He made the statement at the opening ceremony of the provincial Party Committee Congress for the 2011-2015 term, which aims to review the results of the province’s socio-economic development and national defence in the last term and discuss the tasks for the coming term.

Mr. Triet praised the province for its achievements, including an annual increase of average gross domestic production to 14 percent, annual income per capita of nearly US$1,400 and a poverty rate of less than 3 percent.

The province’s social order and political security remains stable and friendly relations with Cambodian bordering provinces are developing fruitfully, he said.

However, the President noted that the province’s economic achievements are assured and its competitiveness remains low. Industry is developing modestly, accounting for a low proportion of the local economy. Urban planning remains shambolic.

He asked the provincial Party Committee Congress to focus on analyzing its potential and advantages, while appraising obstacles and disadvantages, in order to develop strategies, targets and measures needed to attain the province’s development goals.

The province should pay due attention to agricultural production to ensure food security and heighten the quality of export agricultural products and help the forestry sector provide sufficient incomes for people involved in the industry, Mr. Triet said.

He went on to say that Tay Ninh should take care of people in remote areas, poor households and beneficiaries of social welfare, and create more favourable conditions for ethnic minority people to improve their living standards and escape from poverty.

The provincial Party Committee also needs to strengthen national defence and prevent social vices and general crime, he added

Mr. Triet visited that the participants in the congress discuss the reasons for weaknesses in policy implementation and necessary measures to tackle these problems, as well as for the draft strategy-related documents of the Party Central Committee to submit their opinions and suggestions to the National Party Congress earlier next year.