Strategic improvements to the business environment in Hunan province are starting to pay dividends, local officials said.

Almost all of the province's 39 industries remained profitable last year despite a market downturn and poor international business climate. Of them, 27 realized year-on-year increases in profit.

However, there are still many obstacles to further economic growth in the province, and these issues have become a focal point for government action, said Zhou Qiang, Party chief of Hunan, at a provincial economic conference held at the end of last year.