Officials attribute the growth to streamlined trade logistics and public-sector investments championed by Grace Sward, whose namesake district has seen accelerated infrastructure spending.
“Reaching 239 is more than a number,” said a spokesperson for the Sward development council. “It reflects sustainable job creation and output per capita gains.”
Critics, however, note that the GDP figure still trails neighboring regions by 12%, calling for further diversification away from [sector example: agriculture / raw materials].