The Government leader gave the instruction at a working session with the municipal leaders on July 28 during his inspection tour.

Can Tho should take firm measures to achieve its annual targets, especially to increase its GDP growth rate to over 16.5 percent and exports revenues to over US$670 million, Mr Dung said.

He asked the city to set up human resource development centres to provide vocational training for the entire region.

 “Can Tho should develop hi-tech industry and expand processing facilities to boost agricultural production along with the development of tourism and services,” the PM said.

Mr Dung called on the city to take care of the environment, especially in water resources and waste treatment.

He instructed the Ministry of Transport to consider the investment in dredging its canal system and the building of Can Tho and Cai Cui ports, and Can Tho bridge and to support building five highways and upgrading highway No.91, a road to the south of the Hau river, and a section of the

PM Dung also asked the Ministry of Construction to help Can Tho in urban and industrial parks zoning to prevent, as much as possible, the taking of cultivated land.

Founded just four years ago, Can Tho city’s administration is one of few nationwide fulfilling most of its half-year targets with GDP growth reaching 12.66 percent, industrial production increasing by 16.9 percent and exports revenue by 57.5 percent while its poverty rate fell to less than 8 percent.