Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung requested this at his April 24 visit to the northern province of Lao Cai to review the implementation of the province’s socio-economic development tasks.

He highlighted great efforts made by the provincial Party, authorities, and ethnic groups in obtaining outstanding achievements over the past five years. The province also successfully implemented the government’s resolution No 11 with high economic growth in the first quarter of the year.

The PM also urged Lao Cai to focus on reducing the poverty rate at 43 percent and increase the number of trained workers which currently includes 27 percent only.

Regarding the development of the industrial sector, the PM asked the province to fully tap its potential in mineral resources, especially copper, and apatite ores, develop hydroelectric power projects, trade and transportation services, and promote tourism activities in Sa Pa.

He urged the local authorities to continue to thrifty practices, increase budget collections, save energy, strengthen market price control, implement policies on social welfare effectively and enhance friendship, reliable and cooperative relationships with China’s localities.

Lao Cai’s provincial authorities should maintain security, ensure social orders, promote administrative reforms and organise the elections of the 13th National Assembly and People’s Council at all levels for the 2011-2016 term, Mr Dung said.

The PM and other leaders also gave opinions on solving the province’s proposals related to capital resources to speed up the progress of transport infrastructure projects, especially the Hanoi-Lao Cai highway, plant rubber trees and tobacco, develop urban areas and industrial parks and establish a community university in Lao Cai.