Ho Chi Minh City targets to have 41 out of the 56 communes under the new-style rural area building programme meeting 17 – 19 criteria and the remainder satisfying at least 15 by the end of 2014.

The southern economic hub mobilised over 2.8 trillion VND (133.3 million USD) to construct 1,327 basic infrastructure works in the first half of 2014.

At present, all of the communes have met the criteria on electricity and health care while 49 have ensured a stable rate of labourers with permanent jobs.

Meanwhile, 43 communes have succeeded in providing standard housing for their residents, and 42 have satisfied cultural requirements.

So far six communes in the city have met all 19 criteria of the programme.

The 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.

HCM City is striving to complete the programme by the end of April 2015.-VNA