A development program aimed at reducing poverty in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has started
operation, the International Fund for Agricultural Development
(IFAD) Beijing office announced Wednesday.
The US$55 million program was backed by a US$25.1 million loan
from the IFAD, and the remainder will be financed by the government
of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
The program is expected to introduce innovative development
tools to 10 poor counties in northern and southern Xinjiang,
including natural resource management, renewable energy, marketing
and skill training for women.
The IFAD is a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated
to eliminating poverty and hunger in rural areas of developing
countries.
Since its operation in 1978, the IFAD has provided financing for
20 programs in China, totaling US$498.22 million.
(Xinhua News Agency February 15, 2007)