Report: Central government plays crucial role in promoting Tibet´s economy

Source: Xinhua | 03-31-2009 08:07

BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese central government has played a crucial role in Tibet's economic development by establishing a market system and driving the region's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to the Report on the Economic and Social Development of Tibet published Monday by Beijing-based China Tibetology Research Center.

The government has lifted control on prices of consumer goods, including the prices of farm produce, and a market system has been established primarily in Tibet which has obvious function in regulating local economic life, the report said.

In contrast with the time of the planned economy when many Tibetan residents would bring back vegetables from inland areas, Today's markets in the region are full of commercial goods from all over China and the rest of the world.

After the market mechanism was introduced to the autonomous region, Tibetan farmers and herdsmen have profited greatly from the price rise of most agricultural and livestock products.

For instance, in the time of the planned economy a half kilogram of yak meat cost less than one yuan but now the price has risen to more than 20 yuan. A robust yak could even swap for a tractor, the report said.