He said his province planned to organise activities to call for investment for the next three years. Tran Cong Chanh, chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said the province, which specialises in agriculture, had encouraged investors to pour money into bio-technology.

Authorities will help investors by resolving land-clearance issues and create favourable conditions for handing over land.

They will also work to improve infrastructure in industrial parks and clusters and the traffic network throughout the province.

Chanh said from now to 2014, about 10 key investment projects would be put into operation to mark the 14th anniversary of the establishment of the province.

Despite economic difficulties, Hau Giang enjoyed a 14 per cent growth rate in the first nine months of the year.

Revenue from exports of seafood, rice and other farm produce increased strongly during the period.

Per-capita income in the province reached an estimated VND24 million ($1,148) this year.

In the first nine months of the year, nearly 250 businesses were established with total registered capital of more than VND1.1 trillion ($52.4 million).

In addition, the province has granted investment certificates to six projects with combined registered capital of more than VND700 billion ($33.3 million).

Bordering Can Tho City, Vinh Long Province on the north, Bac Lieu Province on the south, Soc Trang Province on the east, and Kien Giang Province on the west, Hau Giang specialises in growing rice and fruit trees. It is also a centre for aquaculture, industry, trade and services.