Marking 50 years since liberation and nearly four decades of economic reform, Gia Lai Province is undergoing a dynamic transformation, steadily progressing toward its goal of becoming one of the more developed provinces in the South Central Coast and Central Highlands region. The province has identified three strategic pillars: high-tech agriculture, renewable energy, and trade-tourism as the foundation for its sustainable growth.
Gia Lai Emerges as a Leading Economic Growth Center in the Central Highlands
A Strong Foundation for Transformation
Gia Lai has made comprehensive strides across various sectors. In recent years, the province’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP) has grown at an average annual rate of 6.36%. In 2024, per capita income surpassed VND 68 million and is projected to reach VND 75.69 million in 2025. Total state budget revenue in 2024 exceeded VND 6,330 billion, up 13.5% compared to 2023 and 27.34% higher than in 2020 highlighting the province’s sound economic governance and effective investment attraction.
In addition to economic growth, Gia Lai continues to prioritize cultural and social development, poverty reduction, and improving quality of life, ensuring balanced progress across all fronts.
Infrastructure – A Catalyst for Regional Connectivity
One of Gia Lai’s significant development drivers is its transportation infrastructure. The province has been steadily upgrading its road network, ensuring seamless connections from provincial centers to communes, villages, and neighboring provinces. Notably, the Quy Nhon – Pleiku Expressway project, currently undergoing investment procedures, is expected to become a vital transport artery, cutting travel time from Gia Lai to the seaport cluster in Binh Dinh to just 1.5 hours.
The expressway is anticipated not only to meet increasing transportation demands but also to enhance regional connectivity, fostering value chains in agriculture, processing, and logistics between the Central Highlands and the coastal economic zones. Strategically, it will strengthen the East–West economic corridor, linking the Central Highlands with the Vietnam – Laos – Cambodia Development Triangle.
Selective Investment Approach with Public Capital Leading Private Investment
Looking ahead, Gia Lai’s leadership has emphasized the critical role of public investment as a catalyst for economic development. The province aims to achieve 100% disbursement of public investment capital in 2025. Budget allocations will prioritize key infrastructure projects to create transformational impacts, rather than spreading resources thinly.
Simultaneously, Gia Lai will pursue selective investment attraction in its areas of strength, particularly deep processing of key agricultural products such as rubber, coffee, and pepper; accelerating the deployment of renewable energy projects like wind and solar power; and developing technical infrastructure for industrial clusters to attract businesses.
The province also promotes digital commerce by enhancing supply-demand connectivity and encouraging local product consumption through e-commerce platforms, supported by preferential policies for domestic goods.
Seizing Opportunities for Sustainable Breakthroughs
During a working session with provincial leaders in early 2025, General Secretary To Lam reaffirmed Gia Lai’s vast potential in large-scale agriculture, processing industries, renewable energy, and eco-tourism. He emphasized the vision of transforming Gia Lai into a green economy hub, fostering organic and sustainable agriculture, diverse ecosystems, and a rich cultural identity.
According to Mr. Đinh Huu Hoa, Deputy Director of Gia Lai’s Department of Finance, the province will continue its selective approach to investment, prioritizing financially capable investors with advanced, environmentally friendly technologies, high labor demand, and strong budget contributions. Investment promotion efforts will focus on attracting major corporations, particularly foreign investors, to the province’s industrial parks and clusters.
With a clear development strategy, proactive regional integration, and a firm grasp of its internal strengths, Gia Lai is steadily establishing itself as a key economic player in the Central Highlands, poised for strong, sustainable breakthroughs in the years ahead.