(VOVworld) - Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan has praised Soc Trang province’s efforts to maintain relatively high economic growth and to enhance the Khmer ethnic people’s living conditions.

Deputy PM Nguyen Thien Nhan visits a production model initiated by farmers in Soc Trang to restrict the use of insecticide and pesticide to minimize input costs and impacts on the environment. – (Photo: VGP/Tu Luong)

At yesterday’s working session with provincial leaders to review last year’s socio-economic development and plans for next year, Mr. Nhan asked Soc Trang to speed up the application of science and technology to agricultural production to increase rice value. According to Soc Trang authorities, last year the province enjoyed an economic growth of more than 9% with the annual per capita income reaching nearly 1,300 USD. In 2013, it has set a target of 10% economic growth.