AusCham Representatives Attend AMDER 2024 Announcement Ceremony

Ho Chi Minh City, March 27, 2025 – Representatives from the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AusCham), including President Sam Conroy, Executive Director Edwin Law, and Director David Whitehead, participated in the Announcement Ceremony of the Annual Mekong Delta Economic Report 2024 (AMDER 2024).

The event, organized by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in collaboration with the Fulbright School of Public Policy and Management (FSPPM), focused on analyzing capital sources for the Mekong Delta’s total social investment. The report highlights key challenges in mobilizing funds for development and offers policy recommendations to enhance investment strategies for the region’s economic growth.

Australian Consul-General in Ho Chi Minh City, Sarah Hooper, also spoke at the event, emphasizing Australia’s long-term commitment to supporting the sustainable and inclusive development of the Mekong Delta. She highlighted the region’s ongoing challenges, including limited infrastructure, labor shortages, climate vulnerabilities, and low public investment, which constrain its full economic potential. Drawing on Australia’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) with Vietnam, she reaffirmed Australia’s role as a committed partner in supporting initiatives that drive sustainable growth and long-term prosperity in the Mekong Delta.

According to the research team, public investment remains a crucial factor in attracting private sector participation, with private investment identified as the primary driver of sustainable growth in the Mekong Delta. The report also underscores the diminishing role of Official Development Assistance (ODA) and the increasing significance of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as a catalyst for economic expansion.

The participation of AusCham representatives in AMDER 2024 reflects the organization's engagement in economic discussions and key industry insights that shape the future of the Mekong Delta.

Download documents HERE.