(VOVworld) – Co To Island in Quang Ninh province completed the 3-year new rural development program in late 2013. The district reached the finish line 2 years ahead of Quang Ninh province’s progress and 7 years ahead of the national deadline.

The main road in Dong Tien commune, Co To Island was paved under the new development program (photo: baoquangninh.com.vn)

Co To Island is one of the most disadvantaged districts in Quang Ninh province and the nation. The islanders used to suffer from the shortage of fresh water, electricity, and boats traveling to the mainland, as well as harsh weather conditions. In 2010, households still had to save every drop of fresh water for drinking. There was often little left for life’s daily chores. The district had 2 electric generators which operated 6 to 8 hours a day. Every year, the authority had to spend an average of 500,000 USD to subsidize people’s expenses on petroleum used to run the generators. The poverty rate was nearly 10%.

After 3 years of developing new rural areas, 2 communes on Co To Island have completed the program. The district invested in upgrading and building 12 reservoirs to supply fresh water to 95% of the households. The 52 million USD program to connect Co To with the national electric grid was completed in 2013. The district has changed drastically from a poor agricultural region to a new tourist hub in Quang Ninh province. Over the last 3 years, the number of tourists has increased 17 folds, from 3,500 in 2010 to 60,000 in 2013. All inter village roads and lanes were paved. Schools met the national standard. The poverty rate dropped to 0.5%. Tran Thi Chinh lives in Co To township. "I contributed to all activities. Although I’m poor, I donated more or less to the new rural development program. I’ve never refused any activities."

The new rural development program has created momentum for the district to grow. The district has gained experience in creative leadership, good communication, identifying targets and appropriate steps compatible with its conditions, and mobilizing resources. Nguyen Van Coi lives in Hai Tien hamlet, Dong Tien commune. "I donated land according to the administration’s call. Our neighbors also donated 3 sq.m or 5 sq.m of land to build a road for the children to go to school."

In 2014, Co To district aims to put the Fishing Logistics Center into operation and diversify services to become a main fishing logistics hub in the Tonkin Gulf. Ha Manh Hung, Secretary of Dong Tien commune’s Party Committee, said: "We aim to make the marine economy the spearhead sector. We’ll also promote tourist services. We’ll encourage people to shift from small production to commodity production, especially popular seafood products."

After completing the new rural development program, Co To is striving to become a luxurious tourist destination and a key marine economic site in the national marine economic development strategy.