CAN THO – Exports of the Mekong Delta region dropped sharply in August and September 2021 due to stringent social distancing measures to curb the spread of Covid-19, Nguyen Phuong Lam, director of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) – Can Tho Branch, said at a virtual seminar on September 19.
According to the VCCI branch, the Mekong Delta exported goods worth US$1.04 billion in August and US$1.02 billion in September, some US$500-900 million less than the other months of the year.
Lam said in the third quarter of 2021, there were only 981 newly established enterprises with registered capital totaling VND19.74 trillion in the region, falling 66% and 44%, respectively, compared with the same period last year.
Data of the VCCI showed that from January to September 2021, the Mekong Delta region had only 6,109 newly established enterprises, equivalent to 34% of the figure in the same period last year. The Mekong Delta stood above only two regions – the Central Highlands and the northern mountainous region.
Over 240 enterprises in the region resumed operations in the third quarter, while 1,160 others temporarily suspended operations, closed down or registered for disbandment.
From January to September, over 7,940 enterprises in the Mekong Delta suspended operations, closed down or registered for disbandment, while some 6,100 enterprises were established.
Hau Giang, Tien Giang, An Giang, Soc Trang, Ben Tre and Vinh Long are the Mekong Delta provinces that saw the most number of newly established enterprises drop sharply, down 21-30% against the same period last year.
