The President stated this during a meeting with key officials from the northwestern province on April 16.
Hestressed that along with economic development, Dien Bien needs to focusmore on national defence, security and social order. It should wellimplement ethnic and religious policies and strengthen the grassrootspolitical system.
At the meeting, the President was informed ofthe province’s socio-economic development in 2011, as its GDP in 2011had risen by 10 percent over the previous year and its policies toreduce poverty have lowered the current rate to 4.73 percent.
DienBien province also focused on implementing projects on transport,agriculture, irrigation, afforestation, relocating local people to makeway for the Son La hydro-power plant and reducing poverty in four poordistricts.
It also promoted international cooperation with itsneighbouring provinces in Laos and China, which has strengthened tiesand helped to ensure defence, security and social order.-VNA