The Central Highlands region lags behind other areas in the country in attracting foreign investment due to its poor infrastructure and lack of skilled labour.

According to the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the region, which comprises Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Lam Dong, had 148 valid foreign-investment projects with a total registered capital of 819 million USD by the end of last year.

Of these provinces, Lam Dong led with 122 projects capitalised at approximately 500 million USD and accounting for 82 percent of the region's total foreign-invested projects and 61 percent of total registered FDI, the agency noted.

Dak Lak ranked second with six projects, valued at 150 million USD, while Gia Lai placed third with 11 projects valued at 80 million USD. The two remaining provinces of Kon Tum and Dak Nong had nine projects with a combined capital of 89.6 million USD.

Of note, Hong Kong (China) was the region's leading foreign investor with 150 million USD, making up 18 percent of its total FDI. It was followed by Taiwan (China), with 122 million USD or 15 percent, and Japan with 103 million USD or 12 percent.

During the reviewed period, the agro-forestry-fisheries sector absorbed the largest share of FDI with 350 million USD, accounting for 42 percent of the region's total FDI, following by processing and manufacturing industries with 198 million USD, or 24 percent of FDI pledged in the region.

To attract more FDI, the agency suggested that these five provinces accelerate investment promotions to publicise their investment climates, potentials and prioritise sectors to alert foreign investors about investment opportunities.

Top priority should also be given to further upgrading infrastructure and improving human resources to better attract investors, it added.-VNA