Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính meets with top officials of the Party Committee of the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai on Sunday. — VNA/VNS Photo Văn Điệp

CENTRAL HIGHLANDS — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Sunday met with leaders of Gia Lai to review the Central Highlands province’s socio-economic development in 2021 and plans for the future.

The meeting took place in Pleiku City, with Government leaders and Gia Lai’s top officials.

The officials reported on the province’s past development and proposed new projects to be approved by the Prime Minister.

Reviewing Gia Lai’s achievements and challenges in 2021, Hồ Văn Niên, secretary of the provincial Party Committee, said they were able to reach the “dual goal” of keeping up economic growth while dealing with COVID-19.

This was illustrated in its Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) increasing by 9.71 per cent compared to 2020, he said. The production value of agriculture, forestry and fishery reached VNĐ49.60 trillion (US$2.14 billion), up 13.99 per cent from 2020.

The province's competitiveness index (PCI) in 2021 ranked second in the Central Highlands region and 26th nationwide, up 12 places compared to 2020, Nên added.

Its cultural values were preserved and promoted, and the healthcare and education systems were improved for the benefit of the people, especially those living in distant and remote areas.

The official also addressed some development projects that the province would like to carry out in the future. They include the construction of the Peiku–Quy Nhơn Expressway, the Ia Mơ irrigation system, as well as measures to attract official development aid for some other traffic and irrigation projects.

Pleiku City, the capital of Gia Lai Province. The Central Highlands province has a strategic geographical position in the Việt Nam–Laos–Cambodia development triangle area. — VNA/VNS Photo Phan Nguyên

Speaking at the meeting, PM Chính highlighted the advantages of Gia Lai’s geological location, which is a mountainous province, bordering Cambodia on the west. This is a strategic position in terms of economy, defence and security, the centre of the Việt Nam–Laos–Cambodia Development Triangle Area, he said.

Gia Lai is the second largest province in the country by nature, has a long tradition, rich history, and is full of patriotic residents, the PM added.

"This is a valuable heritage, a fundamental resource for Gia Lai to develop rapidly and sustainably," he said.

The Government leader applauded the province’s achievements in 2021, but also addressed the challenges it needs to overcome. They include slow disbursements of public investment capital; poor land, mineral resources and forest management; and limited control of social order and safety in some areas. 

He asked Gia Lai to continue to abide by the Resolution of the 13th Party Congress and Resolution of the provincial Party Congress, take advantage of its potential and resources, and strive to become a driving force in the Central Highlands region by 2030.

He also asked the province to focus on implementing the National Assembly’s and Government’s resolutions on COVID-19 prevention and control, and socio-economic recovery and development.

It also needs to accelerate economic restructuring in association with transforming growth models, applying science and technology, promoting innovation, and improving labour productivity, the PM said.

Gia Lai must also be determined to improve the business and investment environment, he stressed, by continuing to upgrade the indicators of administrative reform and competitiveness, promoting digital transformation, and developing quality human resources.

He added that the province needs to strengthen its defence and security capabilities, maintain political security, social order and safety, as well as being proactive in international integration, and improve its relationships with provinces in southern Laos and northeast Cambodia.

The PM gave his approval to the province’s plans for more development projects and asked different sectors to collaborate with Gia Lai authorities to implement them.

“I suggest Gia Lai be more confident and more self-reliant, keep promoting their internal strengths, choose the right things to do, and finish what they start, for a rapid and sustainable development,” he said.  VNS