Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc spoke at Nghệ An Province's 19th Party Congress for 2020-25 tenure on Saturday. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

NGHỆ AN — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc on Saturday urged the central province of Nghệ An to form a scientific research and transfer complex that meets national standards in the next five years, as part of measures to realise the goal of becoming a development hub of the north central region.

Speaking at the 19th provincial Party Congress for 2020-25 tenure, the leader said Nghệ An should work to step up connectivity between economic regions while bringing into full play its own advantages.

PM Phúc required the province to implement his decision on developing Vinh City into the economic and cultural centre of the north central region by 2030.

He also urged the province to attract and use effectively resources for local socio-economic development, bolster development in its western part, improve living standards in ethnic minority-inhabited and remote areas, especially disadvantaged mountainous localities, and narrow the development gap between the east and west areas of the province.

Nghệ An should also ensure national defence and security, political stability, social order and safety, and a strong Party and political system in the new tenure, he said.

It was reported at the congress that Nghệ An Province’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth was estimated at 7.84 per cent during the 2016-20 period, and its GRDP per capita is expected to reach VNĐ44.34 million (US$1,914) by the end of this year.

Over the past five years, the local agro-forestry-fishery sector expanded about 4.47 per cent annually.

Significant progress has also been made in new-style rural area building, industry, construction, maritime economic development, infrastructure, and socio-cultural affairs, according to the report.

However, it said, there still remain shortcomings such as slow sectoral restructuring, unsustainable agricultural development, and failure to attract investment in major industrial projects.

During the 2020-25 tenure, Nghệ An aims to build a pure and strong Party organisation and political system, strengthen the great national unity bloc, optimise its potential and advantages, promote innovation and creativity, and mobilise both internal and external resources for rapid and sustainable development, soon becoming a connection centre of the north central region.

Its GRDP is set to grow at 9.5-10.5 per cent in the period, while GRDP per capita is projected to reach about VNĐ83 million by 2025 and budget collection ranging from VNĐ26 trillion-30 trillion.

Total social investment in the province would reach VNĐ500 trillion and urbanisation rate at 36 per cent. — VNS