Phu Tho (VNA) – The northern midland province ofPhu Tho should use industrial development to drive its growth, Deputy PrimeMinister Trinh Dinh Dung has said.

Dung made the recommendation at a meeting with localauthorities on January 25, as part of his working trip to the province. He leda Government delegation, which comprised of leaders of various ministries,including the ministries of Planning and Investment, Transport, Construction,and Agricultural and Rural Development.

At the meeting, reports on the province’s recent performancewere delivered. Accordingly, Phu Tho has recorded an over 8.34-percent growthrate, with local industry, services, and agriculture posting stabledevelopment.

After lauding efforts made to achieve such outcomes, DeputyPM Dung pointed to some of the challenges and shortcomings facing the locality,which include the small scale of the economy; a lack of breakthrough moves toalter the economic structure; and a shortage of new, high value-addedindustrial products.

Phu Tho boasts tremendous tourism potential, but finds ithard to mobilise resources to develop the sector, he said, adding that its agriculturalrestructuring has been ineffective.

Highlighting that the province lies on the Hai Phong-Hanoi-Kunmingeconomic corridor, Dung said it has favourable conditions for production,business, and trade with domestic and international partners.

He suggested that Phu Tho continue intensifying economicrestructuring to define its order of priority, the composition of its keysectors, and its spearhead products, asking local authorities to make betterpreparation for investment in major projects in regional connectivity,industry, tourism, and services.

Phu Tho should include urban development, particularly the buildingof social housing, in its industrial development work, he suggested.

The Deputy PM recommended that the province intensify its administrativereform, develop human resources, and do more to protect the environment so asto create a favourable business climate.

Ensuring social security and order is also important, Dungsaid.

At the working session, he also responded to requests fromlocal authorities and asked relevant ministries and sectors to help Phu Thotackle difficulties in development.

The same day, he visited and presented gifts to workers atan industrial park, underprivileged residents, and former officials in theprovince. –VNA