Speaking at the meeting, the Party leader said over the past more than 30 years, the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) has made constant efforts in developing the oil and gas industry into a powerful and comprehensive economic sector, greatly contributing to the State budget and promoting sustainable economic development.

Mr Manh heard PetroVietnam leaders’ reports on its business operations in 2006 and its tasks for 2007 in relation to the development strategy of the oil and gas industry.

The Party leader highly valued remarkable achievements recorded by the sector over the past year. He stressed that the oil and gas industry must be a spearhead economic sector in the cause of national industrialization and modernization.

He praised PetroVietnam for success fully developing its detailed programmes for its sustainable development.

Mr Manh emphasized that it is very important to carry out these programmes. He asked PetroVietnam to focus on training its staff and developing human resources, thus improving the material and spiritual lives of workers.

The fact that the Vietnam Oil and Gas Corporation has become the national Oil and Gas Group is of great significance, marking its new development step after 30 years of development and affirming the sector’s role in the national economy, he stressed.

The Party leader also called on PetroVietnam to actively and effectively take part in the movement “studying and following the late President Ho Chi Minh’s moral example”.