The problems, including adverse environmental impact, are hindering the economic growth of the region’s IPs, which lag behind those in the Red River Delta and the rest of the southeastern region.

Currently, the Mekong River Delta’s 20 IPs cover an area of 3,645ha. Of them, investors have rented only 810ha in IPs, or 33 percent of the total land of the region’s IPs.

Over the past 20 years, the region’s IPs have attracted more than US$2 billion, accounting for 2.9 percent of the country’s total FDI.

However, most IPs lack a master plan and have few qualified workers.

Under a development plan for the region through 2020, the region’s IPs will be expanded to 50,000ha, or one percent of the region’s land area, to ensure farmland for food security.