Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai has instructed relevant ministries and agencies to propose special mechanisms and policies to tap the potential and strength of the Mekong Delta to further develop the region.

Chairing the first meeting of the coordinating council for the Mekong Delta region, held in Bac Lieu province on September 27, Deputy Prime Minister Khai said the Mekong Delta has an important strategic position but difficulties and challenges remain, with it failing to tap its potential and strengths.

The region’s economic scale remains small, accounting for 12 per cent of Vietnam’s GDP. Economic growth is not stable and infrastructure falls short of development demands.

Deputy Prime Minister Khai urged ministries, sectors, and regional localities to take specific action to improve the operational efficiency of the regional coordinating council.

He also urged localities to effectively implement master planning for the Mekong Delta region in the 2021-2030 period with a vision to 2050, approved by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, for green and sustainable development in the region.

They were also required to study and propose mechanisms and policies to further develop the region and promote regional connections, and to complete and implement regional programs and projects.

In July and August, Prime Minister Chinh signed decisions on the establishment of coordinating councils for six regions in the country: the Red River Delta region, the North Central and Central Coast region, the Southeast Region, the Central Highlands Region, the Mekong Delta region, and the Northern Midland and Mountainous region.

The councils are responsible for coordinating linking activities for regional socio-economic and infrastructure development, with priority given to transport infrastructure. They are also to study and propose the formation of funds for regional infrastructure development.