Over 170 billion VND (7.82 million USD), including 100 billion VND (4.6 million USD) from bank donations, was raised for social welfare activities in the Central Highlands region during an arts performance programme held in Da Lat city, Lam Dong province on May 17.

The programme, part of the 3 rd Conference for Investment Promotion and Social Security for the Central Highlands, was organised by the Steering Committee for the Central Highlands and the State Bank of Vietnam.

It called on organisations, individuals, donors and enterprises within and outside the country to work together in ensuring social security initiatives, contributing to alleviating hunger and poverty, raising living standards and promoting socio-economic development in the region.

According to the event’s organising board, the funds will be used in remote and disadvantaged areas in the Central Highlands.

From 2008 to 2014, banks spent around 556 billion VND (23 million USD) on social welfare activities in the region.

At the 2nd Conference, commercial banks signed 20 credit contracts to provide over 23.8 trillion VND (1.1 billion USD) for the region.

The Central Highlands consists of Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, and Lam Dong provinces.-VNA