Many localities in the Mekong Delta region have devised inventive measures to summon various resources for building new-style rural areas, according to a report revealed on February 25.

The National Steering Committee for the National Target Programme on Building New-Style Rural Areas organised a conference in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang to review three years of the programme’s implementation in the region.

The report by the programme’s central coordination office shows that as many as 1,269 communes in the region have joined the programme in the past three years.

During the period, the localities have called for support from collectives and individuals to build fundamental infrastructure facilities, especially roads and irrigation works, to improve living conditions for rural residents.

Notably, Ca Mau province has constructed 1,588 bridges, while Hau Giang has mobilised over 1.2 trillion VND (57.1 million USD) for building roads.

As of the end of 2013, on average the regional communes fulfilled nine out of 19 criteria for new-style rural areas, three criteria more than the figure in 2011.

Eighteen communes have satisfied all 19 standards, most of them in Long An, Tra Vinh and Hau Giang provinces, the report says.

It adds that after three years, the programme has improved local people’s well-being with a 10 percent increase in per capita income and a three percent decrease in the household poverty rate.

By 2015, the regional provinces will upgrade 85 percent of inter-communal roads to meet the Transport Ministry’s standards, and 40 percent of irrigation works to fully satisfy production and daily demand for water.

Building infrastructure, improving production capacity, building public works, protecting the landscape and environment, and promoting local traditions and cultural identities are among the criteria on building new-style rural areas initiated by the Government in 2010.

The Mekong Delta region comprises of 12 provinces - An Giang, Bac Lieu, Ben Tre, Ca Mau, Dong Thap, Hau Giang, Kien Giang, Long An, Soc Trang, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh and Vinh Long - and Can Tho city.-VNA