Can Tho (VNA) - The number of well-performing businessesin the Mekong Delta increased with higher revenues and profits in 2017, accordingto a survey recently announced by the Can Tho city chapter of the VietnamChamber of Commerce and Industry.

Specifically, 38.9 percent of surveyed firms performedbetter, up 6.8 percent annually while those with stable operation accounted for47.2 percent.

Up to 63.9 percent of respondents posted higher revenues –the highest figure in the recent three years, up 20.5 percent year-on-year. Meanwhile,businesses with increased profits accounted for 57.1 percent.

The region’s gross regional development product (GRDP)growth hit 7.6 percent, higher than the country’s average of 6.81 percent.

There were 8,994 newly-established enterprises in theregion, making up over 7 percent of the country’s total, behind the southeast region(53,698), the Red River Delta (38,075), the north central and central coastal region(17,556).

As many as 1,962 businesses resumed their operations in theyear.

The surveyed showed that enterprises in farm produceaccounted for 32.5 percent, construction – real estate (13.5 percent), manufacturing-processing-apparel(24.3 percent), finance-trade-services (24.3 percent) and pharmaceuticals (5.4percent).

Well-performing firms were mostly in the fields ofprocessing for export-import, construction and real estate.

The high growth was attributable to technological adoption,workforce training, apparatus restructuring, self-sufficiency in materials andstable consumption, and improved product quality.

However, they also face challenges regarding the shortage offishery materials, climate change impacts, intense competition with ASEANmember states, and uncontrolled smuggling.

The chapter suggested firms pay attention to the fourthIndustrial Revolution, skilled workforce training, corporate governance, trademarkbuilding and management and product quality, given that the Comprehensive andProgressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership is to take effect thisyear.-VNA