Ha Giang (VNA) – The northern mountainous province of Ha Giang hasfocused on international integration, considering it a driver for the localeconomy.

The province’s strategy for international integration through 2020 with avision to 2030 identifies three main targets: integration in economy; politics,defence and security; and culture, society, science-technology andeducation-training.

Various directions and plans have been employed to realise the goals, includingan action plan on external information and a master plan to develop the economyin border areas along with local defence-security and tourism promotionprgrammes.

The locality has set up ties with China’s Yunnan and Guangxi provinces andBenguet province of the Philippines. Besides paying attention to establishingbilateral ties with international organisations and foreign non-governmentalorganisations (NGOs), the province has prioritised trade promotion activitiesand international trade.

The province currently houses 33 projects and programmes supported by 16 NGOsas well as working to attract nine official development assistance projects.Last year, it inked 10 new international cooperative deals and sent 679officials and staff to exchange experience with foreign partners.

In the future, efforts will be channeled into promoting exchanges andcooperation with the Chinese provinces and expanding relations with foreignembassies, NGOs and foreign localities.

A conference to introduce the potential of Ha Giang will be held on February 1.Standing Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Minh Tiensaid this is an important event to popularise Ha Giang province tointernational friends, thus deepening ties with foreign partners.-VNA