State Administration Council Chairman Prime Minister
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing addresses SAC Meeting 9/2022
NAY PYI TAW November 11
Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivered an address at the SAC Meeting 9/2022 at the meeting hall of the SAC Chairman Office in Nay Pyi Taw this afternoon.
The meeting was also attended by State Administration Council Vice Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Council Secretary Lt-Gen Aung Lin Dway, Council members General Mya Tun Oo, Admiral Tin Aung San, Lt-Gen Moe Myint Tun, Mahn Nyein Maung, U Thein Nyunt, U Khin Maung Swe, Daw Aye Nu Sein, Jeng Phang Naw Taung, U Moung Har, U Sai Lon Hsai, Saw Daniel, Dr Banyar Aung Moe, U Shwe Kyein, Lt-Gen Soe Htut and Lt-Gen Yar Pyae.
In his speech, the Senior General said ethnic armed organizations were invited to join the restoration of internal peace and 10 EAOs participated in the talks. Those EAOs comprise NCA signatories and non-NCA signatories. It was seen that all participant organizations showed their wishes to walk on the path of peace. The talks were based on the Constitution (2008) and the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement-NCA. At the meeting, they were explained the measures to be taken under the law. As Hluttaw should be participated by relevant ethnic representatives, it is necessary to hold the elections in relevant regions and states. Ethnic representatives must participate in the Hluttaw and they must be capable of discussing the ethnic and region affairs. To be able to do so, PR system was explained for participation of ethnic people at the Hluttaw, and some organizations agreed it.
With regard to peace, further talks are being held with EAOs. It is expected to have an agreement in December. Remarkableprogress can be seen in the peace talks. Collection of census and issuance of citizenship scrutiny cards are being undertaken in some ethnic areas. If so, the process can contribute to the compilation of voter list and so, election can be held in the ethnic areas left in the previous elections.
Encouraging MSMEs for enhancement of the State economy
The Senior General said that he went regions and states as of September for enhancement of the State economy to hold meetings with MSME businesspersons so as to develop micro, small and medium scale enterprises. The Senior General underlined that he encourages State economy and domestic manufacturing. In so doing, encouragement is being given to agriculture and livestock based manufacturing for rural economic development.
Raw material plays a key role in manufacturing. Some raw materials are imported. The manufacturing based on domestic raw materials is the best. Hence, raw materials from agriculture and livestock farms must be used for production. The government aims to carry out manufacturing for enhancement of domestic economy, to ensure import substitute and increase export volume. In the past, domestic manufacturing was not encouraged, and importation was prioritized. As such, the trade deficit increased. So,the government is encouraging the domestic manufacturing.
Some reports mentioned requirement of loans for investment in MSMEs. The government disbursed ordinary loans and the loans for reoperating the businesses destroyed by the COVID-19. Reports were submitted to extend the term of loans.
In order to ease their difficulties, the government extended the term of loan to be paid back. Moreover, the government disbursed loans for capital investment under the rules and regulations.
Human resources at middle, high and higher education standards need to be produced.
Measures are being taken to conduct agricultural, livestock breeding and technical courses at high schools. In the second stage, agricultural, livestock and technical institutes will be operated. Plans can be made for them to go to university as they wish. Respective ministries are conducting training courses for human resources and so are the private institutes. And that can contribute towards a lot to MSMEs.
It is very beneficial to promoting MSMEs for national economic growth. The MSME industry has four sectors namely manufacturing, trade, service and others. There will be no trade without manufacturing.There will be no services without trade. Therefore, manufacturing is crucial. Agricultural and livestock breeding zones must be established in various regions and states to encourage production of goods based on MSMEs.
Trade activities for promotion of national economy
Every country has to try for their national economic development. Despite having economic prospects, our country is not in a position to export goods as much it expects. Trade involves border trade and maritime trade. Maritime transport constitutes about 75 percent of total trade.
Border trade is about 25 percent. In border trade, agricultural and livestock products mainly go to neighbouring China and Thailand. So, a greater effort is necessary to promote national economy.
Tatmadaw striving to ensure non-disintegration of national solidarity
Only when the country is peace and tranquil, can businesses be operated. There were economic impacts in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and political crisis. The political crisis led to unrest, lootings, violence and bomb blasts. Arms and ammunition were seized from the terrorists. Although violence has decreased, some places still see acts of terrorism.
