Donors pledge aid to the northwestern region- Photo: VGP/Le Son

(VOVworld) - Businesses, organizations and individuals have donated 460 billion VND to aid social welfare programs in the northwestern region. The donations were made on Tuesday at an exchange program held within the framework of the 2013 conference on investment promotion and social welfare in the northwestern region. In his address, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc stressed the region’s strategic position in national defense and security and socio-economic development. He said the Vietnamese Party and State have in past years paid special attention to the region’s socio economic development and poverty reduction. "This exchange program is a good opportunity for us to show our gratitude to the country’s former revolutionary base and help local people stabilize their lives. I call on localities, businesses, agencies, international organizations, and individuals nationwide to join hands to help in the development of the northwestern region", said Deputy PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

On this occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister Phuc and Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam Nguyen Van Binh presented 20 gifts, each worth 30 million VND, to poor households in Tuyen Quang.