Mr Hung stated this while working with the provincial leaders during the Government delegation’s visit to the central coastal province on April 13.

The Deputy PM praised the efforts made by the Khanh Hoa provincial Party Committee and local people to advance socio-economic development, raise the income per capita and attract more domestic and foreign investors.

It is essential to build a development strategy for Khanh Hoa until 2010 with a view to 2020, said Mr Hung, adding that the province should focus on developing its infrastructure, improving the quality of education and healthcare services, and ensuring social welfare for the local people.

He also asked the provincial authorities to pay more attention to developing the maritime economy and follow the Party Central Committee’s resolution on agriculture, rural areas and farmers.

The Deputy PM stressed that the Government’s stimulus package has so far reached VND160,000 billion (roughly US$9 billion). Hence, apart from getting financial support from the Government, Khanh Hoa should introduce its own to boost socio-economic development in the region.