1- Agriculture, forestry and fishery

a) Agriculture:

- Cultivation: As of end of March, the area under cultivation in the winter-spring paddy achieved 54,007 hectares, increasing by 0.7% against the same period.

The areas under rice sowing achieved 27,147 hectares, equaling 99.9% against the same period; maize 4,703 hectares, equaling 97.5%; sweet potato 3,513 hectares, equaling 98.7%; cassava 5,841 hectares, equaling 2.5%; vegetables 4,273 hectares, increasing by 1.7%; soy bean 882 hectares, increasing by 1.7%; peanut 5,057 hectares, increasing by 5.5% against the same period.

- Perennial plant: In the 1^st quarter of 2009, the area of perennial plant under care was 3,570 hectares, increasing by 0.6% against the same period.

- Livestock feeding: the total herd of cattle and poultry in the first months of 2009 was maintained and grown. As estimated as of April 1^st 2009, there were 40,675 buffaloes, increasing by 1.0%; 128,371 oxen, increasing by 2.1%; 371,166 pigs, increasing by 3.5%; 2,141,514 poultries, increasing by 10.5% against the same period. Work of epidemic prevention for cattle and poultry was concerned. In February of 2009, however, the foot and mouth disease happened in Xuan Trach commune (Bo Trach district) with 259 buffaloes infected disease. The provincial People's Committee directed all sectors and localities to control the spread of disease.

b) Forestry: As of the end of 1^st quarter of 2009, the rattan production was estimated to reach 72 tonnes, equaling 69.2% against the same period; pine resin production achieved 247 tonnes, equaling 67.3 % against the same period; the area of forest under care was 1,630 hectares, increasing by 1.9% against the same period; the area of separated forestation gained 1.8 million trees, equaling 98.4% compared with the same period. The forest protection was paid much attention to by the forest guards and local authorities.

c) Fishery: The fishery production in the 1^st quarter of 2009 was estimated to achieve 5,267 tonnes, increasing by 16.97% compared with the same period; the farmed production achieved 1,045.5 tonnes, increasing by 18.4% compared with the same period.

2- Industry

Despite of facing the impact of economic recession over the world, thanks to the timely and positive guiding of the Provincial People's Committee to solve difficulties for all sectors and levels, and implementation of many policies and solution packages of the Government, and the great efforts made by enterprises and production establishments, the industrial production in the 1^st quarter of 2009 still remained a fair growth in all fields and products. As estimated, the industrial production in the 1^st quarter of 2009 at constant prices was 619.5 billion VND, reaching 19.5% of the plan, increasing by 19.5% against the same period; of which state economic sector achieved 397.9 billion VND, increasing by 22.1%; non-state economic sector achieved 209.5 billion VND, increasing by 18.0%; foreign-invested economy achieved 12.1 billion VND, equaling 80.4% compared with the same period.

As compared with same period last year, some products had the higher growth rates like: construction stone rose by 25.4%, cement by 26.0%, clinker by 31.9%, dry aquatic products by 55.5%, beer by 107.0%, mineral water by 41.2%, ready-made clothing by 27.4%, saw wood processing by 23.0%, refined brick by 14.6%, tap water by 29.8%, and cassava by 37.0%. However, some products decreased against same period last year like: titan ore fell by 33.2%, frozen aquatic products by 6.4% and assembled automobile by 74.3%.

3- Investment

From the beginning of the year, the Provincial People's Committee has actively directed all levels, sectors and the project management boards to accelerate the progress of procedure implementation, site clearance and the progress of building capital construction projects, especially key projects like: Quang Hai bridge, provincial museum, national road No.12A, Rao Da lake, Song Thai lake and cement projects. In general, capital construction investment in 1^st quarter of 2009 achieved fairly against the same period.

- Regarding the volume: The investment for development in the 1^st quarter of 2009 was estimated at 203 billion VND, achieving 18.9% of the yearly plan; of which provincial budget capital achieved 18.8%, district budget 19% and targeted program 10.8%.

- Regarding the allocation: In the first two months of 2009, 90.4 billion VND was allocated to investment for development, reaching 12.9% of the plan.

