Can Tho Investment Environment to Be Improved and Transparent

After 10 months of operation, the Centre has recorded encouraging achievements. The Centre has participated in almost all major trade fairs held in Can Tho, Hanoi, An Giang, Nha Trang, etc. At the trade fairs, the Centre introduced typical products of Can Tho, high quality agricultural and aquatic products processed by factories in Can Tho, unique tourist products of the region, and achievements and potentials of the city highly valued by the participants. Can Tho and related provinces and enterprises have greatly promoted business activities of the enterprises.

 

 The Centre, in conjunction with Can Tho International Exhibition and Trade Fair Company, organized the forum “Calling for investments in Can Tho” in April 2007; together with Can Tho Tourism Department organized the seminar “Mekong Delta tourism for Vietnam Tourism Year 2008” and participated in the seminar “Vietnam-China Cooperation for Trade and Investment.”

 

The Centre has organized business delegations to conduct market surveys in Australia (March 2007), a market survey and seminar in Taiwan (June 2007), and a market survey to promote investments with the US (September 6-15, 2007). As a result, Can Tho businesses have established cooperation with partners in those countries. By the end of this year, a business mission will be sent to Santou (China) for market survey and seminar.

 

The Centre has issued 2,000 copies of a VCD entitled “Can Tho potentials and opportunities for Trade and Investment,” 2000 copies of the book “Can Tho Investment Potentials and Opportunities 2007-2008” in English and Vietnamese, and 1,500 copies of “Trade potentials and opportunities”. In cooperation with the EU Assistance Programme for Private Sector and Can Tho Department of Planning and Investment, the Centre has drafted the project for a “Centre for complete service and land formalities,” together with VCCI Can Tho Branch convened a meeting of Mekong PC in May 2007, and participated in Mekong Delta Economic Forum for WTO accession held in HCMC in June 22007.

From now to the end of the year, the Centre will have such programmes as the Tourism Trade Fair (October 2007) and Can Tho International Agricultural Fair (December 2007). Together with the Planning and Investment Department, Trade Department, and Vinh Long Trade and Investment Promotion Centre, the Centre will organize a seminar in Ho Chi Minh City in mid-October 2007 to promote trade and investment with Taiwan. It plans to organize a seminar in China in December 2007 to expand the market and call for investment in Can Tho. In close cooperation with the Tourism Department, the Centre will promote financial support for Tourism Year 2008 in Can Tho.

 

In coordination with Can Tho Radio and Television, the Centre will launch the promotion programme “1,2,3 week-end shopping” introducing commercial and tourist centres in Can Tho, and encourage businesses participating in programme “Business self-introduction”.

 

I think the following steps must be taken: One, the investment environment must be transparent, including land policy, infrastructure, projects, administrative reform, etc. Transparency will improve the investment environment, credibility for investors and especially commitments to WTO. It will also bring back consensus among related agencies, expedite negotiation and minimize difficulties.

 

Two, infrastructure development must be accelerated. City authorities should focus on key projects in communication and transport, housing, hospital so as attract more investments into the city.

 

Three, potential investors must be sought for specific areas, based on the city’s development strategy for 10 or 20 years, without over-expanding investment.

 

Four, investment related offices should be reinforced, and considered as brokers to meet the demand of investors. They may include the Departments of Planning and Investment, Construction, Natural Resources and Environment, IZ, Taxation, and Customs. To this end, administrative reform must be accelerated to simplify formalities and upgrade the staff.