Closing on October 21, the 3-day MDEC Forum 2011, held in the southernmost province of Ca Mau, attracted nearly 500 representatives from centrally-run ministries and sectors, chairmen of the People’s Committees of the Mekong Delta provinces and HCM City, as well as prestigious managers, experts and entrepreneurs.

Seventy reports, ideas and proposals were presented at the forum highlighting the position, advantages and potential of the Mekong Delta region with the involvement of HCM City.

The forum proposed that Mekong Delta localities need to set up a mechanism for regional connectivity in the spirit of solidarity, cooperation and support from centrally-run ministries and sectors.

A joint statement was released at the forum focusing on the need to boost the region’s development in 2012 by adopting strategies that encourage regional investment attraction schemes, expand tourism initiatives, set up an information centre for submission to the PM, and devise an action plan to cope with climate change and the sea level rise.

The forum made a breakthrough in creating closer connectivity between Mekong Delta businesses and HCM City while giving them better opportunities to promote their trademarks globally.