Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked the northwestern provinces to strive for more socio economic development. He was speaking at a workshop in the northern city of Yen Bai on Friday to review the regional development: “At this workshop, I request delegates to focus your listening and discussion on the following issues. First, the issues of the northwest and its steering committee, which must contribute practically to the region’s development. Delegates must contribute opinions to the steering committee on its problems and orientations for the future.”

 Northwestern authorities and ethnic groups last year made positive socio economic progress, including a regional GDP growth rate of 10% and an income per capita of 15 million dong (700 USD).