Provinces in the northwest region should bolster investment promotion activities while ensuring public security and safety, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc highlighted at a preliminary conference in Hanoi on July 9.

The Deputy PM requested members of the Northwest Steering Committee take initiative in preparing activity plans for the region in the last six months of 2015.

The Deputy PM praised achievements of the region’s 14 provinces in hunger elimination and poverty reduction, social security and national defence.

He also requested provinces expand and scale up agricultural economic models and scientific technological transfer in agriculture.
According to Steering Committee Deputy Head Truong Xuan Cu, economic development in the region has progressed steadily over the past six months; GDP growth is estimated to hit 7.75 percent with state budget collection surging nearly 16 percent from the same period last year.

Cu added promotion activities, agro-forestry production, education-training and public health services in the region have been carried out effectively, helping create a driving force for localities.
Head of the Committee for Religious Affairs Pham Dung said the region has always pursued policies that safeguard local rights to religion.

As reported by the Ministry of National Defence, localities have effectively implemented plans to ensure national defence and security, and the country’s sovereignty, he added.

Deputy Governor of the State Bank Dao Minh Tu said the State Bank has introduced several preferential mechanisms and policies for locals.

The State Bank is also piloting a credit loan programme which associates economic zones and production value chains and applies scientific technology in production, especially in agriculture.-VNA