(HBO) – From the start of this year, Mai Chau district of Hoa Binh has more than 3,000 poor households and policy beneficiaries eligible for preferential credits to improve their economic conditions.
The social policy credit programme has served as a ‘midwife’ for hunger eradication and poverty alleviation efforts in the mountainous district.
Photo: Staff at a transaction office of the Bank for Social Policy in Mai Chau district examine the use of preferential loan of a family in Hich 2 village of Mai Hich commune.
There is high demand for preferential credits as there are many disadvantaged villages and communes in Mai Chau.
The family of Ha Cong Song was among the poor ones in Hich 2 village of Mai Hich commune. Due to capital shortage, they could only make ends meet on maize and rice cultivation.
After receiving a preferential loan in 2010, Song was able to build stables for cattle. To date, the family has owned two buffaloes and five bulls, enjoying an income of more than 50 million VND (2,170 USD) a year. They successfully escaped poverty.
The social policy credit programme significantly contributes to Mai Chau’s poverty reduction work, with the rate of poor households dropping nearly 3 percent annually.
Director of the transaction office of the Bank for Social Policy in the district Vu Hoai Nam said despite the complicated developments of COVID-19, the bank has exerted efforts to basically complete set targets and timely disburse preferential credits to beneficiaries.
In the first 10 months of 2021, the district mobilised in excess of 30.5 billion VND from social sources, 8.2 percent higher than the target.
Entrusted capital in the locality rose to 741 million VND, meeting the plan.
Outstanding loans under the social policy programme increased by 19.7 billion VND compared to the same period last year, meeting 99.9 percent of the set target.
Total outstanding loans to date has exceeded 311 billion VND. The programme is viewed a leverage in hunger eradication and poverty reduction, as well as plays an important role in the implementation of the national target programme on building new-style rural areas.
For example, the transaction office of the Bank for Social Policy in Mai Chau has paid heed to preferential loans to carry out a programme on clean water and rural hygiene.
Thanks to the programme, nearly 1,000 new clean water works have been built in the district, and rural hygiene is improved.
Nam said that in the coming time, the bank will continue to study the local demand for preferential loans so as to devise appropriate plans. It will roll out efficient programmes for eligible beneficiaries and improve credit quality in the locality./.
Maximizing local potential and advantages, Yen Tri commune in Yen Thuy district is actively promoting the cultivation of medicinal herbs and turning medicinal herbs into One Commune - One Product (OCOP) products.
Situated at the gateway to the Northwest, Hoa Binh province has a population of over 900,000, including about 540,000 of working age. It is home to 6,000 businesses and production facilities, providing employment for over 100,000 workers. The remaining workforce is engaged in informal jobs, works in enterprises outside the province, or contributes to agro-forestry-fisheries. Additionally, around 3,000 workers are employed abroad.
The Hoa Binh provincial People's Committee has issued Decision No. 2767/QD-UBND announcing the rankings of departments, agencies, districts and Hoa Binh city in the Public Administration Reform Index (PAR) and the Satisfaction Index of Public Administration Services (SIPAS) in 2024.
The cultivation of Dam Xanh fish (Bangana lemassoni), a unique fish species, has seen remarkable growth in Mai Chau district, thanks to its high economic value and effectiveness. Initially concentrated in Van Mai commune, farming has now extended to four other communes, namely Mai Hich, Mai Ha, Chieng Chau, and Son Thuy. These areas benefit from pristine underground water flowing from mountain crevices, providing ideal conditions for raising this specialty fish.
In 2024, the total state budget revenue of Hoa Binh Province is estimated at approximately VND 6,930 billion, achieving 183% of the Government’s target, 126% of the target assigned by the Provincial People's Council, and 145% compared to the same period last year.
In 2024, Hoa Binh province has shown signs of improvement in attracting investment and developing enterprises.
