Having heard the provincial leaders’ reports on their preparations for Party congresses, including draft political reports, operational reviews of the 2006-2010 term, personnel plans and congress resolutions, Mr Sang basically agreed on the presented contents.

Mr Sang praised the achievements the provincial Party Committees have reaped during the 2006-2010 term, citing the gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates of 13.6 percent of Gia Lai; 15.1 percent of Dak Nong; 12.3 percent of Phu Yen; 12.8 percent of Quang Nam; 14.5 percent of Kon Tum; and 18.5 percent of Quang Ngai.

The provinces have made progress in cultural and social affairs, improving the quality of human resources, reducing the number of poor households, mobilising investment sources, ensuring political stability and security, and promoting foreign affairs, he said.

However, the Party official pointed out shortcomings facing the provinces such as small-scale economy, poor living conditions of people and low tax collection, despite their advantages in terms of location, natural resources, land, tourism and sea-borne economy.

Mr Sang asked the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai to pour investment into developing traffic systems, create an open investment environment and facilitate businesses’ efforts to expand production, along with speeding up the building of Pleiku, An Khe, Ayun Pa and Chu Se economic zones.

For the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong, Mr Sang suggested it further foster the development of the supporting industry as well as the forestry and mining sectors combined with the protection of the environment and protective forests. Dak Nong should also focus on developing human resources and vocational training to meet the requirements in the new period, he said.

Working with Phu Yen authorities, Mr Sang said the province needs to step up the application of scientific and technological advances to production and reduce the export of raw natural resources.

Phu Yen must take solutions to scale up industries, enhance competitiveness, promote marine tourism and make the best of its coastal location in a bid to reach the socio-economic targets in the next tenure, he added.

The Party official requested the central province of Quang Nam to allocate more investment to reduce the number of poor households and support the sustainable development in its eight mountainous districts.

He also urged Quang Nam to effectively perform the Party and State policies on agriculture, farmers and rural areas, and take measures to correct shortcomings related to the planning work.

While working with the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum, Mr Sang emphasised the need to save natural resources and speed up poverty reduction. The province must uphold the strength of national solidarity, enhance the leadership and combat capacity of the Party Committees and improve the management efficiency of the administrations at all levels, he noted.

During the working session with the central province of Quang Ngai, Mr Sang proposed the province pay due attention to management of natural resources and the environment.

In addition to accomplishing its socio-economic growth targets, Quang Ngai needs to make greater efforts in response to climate change, the Party official stressed.

While agreeing on most of the personnel plans, Mr Sang asked the provinces to accelerate the training of female, young and ethnic minority officials.