President Truong Tan Sang has paid a working visit to the central coastal province of Binh Dinh to inspect the local socio-economic situation.

President Truong Tan Sang visits residents and workers in mountainous An Quang commune in the central province of Binh Dinh's An Lao District.

The leader was taken on a fact-finding tour at the Tam Quan seaport in Hoai Nhon District, which is an important gateway for thousands of fishermen belonging to and from outside the locality.

He then toured the Nhon Hoi economic zone to learn about its investment climate.

Covering an area of 12,000 hectares, this key industrial park has attracted 34 projects worth US$1.2 billion.

Binh Dinh Province is working with the Thai Oil and Gas Group to carry out a feasibility study for an oil refinery complex project in the zone.

At a later meeting with local leaders, Sang acknowledged the province's achievements in achieving most of its socio-economic targets and maintaining the economic growth at a reasonable level.

He acknowledged the local creativity in marine development and agreed with their solutions to build better new-design rural areas in order to give the locality a facelift.

The president noted that despite investment efforts, the local infrastructure has yet to meet quality requirements. The lacklustre planning and development of transport links in the east Truong Son mountain range was an example, he said.

He supported a suggestion for raising a fund to support fishermen and urged the province to enforce policies to develop fisheries and forestry further.