VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung asked Thai Nguyen province to make full use of its advantages in industry and human resources to promote socio-economic development in the region and to transform the province into one of Vietnam ’s major economic, educational and training centres.

Photo: VOV

The PM held a working session with Thai Nguyen’s leaders during his new-year visit to the province on January 14.

PM Dung heaped praise on the province’s comprehensive achievements in all areas during 2008, including the posting of a GDP growth rate of 11.4 percent, a 66.3 percent increase in exports and 4.5 percent increase in agriculture.

Regarding the province’s tasks for 2009, the PM said that Thai Nguyen – a major centre for ore mining, metallurgy, construction materials and supporting industries – should focus its efforts on providing support to the province’s businesses in maintaining production levels, generating sales and providing jobs for local workers.

He asked the province to create an attractive investment environment in order to attract a range of economic sectors to contribute to local industrial development and a restructuring of local industry.

Thai Nguyen should invest in infrastructure development and establish industrial zones in combination with developing its urban centres, he said, adding that provincial authorities also need to link historical site refurbishment plans to the development of its tourist industry and investigate measures to restructure the rural economy.

Thai Nguyen Party Committee Secretary Ngo Van Vuong said this year, his province is aiming to post a GDP growth rate of at least 11 percent, achieve a per capita income of more than 14 million VND, reduce the number of poor households by 2.5 percent and create jobs for 16,000 local residents.

PM Dung visited the Command of Military Zone No. 1 and the former revolutionary base of Dinh Hoa. He made offerings of incense at the Ho Chi Minh memorial and presented gifts to a number ò local families in Phu Dinh Commune, Dinh Hoa District.

(Source: VNA)