Thailand
Laos, Vietnam strengthen rural development cooperation
The Lao Committee for Rural Development and Poverty Eradication and the Northwest Steering Committee Vietnam met yesterday in Vientiane to strengthen cooperation in various sectors.
The meeting discussed continued cooperation between Laos and Vietnam in border and rural development along with poverty eradication efforts to improve living standards.
Deputy Head of the Committee for Rural Development and Poverty Eradication, Mr Thongvanh Vilayheuang, and Deputy Head of the Northwest Steering Committee Vietnam, Mr Le Van Lan, co chaired the meeting.
Mr Thongvanh reviewed achievements between the two sides over the past year, which have promoted political stability, peace and safety.
He highlighted cooperation in rural development and poverty eradication in Laos, saying this had achieved improvements in infrastructure and other facilities including roads, clean water systems, electricity, health services, education, human resource development, and food security.
Rural development and poverty reduction are particular priorities for the government in working towards graduation from Least Developed Country status.
The government aims to raise 4,833 families out of poverty by the end of 2018, lowering the total number of poor families to 66,139, or 5.67 percent of all households nationwide, according to the draft socio-economic development plan for 2018, recently presented at the National Assembly.
The government is on track to raise 5,580 families out of poverty by the end of 2017, reducing the number to 69,772, or 5.98 percent of the total, the report stated.
Another target for this year is to reduce the number of villages classified as poor to 1,511, accounting for 17.85 percent of the total.
The government will continue to invest in improving and building infrastructure. This includes expanding the electricity grid, building and upgrading roads, and installing water supplies and irrigation in remote areas.
Development plans are targeting improved living standards and lower poverty levels, with the government hoping to create jobs for villagers by teaching them about livestock farming and other agricultural pursuits.
Source: http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/FreeConten_Laosviet.html