4- Trade and services

Domestic trade: The market of goods and services was stable. The volume of goods provided for the market was abundantly, meeting the demand for production and consumption of the people. The total retail sales of goods and services in 1^st quarter of 2009 at current prices were estimated at 1,675.1 billion VND, increasing by 26.7% against the same period. Work of against smuggling, fake goods and trade fraud was strengthened.

Import and export: Export turnovers in the first three months of 2009 were estimated to achieve 8.116 million USD, increasing by 5.4% against same period. However, export activity met many difficulties because of economic recession, causing the price of some key export items to reduce like: rubber, wood and pine resin. The total import turnovers in 1st quarter of 2009 achieved 856.2 thousand USD, only equaling 15.8% against same period.

Price of goods and consumer services: The index of commodity price and consumer services in the 1^st quarter was stable. The index of consumer price in March of 2009 fell by 0.16% compared with February of 2009 and increased by 2.03% compared with December of 2008.

Tourism: The number of arrivals to the province in the first three months was estimated at 112,200 passengers, increasing by 10.6% against same period. Of which, international arrivals were 5,983 turns of passengers, increasing by 11.0% against same period. The tourism sector has continuously directed to improve the quality of tourism service; strengthen propagation, popularization and introduction about Quang Binh tourism in the means of communication; train and foster human resources; build master plan for tourism development of the province...

Transport: The volume of cargos carried in the 1^st quarter of 2009 was estimated at 2.65 million tonnes, increasing by 9.9%; the volume of cargos traffic achieved 83.4 million tonnes, increasing by 8.6% against the same period. The passenger carriage was estimated at 2.55 million passengers, increasing by 11.4%; passenger traffic achieved 93.24 million, increasing by 12.9% against the same period. The total transport turnovers in the 1^st quarter of 2009 were estimated to reach 167.8 billion VND, increasing by 14.9% against the same period.

5 - Finance and Credit

Budget revenues: the total state budget revenues in the 1^st quarter of 2009 were estimated at 180.9 billion VND, reaching 20.1% against the yearly plan, equaling 90.4% against the same period; of which inland revenues were estimated at 160.6 billion VND, equaling 8.9%; revenues from imported tax were 20.3 billion VND, equaling 95% against the same period. Some revenues achieved fairly like: revenues from the central state enterprises were 29.1 billion VND, increasing by 16% against the same period; revenues from the local state enterprise were 42.4 billion VND, increasing 16.7%; revenues from land use fee were 28.7 billion VND, equaling 52.9% against the same period.

Budget spending: As estimated, the total spending from local budget in the 1^st quarter achieved 413.5 billion VND, equaling 21% of forecast, increasing by 17% against the same period. Of which, the spending from investment for development was 88.4 billion VND, equaling 91%; regular spending was 319 billion VND, increasing by 24% against the same period...

Credit activity: Until end of March 2009, the total capital mobilization of commercial banks and credit organizations was estimated to achieve 4,702 billion VND, increasing by 38.9% against the same period; the total turnover of loans in the 1st quarter of 2009 was estimated to achieve 3,750 billion VND, increasing by 60% against the same period; the total outstanding debt of loans to end of March 2009 was estimated to achieve 8,885 billion VND, increasing by 7.4% against the 31^st December of 2008, up to 23.7% against the same period.

6- Business registration and investment promotion:

- Business registration: In the 1^st quarter, there had been 94 enterprise licensed with the certificate of business investment, of which, 11 private enterprises, 54 two-member limited companies, 19 one-member limited companies and 10 joint-stock companies with the total registered capital of 368.4 billion VND. 7 enterprises were temporarily ceased the operation because of ineffective production and business; 5 enterprises were revoked certificate of business registration.

