US$2 billion for One Commune, One Product programmeThe Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) launched the One Commune, One Product (OCOP) programme worth nearly 45 trillion VND (about 2 billion USD) on May 17. According to the Central Coordination Office on New Rural Development, OCOP is an economic development programme in rural areas focusing on increasing internal power and values, contributing to the implementation of the National Target Programme on New Rural Development for 2016-2020. Specifically, there are 2,584 products in food, 1,041 in beverages, 231 in herbals, 186 in fabric and garment, 580 in souvenirs – interior décor, 201 in rural tourism services. As of late April, 60 out of 63 cities and provinces built the frame OCOP programme at the provincial level, 30 of which already completed the programme design and 28 others are collecting feedback before approval. It will also develop 500 SMEs and cooperatives joining the programme, boost trade and marketing of OCOP products, and offer training to 1,200 State management officials and executives of firms and cooperatives.

Source: VietNamNet News May 17, 2018 15:11 UTC