A view of Phụng Hiệp Canal in Sóc Trăng Province's Hồng Dân District. Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has suggested the province seek necessary advantages, especially in agro-forestry-fisheries and services in tandem with improving its business environment. — VNA/VNS Photo Trung Hiếu

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc discussed with leaders of the Mekong Delta province of Sóc Trăng measures to tackle saltwater intrusion in the region during a teleconference on Tuesday. 

Speaking at the event, PM Phúc lauded the provincial authorities for effectively fighting COVID-19 and saltwater intrusion, adding that though it is one of the provinces hardest hit by salt intrusion, Sóc Trăng suffers less damage than others. 

He also hailed the province for its high economic growth last year and being one of the five localities with the highest rice output.

The leader also informed that the upcoming national conference will look into dealing with difficulties in production and trade, public capital disbursement, social welfare amid unemployment, and social safety and order. 

He suggested that Sóc Trăng should seek necessary advantages, especially in agro-forestry-fisheries and services in tandem with improving the business environment. 

The PM noted that the province needs to pool all possible resources to fight COVID-19 – the most important task, followed by socio-economic development. 

Towards the goal of turning Sóc Trăng into a prosperous province in the Mekong Delta, he suggested focusing on fighting saltwater intrusion, accelerating public capital disbursement and encouraging innovation and start-ups. 

He also called on the province to triple the number of businesses to nearly 8,000 by 2021.

Last year, Sóc Trăng met and surpassed all 20 socio-economic targets, and its economy grew by 7.3 per cent, a record since 2015. — VNS