- Investment promotion: In the first months of 2009, the province's investment promotion continuously implemented effectively with the year 2009's theme "Strong improvement of business and investment environment and development of human resources". Many foreign and domestic investors and enterprises studied and registered investment in the provincial area. In the 1^st quarter, 10 projects were newly registered investment, 17 projects were licensed certificate of investment, of which, industry - construction (10 projects); minerals mining (02 projects), trade (01), education (01) and others (01) with the total invested capital of 913.504 billion VND... Especially in February of 2009, implementing the Decision of Prime Minister, the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group officially established the Management Board of Vung Ang - Quang Trach Electricity Project to carry out the Quang Trach thermo-electric project with capacity of 2,400 MW, invested by the PetroVietnam. In 1^st quarter, the provincial Center for Investment Promotion coordinated with television reporters and the Forum Business Magazine to implement special subjects to popularize the province's potentials and prospects; actively prepared documents for investment promotion in 2009.

7. Social affairs

a. Education and Training

In academic year of 2008-2009, together with the whole country, the provincial education sector has implemented the year's theme, titled "The year to promote the application of information technology, reform the financial management, and build friendly schools and develop active students", and the "2 Nos" campaign with four contents "say no to negative phenomena in exam, "achievement" disease and moral degradation in teaching staff" and "say no to non-standard education and failing to meet social requirements"; strengthened the work of building and improving the quality of the staff of teachers and educational managers; continuously developed and reinforced network of schools, classrooms and educational establishments. At present, the whole province has 605 schools and educational establishments, and 156 out of 159 communes, wards and townlets having the community study center... So far, there have been 155 out of 159 communes, wards and townlets meeting standards of compulsory junior secondary education, reaching 97.48%.

- Vocational training: In the academic year of 2008-2009, the vocational training establishments have continuously expanded the scale and forms of education, improved the quality of education and training, and developed human resources. At present, the number of students studying at Quang Binh University was 4,943 students, increasing by 1,293 students against same period last year. The number of students at the professional secondary schools was 2,822 students, decreasing by 289 students against same period last year. The number of technical workers at the professional secondary schools was 16,529 students, increasing by 7,543 students against same period.

However, the truant rate in mountainous and especially-difficult area, and semi-private schools was still high; the comprehensive quality of education at all levels and training level was generally low against the demand; the quality of compulsory education was not high...

b. Culture, information and sport

In the first months of this year, many animated activities in the fields of culture and information, radio and television, sports were organized to welcome the New Year, the anniversary of the Party's establishment, the “50th Traditional Day of Vietnamese People's Border and Coast Guard (03/3/1959 - 03/3/2009), 20th Anniversary of the National Border guard's Day (1989 - 2009)" and the 50th anniversary of Legendary Truong Son Trail (May 19 1959-2009) and the 20th reestablishment anniversary (July 1 1989-2009), aiming at reviewing the glorious tradition of the nation and creating an exciting atmosphere to encourage the whole Party and people in emulating and making the highest achievements, implementing the success of the tasks and plan in year 2009.

In the 1^st quarter, the sport sector organized many sporting activities to meet the people's demand of recreation on Tet holiday and the festivals; held many sport competitions from the province to districts like football, volleyball, tennis, chess and athletic competition... High record sports: at the national swimming competition, Quang Binh team achieved 1 gold medal, 6 silver medals and 6 copper medals; at the Taekwondo competition, Quang Binh team achieved 1 gold medal and 5 silver medals.

c. Healthcare for the people

In the 1^st quarter of 2009, work of healthcare for the people was concerned. The number of patients examined and treated was 150.7 thousand people, achieving 19.6% of the plan and increasing by 2.5% against the 1^st quarter of 2008. The number of inpatient treatment was 16.5 thousand people, achieving 29.3% of the plan and increasing by 4.8%... Besides, the competent sectors regularly conducted food safety inspections, so no case of food poisoning happened in the 1^st quarter.

Health network at grassroots levels was continuously strengthened. According to the report of the Department of Health, the whole province has now 159 out of 159 communes, wards and towns having medical stations, reaching 100%, of which 72 out of 159 (45.3%) of commune and ward-level medical stations meeting the national standards; 109 out of 159 of medical stations having doctor, reaching 68.6%; 100% of hamlets and villages having medical workers; 100% of medical stations equipped essential medicine to meet the demand for medical treatment.

(Source: Report No.311/KHDT-TH, dated March 30 2009)