President Triet made the statement at a working session with local authorities on April 25, praising the great efforts by the province in socio-economic development with an annual economic growth rate of over 10 percent.

In the first quarter of the year, in spite of the impact of the financial crisis, the province’s industrial production value increased 19.5 percent compared to the same period last year and the progress of major projects has been accelerated.

He remarked that the province is on the right track and will become one of the country’s developed localities before 2020, which will boost national industrialization and modernisation.

Currently, the province and PetroVietnam are building Hon La port to transport goods for both the province and the region, especially to Laos. He emphasised that the Hon La economic zone and port is one of the highlights of the province’s economic growth rate. The projects in Hon La have not only helped the oil and gas sector develop, but also contributed to fulfilling the country’s international tasks.

He asked the province, the Ministry of Transport and Vietnam Airlines to open additional direct air routes from Dong Hoi to other localities, including HCM City, to attract both local and foreign investors and fully tap the tourism potential.

He also encouraged the province to pay due attention to reducing poverty, and improving the living conditions of ethnic minority groups.