Mr Trong, who is also head of the steering committee for the northwestern region, made the request at a conference of BIDV branches in northern mountainous provinces, which was held in Yen Bai on August 18.

“The BIDV should use its role and prestige to appeal to commercial banks, businesses and investors both at home and abroad to come to the northwest,” he said.

The Deputy PM also said the State-owned bank should promote charity work to support local ethnic minority groups and the poor nationwide as one of its social security measures to reduce poverty rate.

At the meeting, the BIDV put forth a plan of action for the 2010-2015 period to further accelerate the region’s socio-economic development, with a focus on infrastructure facilities, education and intellectual improvement for local people, and investment attraction and management.