I have frequently said that the Tatmadaw is part of the country and part of the people. Tatmadaw members were born of the people. In the two previous government terms, the Tatmadaw cooperated as much as it could. The state of emergency now is in accord with the 2008 constitution. We are acting with least restraint based on the constitution. The state of emergency emerged not because of armed conflicts but because of a political issue. So, the situation is different. Amicable cooperation between the people and the Tatmadaw is the best for the future of the country. Both the Tatmadaw and the people will always exist. United strength is the strength of the country. The Tatmadaw is striving to ensure non-disintegration of national solidarity.
In the efforts to revive national economy, there must be good transport routes for smooth commodity flow but no disturbances. There are still disturbances in some transport routes such as roads and railroads. So, the State has to take security measures.
Plans underway for election
When it comes to election, the final stage of the five-point roadmap has stated that upon accomplishing the provisions of the state of emergency, free and fair multi-party democratic elections will be held in line with the 2008 Constitution, and further work will be undertaken to hand over State duties to the winning party in accordance with democratic standards. Efforts are being made to hold the election as scheduled. In the three previous elections, voting took place in 325 townships, 323 townships and 315 townships respectively.
In holding the multi-party democracy general election, it is necessary to be a free and fair election. Therefore, only if an election that is true and acceptable to the people is held in all the regions, will the next government’s tasks be successful. We are making efforts as much as we can to be able to resume the election. It is necessary to systematically form political parties. So, talks are being held with political parties. The parties need to be reliable to the people and their candidates need to become Hluttaw representatives who the people could trust and elect.
Therefore, it is aimed to hold the election by PR system. I want members of the Council to discuss matters to be able to resume the election.
Then, members of the Council made suggestions on providing amendments on 2014 Counter-Terrorism Law as needed to be able to effectively take action against terrorist acts, ensuring correctness in original list of voters, forming supervisory teams led by chief ministers of regions and states to be able to conduct scrutiny tasks with momentum, forming election commission branches at different levels at the earliest, providing basic requirements in advance to successfully exercise proportional representation (PR) system , taking action against illegal jade mining, reviewing tax collection on gems and jade trade, grating permission on mining rare earth minerals with a set tax collection, providing capital for agricultural development and making arrangements for supply chains, making amendments on the law to be able to give a duty for long period to the Union Election Commission, ensuring success in holding the election, carrying out necessary tasks in advance for ensuring a true multi-party system and winning trust of the people, ensuring fresh water availability in Sagaing and Mandalay regions and considering a project to divert the flow of water to Myitnge River through building a spillway on Thanlwin River for adequate cultivation water, broadcasting events that won prizes at 23rd Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Completion on MRTV, providing assistance of the Union Government for development of MSMEs in Rakhine State, carrying out preemptive tasks in order that terrorist acts that can deter and disrupt the election will not occur, and holding Christmas Festival for 2022 in Nay Pyi Taw.
Next, the Secretary of the Council briefed on amendments and addenda on the political parties registration law and the attendees made suggestions. In his concluding remarks, the Senior General said arrangements will be made in order that the judicial pillar will conduct supervisory to able to take effective action against terrorist acts and departments concerned are working on ensuring correctness and fullness in basic facts to successfully hold the election. Tasks of preparation are being carried out at different levels. The term on the Union Election Commission is already provided in the Constitution. If willing to amend it, that could be done at the Hluttaw only. Tasks to protect and prevent rare earth minerals from illegal mining will be taken. If cooperative syndicates are formed for agricultural products, the State could disburse loans. Assessment and study will be conducted for a project to build a spillway on the Thanlwin River. Reviews will be made in respect of the suggestions and discussions on amendment of the political parties registration law. MRTV will broadcast events that won prizes at 23rd Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Completion. Measures for security and rule of law will be effectively taken by the organizations concerned in regions and states including Nay Pyi Taw in order that Diamond Jubilee Independence Day could be held gloriously. Regarding repayment of foreign debts in the time of our government, US$-1,495 million of State’s earnings have been repaid. Without acquiring foreign loans and aid, such repayment could be made with the money from trading earnings, foreign investments and taxes. For the dignity of the State, foreign loans of the previous government are yearly repaid. Efforts will be made for promotion of domestic production and exports to ensure domestic economic development. Our government must aim at holding a free, fair and open election successfully. For this, all the officials are to work together to ensure smoothness in transportation and communication, rule of law and stability and peace.