NAY PYI TAW - China International Trust and Investment Corporation (CITIC) launched village public welfare projects in Nay Pyi Taw on Wednesday in cooperation with the Myanmar Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development.

CITIC donated 1.5 billion Kyats (about $1.5 million) for use in agricultural development projects in western Rakhine state and the donation also included three working vehicles.

The poverty-alleviation projects are being implemented in 50 villages in Kyaukphyu of the state, aimed at helping the villagers boost production and improve their livelihood.

Villagers from five villages are to be trained as the first batch of trainees starting from the end of this month.

Speaking at the projects launching and donation ceremony, Vice Chairman of CITIC Construction Company Yuan Shaobin said CITIC would totally engage in Myanmar's major construction projects of national planning and people's living.

CITIC would also give concern and take part in various social welfare projects and make more contributions to Myanmar's economic development and the upgrading of people's living standard, he added.

Myanmar Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development U Ohn Myint said that with the donation aid for the 50 villages, respective villages are to implement their own people-centered projects.

Entering Myanmar at the beginning of the 1990s, CITIC has completed some influential cooperation projects.

CITIC said that while implementing these projects, the corporation has never forgotten to fulfill its social responsibility and insisted on participating in social welfare activities.

The present village public welfare projects are being implemented under a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between CITIC and the Myanmar ministry signed in November 2014, witnessed by Myanmar President U Thein Sein and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.