Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh said at a meeting with provincial party leaders and authorities during his three-day visit to the province to check the implementation of the resolution of the 10^th National Party Congress.

At a working session with leaders of Na Ri district, Mr Manh was briefed on the state of affairs in the district, including infrastructure development, transport, economic restructuring, poverty reduction, education and health care. Mr Manh said that with untapped potential in terms of forest, land, climate and people, Na Ri has the opportunity to quickly reduce the number of poor households, which currently stays at 54 percent. District authorities, relevant agencies and people must change their thinking to fully exploit this potential, especially in terms of forestry to enrich themselves, Mr Manh added.

Mr Manh also urged the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to work with the district to devise comprehensive measures to protect, exploit and develop the forest across the country. If this task can be performed well, not only the forest will be protected but also the number of poor households will decrease.

Together with protecting and developing the forest, Bac Kan should make use of its natural conditions to develop animal husbandry and other careers, Mr Manh said.

At a working session with the provincial Party Committee, Mr Manh praised efforts and achievements made by the provincial party and people. However, the development gap between Bac Kan and other provinces has not been narrowed. Per capital income is nearly US$400 per person, equal to one-third of the nation’s average level.

Party leader Manh also urged ministries and departments to help disadvantaged provinces, including Bac Kan, develop plans to bridge the development gap. He also asked the Bac Kan party committee to better carry out party building work, and strengthen the great national unity.

At a working session with Bac Kan town and provincial leaders on December 25, Mr Manh asked them to pay more attention to human resources and cadre training, pour more investment into education, especially in ethnic minority groups and to help local people access and apply advanced technologies in production. The province should devise suitable policies to attract people with talent and integrity to carry out these tasks, Mr Manh concluded.