After more than three years of separating from the northern mountainous
However, in 2006 – the first year the province implemented the five-year target for socio-economic development in the 2006-2010 period and the 11th provincial Party Congress’ resolution, Lai Chau obtained remarkable progress as the number of poor households fell by 6 percent compared to the 2005 figure.
Reporter: Could you brief us on Lai Chau’s notable achievements in the past year of socio- economic development?
Mr Thanh: 2006 was seen as an important year for implementation of local plans for socio-economic development. Thanks to the great efforts of the provincial Party organisation and local people, we achieved some of following positive results in 2006.
In terms of socio economic development, the province recorded an economic growth rate of more than 12 percent, up 2 percent from 2002 in which agriculture-forestry increased by more than 6 percent, industry-construction by 24 percent and trade and service by 14.7 percent compared to 2005. In addition, the provincial budget collection achieved a three-digit record estimated at hundreds of billions of VND.
Culturally and socially, the province received more than 1,000 teachers and 90 percent of them met national academic standards. In the 2006-2007 school year, Lai Chau had a total enrolment of 90,000 pupils. Eight of its commune achieved the national standard of education universalisation, bringing the total number of such educated communes to 24. Currently, approximately 87/90 communes have motor roads, 60/90 have links to the national grid and all local households have radio sets.
The province started building a 300 bed hospital by the end of 2006 and more than 95 percent of the province’s population have bought health insurance cards. Its successful planting of border landmark has helped maintain social orders and national security along the 260km borderline.
Reporter: The number of poor households in the province remains rather high. What measures will the province take to help improve the situation, especially in disadvantaged communes?
Mr Thanh: Lai Chau has always attached importance to poverty reduction and hunger elimination. So far, the rate of poor households has reduced by 6 percent compared to last year. Currently, the number of poor households stands at 54 percent.
In 2007, the province will also pay special attention to poverty reduction work in disadvantaged communes, especially areas inhabited by ethnic minority groups along Vietnam-China borderline. Each year, the province spends around VND 40-60 billion on the work. It is cooperating with relevant ministries and agencies to implement its poverty reduction plan for the 2006-2010 period.
Reporter: Many localities have been conducting different activities to implement the resolution set by the 10th National Party Congress. Could you give us any comments on the results of such activities?
Mr Thanh: It is very important to disseminate information about the resolution. Around 98.7 percent of cadres and party members as well as 73,000 local people have studied the resolution and are resolved to implement it successfully.
More than 5,000 publications and documents were released for propagandists and Party cells to promote information dissemination. Provincial authorities also asked the local radio and television station to translate the Resolution of the 10th National Party Congress and the Resolution of the 11th provincial Party Congress into ethnic minority languages such as Mong and
However, as a mountainous border province, Lai Chau has had to overcome many difficulties in traffic network and mass media to implement the task. To bring the 10th National Party Congress’ Resolution to life, we have asked the Party, State and Government, as well as agencies at all levels to pay more attention to increasing investment in the province’s far-flung areas. Propaganda activities should be diversified among different ethnic groups of the local community so that they can have a better understanding of the Party resolutions and State policies.
Reporter: After more than three years separating from Dien Bien province, Lai Chau has remained the poorest mountainous border province. Could you talk about orientations and concrete measures for Lai Chau to overcome difficulties and gain more achievements in socio-economic development?
Mr Thanh: It is time Lai Chau is still seen as the poorest province among 64 provinces and cities nationwide due to its difficult terrain, limited cultivation acreage, poor traffic network and infrastructure, high rate of poverty and low education level.
However, Lai Chau also has certain advantages, such as the Ma Lu Thang bordergate located between two famous resorts,
In 2007, we will step up the zoning of socio-economic development areas, effectively use investment capital sources and shift plant and animal structures. Furthermore, Lai Chau will also complete incentive policies, encourage investment attraction, further tap natural resources for development, increase management capacity and effectively protect the environment. It is essential to focus on training staff at all levels, especially at the grassroots level to meet the province’s development requirements.
Reporter: Thank you.
Bình luận của bạn đang được xem xét
Hộp thư thoại sẽ đóng sau 4s