Provinces in the Central Highlands region should focus on socio-economic development while ensuring regional security, Politburo member and Minister of Public Security Tran Dai Quang stressed at a conference in Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak province on July 10.

The minister requested the Central Highlands Steering Committee work with authorized bodies to implement Party and Government socio-economic development plans by the end of 2015.

The Politburo member praised provincial successes in socio-economic development with economic growth reaching 7.34 percent in the first half of the year.

The region has offered vocational training to over 44,000 individuals and created jobs for nearly 50,000 workers, he added.

According to a committee report, the Central Highlands’ total GDP in the first six months is estimated to reach over 58 trillion VND (2.8 billion USD).

Policies for ethnic groups and social welfare activities have been effectively enacted and impoverished ethnic households were supported with land for housing and loans for manufacturing development in a bid to reduce hunger and poverty.

Moreover, medical exam quality for local people has improved considerably, especially for the poor, children and social welfare families.-VNA