The Central Highland province of Lam Dong increased its agro-forestry and fisheries production by 28 percent year-on-year to 2.61 trillion VND ( 123.16 million USD) in the first half of this year, while continuing to expand trade activities and services, attracting 2.3 million tourist arrivals.

The outcomes were reported at a June 19 meeting between a delegation of the Central Highlands Steering Committee, led by Standing Vice Chairman Tran Viet Hung, and key officials of the province.

The province continued to effectively realise support programmes for beneficiaries of social welfare and poor and near-poor households, while ensuring local security and public order, provincial officials reported.

The production and business activities of many local firms were limited as some roads connecting Lam Dong with other Central Highland and southeastern provinces have been falling into disrepair.

Speaking at the event, Hung said the committee will team up with relevant ministries and agencies to handle the difficulties for the province and recommend the Ministry of Transport to deal with the traffic infrastructure issue as soon as possible.

He urged the province to continue to lure investment and cut the interest rate of loans for expanding coffee-growing areas, while also extending the payback period. He also asked them to promote the 2014 Central Highlands - Da Lat National Tourism Year.-VNA