Ngari has the advantages of vast stretches of territory and affluent resources. It has abundant reserves of boron, and the proven reserves of quality salt lake deposits reach 970,000 tons. The unique and fantastic landscape and culture of Ngari strongly appeal to the increasing number of domestic and overseas tourists. Burang Port has been promoted to a Category II port of the State, and Shibuqi in Zhada County has developed into a traditional barter trade fair. These developments have greatly facilitated the development of border trade in the Ngari Prefecture. However, the lack of transportation facilities and information has also restricted the economic development in Ngari. With increased support from the government of the Tibet Autonomous Region for Ngari's economic construction, the transportation and communications systems in the prefecture are progressing.
Ngari's future in the 21st century will be bright. The period from 1999 to 2010 is crucial to the economic growth and all-round social progress of Ngari. It is an important period to build up a unified, prosperous and civilized new Ngari. In accordance with the Third Symposium of the CPC Central Committee on Tibetan Work, the extended meeting of the Sixth Plenary Session of the Fourth CPC Tibet Autonomous Regional Committee, and the Fifth CPC Congress of the Tibet Autonomous Region, the CPC Ngari Prefectural Committee and the prefectural administrative office, taking into consideration the local conditions and basing on extensive investigation and research, comprehensive analysis and various solicited opinions, put forward the plans for the 1996-2000 period, goals for 2010 and major policies and measures.
The focus of work from 1999 to 2000 will be on infrastructure construction. During this period, the local economy is expected to develop at an annual growth rate of 10 percent, allowing the prefecture to be half-self-sufficient, and completely self-sufficient in the supply of major living goods such as grain, edible oil and meat. The gross domestic product will reach 310 million yuan, and the per capita GDP will quadruple the 1980 figure. By that time, all residents will be free of poverty, and the majority of them will be able to live a comfortable life. Improvement will also be made in the conditions for herdsmen to settle down. Efforts will be made to maintain steady economic development under the prerequisite of consolidating and strengthening the achievements in infrastructure construction.
Ngari boasts of animal husbandry and a booming mining industry. A total of 18.6 million hectares of grasslands are available for herding more than 2.7 million domestic animals. The annual output of wool tops 1,000 tons, cashmere over 170 tons, ox hair about 60 tons, meat 5,609 tons and milk products 6,200 tons. More than 30 types of mineral resources have been found, which, located in 254 mines, include salt, boron, aluminum, miabilite, chromium, silver and gold.
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