State President Nguyen Minh Triet made this request while working with the province’s key leaders during his visit from June 6-7.

As one of the localities leading the nation in development with its central city of Ha Long and satellite cities of Mong Cai and Uong Bi, Quang Ninh province have seen rapid and comprehensive development in all fields, with a GDP growth rate of 12.7 percent and per capita income of US$1,330 in 2010, Mr Triet said.

The province had created a more transparent and attractive environment to investors, he said, adding that it had also recorded progress in socio-culture, with secure social welfare and improved material and spiritual lives for the people, as well maintained political security and social order.

The President, however, stressed that Quang Ninh province is still confronted with many difficulties such as poor infrastructure and weak human resources to overcome on the way to achieve strong and sustainable growth,” he said.

While working with the leaders of Vietnam Coal and Minerals Industries Group (Vinacomin), President Triet urged the coal sector to improve the existing mechanisms, especially for better management of coal prices.

The sector should pay special attention to coal planning and exploitation as the country was forecast to start importing coal next year in order to serve the nation’s long-term energy safety goal, he noted.

According to Vinacomin, the group will raise the coal consumption volume from 43 million tonnes to 55 million tonnes per year by 2015.

It will focus on exploration and exploitation activities in the northeastern coal basin, including Quang Ninh, Bac Giang and Hai Duong provinces.

During his two-day stay in Quang Ninh, President Triet visited the Nam Mau Coal Company in Uong Bi city and the Cam Pha Thermal Power Plant in Cam Pha town.

On the way to Mong Cai city, he stopped at the island district of Co To to offer flowers and incense in front of the statue of President Ho Chi Minh at his relics site.