Kien Giang (VNA) – State President Luong Cuong paid a pre-Tet (Lunar New Year) visit to the Party Organisation, administration and residents of Kien Giang on January 14, during which he praised the Mekong Delta province’s performance in 2024 with strong progress in all fields.
In 2024, despite difficulties and challenges, the provincial Party Organisation completed and exceeded 26 out of 27 targets for the year.
Kien Giang’s economy grew by 7.5%, ranking fourth in the Mekong Delta region, with an economic scale surpassing 144 trillion VND (5.67 billion USD), the second largest in the region. The poverty rate dropped significantly to 0.99% and just 0.32% in Phu Quoc city, while 100% of communes have met new-style rural criteria, with 34% of them recognised as advanced and model ones. Strong progress was seen in education, health care, and social services, while national security and defence have been maintained.
Hailing the comprehensive achievements that Kien Giang has gained so far, President Cuong highlighted the significant strategic role of the locality in economy, politics, external relations, defence and security, with Phu Quoc – the largest island of the country playing the role as the southwestern gateway, which is rich in maritime and ecological resources and a critical position in national defence and external relations.
Agreeing with the future orientations that the provincial Party Committee has outlined, the State leader asked local authorities to focus on popularising the Party and State’s directions, policies and laws, settling obstacles and successful implementing tasks set for 2025.
Particularly, it is necessary to concentrate on building a pure, strong and streamlined Party Organisation, administration and political system with effective operations, he said, reminding the province to make good preparations for the all-level Party congresses and caring for residents during the Lunar New Year festival, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Alongside, the province should exert more efforts to ensure defence and security, building a firm people-based defence posture, while coordinating with armed forces to avoid surprise in any circumstances, he asked.
President Cuong advised Kien Giang to turn Phu Quoc into a truly tourism heaven, suggesting that the locality take advantage of the APEC Leaders’ Week, which is slated to be held in Phu Quoc, to promote the image of the destination.
On this occasion, President Cuong and representatives from ministries, sectors and central agencies presented Tet gifts to policy beneficiary families and workers in Phu Quoc. Earlier, the leader and his entourage laid a wreath at President Ho Chi Minh Statue at the Ho Chi Minh Square in Phu Quoc city.
The same day, he visited and extended Tet wishes to the armed forces based in Phu Quoc island city./.
