During a working visit to Hai Duong on August 30, Mr Dung praised the province’s achievements in the past eight months, with GDP increasing by 11 percent, industrial production by 20.5 percent, services by 23.5 percent and exports by 67.2 percent. Hai Duong has built 10 industrial parks, attracting 188 foreign investment projects with a total capital of more than US$2.1 billion.

However, Mr Dung pointed out the province’s weaknesses, including slow economic restructuring, a low agricultural growth (only 2.8 percent compared to the national average of 3.2 percent), serious environmental pollution and a high population growth.

He asked the province to speed up economic restructuring with a focus on increasing the ratio of industries and services. Accordingly, Hai Duong should make use of its hill land to build industrial parks and complexes while concentrating on developing organic farming. He suggested that the province invest in small-scale industrial complexes, develop craft villages to create jobs for rural people, and reduce environmental pollution.