Guangxi raises $75m for consumption-driven poverty alleviation

The Guangxi Finance Department has raised a total of 525 million yuan ($75.55 million) to support the development of consumption-driven poverty alleviation activities this year, to overcome the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic, and to help lift impoverished areas of the region out of poverty.

Guangxi has strengthened the construction of new infrastructure to promote poverty alleviation by industry. In the first half of the year, 140 million yuan of special funds from the central government have been used to support and promote construction and upgrading of the rural e-commerce public service system. An additional 100 million yuan from the central government has been put into the construction of agricultural products supply chains. The region has also arranged 60 million yuan for the improvement of the agricultural cold chain logistics system.

Guangxi has supported the sales of agricultural products from impoverished areas. A total of 6.63 million yuan was allocated to help poverty-stricken areas participate in agricultural fairs, agricultural trade fairs, trade fairs, and agricultural products fairs for the promotion, display, and sales of special agricultural products. Government procurement of agricultural and sideline products in poverty-stricken areas has also been encouraged. As of the end of June, the region plans to reserve 250 million yuan for the purchase of agricultural and sideline products in poverty-stricken areas by 2020.

In addition, the region has supported and encouraged the development of leading enterprises and new agricultural operations. A total of 35 million yuan was used to support the development of new agricultural business entities, such as family farms, cooperatives, and leading agricultural enterprises, while 79 million yuan was arranged for agricultural product processing and the development of the entire industry chain. In addition, 104 million yuan was raised to carry out agricultural product quality and safety improvement actions, as well as to organize the formulation of local agricultural standards.