President Truong Tan Sang paid a working visit to the central coastal province of Binh Dinh from February 20-21 to inspect the local socio-economic situation.

The leader was led on a fact-finding tour at the Tam Quan seaport in Hoai Nhon district – an important gateway for thousands of fishermen in and out of the locality.

He then toured the Nhon Hoi economic zone to learn about its investment climate.

Covering an area of 12,000 ha, this key industrial park has attracted 34 projects worth 1.2 billion USD.

Binh Dinh province is working with the Thai Oil and Gas Group to carry out a feasibility study for an oil refinery complex project in the zone.

At a later meeting with local leaders, President Sang acknowledged the province’s achievements in fulfilling most of its socio-economic targets and maintaining its economic growth at a reasonable level.

He acknowledged local creativity in marine development, and agreed with local solutions to better building new-style rural areas in order to give the locality a facelift.

The president noted that despite investment efforts, the local infrastructure has yet to meet quality requirements. The lacklustre planning and development of transport links in the east Truong Son mountain range is an example, he said.

He supported a suggestion on raising a fund supporting fishermen, and urged the province to enforce policies developing fisheries and forestry further.-VNA