Lam Dong (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has advised the CentralHighlands province of Lam Dong province to pursue a development model thatfocuses on the three pillars of clean high-tech farming, farm produceprocessing, and agritourism.

He presentedhis advice at a meeting with local authorities on July 30, the second of itskind over the past two years.

As reportedat the function, following the two-year implementation of a special mechanism directedby the PM’s decision, Lam Dong has made public a list of 27 realty investmentprojects as well as announced two new high-tech agricultural zones in Lac Duongand Duc Trong districts. It also secured eight memoranda of understanding oncooperation with businesses, investors, and credit institutions regardinginvestment in Da Lat city, with the total value of these pacts amounting toover 48 trillion VND (2.068 billion USD).

ParticipatingGovernment officials were impressed with the local outcomes of high-techagricultural development, which is at a high level nationwide.

They laudedthe province’s establishment of major centres for its farm produce, such asflowers and vegetables. These centres have been developed based on connectionswith the business community in a bid to expand export markets.

Addressingthe meeting, PM Phuc said with its economic scale accounting for 1.4 percent ofthe nation, Lam Dong is thriving as a growth pillar of the Central and CentralHighlands region in terms of growth, with an annual income per capita of 55million VND (2,370 USD).

He praised boththe promotion of local tourism and agricultural development, which is based onvalue chains, In particular, he applauded the formation of safe farm producechains and trademark buildings for local specialties such as flowers.

TheGovernment leader said he believes that the province will fulfil itssocio-economic development plan set for 2018.

Herecommended Lam Dong encourage the growth of the processing industry to reduceraw material exports for better economic benefits.

PM Phucasked the province to address its tourism shortcomings through better selectionof investors and crackdowns on fake tourism products in Da Lat. Increased effortsto push up the duration of tourists’ stay and their spending are also needed,he noted.

Hesuggested Lam Dong perform better in forest protection and tackle the issue oftraffic congestion and infrastructure degradation.   

The topofficial told local leaders to pay attention to business climate improvement,poverty reduction, and technological application.

He told LamDong should focus on boosting its educational standards to meet the nation’s,as well as increasing its rate of urbanisation and clean water use.

Hesuggested the province attract more investment via encouraging public-privatepartnership (PPP) deals towards green, effective and sustainable development.-VNA