President Truong Tan Sang worked with key leaders of northern mountainous Son La province on the implementation of the resolution of the 11th National Party Congress and socio-economic development and national defence in the locality.

To further spur local economy, he suggested more investment in infrastructure, especially transport facilities in disadvantaged areas.

Hailing the province for its positive economic growth of over 10 percent over the last five years, the President underscored the need to continue to tap the province’s potential in agriculture, forestry and breeding, while promoting the application of advanced science and technologies in production to improve the output and quality of products.

Additionally, it is necessary to pay attention to education and training, especially vocational training to create a high-quality workforce serving the locality’s development, he stressed.

The State leader also reminded Son La to enhance management to prevent ineffective investment.

He asked the local border guard forces and authorities to cooperate closely in works, including communication to raise public awareness of fighting crime.

During his two-day visit to the locality from January 16-17, the President made an inspection tour of a 80-km newly-build road in the two border districts of Song Ma and Sop Cop, which plays an important role in safeguarding defence security and promoting socio-economic development in the locality’s ethnic minority areas.

On the occasion, he presented 100 gifts to poor families in Sop Khop district’s Muong Lan commune.

So La is now home to 12 ethnic groups. Five out of its all 12 districts are poor. The local Party Committee and authorities have joined hands and rolled out measures to realise its socio-economic development and poverty reduction targets.-VNA