The northeastern province of Quang Ninh should attract more large-scale investment projects to transform it into a development hub of northern Vietnam .

State President Nguyen Minh Triet made this request while working with the province’s key leaders during his visit from June 6-7.

As one of the localities leading the nation in development with its central city of Ha Long and satellite cities of Mong Cai and Uong Bi, Quang Ninh province had seen rapid and comprehensive development in all fields, especially economically, with a GDP growth rate of 12.7 percent and per capita income of 1,330 USD in 2010, Triet said.

The province had created a more transparent and attractive environment to investors, he said, adding that it had also recorded progress in socio-culture, with secure social welfare and improved material and spiritual lives for the people, as well as maintained political security, social safety and order.

The President, however, stressed that there were many difficulties ahead for Quang Ninh province, including poor infrastructure and weak human resources.

“The province sees many tasks ahead for its strong and sustainable development,” he said.

While working with the leaders of Vietnam Coal and Minerals Industries Group (Vinacomin), President Triet urged the coal sector to strengthen existing mechanisms and policies, especially in managing coal prices.

The sector should pay special attention to coal planning and exploitation as the country was forecast to start importing coal next year in order to serve the nation’s long-term energy safety goal, he noted.

According to Vinacomin, the group planned to raise the coal consumption volume from 43 million tonnes to 55 million tonnes per year by 2015.

It will focus on exploration and exploitation activities in the northeastern coal basin, including Quang Ninh, Bac Giang and Hai Duong provinces.

During his two-day stay in Quang Ninh, President Triet visited the Nam Mau Coal Company in Uong Bi city and the Cam Pha Thermoelectric Power Plant in Cam Pha town.

He paid a visit to the island district of Co To where he offered flowers and incense in front of the statue of President Ho Chi Minh and at the Uncle Ho Relics before arriving in Mong Cai city./.