Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked the central province of Quang Tri to fully tap its potentials, especially the advantages of the East-West Economic Corridor, to advance development in industrial services and tourism.

The PM delivered this request during a working session with provincial authorities on Feb. 8, as part of his visit to Quang Tri on the threshold of the Tet (Lunar New Year) Festival.

He praised the province’s efforts in weathering a range of difficulties to gain rather comprehensive achievements in all fields last year contributing to the country’s general successes.

PM Dung highlighted Quang Tri’s noteworthy results in 2009, including its GDP growth rate of 9.1 percent per capita income of 13.7 million VND and a 3.1 percent drop in the number of poor households to 13.7 percent.

However, the government leader pointed out weaknesses and shortcomings faced by the province, saying that its economic scale remains small, while per capita income is still low and the rate of poor households is high.

The PM urged the authorities at all levels to pay more attention to the people during the upcoming Tet festival, particularly beneficiaries of social policies, the poor and ethnic minority groups in remote and isolate areas.

During his trip, PM Dung and his entourage offered incenses and laid wreaths in tribute to fallen combatants at the Road No. 9 Cemetery, where more than 10,000 revolutionary martyrs are buried.

The PM also visited and presented gifts to the family of Ho Van Thanh from the Van Kieu group in Huong Hoa district, and the Lao Bao special economic zone./.