Soc Trang launches ethnic policies

Soc Trang (VNA) – The Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang in 2016 strived to implement ethnic policies effectively, improving living conditions and social affairs for local ethnic groups, especially Khmer people.

With a budget of 300 billion VND (about 13.3 million USD) allocated by the State, the province carried out 74 infrastructure projects and rural transport systems while building 26 water supply facilities and 313 wells for locals.

More than 4,000 families were offered loans for business development while over 5,700 others were granted jobs and housing land and more than 5,500 Khmer households were connected to the national electricity grid.

Ethnic poor households in the province fell by 3.79 percent in 2016.

Education, culture and healthcare also gained positive results while local security and social order remained stable.

Local authorities plan to reduce the percentage of Khmer households by 3-4 percent per year in 2017.

They also aims to provide jobs to over 33 percent of local people and help about 85 percent of ethnic students attend school.

A total of 100 percent of local households are expected to gain access to electricity while 95.5 percent will enjoy clean water.-VNA