HCM CITY (VNS) — The Mekong Delta, the country's agricultural hub, has seen a sharp jump in the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI), an indicator of economic governance and business environment performance, over the last three years.

The assessment was announced at a seminar held on Tuesday in the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu by the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI)'s Can Tho city branch.

The event allowed experts and local authorities to analyse the index and put forth measures to improve the business environment for better foreign investment while accelerating administrative reforms.

Reports at the seminar showed that since the PCI was set up in 2006, Mekong Delta provinces have occupied the list's top spots.

In the 2012 PCI, the Mekong Delta ranked first nationwide. Dong Thap, An Giang and Tra Vinh provinces took the lead while six other regional provinces were among the top 10.

Bac Lieu province alone witnessed rapid and firm improvement, from the 59th position in 2009 to the 7th in 2012, signalling its socio-cultural and economic development.

Experts said the improvements were thanks to the enhanced governance capacity of local authorities, helping strengthen businesses' performance while increasing flows of domestic and foreign investment into the region. — VNS