Gia Lai (VNA) – Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has requested the CentralHighlands province of Gia Lai to rely on its strengths to develop hi-techagriculture and forestry in combination with processing industry.

Talking with provincialleaders on April 13, the Party leader pointed out to several advantages of theprovince, including a total area of over 15,500sq.m – the second largestlocality of Vietnam, climate and basalt soil which are favourable for coffee,rubber and pepper plants.

These advantagesare its potential and strengths, for both short and long terms, he affirmed, emphasisingthe importance of connection between the State, scientists, enterprises andfarmers in bringing them into full play.

He asked Gia Laito focus on new-style rural building, forest and eco-environment protection,and resident resettlement.

Attention shouldbe paid to developing industry, tourism, education and human resourcestraining, while maintaining cultural identities and changing out-of-datepractices.

Party chief Trong alsoreminded the locality of thoroughly dealing with the land issue, wellimplementing social welfare policies and maintaining defence and security.

It is also necessaryfor the province to better Party and political system building, he stated,requiring extra efforts to put the Ayun irrigation project in Chu Se districtinto use in order to bring practical benefits to residents.

According to areport by Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Duong Van Trang, in 2016,Gia Lai enjoyed a GDP growth rate of 7.48 percent, with annual per capitaincome reaching 38 million VND (1675.8 USD).

As of March 31,the province planted 65,172 hectares of crops, exceeding the plan by 0.5percent and up 12 percent year-on-year.

By the end of 2016, the province’s forest coverage reached 46.2 percent.

The poverty ratedecreased by 3.18 percent each year to stand at 16.55 percent in late 2016.Health insurance covered 82.3 percent of the local population./.