Dong Thap Leaders Meet Businesses at the Start of the Year - New Confidence, New Opportunities

(DTO) On the afternoon of February 25 (the 9th day of the Lunar New Year), at the Sen Hong Hall in Cao Lanh Ward, the Dong Thap Provincial People’s Committee held a 2026 gathering with local businesses and outstanding young entrepreneurs.

The event took place in the enthusiastic atmosphere of the Year of the Horse, offering a chance for provincial leaders to meet, listen, share, and reaffirm their commitment to accompanying the business community in a new phase of development following the recent administrative merger.

Attending the meeting were Phan Van Thang, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dong Thap Province; Pham Thanh Ngai, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee; members of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee; leaders of the Provincial People’s Council, People’s Committee, and Fatherland Front Committee; leaders of departments and agencies; along with more than 130 representatives from business associations, clubs, banks, enterprises, and outstanding young startups across the province.

The meeting aimed to review Dong Thap’s socio-economic performance in 2025, outline objectives for 2026, and create an open dialogue platform between authorities and enterprises as the province reorganizes its development space after the administrative merger.

2025 was defined as a year of “dual tasks”: maintaining economic growth while restructuring the governmental apparatus and operating a two-tier local administration model. Despite global economic uncertainties, Dong Thap maintained a stable growth trajectory with GRDP rising 7.38%, ranking 2nd in the Mekong Delta and 23rd nationwide, higher than the 6.75% achieved in 2024, though slightly below the planned target of 8%.

In 2025, the province recorded 2,790 newly established enterprises, exceeding the target by 55% and increasing 75.1% year-on-year; attracted 52 new investment projects, including 14 FDI projects, up 85.7%; total budget revenue reached VND 24.2 trillion, up 12.1%; and export turnover reached USD 9.28 billion, fulfilling 100.87% of the annual plan.

These figures reflect the significant efforts of the entire political system and the vital contributions of the business community amid numerous challenges.

Speaking at the event, Chairman Pham Thanh Ngai emphasized that Dong Thap is a land rich in patriotic tradition, blessed with an advantageous geographical location and abundant freshwater sources from the Tien and Hau rivers, a solid foundation for sustainable agricultural development.

Following the administrative merger, the province’s development space has expanded, forming one of the Mekong Delta’s largest fruit-producing regions and strengthening its competitiveness in the agricultural value chain.

Alongside its agricultural advantages, the province is increasingly attracting businesses to its developing industrial parks and clusters. This provides an opportunity to diversify its economic structure, promote industry and services, create jobs, and increase budget revenue.

The Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee acknowledged frankly that although the province’s 2025 growth rate did not reach the 8% target, the achieved 7.38% in a year filled with challenges was still an encouraging result. It reflected the strong engagement of all administrative levels and the continuous partnership of the business community.

Chairman Pham Thanh Ngai expressed his deep appreciation for the solidarity, resilience, and efforts of local enterprises throughout the province’s development journey.

In the coming period, the province will focus on reviewing and adjusting planning, restructuring its development space following the administrative merger, and formulating new master plans to create momentum for the new Dong Thap to grow rapidly and sustainably.

For 2026, the province has set targets of 8-8.5% GRDP growth, 10 billion USD in export turnover, the establishment of 3,000 new enterprises, and 20 new cooperatives.

Amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution and significant fluctuations in global markets, the Chairman urged businesses to proactively innovate, transform production methods, apply science and technology, accelerate digital transformation, and strengthen governance and competitiveness to adapt to the new business landscape.

He emphasized that the startup movement must continue to be nurtured, serving as a vital foundation for promoting rural economic growth.

The Chairman also requested departments, sectors, and localities to continue supporting businesses with concrete solutions and practical models, timely removing obstacles rather than stopping at slogans.

At the same time, businesses must continuously innovate, enhance competitiveness, and actively integrate to join the province in achieving its growth goals in the new period.

During the gathering, representatives of businesses offered thoughtful recommendations on planning transparency, access to capital, and high-quality workforce training, and proposed that the province facilitate smoother access to enterprise support policies.

Provincial leaders affirmed that they would fully consider these proposals and direct agencies to resolve administrative bottlenecks arising after the merger.

At the close of the meeting, provincial leaders presented spring gifts to outstanding enterprises and young entrepreneurs. The event was not only an early-year gathering but also a strong affirmation of a facilitating government, which stands alongside the business community to build a rapidly developing, sustainable, and prosperous Dong Thap in the new era.
 By MY LY
Translated by ANH DUC