Localities should join hands to overcome difficulties, prevent economic slowdown, stabilise the macro-economy, ensure social welfare and maintain an economic growth rate of 5-5.5 percent in 2009, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

PM Dung made the request while meeting with voters in Le Chan district in the northern port city of Hai Phong on May 9.

Voters in Le Chan district highly valued the Government’s stimulus package, saying it has helped to ease the negative impact of the current global economic meltdown. They called for the National Assembly to introduce measures to improve the standard of living for people, especially for farmers and social policy beneficiaries.

Local voters also raised concerns over land acquisition and compensation and emphasised the need to simplify administrative procedures to access banks loans.

VietNamNet/VOV