Gia Lai Province Striving for Sustainable Development

Implementing the renewal policy in practical conditions of the province, Gia Lai has successfully combined internal and external strengths and ensured a fast and sustainable socio-economic development. The economy has changed from self-subsistent to market-oriented with high growth and stable development. GDP growth rates increased from 4.2 per cent in 1986-1990 to 10 per cent in 1991-1995, and 11.5 per cent since 1996 up to now. The economic structure has changed in favour of industry and service. GDP ratio of industry-construction increased from 17.9 per cent in 2000 to 23.9 per cent in 2005 and service from 24.3 to 27.6 per cent, while agriculture-forestry decreased from 57.8 to 48.5 per cent. In forestry, new strains have been introduced to increase the competitiveness and market share such as coffee, rubber, pepper, processed timber, etc.

 

Small and medium sized industrial zones have been developed tapping natural resources and comparative edge such as hydro-power, agriculture-forestry processing, construction materials. Services have been diversified and expanded in both urban and rural areas.

 

The province has also succeeded in mobilising investments for development increasing from VND1,804 billion in 1991-1995 to VND8,270 billion in 1996-2000 and VND12,942 billion in 2001-2005. As the investment was from different sectors and for various areas, it has increased the efficiency and improved the conditions of the province.

 

In spite of limited resources, the province has developed its infrastructure with 253 irrigation works, big and small, watering 34,461 hectares, road networks to all districts and communes, power supply to 99.5 per cent of communes and 87.7 per cent of hamlets. 100 per cent of the province has radio coverage and 92.4 per cent receives television broadcasting.

 

With the improvement of the teaching staff and facilities, the province has attained the national standard of primary education in 1998 and 50 per cent of communes of secondary education in secondary education. Progress has also been recorded in public health with the introduction of successful programmes. Vaccination for the children increased to 93.4 per cent in 2005, while malnutrition decreased from 50 per cent in 1991 to 33 per cent in 2005. Over 400,000 health insurance cards have been distributed to poor and ethnic minority people.

 

Poor households of the province decreased from 22.4 per cent in 2000 to less than 10 per cent in 2005. GDP per capita is VND5.1 million, or 1.7 times that of 2000. In 1999, Gia Lai was among 8 provinces of the lowest HDI in Vietnam, by 2003 its HDI was 0.618 and among the average level of the country.

 

In the next five year (2006-2010), the province targets a GDP growth rate of over 12 per cent. The economic structure will be 31.5 per cent in industry-construction, 30.5 per cent in service, 38 per cent in agriculture-forestry. GDP per capita will be VND10.4 million, or 2.05 times that of 2005.

 

To achieve those objectives, Gia Lai will focus on rural industrialisation and modernisation, with intensive production and processing in competitive sectors such as agriculture-forestry products, construction materials, minerals, hydropower. The province will also increase cooperation and joint venture, expand markets, develop Duc Co border gate economic zone, encourage participation of all economic sectors and attract local and foreign investors.

 

The province is planning the development of key economic zones of Pleiku city, An Khe town, districts of Ayun Pa, Chu Se and Chu Pah, and economic rings of Pleiku - Dak Doa - Mang Yang, Pleiku - Chu Pah , Pleiku - Chu Prong - Duc Co, An Khe - Kbang - Kong Chro - Ia Pa, etc. The province will equally invest in culture and social welfare to ensure sustainable development.