Poverty reduction program contributes to economic development
Ha Noi, Feb. 10 (VNA) -- The National Programme on Hunger Elimination and Poverty Reduction (Programme 135) has contributed to socio-economic development, markedly improving the living conditions of the poor in more than 2,300 poor communes.
In 2002, through the programme, more than 890 billion VND from the central budget were channelled to 2,233 communes with special difficulties and 51.6 billion VND from the local budget to 129 communes.
The funding helped these localities build nearly 5,000 infrastructure projects, including 1,640 roads, 509 schools, 753 irrigation works, 64 markets, 79 medical stations and 86 waste-land reclaiming projects.
Many localities paid attention to restructuring infrastructural development with preferential capital given to projects to serve production development, such as reclamation of virgin land for wet rice growing and irrigation projects. As a result, the average food share per head has exceeded the target of 300 kg a year in Quang Ninh, Ninh Thuan, Thua Thien-Hue, Binh Dinh, Lao Cai, Thanh Hoa, Quang Ngai, Kon Tum and Quang Binh provinces.
Last year, with a State budget allocation of 250 billion VND, these localities built 347 centres in communes with nearly 400 projects, thus helping change the face of areas with special difficulties and promote trade in these localities.
