Mr Dung made this request while working with authorities from the southern province on August 11 for the implementation of socio-economic plans in the 2006-2010 period and orientations for the next five years.

He said Tay Ninh has made many achievements in various fields and ensured better living conditions for the people but can do more to ensure sustainability of the local economy, orientations for agriculture, and phase out obsolete technologies that cause pollution.

The PM requested the province specify each of its future development targets, including seeking investors for its eight industrial zones, and the ongoing cement project, and to quickly introduce the pharmaceutical chemistry to hi-tech industrial parks.

Tay Ninh province needs to apply modern technology and expedite the application of new varieties in agriculture and aquaculture, said Mr Dung.

At the same time, he suggested that the local officials better deal with social issues, with a particular focus on forest plantation and protection and maintaining social order.

During the working session, PM Dung and some senior government officials in his delegation discussed provincial proposals to build a 55km expressway connecting HCM City and Moc Bai border gate, to expand National Highway 22B, its border routes and build roads between districts and communes.

Over the past five years, Tay Ninh has recorded an average annual GDP growth rate of 14 percent and raised its per capita income to US$1,390. The province’s industrial and service values rose by 16.8 percent and 21.5 percent respectively over the reviewed period and the rate of poor households fell to just 1.5 percent.

The province has set plans for the next five years to increase its GDP by over 14 percent annually and reach more than US$2,970 in per capita income. It also plans to make 100 percent of its business and production establishments meet environmental standards.