Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing Delivers a Speech at Meeting 7/2022 of Union Government

The Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivered a speech at the meeting 7/2022 of the Union Government which was held at the Office of the Chairman of the SAC on 7 October.

During the meeting, the Chairman of the SAC Prime Minister said as follows:

• The main responsibility of a government is national economic development. After taking the State’s responsibilities by the government, national economic development was stagnant for various reasons.
• The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank indicated the minus sign of Myanmar’s economic growth. But Myanmar’s economy is not too much declining because of manufacturing export products made from agriculture and livestock farms.
• It should not rely on the external for the economic development of the State. If efforts are made for encouraging local economy as much as possible, it will be the best.
• At the meetings with MSME entrepreneurs in Meiktila, Yangon and Pyay, it was found that MSME entrepreneurs can run by themselves and may need government supports. Hence, encouragement is being given to MSME industries where the ethnic people can operate.
• If MSMEs use local and internal raw materials, they will not face shortages of raw materials.
• Not only raw materials but also electricity and energy are required for the production businesses.
• The State will provide loans for MSME entrepreneurs when their business runs well, but they themselves should make initial efforts.
• Regarding the capital, loan payment period has been extended, but they have to pay back the debt to the State at a time.
• 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.
• 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.
• Rice is the main product of Myanmar. If the country can export a large volume of rice to the international market, it will have a chance to join the role of taking responsibility for food security.
• If efforts will be made for increasing per-acre 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 the 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.

• Since 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.
• Regarding the development of MSME industries and encouragement to primary products of relevant regions, it is required to update the data and formation of MSME industries and on the other hand, MSME industries need to clearly operate their functions in regions and states and districts.
• The districts producing primary products must be engaged in One Region One Product.
• More than 120 districts must manufacture more than 120 items of good products.
• If the country manufactures the products through One Region One Product, these may catch attention of tourism at an opportune time.
• Relevant ministries were urged to cooperate with departments in respective regions for ensuring equitable development of regions across the nation.
• 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.

Afterward, the Union minister in attendance explained their respective sectors and in response, the Senior General stressed the following points –

• 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.

• Relevant ministries are required to take timely and necessary measures in relation to the reports of MSME entrepreneurs at the meeting with them.
• The government will also fulfil the needs deem urgent and take step-by-step measures for the matters that might take time.
• Regarding the cultivation of crops, land must be efficiently used and there should not be empty land so as to prevent agricultural land from being spoilt. Double cropping and mix-cropping involving monsoon and summer paddy, oil crops and beans and pulses must be focused. Moreover, High yields of crops will improve national income and economy.
• Responsible officials need to supervise with checklists by taking advices from subordinate units and only then, will the businesses be successful.

The meeting was attended by the Vice-Chairman of State Administration Council Senior General Soe Win and Union Ministers attended the meeting, it is reported.

Source: Myawady Daily Newspaper (8.10.2022)

• If MSMEs use local and internal raw materials, they will not face shortages of raw materials.
• Regarding the capital, loan payment period has been extended, but they have to pay back the debt to the State at a time.
• Policy was adopted for manufacturing MSME products with the use of domestic materials.
• Rice is the main product of Myanmar. If the country can export a large volume of rice to the international market, it will have a chance to join the role of taking responsibility for food security.
• Rice export is officially allowed, and export of rice through Yangon, Pathein, Sittway and Mawlamyine will support the development of port functions.
• In order to fulfill the high demand of employees for the Thai employers and get job opportunities for the Myanmar migrant workers during the COVID-19 period, a total of 56,237 Myanmar workers left for Thailand under the MoU system during the period from 10 May to 29 September.

• The both sides discussed to prevent the cancellation of the contract after singing agreement, and prevent the appointment of employees without MoU as the Thai employers are doing so.
• Moreover, discussions were made on the notification in which Visa fees for the employees under MoU should be reduced to 500 Baht as much as possible, and the process of issuing CIs by the designated time.