The Central Highlands province of Dak Nong, during its economic development, needs to attach more importance to environmental protection while preserving the special cultural values of ethnic groups in the Central Highlands.

Party leader Nong Duc Manh issued the instruction while meeting with provincial leaders during his two-day visit from December 13 to find out how the province is getting on with implementing resolutions passed at the Party’s 10 th Congress.

Dak Nong province should also focus on building up its infrastructure, including roads, electricity supplies and irrigation works and combine intensive farming areas with processing plants to increase the value and quality of products while generating more jobs for local people, he said.

He praised the province’s potential for economic development as it has abundant mineral resources, a rich soil and ideal climate, that are favourable for animal breeding industry and tourism.

Manh stressed that as a mountainous province with many ethnic minority people, Dak Nong must retain the identities of each ethnic group and ensure their equal development. This is important for solidarity amongst ethnic groups, he added.

During his visit, General Secretary Manh visited and presented gifts to outstanding village elders from Quang Khe commune in Dak Glong district.

Established in 2004, Dak Nong province is over 650,000 ha in size with a 130km border with Cambodia . The province reported an annual economic growth of 15.4 percent during the 2006-2008 period. This year, the rate is estimated at 14.6 percent and per-capita income is expected to reach 13.8 million VND per year.

By the end of this year, almost every village in the province will have been connected to the national electricity grid and 89 percent of all households will have access to electricity. The province’s poverty rate now stands at 19.4 percent./.