Duong Nghia Hiep, deputy director of the city's Department of Industry and Trade, said milling, polishing, and packaging plants of international standard would be set up to increase rice exports to demanding markets like the EU, Japan, and North America from 17 per cent of total exports last year to 22 per cent this year.

The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho plans to focus investment in the three key sectors of rice, seafood, and garments, which are also its biggest exporters.

The remaining 78 per cent of exports would be targeted at Asian markets like China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea.

A view of Vo Van Kiet Street in Can Tho City. The city aims to attract investment into three main export sectors: rice, seafood and garments. — VNA/VNS Photo Duy Khuong

The city hopes for increase overall exports to one million tonnes worth US$412 million, he said.

Can Tho will grow 1.4 million tonnes of the grain, of which half will be earmarked for exports. It will buy another 550,000 tonnes from provinces like Kien Giang, An Giang and Dong Thap for processing.

The city will reduce exports of raw seafood and instead seek to sell quality processed seafood.

It will buy tiger prawn and tra fish from Ca Mau, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, An Giang and Dong Thap for processing.

It will foster co-operation between local businesses to enhance production and exports.

High technology will be obtained for processing and preservation of seafood to improve competitiveness and meet the requirements of buyers in Asia, North America and Europe.

Can Tho targets exports of 160,000 tonnes of seafood this year for $485 million.

In the garment sector, plants nearly Rach Ngong 2 bridge and Tra Noc I Industrial Park will be upgraded, 6,500 new sewing machines will be bought, and 3,000 workers will be trained to produce items with high demand – like shorts, sweatpants, shirts, vests, jackets, and sweaters.

The garments thus produced will be of improved quality and reasonable priced./.

By VNF