The Mekong Delta province of TienGiang should focus on developing a comprehensive agriculture in thedirection of forming rice- and fruit-growing areas in combination withthe processing industry.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong made the statement whileworking with provincial leaders during his visit to the province onApril 26.

“Agricultural development should be connected with building new ruralareas and paying heed to farmers’ living standards,” he said, addingthat tourism is also a strength that the province needs to promote.

In the first quarter of this year, Tien Giang province welcomed190,000 tourists and the figure is expected to sharply increase afterits successful hosting of the first Vietnamese Fruit Festival.

Chairman Trong praised Tieng Giang province’s socio-economicdevelopment achievements over the past time with its per-capita incomereaching 988 USD per head per annum and the rate of poor householdsfalling to 8.1 percent.

The 1.6 million-strong province boasts a rice output of over 1.3million tonnes exclusive of nearly 1 million tonnes of fruit per year.Last year, the province’s competitive index jumped 12 places to 9thposition among 63 cities and provinces nationwide.

On the same day, the NA leader visited Cai Lay district, a formerrevolutionary base, which is now home to nearly 8,000 martyrs, 3,000wounded soldiers, nearly 400 heroic mothers and over 5,000 families whotendered services during the war.

He also visited the provincial delegation of NA deputies andpresented gifts to former NA deputies./.