Technical meetings for Mekong Annual Economic Report 2021

After the first edition of Mekong Annual Economic report in 2020, Fulbright School of Public Policy and Management continued to take part in 2021 publication. The report is the contributions of leading economic and public policy experts in Vietnam under the auspices of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and FSPPM.

VCCI Can Tho and FSPPM have recently met at Can Tho to listen to opinions and insights from economists, policy experts, entrepreneurs to set down the fundamental framework for 2021 report.

Based on suggestions and discussion of experts and entrepreneurs, 2021 report is grounded on 3 interlocking topics: assessment of integrated regional planning for Mekong Delta until 2030 and towards 2050, agricultural transformation models for the delta and how to develop transportation infrastructure in conjunction with agricultural transformation. The report is expected to provide empirical bases for central leaders to identify strengths and weaknesses as well as opportunities and challenges facing the delta. These understandings are expected to help policy makers identify strategic prioritises and timelines for delta planning in the next 10 years.

 

 

Dr. Vu Thanh Tu Anh, Dean of Fulbright School of Public Policy and Management noted that 2021 report will focus on tackling bottlenecks impeding delta's growth and serve as the foundation for more profound policy research in the future. The editorial board suggests a series of seminars be organized before the official launch of the report in November 2021.

Annual Economic Report of Mekong Delta is first introduced in 2020 and is the first comprehensive effort to research an economic region within Vietnam. Mekong Delta is viewed as one big region due to the homogenity among different localities within the delta as well as its relative independence. Research inquiries into the delta aims to design and test unique institutions for economic regions in Vietnam.

In the past period, decrees issued by the Party and National Assemblies fail to take into account the growth realities of the delta. Sluggish implementation of these decrees and policies are impeding economic-social development. On top of that, climate change are wreaking havoc to region as well.

 

 

In 2014, the Prime Minister issued Decision no. 245/QĐ-TTg approving the master plan to develop economic and social conditions for Mekong Delta Key Economic Zone (including Can Tho, Ca Mau, An Giang and Kien Giang) until 2020 and towards 2030. The decree identified the Key Zone as the center for food production, aquaculture, fruit industries playing a vital role in national food security and agricultural exports. Decree no. 120/NQ-CP by the government on preparing Mekong Delta to cope with climate change issued in 2017 once again confirmed the crucial status of Mekong Delta.

Until recently, the effect of these policies are not yet obvious, thus increasing the vulnerability of the delta when confronting with adverse external threats, e.g. climate change and upstream dams. Bad crop practices are also posing internal threats and accelerating the degradation of living environments.

Mekong Delta Annual Report by VCCI and FSPPM are governed by 3 guiding principles: independence, evidence-based and timely. The report is expected to be a valuable reference framework for central and local policy makers as well as entrepreneur community, foreign and domestic investors.

• Thuy Hang