Japanese aid to be used for poverty alleviation in rural Myanmar

YANGON (Xinhua) - A Japanese aid of $12 million will be used for poverty alleviation in Myanmar's rural areas, the Department of Rural Development said on Sunday.

The three-year project aims to enhance rural livelihood and increase rural income in targeted six towns and 96 villages.

New income-earning opportunities will be developed in such areas as fish, shrimp and pearl farming, livestock husbandry, and production of cash crops and growth of tourism market.

The project, funded by the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR), is being undertaken by the Myanmar department and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The aid is part of $22 million provided to Myanmar for poverty reduction. The remaining grant will be used in building 47 rural health centers and sub-health centers, refurbishing three town hospitals, and supplying medical equipment and training.