According to the report of the Department of Planning and Investment, the socio-economic situation in the first quarter has remained rate of fair growth; the life of the people has been stabilized.

Regarding agriculture: After the long spell of cold weather, the total area under cultivation for the Spring-winter crop in the whole province was 53,626 hectares. In breeding, the number of cattle and poultry herds has been raising thanks to the support of the central and provincial governments as well as the effort of the people.

Regarding production and business: the output of aquatic-product exploitation in the first quarter increased unremarkably, only achieved 4,500 tonnes, increased by 1.6% compared with the same period. The industrial production has remained rate of high growth, reached 18.2% of the plan and increased by 21.7% against the same period. The industrial products achieved rate of high growth, including: beer increased by 21.8%, cement 54% and ceramic tiles 18%. Total export turnover in the first three months was US$7.72 million, reached 14% of the plan, in which State economy was US$0.98 million, making up 13%; private economy was US$6.72 million, making up 87%. The products were mainly exported, namely: agricultural products achieved US$6.5 million, forestry products US$760 thousands and industrial-handicraft products. Total retail sales of goods increased by 21.8% compared with the same period.

A lot of changes have been seen in Quang Binh tourism. The total number of tourists coming to Quang Binh in the first quarter was 64.36 thousand of people, increased by 9.9% over the same period, in which the number of tourists visiting Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park in the first three months of 2008 was 35.76 thousand of people, equaling to 95% compared with the same period.

Closing the meeting, Chairman Phan Lam Phuong directed all levels and branches to continuously deploy the implementation of the assigned tasks, striving to fulfill the set targets. Simultaneously, he asked the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to direct localities to strengthen work of care and supplying water for rice, closely control the illegal importation of cattle and poultry, inoculate against bird flu and foot-and-mouth disease; continuously promote activities of export and tourism, well prepare the conditions to welcome the 5th anniversary of Phong Nha - Ke Bang recognized as a world natural heritage and tourist season 2008. Besides, it is necessary to focus on speeding up the progress of executing the main projects, such as: Dong Hoi airport and Hon La seaport for the first phase; take the drastic measures to reduce the traffic accidents; continuously implement the work of administrative reform in all fields of State management in order to effectively carry out the theme of year 2008 "Continue to strongly improve business investment environment and train human resources to contribute to promoting the economic development".

By N.Y