Binh Duong (VNA) – All of the 46 communes in thesouthern province of Binh Duong have been recognised as new-style rural areas.

Recently, the communes of An Binh and Phuoc Hoa in Phu Giaodistrict and Tru Van Tho in Bau Bang district won the title for the 2018 – 2020period.

The provincial Department of Agriculture and RuralDevelopment said Binh Duong will continue effectively pooling resources tocarry out new rural development programme this year.

It will also urge businesses to invest in markets,entertainment and cultural areas, and sport centres while calling on the publicto protect the environment and maintain local cultural identities.

The total cost for new rural development in Binh Duongtopped 6.3 trillion VND (273.9 million USD) for the 2016-2018 period, includingover 1.3 trillion VND in 2018 alone. Of this, the local State budget accountedfor 52 percent and the rest came from businesses and the public.

Over 1,800km of communal and inter-communal roads were asphalted,raising the total to 90 percent.

Mai Hung Dung, permanent Vice Chairman of the provincialPeople’s Committee and head of the provincial Steering Committee on NationalTarget Programmes, said new rural development is a regular and continuousprocess with a view to improving local lives.

Provincial authorities have called for efforts so that PhuGiao, Bau Bang, Bac Tan Uyen districts will soon be recognised as new-stylerural areas.-VNA