Ben Tre - Eastern vision and potential for sustainable development

DNHN - Ben Tre's Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) in 2023 saw a significant improvement, climbing six spots from 13th in 2022 to 7th place, positioning it 3rd out of 13 provinces in the Mekong Delta region.

"With the highest determination to realize development goals, Bến Tre has continuously improved and enhanced the quality of its investment and business environment, creating the most favorable conditions for businesses to confidently invest and execute projects in the province," affirmed Mr. Trần Ngọc Tam, Chairman of the Bến Tre People's Committee, at the Bến Tre Investment Promotion Conference 2024. The event, themed “Bến Tre - Eastern Vision and Potential for Sustainable Development,” took place on the morning of October 3, 2024, in Bến Tre.

Driven by the aspiration and development philosophy of "internal resources as the foundation and external forces as the breakthrough," Bến Tre has completed its provincial planning, which was approved by the Prime Minister under Decision No. 1399 on November 17, 2023. This is a crucial foundation for realizing the province's socio-economic development objectives, with a focus on the Eastern direction, highlighted by the coastal road. This road is particularly significant for connecting transportation networks from Ho Chi Minh City – Long An – Tiền Giang – Bến Tre – Trà Vinh – Sóc Trăng – Bạc Liêu, forming part of both the national road network and the province's planning for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, also approved by the Prime Minister.

Another highlight is the coastal land reclamation project, covering approximately 50,000 hectares, which reflects the province’s ambitious development vision. This project will expand development space and boost the marine economy through breakthroughs in industries such as renewable and clean energy, high-tech aquaculture, maritime economics (shipping, logistics), and green urban services and tourism. These efforts will lay the groundwork for Bến Tre to achieve its goal of becoming a prosperous and livable province by 2050.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Hòa Bình praised Bến Tre’s continuous efforts and development. “I highly appreciate the determination and aspirations of the entire political system and the people of Bến Tre. The wind power projects built in a previously challenging region are a symbol of new vitality and momentum, promising to become a driving force for the province's socio-economic development,” he remarked.

At the conference, Mr. Hideki Tanaka, Special Advisor to the Ehime Prefectural Government of Japan, shared that Ehime Prefecture, located in the Shikoku region of Western Japan with a population of about 1.3 million, focuses its foreign economic relations on sectors where it has strengths, such as the environment, agriculture, and fisheries. He emphasized that Ehime's advanced technologies in areas like high-efficiency energy-saving industrial boilers, combined-efficiency septic tank systems, and high-efficiency biogas recovery from industrial wastewater would contribute to solving local issues in Bến Tre.

“We see great potential for developing new products through collaboration between food processing companies in Ehime and Bến Tre, especially in applying environmental technologies, which is one of Ehime’s strengths. Compared to Ho Chi Minh City, Bến Tre offers an abundant labor force with competitive wages, so we expect more skilled interns to be sent from Bến Tre to work in Ehime,” Mr. Tanaka added.

A representative from Tỷ Thành Co., Ltd. also pointed out that Bến Tre has an advantage in human resources and a growing middle-class population of nearly 1.3 million, making it an attractive market for foreign investors. Furthermore, the province's stable socio-economic situation, streamlined administrative procedures, and reduced informal costs are key factors that continue to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises, with over 90% expressing satisfaction. Additionally, Bến Tre benefits from low labor costs, with over 65% of its workforce being well-trained and possessing high levels of education. Currently, the province hosts 68 FDI projects, mainly focusing on high-value-added agricultural and aquatic processing, textiles, electronics, mechanical engineering, high-tech industrial support products, medical equipment, biotech products, and new building materials.

With the highest commitment to development goals, Bến Tre has continuously improved its PCI. Alongside implementing policies to support and attract investment, the province has made comprehensive administrative reforms, incorporating information technology to create the most favorable conditions for investors.

“We are confident that with specific, practical, and feasible policies to attract investment, coupled with the determined efforts of the entire political system, the support of the people, and the business community, Bến Tre will become a successful, reliable investment destination and create impressive breakthroughs in the coming period,” Chairman Trần Ngọc Tam reiterated.

At the conference, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Bến Tre People's Committee and 20 strategic investors, and investment policy decisions and investment registration certificates were awarded to five projects. These agreements serve as the foundation for investors to focus on research and preparation before deciding to invest in Bến Tre.

Uyen Nhi - Phuoc Lap