Delegates agreed on the growing gap between Vietnams rural and urban areas at a conference in central Danang city Wednesday, of which the focus was on the countrysides poor infrastructure and low investment flows.

The seminar was hosted by the International Support Group (ISG) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Tang Minh Loc, an official from the ministry, stated different disadvantages in rural areas, which include ill-equipment in facilities, messy zoning, increasing environment pollution and burgeoning social evils.

Deputy Minister Ho Xuan Hung stressed that more capital from government, as well as from local and foreign investment, should be poured into the needy areas.

Nguyen The Dung from the World Bank advised local authorities to focus on enhancing training and technological education to promote service-related businesses.

David Moles, head of the consultative group for poverty elimination in the central region, emphasized the necessity to enhance cooperation among authorities and enterprises both in the rural and urban areas.

In all, ISG conference sought strategies from local and foreign sponsors to construct a sustainable economy for the rural regions.

Founded by the ministry in 1997, ISG is a non-profit organization, which elicits help from local and foreign donors to support rural development.

Latest statistics revealed over 73 percent of the Vietnamese population still residing in rural areas.

Source: Tuoi Tre Translated by Tuong Nhi