Central Highland province urged to boost local economy

At an August 13 working session with the provincial Party Committee, Trong highlighted Kon Tum’s important strategic position in terms of economics, national defence-security and external relations in the Central Highlands region and the whole country. 

Hailing the province for its socio-economic performance over the past time, he also pointed out its shortcomings like unsteady growth, a lack of development breakthroughs, outdated industrial and farming technology and untapped agriculture, forestry and tourism potential. 

Party leader Trong asked Kon Tum to make breakthroughs in local socio-economic development

He requested Kon Tum to head planning and management, shift economic and rural structures to more promising fields, expand all-around links with the central and Central Highlands provinces, Ho Chi Minh City, and border provinces in Laos and Cambodia. 

The province was asked to develop transport and infrastructure, protect forests and the environment, while improving the lives of ethnic groups and maintaining traces of national culture. 

The Central Highlands and Kon Tum province in particular, must firmly safeguard national defence and security, socio-political stability and ensure border security, the Party leader said. 

Together with socio-cultural development, the provincial Party Committee must be serious about Party building with persistent implementation of the Resolution of the fourth meeting of the 11th Party Central Committee in line with the campaign “Studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s moral example”, as well as improving State management to speed up administrative reforms. 

Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Ha Ban said during the course of implementing the Resolutions, Kon Tum has seen progress in almost all fields. 

Its annual economic growth hit nearly 13.5% between 2011 and 2013. The level of skilled workers rose to 36.7% in 2012 from 33% in 2010. The rate of poor households is expected to fall to 18.2% in 2013 from over 33% three years ago. 

Between now and 2015, Ban said the Standing Board of the provincial Party Committee will act to clear business and investment difficulties, prioritise the development of spearhead industries and services in rural areas, improve resettlement and tackle the shortage of housing and production land.

It also pledged to ramp up infrastructure and boost trade at Bo Y international airport and promptly kick-start poverty reduction projects in remote and poor areas.