(VOVworld) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc praised Lao Cai’s business and investment environment at a working session Wednesday with provincial authorities.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (third from right) urges Lao Cai to develop border gate economy

Mr. Phuc said that, as one of five leading localities in the provincial competitiveness index, Lao Cai should continue to overcome current difficulties to develop high-tech agriculture.

He noted: “Promoting border gate economic development is a way for Lao Cai to become a commodity entrepôt for countries in the Mekong sub-region, ASEAN, and China - a modern logistics center for the region, connecting seaports, airports, railways, and road transport. Lao Cai should focus on upgrading and expanding its infrastructure.”

Pursuant to its direction until 2020, Lao Cai will become a key tourism hub of the northwestern region and turn Sapa into a national tourism site. Lao Cai’s goal is to make tourism an economic spearhead sector that will boost economic restructuring, poverty reduction, and local socio-economic development.