At the working, Vice-chairman Tran Cong Thuat reported on natural condition, socio-economic situation as well as potentials and strengths of the province. Over the past three years, the province’s GDP growth rate achieved over 11%; economic structure shifted onto right orientation, decreasing ratio of agriculture and increasing ratio of industry and service; budget revenue in 2008 achieved VND853 billion. In the first six months of 2009, GDP achieved 9.7%; activities in production and business, service remained stable and developed... Regarding foreign affairs activity, five ODA projects are currently being carried out with total budget of over US$50 million; 20 NGO projects are annually provided with the total support of US$3.5-5 million. The province has also promoted cooperation with neighboring provinces of Laos and North-East Thailand; strengthened investment promotion with Japan, South Korea and some countries in the Middle East.

Vice-chairman Thuat also pointed out the province’s difficulties and gave some suggestions to create favorable conditions for Quang Binh to be able to cooperate with some regions or provinces of Japan, South Korea and France in order to exchange and share experience...

Addressing the working, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Doan Xuan Hung highly evaluated brilliant achievements that the province obtained in the past time and suggested that the province should have preferential policies for investors; attach special importance to development of service in tourist sites in order to attract international tourists; specify main targets in the province’s socio-economic development plan in the forthcoming time; have the plan to develop human resources, meeting the demand for economic development of the province...

Reported by N.H - Translated by N.Y