming and contribute to the wider digital economy.
- The city's Department of Finance will act as a liaison between Australian investors and local authorities, helping to establish partnerships in sectors like education and renewable energy, as highlighted by Chair Truong Canh Tuyen.
- Edwin Law, Executive Director of AusCham, expressed AusCham's desire to strengthen ties with Can Tho, recognizing its potential as the hub of the Mekong Delta and aligning with Vietnam's national development goals.
- The ambition is for these collaborations to lead to trade promotion, business-to-business links, and the support of sustainable projects that align with Can Tho's vision for growth in its various sectors, including the digital economy and high-tech agriculture.
