Rural infrastructure in northern mountainous provinces has improved significantly over the last six years thanks to the implementation of a sustainable infrastructure development project. The project, implemented between 2011-16 in 15 provinces, focused on building and upgrading rural infrastructure facilities for these localities, improving management capacity for local authorities and improving living conditions for the poor, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Total investment for the project was $138 million, $108 million of which came from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the remainder from the Government of Vietnam, the ministry said at a conference held in Thai Nguyen province last week to review the project implementation. The project’s main goals are the elimination of hunger and poverty, improvement of rural infrastructure and enhancement of local authorities’ power in each province, district and commune. Living conditions of the poor are expected to improve significantly when the project is completed. The project has basically achieved its set target, helping to change the general face of targeted localities and improve the living conditions of local people, said a representative from the ministry’s Agricultural Project Management Board. Director of the project, Tran Van Lam, said many infrastructure works of the project had been completed and already in operation, bringing in practical benefits for local people. With convenient traffic and irrigation systems, local people’s production and trade activities would surely develop, he said. So far, 42 out of 55 sub-projects have been completed. Construction of the remaining sub-projects is expected for completion by June 30. Benefited localities include Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Cao Bang, Dien Bien, Ha Giang, Hoa Binh, Lai Chau, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Phu Tho, Son La, Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Phuc and Yen Bai. (http://english.vov.vn [1] Mar 13)
