Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) According to the Steering Committee for the Central Highlands Region, since 2010, the State has invested about 64 trillion VND (2.8 billion USD) in the region’s infrastructure, a 1.62-fold increase compared with 2006-2010.
Many important transport works in the region, including the 663-km Ho Chi Minh road section through the region, have been built, while three airports, namely Lien Khuong in Lam Dong, Buon Ma Thuot in Dak Lak, and Pleiku in Gia Lai were upgraded.
In 2016, the region’s total gross domestic product reached 151 trillion VND (6.64 billion USD), up 7.47 percent from the previous year, and the average per capita income was 39.56 million VND (1,740 USD).
The region’s economic structure was shifted and the number of newly-established enterprises and total registered capital surged.
Convenient road links attracted more investors, both inside and outside the country, to the region, while shortening travel times.
However, the Steering Committee for the Central Highlands Region said that the region’s transport infrastructure has yet to receive investment in keeping with its important strategic position.
The committee proposed the establishment of a fund to develop the region’s transport infrastructure to boost regional and international linkages, and encourage domestic and foreign investors to pour capital into the region’s key projects.
It suggested the Ministry of Transport consider investing in completing the Ho Chi Minh road section linking Kon Tum province’s Tan Canh commune with the central city of Da Nang as the road remains sloping and bendy.
It also asked the State to invest in railways and waterways to develop multi-modal transport to reduce transport costs.
The Central Highlands comprises of Lam Dong, Dak Lak, Kon Tum, Dak Nong and Gia Lai provinces. -VNA
VNA
