Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc visits Vĩnh Bảo District in the northern port city of Hải Phòng yesterday. — Photo VGP

HẢI PHÒNG — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc urged Vĩnh Bảo District in the northern port city of Hải Phòng to exert all-out efforts to become a new-style rural district soon. 

Vĩnh Bảo should boost high-tech agriculture, encourage businesses to operate in rural areas and pay heed to environmental protection, the PM told locals yesterday ahead of the second sitting of the 14th National Assembly, set to open on October 20. 

He asked the district’s all-level Party Committees and authorities to promote locals’ role in socio-economic development and prioritise education and labour reform. 

The leader stressed that agricultural and health insurance is of concern to the National Assembly and Government. 

The Government had also given the green light to upgrades for major transport infrastructure facilities to spur socio-economic development in Vĩnh Bảo and Hải Phòng, he said. 

Mentioning food safety, the PM underscored the need to clarify responsibilities, noting that the issue would be under the legislature’s supreme supervision. 

In 2016, Hải Phòng recorded achievements across various fields, he said, praising the city as one of the fastest growing localities, especially in foreign investment attraction. 

Hải Phòng was the country’s third largest economic centre and a driving force for the north’s economy, the PM said. 

Briefing residents on the country’s development, PM Phúc emphasised that the Government had set forth policies to deal with issues of public concern and build a sustainable economy. 

The Government had not traded the environment for economic development, turned tourism into an economic spearhead, protected the rights and interests of people and businesses, and removed barriers hindering production and business, he said. 

At the meeting, people from Vĩnh Bảo suggested the Government offer more tax incentives, continue to encourage investment and streamline administrative procedures, ensure food safety and launch agricultural insurance among farmers to ease losses caused by natural disasters. 

They showed their support for efforts to build an upright and active Government that work for businesses and people.

Hi-tech and organic farming

Prime Minister Phúc said yesterday high-technology and organic farming would be crucial for the development of Vietnamese agriculture when touring Vingroup’s high-technology agricultural project in Tam Đa Commune, Hải Phòng City.
The VNĐ189 billion (US$8.5 million) project is among 12 farms developed by Vingroup’s subsidiary VinEco across the country growing safe vegetables.
The farm, covering 46ha, including an open-air area of over 28 ha, and a greenhouse area of 10.7ha, became operational early this year, growing 14 species of vegetables using no pesticides with an average output of 250 tonnes per month.
The PM praised the model for increasing labour productivity and supplying the market with safe products.

The leader also lauded co-ordination between the company and local farmers, suggesting that it should be stepped up.
He reminded project insiders to observe their commitments, especially those on food safety, to ensure product quality.

VinEco should provide opportunities for those who were relocated for the project to enable them to earn substantial, stable incomes, the PM noted.
VinEco said it will grow vegetables and plants suitable with conditions in Hải Phòng for local consumption and export. — VNS