SAC Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing addresses Union government meeting 7/2022
NAY PYI TAW October 7
Union government held meeting 7/2022 at the State Administration Council Chairman’s Office here this afternoon, addressed by SAC Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
SAC Vice Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win and Union ministers were also present.
National development undertakings underway; internal strength is the most secure means
The Senior General said previously, meeting 1/2022 of Central Committee for MSME Development of Republic of Union of Myanmar and Myanmar Rice Conference 2022 were organized and they were the main events for national economic promotion. The main responsibility of a government is national economic development. National economic development was stagnant during the previous year for various reasons. World Bank, IMF and ADB said that Myanmar’s economic progress was indicating
a negative sign. But the government’s efforts to continuously produce farmbased goods for export had cushioned the impact on economy. Internal strength lies within; and guidance has been given very often to stay away from relying on external sources to the most possible degree as the experience throughout the successive eras stands witness to the fact.
So, it is impossible for the country to rely on foreign sources for its progress. The best way is to support the domestic economy to the most possible extent. SAC is striving for economic development and is encouraging MSMEs, which are production businesses, and farming industry. MSMEs are run by local entrepreneurs. At the meetings with MSME entrepreneurs in Meiktila, Yangon and Pyay, parts which MSME entrepreneurs can run by themselves and parts which need government support were identified. Hence, the government is supporting the MSMEs run by nationalities. It is encouraging the local production businesses as the internal strength lies within.
Raw material supply pro-blems can be mitigated by relying mainly on domestic and local raw materials. Regions can supply raw materials and the government is providing assistance for the availability of certain raw materials. Energy is also a requirement for production businesses in addition to inputs.
Agriculture needs fertilizers and pesticides and livestock industry needs inputs like feedstuff. These inputs can be produced locally. Means are being sought for ensuring adequate power supply. Solar power can be harnessed for industries. State will also lend a helping in the task to produce adequate power supply. Solar power will be cost effective and can reduce fuel consumption.
The State will provide loans for MSME entrepreneurs when their business runs well, but they themselves should make initial efforts. There are two kinds of loans development loans and economic loans. Loans will be provided in accord with the rules. Loan payment period has been extended, but loans must be pay back on the designated date without fail.
Nationwide efforts are required to provide human resources for production businesses. Middle school level and high school level farming courses should be conducted for workers who have not completed basic education. The State is arranging agriculture, livestock and industrial courses for the persons who have completed high school education. Outstanding students of agriculture, livestock and technological institutions have the chance to pursue college or university education subject wise. Hence, success of education promotion programs is required to ensure adequate supply of human resources.
Myanmar is sufficient in raw materials for agriculture and livestock farms as well as industries. Manufacturing and industries can be operated with the use of raw materials. Cultivation of bamboo plants can be purposed for manufacturing bamboo based on industrial products. Emphasis must be placed on bamboo raw materials. Likewise, raw ma-terials can be used in agricultural produce and livestock products. Union ministers need to give advice for development of MSME industries. The Senior General said he adopted a policy for manufacturing MSME products with the use of domestic materials. Relevant ministries need to adjust the equitable functions of all MSME and other industries.
The Myanmar Rice Conference 2022 benefiting the State is in progress. Myanmar is an agrobased country, with primarily growing rice and oil crops. Rice is the main product of Myanmar. As Myanmar is producing rice well, it is a prestige of the State for food security. If Myanmar exports a larger volume of rice to the international market, it will comprise in the role of taking the role of food security. Hence, Myanmar grows monsoon and summer paddy on more than 17 million acres of farmlands. The country is home to 55 million people. If efforts will be made for increasing peracre yield of paddy, export volume of rice will be greater. Hence, it is necessary to bar the illegal export of rice through border areas.
Rice export is officially allowed, and export of rice through Yangon, Pathein, Sittway and Mawlamyine will support development of port functions. Transport of rice must use rail transportation and waterways. Hence, efforts are being made to improve and maintain the railways and stations.
In the agriculture sector, it needs human resources. Some 5 million of people went abroad to seek jobs. As such, it is necessary to use more agricultural machinery, local industries should manufacture agricultural machinery. So also, import of agricultural machinery is allowed to be imported.
One Region One Product
The Senior General said development of MSME industries and encouragement to primary products of relevant regions. He said: “The next one is related to data and formation of MSME industries. On the other hand, MSME industries need to clearly operate their functions in regions and states and districts. Anyone should not spend spare time in working office works. We all need to view productions. MSME industries must be established in major districts and cities of regions and states. The districts producing primary products must be engaged in One Region One Product. More than 120 districts must manufacture more than 120 items of products. For example, Pakokku must produce good quality of textile items. In commemoration of the World Tourism Day, blankets and textile wares were exhibited. I saw Pakokku could show the best quality of textile items. Some items may be there I missed chance to see. The other day, I saw good quality of Inma sarong.It was a good quality product. I encourage such business to do so. Some regions can produce quality products of rice, beans, bamboo, metals, etc. If the country manufactures the products through One Region One Product, these may catch attention of tourism at an opportune time.”
All-out efforts for development of regions
Relevant ministries were urged to cooperate with departments in respective regions for ensuring equitable development of regions across the nation. Staff members of ministries are amicable to build the family type relations. If those at superior level do work in the warm relations over the subordinates, both sides will have rapid success through the mutual understanding.
When it comes to financial affairs, the State is taking thrifty measures. Allotted budgets are being spent on national development within capacity. The budgets that the ministries could not have spent fully for various reasons should be returned. All the ministries need to spend their budgets where only necessary and prevent any loss, the Senior General said.
Next, the Union minister in attendance explained their respective sectors.
In response, the Senior General stressed the need to try to earn income that should be available in successive financial years in running businesses. The ministries are therefore urged to try to ensure budget balance without any loss, and to earn profit if possible.
In his concluding remark, the Senior General spoke of the need for relevant ministries to take timely and necessary measures in relation to the reports of MSME entrepreneurs. The government will also fulfil the needs deem urgent and take step by step measures for the matters that can take time.
Regarding the cultivation of crops, land must be efficiently used. There should not be empty land so as to prevent agricultural land from being spoilt. Double cropping and mixcropping involving monsoon and summer paddy, oil crops and beans and pulses. High yields of crops will improve national income and economy. Irrigation water is being provided through riverwater pumping projects, and the private sector will be granted for such projects.
Industrial land plots have been allotted mainly for in-dustries, not for housing projects. Otherwise, industrial zone management matters may be complicated. Industrial zones and industrial wards are different. An industrial zone must focus on industrial manufacturing.
The strength of a nation lies within. As such, efforts must be made for better conditions. Responsible officials need to supervise with checklists. Only then, will the businesses be successful. Subordinate staff members must be treated like a family. They may have some weaknesses but honest ones must be led. It is also necessary to seek some suggestions from those subordinates. And that will contribute towards the running businesses, thereby achieving success.