PM Dung told the provincial authorities to focus on coal mining, ship building, thermal power, cement, tourism and border gate economy during his working visit to Quang Ninh on May 21.

Accordingly, the province needs to coordinate with the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group to build thermal power plants so as to turn Quang Ninh into a major thermal power centre of the country, Mr. Dung said.

The province should create favourable conditions for businesses to invest in tourism services, the Hai Ha seaport-industrial park, the Van Don economic zone as well as aquaculture, the PM added.

The PM also reminded the province of paying attention to protecting the environment, healthcare services and training human resources.

He also visited a factory of the Quang Trung Engineering Enterprise in Uong Bi city, which supplies the domestic market with about 1,000 cranes a year.

Quang Ninh had recently submitted to the government a project to build the Van Don and Mong Cai-Hai Ha economic zones, along with other major transport projects.

Provincial officials briefed the government leader on preparations for the elections to the 13th National Assembly and People’s Councils for the 2011-16 term, which was scheduled for May 22. 

In 2010, the province obtained a GDP growth rate of 12.7 percent with its economy growing by 1.8 times over 2005 in line with the National Sea Strategy till 2020.

In the first five months of this year, Quang Ninh continued obtaining remarkable achievements in socio-economic development, with its industrial production value rising 8.8 percent year on year and its budget collection increasing by 19 percent.

The province has strictly implemented the Government’s Resolution 11 on controlling inflation, stablising macroeconomy and ensuring social welfare.