(VOVworld) – A forum gathering businesses from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh city and the Mekong Delta opened in Vinh Long province on Tuesday.

The Mekong Delta now has more than 50,000 businesses operating in the areas of agriculture, fisheries and tourism. Their common problem is a lack of funding and management capacity. Delegates agreed that in addition to government support, one of the best solutions would be to establish links between regional businesses and those in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city. Delegates from both cities said that they were willing to help businesses in the Mekong Delta improve their management capacity and personnel training. Le Minh Truong, Director of the Hau River Food Company said that the local administration was a decisive factor in consolidating the links between businesses and farmers. He said: “Only the local administration can encourage farmers to develop high-yield rice fields and sell to businesses. It can also cooperate with businesses in arranging the means of transportation during harvest time, which is important in ensuring the quality of their products.”