At a working session with provincial authorities on March 17, Mr Dung praised Dong Thap’s efforts to achieve a GDP growth rate of 15.56 percent last year, the highest in the Mekong River Delta.

He said the province has effectively implemented the Government’s measures to prevent an economic slowdown and ensure social welfare. Commercial banks have lent subsidised loans to more than 8,000 clients, guaranteed 55 businesses to access loans and extended the payment deadlines for the corporate income tax and value added tax for 3,400 businesses.

The PM asked Dong Thap to work closely with the relevant ministries, agencies and the Northern and Southern Food Corporations to develop the network of food storage depots in the province.

He directed the province to disburse more than VND3,000 billion worth of investment capital, with a focus on raising the quality of projects and preventing negative effects.

Mr Dung suggested that the province continue to effectively implement the Government’s social welfare policies, especially in the areas of education, health care and employment.

“Each district should have a vocational training from now until 2010 to help ensure social welfare in the whole province,” said Mr Dung.

He acknowledged the province’s proposals concerning the development of rural roads and irrigation projects and building of the rural industrial model and the network of frozen seafood warehouses.

The same day, he offered incense at the Nguyen Sinh Sac Memorial to commemorate the late President Ho Chi Minh’s father. He also visited the Dinh Ba international bordergate and several economic establishments in the province.