Northern Bac Kan province, with the highest rate of forest coverage in the nation, needs to develop forest-based economy into a key sector and a sustainable source of livelihood for local residents in the next five to seven years, said State President Truong Tan Sang.

The leader made the demand on officials of the mountainous province during his fact-finding tour there on July 8 while also lauding local attainments in protecting and tapping its forestry advantages.

He spoke highly of Bac Kan’s efforts to sustain an average annual growth rate of 13.5 percent – higher than the national average, develop industry and services, promote public access to education and medical services and ensure order and security.

Data revealed that per capita income increased tenfold from that in 2010 to reach 24.4 million VND (over 1,130 USD), helping cut the household poverty rate from 32.1 percent in 2010 down to 14.2 percent in 2015.

The President asked the authorities to work harder to attract major investments in mining instead of small-scale projects as in recent years, which are not on par with local potential.

Bac Kan should also make the best use of all social resources to professionally exploit its tourism strengths, including Ba Be Lake – one of the world’s 20 largest freshwater lakes, and the substantial number of historical relic sites, he noted, requesting the expeditious construction of arterial roads linking with nearby economic regions.

President Truong Tan Sang also asked the province to be prudent when using ODA loans to ease future debt payment burdens.

During his stay, the leader also had a working session with the provincial police and visited a wood processing and reforestation project of the Sahabak Joint Stock Company, the Bac Kan General Hospital, the Bac Kan Medical School and the construction site of the road connecting Bac Kan and neighbouring Thai Nguyen province.-VNA