VGP – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chaired a working session of the 13th National Party Congress’s Sub-committee on socio-economic affairs in Dak Lak province on July 12 with the participation of leaders of 10 Central Coast and Central Highlands provinces. 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (standing) addresses the working session between 
the 13th National Party Congress’s Sub-committee on socio-economic affairs and
leaders of the Central Coast and Central Highlands provinces in Buon Ma Thuot city
of Dak Lak province, July 12, 2019. Photo: VGP

This is the 3rd working session between the Sub-committee and leaders of provinces and cities in order to seek inputs for the formation of socio-economic documents to be submitted to the 13th National Party Congress.

Speaking at the event, PM Phuc, who is Head of the 13th National Party Congress’s Sub-committee on socio-economic affairs, said that he expects to hear frank statements on good development stories as well as barriers that have hindered the development of the region.

Phuc said the region accounts for nearly 13% and 25% of the country’s population and area respectively and is endowed with favorable conditions for development of industry, tourism, services, and high-tech agriculture among others.

However, Phuc pointed out that the urbanization rate remains low compared to the average rate of the whole country, asking the central city of Da Nang to report on the connectivity between the city and the rest of the region.

Some localities are facing excessive supply of coffee, rubber and pepper and excessive development of hydro power plants, which have led to forest shrinkage, low productivity and deterioration of the environment.

Management of land and natural resources has not been effective while inter-regional and intra transport capacity remains weak, the Government chief said.

He urged the regional localities to fully grasp the view that the region needs to put development issue first for stability instead of stability for development.

Dak Nong province suggested the Party should adopt a post-2020 Central Highlands strategy with a focus on economic development, connectivity and associated preferential policies.

Da Nang City Chairman Huynh Duc Tho proposed the establishment of a council for the region headed by a Deputy Prime Minister.

Representative from Kon Tum suggested the Government to mull over construction of an expressway through the Central Highlands provinces and a railway connecting the Central Highlands with the coastal provinces./.