UN deploys development programme for rural areas of North Ossetia

In the 18 months to come, the United Nations Programme for North Ossetia will focus on targeted development of rural territories.

The agreements were reached during the working meeting on August 7 of the bosses of the Pravoberezhny District with Natalia Andreyeva, manager of the UNDP Project "Sustainable Development and Integration in the Republic of South Ossetia-Alania, and adviser Alexander Merzlov, who arrived in the republic.

According to Mr Merzlov, the concept is not only focused on increasing the efficiency of agriculture, but also assumes supporting the SMEs (small and medium enterprises) in cities and villages, development of the sphere of services, trades and national crafts, and promotes more active rural tourism.

As to the Pravoberezhny District of North Ossetia with its 56,000 population and about 20,000 of them living in the countryside, the project has quite certain prospects, as Ms Andreyeva believes.

"The main thing for the district is to have real business ideas and people capable to implement them. On our part, we are ready to help in implementing mini-projects by co-financing and grants; we'll hold regular consultations and training seminars," she said.

See earlier report: "Russia's southern regions lag behind by life quality, study says".