(VOVworld) – Lai Chau has been one of 3 leading provinces in building new-style rural areas in the northern mountain region. 15 of its communes have achieved all the 19 new rural development criteria, of which Ban Giang has been considered a role model in the northwestern region.

Ban Giang commune, which is comprised of 5 hamlets, has 3,500 people from 5 ethnic groups. The commune was recognized as a new-style rural area in 2015. Since 2011 it has invested 2 million USD in upgrading ít infrastructure. Local residents contributed 3 hectares of land, 25,000 USD and labor to build public facilities. Nguyen Ba Kien, Chairman of the communal People’s Committee, said: “We’ll mobilize all available resources including bank loans to help the people develop their production. Poverty reduction is our target for this year.”

Tam Duong district has been a forerunner in building new-style rural areas in Lai Chau province. Its poverty rate reduced from 51.78% in 2010 to 14.7% in 2015. Bui Quang Vinh, Vice-chairman of the People’s Committee, said: “We’ll continue to encourage the people to get involved in building new-style areas. We’ll focus on goods production, market connectivity, and the application of technological advances towards sustainable production. Policies to support poor households will be implemented and increased investments will be spent on communes with high poverty rates. Oversight will be strengthened to ensure investment effectiveness.”

Ha Van Um, Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said Lai Chau has made the most of its advantages of geography, infrastructure, and local specialties to boost new rural development. Mr. Um, who is also deputy head of the provincial steering committee for new rural development, said up to 2020 Lai Chau strives to have 6 communes recognized as new-style rural areas each year: “We’ll prioritize investments for the 15 communes already recognized as new-style rural areas and the 6 communes selected for this year. Rural transportation, the environment, and housing will receive due attention. We’ll accelerate agricultural restructuring and vocational training for rural laborers.”