Development support fund for rural and mountainous areas



Ha Noi, Feb. 5 (VNA) -- The Government's Development Support Fund will mobilize VND 25,000 billion (USD 1.8 billion) for development credit to benefit rural and mountainous areas this year.

The fund is providing loans to 3,213 projects with a combined capital of VND 58,630 billion (USD 4.2 billion).

In 2000, the fund's debt balance posted a year-on-year increase of 52.6 percent to VND 9,400 billion (USD 671 million), and its disbursement rate, 81.4 percent - the highest rate over the past six years.

The fund has invested in infrastructure, agricultural and rural development and granted soft loans for the mechanical engineering, fisheries, garment and textiles and ship building industries.--VNA