As part of its second package of social measures, the Government is planning to implement tailor-made action plans in order to foster the development of selected districts and create new jobs, TASR learnt on Tuesday. The bill to this effect has been submitted for inter-ministerial comments by the Transport, Construction and Regional Development Ministry. It should define a "least developed district" as one having an unemployment rate that has been at least 1.9 times higher over the past at least nine out of 12 quarters than the country-wide average. Once such a district is determined and it becomes entitled to assistance, the ministry should come up with a tailor-made action plan within six months. Any such action plan for five years is projected to contain specific measures, their implementing authorities, sources of funding and the assessment of the progress attained. After such a plan is okayed by the newly-created Council for the Development of Regions, the ministry will submit it for Government approval. The action plans should receive funding from ministry resources and EU funds.
