While working with the provincial authorities during a visit on March 8, Mr Trong suggested that Dien Bien fully exploit its potential and expand cooperation with other provinces and cities to meet its development goals.

He analysed the domestic and global situation and called on the provincial Party, administration and people of various ethnic groups to unite to overcome difficulties and ensure social welfare.

He asked Dien Bien to accelerate the disbursement of capital resources for key projects and programmes, including those to provide land for housing and production to ethnic people, develop basic infrastructure in disadvantaged communes, supply safe water and preserve the Dien Bien Phu historical site.

“The province should expand its distribution networks to remote areas, keep a close watch on market fluctuations, develop agro-forestry and livestock production with a focus on the transfer of technology and work towards preventing natural disasters,” said Mr Trong.

He instructed the province to completely resolve resettlement issues, implement the Government’s support programme on poverty reduction and create favourable conditions for industrial businesses to promote production and sales.

He acknowledged the province’s requests for bank loans and support for production and assigned the relevant ministries to submit options to the Government.

The northern mountainous province of Dien Bien has set a target of achieving a GDP growth rate of 11-12 percent in 2009.

VietNamNet/VOV