During a visit to the province on March 11-12, Mr Trong acknowledged the socio-economic achievements that the local Party, administration and people have made since Binh Phuoc was re-established in January 1997.

He analysed difficulties and challenges facing Vietnam and Binh Phuoc in 2009 and asked the province to effectively implement the Party’s resolution on agriculture, farmers and rural development as well as the Government’s measures to maintain steady economic growth and ensure social welfare.

“Along with economic development, the province should seek ways to improve local people’s physical and spiritual lives and harmoniously settle pressing social issues such as housing, employment, education, health care and environmental protection, while creating an attractive investment environment for domestic and foreign businesses,” said Mr Trong.

He expressed hope that the local Party, administration and people of different ethnic groups would fully tap their potential to develop on a par with other provinces in the southern key economic region.

He acknowledged the province’s proposals concerning the management and use of forest land, infrastructure construction and the development of rural electricity, tourism, the border economy and industrial zones.

He said the National Assembly will examine and decide key issues within the scope of authorisation and send other contents to relevant agencies.

While staying in Binh Phuoc, Mr Trong visited the families of social policy beneficiaries, ethnic groups, village chiefs and soldiers at border guard stations.

Binh Phuoc, which has a 240km long borderline with Cambodia, is home to approximately 850,000 residents of 41 ethnic groups. It is relatively rich in natural resources, land, forests and minerals.

Despite economic difficulties last year, the province still achieved a high economic growth rate of 14 percent, double the national average.