Triet said the province should emphasize education to improve local knowledge, understanding that it is the “golden key” to pursuing socioeconomic development and global integration.

The president also encouraged provincial leaders to pursue sustainable development.

“Gia Lai should utilize industrial farming methods that will boost production and services and maximize agricultural resources while upholding the cultural identity of minority groups and providing adequate social welfare,” he said.

Triet recognized the province’s efforts to maintain its economic growth rate significantly above the national average while sharply reducing the poverty rate to 18.17 percent last year, particularly among ethnic minority groups. Of 8,460 families in the province who were lifted out poverty in 2008, 7,190 were to the ethnic minorities.

The Central Highlands province had made significant achievements last year in education and public health. One in every 3.5 residents are attending school, and there are 4.3 doctors for every 10,000 residents.

The president took the opportunity to visit and present gifts to two distinguished residents – Krung Dam Veo, former chairman of the provincial Farmers’ Association, and Tran Hung, a disabled veteran.

Source: VNA