Mr Trong, who is also deputy head of the sub-committee for the political programme of the congress, visited Thuong Xuan mountain district where he examined a programme for agricultural and rural modernisation, the use of State capital, local difficulties and future proposals.  

He also looked at the implementation of the Party’s resolutions on agriculture, rural development and farmers; increasing the combative spirit of Party organisations; the role of the leaders of local Party organisations; and the results of the campaign “Studying and following late President Ho Chi Minh’s moral examples.”

It was reported that in 2009 the district achieved a GDP growth rate of 12 percent, and the poverty rate dropped to 15 percent from more than 50 percent a decade ago.

Major socio-economic development programmes in ethnic and disadvantaged areas were carried out on schedule, helping reduce the poverty rate. Sugarcane cultivation also generated more jobs and increased farmers’ incomes.

Mr Trong voiced his support for the development of key economic areas in districts, and said Thanh Hoa should offer incentives to districts to develop other cash crops, following the success story of the sugarcane.

Mr Trong visited the Cua Dat irrigation and hydro-electric power project and the Veam automobile assembling plant using technology from the Republic of Korea. The plant, which started operation several months ago, has churned out more than 300 units, generating many jobs for local people.

On January 10, the NA Chairman held a working session with the provincial leaders who proposed making clear theoretical issues related to the socialist-oriented market economy, the main role of the State economy and the finalisation of institutions to develop markets, particularly the labour market.

Mr Trong affirmed the correctness of the socialist-oriented market economy that Vietnam has been pursuing, with the aim of developing the economy and promoting social equality to benefit all people.

He asked Thanh Hoa to speed up the campaign of “Studying and Following late President Ho Chi Minh’s moral example”, care for social welfare beneficiaries and preserve the cultural identity of ethnic groups in the province.

He also encouraged the province to prepare thoroughly for grassroots-level Party congresses in the lead up to the provincial Party Congress in 2010.