Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong took note of proposed incentives for infrastructure upgrades in border economic zones during a working session with Lang Son province’s authorities on April 22.

With over 230 kilometres of border roads and two international, one major and 9 auxiliary border gates, the northern mountainous province is well-positioned to facilitate cross-border trade, especially with China, a vibrant and populous market, he said.

Lang Son should also focus on hi-tech processing, agriculture and forestry, the Party chief suggested, adding that the province could easily link with Hai Phong, Quang Ninh and other neighbouring localities.

He urged that successful new rural construction models be expanded and multifaceted cooperation with Chinese border provinces be strengthened for mutual benefits.

Together with economic development, Party building is crucial and personnel are the root of any revolution, he said while directing steps for personnel training and long-term planning.

The leader also hoped that Lang Son would actively put forward initiatives and make the best use of its resources to attract investment flows.

He stated confidently that the upcoming 16 th provincial Party Congress will mark a forward leap in local development.

Looking back on the past five years, Lang Son has recorded an average income per capita of 33.4 million VND (1,590 USD), driving the poverty rate down to 14.9 percent.

Total value of import-export activities in the province rose 1.7 times from 2010 to 3.5 billion USD last year, contributing around 6 trillion VND (286 million USD) to the State budget. In the first quarter of this year, the figure was more than 1.34 trillion VND (63.8 million USD).

In 2014, as many as 2,400 people were admitted to the Party. With an additional 461 in the first quarter of 2015; the total number of local Party members currently amounts to 55,297.

The Party chief also held a working session with the Party Committee of Chi Lang commune, one of the first two communes in Lang Son recognised as new rural-style areas.

He asked the commune to build on its past achievements and improve the quality of Party activities.

On the occasion, he visited and presented gifts to families of outstanding farmers.-VNA