Provincial leaders briefed Mr Trong on the results Dong Thap obtained in the past year. They said despite many difficulties, the local economy maintained a relatively high growth rate of 14.12 percent with a per capita income of more than US$770. The province’s total budget revenue also hit more than VND2,700 billion.

In addition, remarkable progress was made in administrative reform, preventing and controlling corruption and wastefulness and the political system and the provincial Party Committee leadership were improved.

Dong Thap ranked fourth in the country and first in the Mekong Delta on the provincial competitive index (PCI) as announced by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

In 2011, the province will focus on maintaining an economic growth rate of 13 percent, raising all healthcare centres to national standards, reducing the number of poor households by 2 percent and creating 30,000 new jobs.

Deputy PM Trong praised Dong Thap’s achievements, expressed his delight at its positive development and called on the province to tap its agricultural and industrial advantages and ensure border security.

Mr Trong said he hopes wished Dong Thap will continue to successfully implement the 9^th provincial Party Congress resolution.

The Party and State will pay greater attention to Mekong Delta provinces this year including Dong Thap. Construction work on the Cao Lanh and Vam Con bridges will start in the middle of the year which will give fresh impetus to future growth in the region, said Mr Trong.