In his ongoing visit to one of the poorest provinces in the country since December 21, the President said that although the province has made some progresses in certain socio-economic aspects, the average income, especially of people living in remote areas is still low, was low and annual tax collections of the province are far below what it spent.

The State President agreed that the provincial plan for socio-economic development next year should focus on developing the industrial and service sectors, shifting traditional crops to cash crops and taking advantage of sea-based economic potential.

He emphasised the need to ensure rapid economic growth for the province but the authorities also needed to take effective measures to attract foreign investment.

Social programmes to reduce poverty and eradicate hunger as well as training of local governmental staff must also be carried out systematically.

Mr Triet took note of the province’s efforts to achieve 13 of its 16 objectives in the 2006 socio-economic development plan. Living standards of the people had been increased while the political stability and social order of the province had been well maintained.

Provincial authorities asked the Government to allocate US$246 million from the State budget to the construction of provincial transport and irrigation systems during 2007-2010.