Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made the comments at a meeting with key leaders of Dak Lak on Tuesday. Dak Lak is among the hardest hit provinces by the recent drought, with a total loss of 90 thousand hectares of crops valued at 143 million USD. The province currently faces difficulties in handling issues related to land, water and people’s livelihoods. Despite local authority concern, Prime Minister Phuc said the government was adamant about a complete ban on the logging of natural forests. Furthermore, it would not permit the convert degradation of natural forests into agricultural land. He also urged Dak Lak provincial leaders to promote start-up businesses and ensure they contribute to the economic development of the province.
