Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc (L) asked authorities of the Central Highlands province of Đắk Lắk yesterday to boost economic restructuring in a more practical manner. — Photo VGP

HÀ NỘI – Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc asked authorities of the Central Highlands province of Đắk Lắk yesterday to boost economic restructuring in a more practical manner.
At a meeting with local officials, the Government leader suggested focusing on fostering agricultural production, seeking and expanding markets for farm produce, and running campaigns to promote agricultural products and trademarks.
He also urged Đắk Lắk to examine its land fund and mechanisms for the fair distribution of land to local residents in order to facilitate agricultural production and private economic development, as well as improve living conditions.

While praising the local authorities’ determination to develop Buôn Ma Thuột City into a centre of the region, Prime Minister Phúc urged the province to focus on ensuring the water supply for farm production and daily use in order to prevent deforestation and migration that is hindering growth.
He underlined Đắk Lắk’s obligation to implement ethnic and religious policies and encourage start-up activities, while taking measures to improve its investment climate and provincial competitiveness index (PCI). According to the Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, Pham Thanh Nghi, Đắk Lắk will focus on building new-style rural areas aimed at providing sustainable growth for local farmers.
The locality will invest in agricultural production and industries serving agriculture, as well as develop energy, services and tourism, he said.
Đắk Lắk has submitted a proposal to the Government to build the York Đôn National Tourism Site based on the York Đôn National Park, in order to promote tourism development.
Agreeing in principle with the locality’s proposal, the PM urged the relevant authorities to strictly abide by regulations on forest development and environmental protection in the national park.
The site should also serve as a centre for training and performing traditional art forms of Central Highlands ethnic minority groups, contributing to preserving the unique cultural values of the region, he stressed.
Đắk Lắk has been one of the localities hardest hit by the prolonged drought in the Central Highlands. However, it still maintained stable socio-economic development, with estimated Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) hitting VNĐ16.5 trillion (US$742.5 million) in the first two quarters of this year, up 4.6 per cent from last year. It also made remarkable achievements in budget collection, poverty reduction and support for people in drought-hit areas.--VNS