In his opening speech, Mr. Nguyen Phuong Lam, Director of Can Tho VCCI, stated that the annual meeting of VCCI Can Tho's members is held in March every year; Additionally, he believes that this year's meeting is an opportunity for VCCI Can Tho and the Business Association to meet and exchange with businesses and government agencies in the region; they can together review the outstanding issues of Vietnam's economy in the past year; policies that impact business operations; and hear the assessments of experts about the domestic and international economic situation. Especially, they will focus on the prominent issues that impact the Mekong Delta business community after the COVID-19 pandemic period and the unpredictable changes in the global political and economic situation. The theme of the 2023 Entrepreneur Meeting in the Mekong Delta is "Building a Business Culture for Sustainable Development," which is essential to help businesses strengthen their internal resources, and create a strong push to overcome all obstacles and challenges. Mr. Nguyen Phuong Lam hopes that this theme will help members update information, identify opportunities and challenges in the coming time, and contribute to helping businesses have more information and appropriate operational directions for each business.

Mr. Nguyen Phuong Lam, Director of Can Tho VCCI, delivered the opening speech

During the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Van Hong, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho City, warmly welcomed the businesses from the Mekong Delta region to the meeting. The Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho city stated that, in order to serve the overall economic development of the region and Can Tho city as the regional center, Can Tho city actively and positively cooperates to contribute to improving the infrastructure system to serve production activities in the region. This is evident in the investment project to build the Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang expressway and the component project of the North-South East Highway in the period of 2021-2025, crossing through Can Tho city and Hau Giang province. At the same time, the city is urgently renovating and expanding its major transportation routes and networks to facilitate better market access for investors and businesses to engage in commercial activities, goods, and services.

In 2023, the People's Committee of Can Tho city expects VCCI Can Tho to promote the development of local entrepreneurs, businesses, and business associations. Specifically, VCCI Can Tho should give interested in training courses for associations and businesses on skills to meet the new requirements of the integrating economy. At the same time, VCCI Can Tho should aim to build a spirit of Vietnamese entrepreneurship ethics within the network of business leaders, step-by-step creating a strong brand for the Mekong Delta region and a national brand. Research will be conducted to propose a regional linkage mechanism to create strength for the Mekong Delta region, in which the opinions of the business community will play the most important role. Expanding cooperation and linkages for domestic and international trade and investment to create new markets, generate employment, and help businesses overcome the difficulties of 2023. VCCI will continue to be an important factor in building a favorable business environment, and promoting local economic growth, and sustainable development. They will pursue the theme of sustainable development, such as the Green Index, which has been announced to create an important foundation for VCCI to advise Can Tho city in becoming a center of economic activity, a pioneer, and accompanying other provinces in environmental protection and climate change adaptation activities in the region

The Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho city also thanked the local business community for their efforts to create jobs and products for the regional economy to overcome the challenges in 2022.

The meeting program consisted of two discussion sessions with the themes: Looking back at the economy in 2022 and scenarios for 2023 - opportunities and challenges for businesses; Businesses adapting to the new situation and stories of entrepreneurs in building a business culture.

On this occasion, the Chairman of VCCI Vietnam presented Certificates of Commendation to the businesses that had achieved remarkable results in overcoming the difficulties during the COVID-19 period in 2022; and awarded certificates to new members of the association in 2022 batch 2.

The speakers at the discussion session.