Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked the southern province of Bac Lieu to fully exploit its potential for developing salt production and industrial shrimp raising models closely linked to the processing industry.

At a working session with the provincial leaders on July 27, he praised Bac Lieu for its socio-economic development achievements, particularly in poverty reduction with the rate falling to 10 percent and per capita income increasing to nearly US$800.

Mr Dung suggested that the province develop industrial production models closely linked to the processing industry. Accordingly, northern districts should focus on developing agricultural production and livestock breeding while southern districts re-zone the acreage for salt production and aquaculture to encourage investors to build large-scale processing plants. Mr Dung asked Bac Lieu to develop an additional 10,000ha of industrial shrimp raising acreage in the coming years.

The PM also asked Bac Lieu to pay special attention to developing education, training and healthcare services, with priority given to increasing the quality of primary and secondary education and improving primary healthcare services at ward and communal levels.

He assigned relevant ministries and agencies to study and help Bac Lieu carry out road construction projects, including the Can Tho-Ca Mau expressway and 17 inter-communal roads, as well as projects to build irrigation works and an industrial zone.

He asked the provincial authorities to iron out snags for production and export businesses, keep a close watch on market developments to deal with market lawbreakers and effectively implement policies to support the poor.

According to the province’s report, Bac Lieu achieved a GDP growth rate of 9.8 percent in the first half of this year. Industrial production and small handicrafts increased by 5.7 percent and seafood output rose by 13 percent.

Source: VOV