Can Tho (VNA)꧅ – French businesses were invited to invest in 57 projects worth over 7.1 million USD in various fields from health care, environment, agriculture and tourism to industrial park infrastructure, seaport and logistics, in Vietnam during a workshop in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on September 15.

The event shapes part of the 10th conference on cooperation between Vietnamese and French localities being held in Can Tho to introduce investment opportunities in 35 cities and provinces across Vietnam. It helps businesses popularise their preferential policies and key projects to attract Vietnamese and French investors, said Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Truong Quang Hoai Nam . According to the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI)’s chapter in Can Tho, as of September 2016, France ran 469 projects worth 3.43 billion USD in Vietnam , ranking 16 th among 116 countries and territories investing in Vietnam . Particularly, the Mekong Delta drew 22 French projects with a total registered capital of nearly 115 million USD, of which Can Tho lured six projects worth 6.3 million USD. Deputy Director of the VCCI Can Tho chapter Nguyen Phuong Lam said the Mekong Delta is dubbed the largest agricultural hub nationwide, making up over 40 percent of the country’s output. Such staples as rice and seafood account for 56 percent and 57 percent of the nation’s output, respectively, he said, adding that the region has also established export value chains of products earning over 1 billion USD each, including rice, tra fish and shrimp. He highlighted the delta’s advantages such as strong economic growth, ideal investment environment, perfect transport infrastructure and connectivity, abundant labour resources, and developing agriculture and seafood. The region is also home to 17 million of consumers, he said, referring to climate change adaptation as an attractive field to foreign investors. Chairman of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam Nicolas Du Pasquier said Vietnam's Mekong Delta is one of the regions to bear the most brunt of environmental changes, adding that French businesses could share a plenty of experience to cope with the issue. Health care is also strength of France , he said, noting that the European country has sold a lot of medical equipment and products to local hospitals. Regarding agriculture, the French Agricultural Research for Development (CIRAD) has supported the Mekong Delta to find effective ways to raise catfish, thus helping Vietnam become one of the most successful catfish breeders, he said. He pledged to accompany Vietnamese business players and localities to enhance the bilateral trade, especially when the two countries are preparing to ratify the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Union.-VNA