The Economic Commission of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC) and the Central Highlands Steering Committee have been urged to work closely together to study and propose practical incentives to help the region spur its sustainable socio-economic development.

Vuong Dinh Hue, head of the commission, made the request at a working session with the Central Highlands Steering Committee on August 19 to review the five-year implementation of the Resolution of the 7th plenum of the 10th CPVCC on agriculture, farmers and rural areas, as well as the local socio-economic situation from January to July.

The region’s agricultural economy has seen remarkable changes with its agro-forestry-seafood production value exceeding 51.6 trillion VND (2.56 billion USD), up 32.9 percent against 2008.

Local crops such as coffee, rubber and pepper have seen increases in cultivating areas along with productivity and output.

The Central Highlands provinces have also poured a great amount of money into building socio-economic infrastructure in rural areas, specifically upgrading more than 2,000 irrigation works, which benefit more than 326,000 hectares of plants.

All regional communes have been connected to the national electricity grid, and gained access to education and healthcare, thus catering to the ethnic groups in the area.

Some 32.3 trillion VND (1.5 billion USD) has been mobilised to build new-style rural areas. Last year, the average per capita income was 26.92 million VND (1,280 USD) per year, up 2.3 times against 2008, and the poverty rate dropped to 15.58 percent from 18.92 percent one year earlier.

The provinces as well as nearby mountainous districts will strive to fulfil their key tasks of boosting socio-economic development, establishing a strong political system, and ensuring regional defence and security.-VNA