Economic development is important in countries because it

reduces poverty and increases social and political stability

Explanation:

Economic development tend to provide large opportunities for business to thrive. This will lead to an increase in job employment and average salaries that earned by the citizens.

When this happen, the budget that government have will also increase since the majority of it come from income taxes. This will make the government able to fund more social programs that increase the country's social and political stability.

answer; to save lives and protect property;