The central province of Ha Tinh should forge ahead with its economic restructuring, especially in agriculture, while creating a favourable investment environment in order to maximise integration opportunities, President Truong Tan Sang said in his visit to the locality’s Duc Tho district on February 10.

Once a predominantly agricultural district, Duc Tho has rapidly changed its economic structure to agriculture holding only 36 percent and the service industry comprising over 51 percent. Per capita income is estimated at 30.7 million VND (1,442 USD), and the rate of poverty-stricken households is 4.96 percent.

The district has satisfied up to 60 percent of the criteria of the national programme on building new-style rural areas over the last four years, with many farming and centralised-production models implemented to help improve local living standards.

These are just the initial outcomes, the President cautioned, adding that local authorities should concentrate on poverty alleviation, designing an agenda for market-oriented economic development, and shifting investment to competitive farm produce.

He underlined production as the root for sustainable farming economic development, with livestock and cultivation as the centrepieces.

He asked the provincial Party committee and administration to fulfil its 2015 socio-economic tasks and organise Party Congresses at all levels in preparation for the 12 th National Party Congress.

The State leader took this occasion to present gift packages to welfare beneficiaries and urged local authorities to provide any necessary amenities in honour of the upcoming traditional Lunar New Year (Tet).

He also studied several projects being carried out at the Vung Ang economic zone, extending his New Year blessings to officials and workers at the construction sites and suggesting businesses invest in modern technology to create high-quality products.

During his tour, the President laid wreaths and offered incense to commemorate late Party General Secretaries Tran Phu, Ha Huy Tap, and Le Duan, as well as soldiers who laid down their lives for the national revolution.-VNA