During the reviewed period, defence-economic zones have been established along the borderline from the northern to central and southern regions under the Prime Minister’s instructions.

Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh said to increase the efficiency of such zones in the coming years priority should be given to developing small-sized projects in villages and hamlets along the borderline with the aim of reducing hunger and poverty there.

Addressing the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung praised army units for successfully carrying out tasks of economic development in combination with national defence activities to help stabilize local people’s lives and promote the all people’s defence model. He said army units should take full advantage of the country’s 4,500km long borderline to speed up the building and development of these zones.