Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on April 8 held a working session with key leaders of the south-central province of Khanh Hoa.

Dung praised the province’s 2012 achievements, including its GDP growth of 8.5 percent, average income per capita of more than 1,900 USD, 26,500 new jobs, and a fall in the level of poor households to 5.56 percent. In the first quarter of this year, Khanh Hoa also recorded strong GDP growth of 7.37 percent.

Urging Khanh Hoa to continue its efforts, Dung said the province should focus on exploiting its maritime economy, developing tourism and attracting investment in coastal economic zones and industrial clusters.

The Government leader requested the province protects the environment and landscape while developing its economy, and build new rural areas to reduce poverty.

The Government will create the best possible conditions for the province to develop, he stressed.

At the meeting, Dung and leaders of ministries and branches debated the province’s proposals, including those related to three thermo-electric facilities in Van Phong and Cam Ranh International Airport.-VNA