Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has decided to offer households existing near the poverty line with preferential loans to help improve their living conditions.The PM’s decision means that from April 16, 2013, the near poor will be able to access preferential loans channeled through the Social Policy Bank to run businesses and improve their household finances.The interest rates are negotiated between the bank and borrowers but cannot exceed 130 percent of the rates offered to those officially designated poor.The PM’s decision aims to help raise local people’s living standards and protect social welfare in a sustainable manner. (Quan Doi Nhan Dan – People’s Army Feb 24)
