After five years being a centrally governed city, Can Tho was recognised as the first grade urban zone by the Prime Minister. The city has asserted its role and position as the heart of the Mekong Delta region.
High growth
Over the past five years, Can Tho City has obtained many important socioeconomic achievements. Its economic growth rate highly averaged 15.6 per cent per annum. In agriculture, the production value on a hectare of land was VND62.3 million as of the end of 2008 and added value was nearly VND42 million. The proportion of fishery in agriculture soared from 15.9 per cent in 2003 to nearly 33 per cent in 2008. In service, commercial and service enterprises diversified their business to handle more goods and serve more customers. Export revenues of the city expanded 28.5 per cent per annum on average, accounting for 15.6 per cent in the Mekong Delta region. Tourism activities were significantly developed and diversified. Especially, in 2008, Can Tho successfully hosted the national tourism year, called Can Tho - Mekong 2008, which left a deep impression on visitors touring Can Tho and the Mekong Delta region. Credit and banking systems were continued being developed with more products and services to serve the production, business and consumption of the people.
Economic growth has lifted the development of infrastructure. Major works like Cai Cui Port, Can Tho Port Complex, O Mon thermal power plant, Can Tho International Airport, Can Tho Bridge, universities and traffic systems are being built to give a brighter facelift to the city.
Toward 2020
The Can Tho Department of Planning and Investment said as of end April 2009, the city had 43 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects with total registered capital of US$732.8 million, in which over US$127.5 million was disbursed, accounting for 17.4 per cent. Foreign-invested projects created stable jobs for some 5,000 people. At present, 24 FDI projects are operating and they made a combined estimated turnover of S$78.9 million in the first four months of 2009, including US$14.2 million from export and US$64.7 million from domestic sales. They paid US$850,000 to the State coffers. This demonstrated the attractiveness of the city to investors.
Can Tho City expects its average GDP growth at 18 per cent per annum from now until 2020. Particularly, agriculture, forestry and fishery will account for 3.7 per cent; industry and construction, 53,8 per cent; and service, 42.5 per cent. Per capita GDP will exceed US$4,600 per annum.
Can Tho will focus its resources to advance economic and social infrastructure development and urban infrastructure modernisation. It will implement the Resolution 26-NQ/TW of the Central Party on agriculture, farmers and countryside to give a facelift to urban agricultural production and high-quality technology.
Thanh Thao
Vietnamese
