A delegation of the Lao National Committee for Rural Development and Poverty Eradication on August 13 had a fact-finding tour to the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai to learn local experience in building new-style rural areas.

Lao officials visited Bien Ho, one of the first five communes of Gia Lai succeeding in meeting all 19 criteria of building new-style rural areas.

They paid special attention to measures to mobilise capital for building infrastructure and profitable production and livestock farming models.

Vice Chairman of the Lao committee Thongvanh Vilayheuang said Bien Ho’s experiences are very useful for his country in its effort to develop its rural areas comprehensively.

Vietnam’s national target programme on building new-style rural areas, initiated by the Government in 2010, sets 19 criteria regarding socio-economic development, politics and security – defence, aiming to give a facelift to rural regions of Vietnam.

Building infrastructure, improving production capacity, constructing public works, protecting the landscape and environment, and promoting local traditions and cultural identities are among them.

Gia Lai targets an additional 25 out of the 185 communes satisfying all criteria by the end of 2014.-VNA