He urged the Can Tho authorities to have a reformist vision, take a more proactive approach and become a reliable companion so that enterprises are willing to invest their money, technology and future in the city.
The government leader said that Can Tho is endowed with favourable natural conditions for rice and fruit cultivation as well as aquaculture, and asked the city to upgrade the processing industry in order to add more value to its products and take part in the global value chain.
PM Phuc emphasised that a resurgent Can Tho will provide inspiration for the entire Mekong Delta region, noting that Can Tho was dubbed the “western metropolis” nearly 100 years ago, reflecting its influence as a regional economic and cultural centre.
Can Tho is currently a city of 1.5 million people with the income per capita expected to reach VND81 million (US$3,400) in 2018.
The city’s connections are expected to be greatly enhanced when the Trung Luong - My Thuan - Can Tho Expressway is completed, halving the travel time to Ho Chi Minh City to 90 minutes.
PM Phuc noted that, in addition to the good transport infrastructure, Can Tho’s business environment is also improving with better administrative reform and public governance indexes.
He added that Can Tho should continue its daring spirit and deal with difficulties facing investors so that they can quickly make investments in the city.
At the conference, Can Tho signed investment cooperation agreements worth nearly VND85 trillion (US$3.57 billion) with 19 investors and granted investment licences to 10 enterprises.
