NAY PYI TAW September 9
Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met Shan State (North), district and township level officials, local elders, and MSME entrepreneurs at the town hall in LaShip this morning and discussed regional development.
Present together with the Senior General were SAC members U Shwe Kyein, U Yan Kyaw, union ministers U Win Shein, U Min Naung, U Hla Moe, U Khin Maung Yi, and U Aung Naing Oo, Shan State Chief Minister U Aung Zaw Aye, Chief of General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) General Maung Maung Aye, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, deputy ministers, the North-East Command commander, local national races, and officials.
Individual presentations on salient points of the region and requirements for development of local businesses
Chairman of Shan State administration division (northern Shan State) U Myo Kyaw reported on local situation, agriculture undertakings, development of the production industry through One Region One Product scheme, activities of breeding zones, FY-wise development of regional roads and bridges, dams and reservoirs and sufficient water supply, border trade, electricity generation, improvement of health, sports and education sectors, academic matters at institutions of higher learning and basic education schools, MSME production activities, ongoing production courses, allotment of loans from national economic development funds for production development.
The chief minister reported on points of the state, MSME development in the state, establishment of industrial zones and wards, exports, courses and exhibitions for MSME development, loans disbursed from national economic development fund for development of farming and other businesses in Wa Self-Administered Division, and Kokang and Palaung Self- Administered Zones, and progress of work.
MSME entrepreneurs including Shan State (North) Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chair U Zaw Myint Htwe, Hoteliers Association Chair U Zaw Zaw, Tea Entrepreneurs Association Chair U Maung Maung Oo, Myanmar Coffee Association member U Aung Hlaing Phyo and other participants presented reports on quality enhancement of local goods, streamlining of border trade, opening of hotel courses for tourism development, development of tourism and related businesses via border gates, value-adding of tea products, production of coffee the main crops of Naungcho region, export of quality coffee, and requirements for development of local economy.
Sector-wise clarifications of union ministers’
As regards the reports of entrepreneurs, union ministers explained SAC’s adoption of the roadmap and objectives and efforts for socioeconomic development of the country and people, loans disbursed from national economic development fund for development of farming and other production industries, support for other sectors, public cooperation in the officials’ efforts to stabilize prices of basic foods, assistance available at the departments that are developing agriculture and multiple cropping, rural development, inputs, technology, machines and capital and ready markets provided by cooperative societies for rural development and socioeconomic development of rural people, rules and regulations to export finished wood products through border trade, increase production of cement in Shan State (North) which has a large array of resources for the business, development of international trade practices, permission of the use of Yuan-Kyat system to facilitate border trade, participation of MSME entrepreneurs in eradication of illegal trade as it hurts domestic businesses and MSME development a lot, application of QR Code system to eradicate illegal trade, abidance of rules and regulations by exporters as programs are underway to facilitate trade flow.
The chief minister explained the local government’s programs to attend to the needs of local people and entrepreneurs through cordy nation for MSME development, prompt response by the local government or through the involvement of the related ministries in addressing the issues presented at the meeting.
Support for MSMEs
In his speech, the Senior General said meetings were held in regions and states of the entire country and discussed matters for economic development.
The current meeting in Shan State (North) is the 23rd such meeting. The country must develop MSMEs for its economic progress. MSMEs are being encouraged as development of the production industry with the force of MSMEs based on local farm products will lead to national economic progress.
Efforts being exerted to achieve peace by ending the armed conflicts caused by different ideologies in politics, race and religion
Coming 5 October is the eighth anniversary of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).
It could not have been held for various reasons, and there are plans to hold it seriously this year. Reviewing the country’s internal armed conflicts, they emerged due to different ideologies in politics, race and religion.
Regarding political differences, different countries have different administrative and political systems. Our country exercised parliamentary democracy in the post-independence period. During independence struggles also, independence was shouted as first, second and third priorities. Due to the rivalry between socialism and capitalism and their different ideologies, the communist party went underground in March 1948. Then, ethnic armed groups like KNDO emerged.
From 1962 to 1988, the country was ruled by the Revolutionary Council and Myanmar Socialist Program Party. Wit administrative weaknesses, the country’s economy declined thereby contributing to the 1988 uprising.
Generally, the 1988 uprising surfaced for pro-democracy, but there were many reasons behind the crisis. The people demanded democracy as they disliked socialism. After the Tatmadaw government assumed State duties in 1988, it worked on marching towards multiparty democracy as aspired by the people. A constitution was drafted to suit democracy.
After the heated debates at the National Convention involving all walks of life, the constitution was approved in 2008 through a national referendum.
Reviewing the constitutions our country used, the constitution (1947) was drafted and approved by the Hluttaw after seeking advice from some experts,
not by the entire people. The constitution (1974) emerged after three drafts and it was approved through a national referendum. The 2008 constitution follows suit. Although the word federalism is not directly used in the 2008 constitution, the federal procedures have been enshrined in it.
As per the constitution, a union will emerge after townships, districts, and regions or states have been formed based on rurality. In those regions or states with large numbers of ethnicities, self-administered regions or zones can be formed.
Now we are marching towards multi-party democracy. We are striving to be on the right track of democracy and parliament in peace, and the political, racial and religious differences should no longer exit. The NCA was ceremonially signed by the government, Hluttaw, Tatmadaw and ethnic armed organizations in the presence of local witnesses and international witnesses including the UN on 15 October 2015. It is a historic Union Accord approved by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. It will continue to exit without being null and void. The Tatmadaw will stand firm for the NCA regarding the peace process. The eighth anniversary of the NCA will be marked on 15 October with practicality and seriousness. We will continue to try for the success of the country’s peace process.
Ultimate aim for holding a free and fair multi-party democracy general election
The Tatmadaw tried its best to adopt a genuine and disciplined multi-party democratic system.
In the 2010 and 2015 elections, the Tatmadaw made full cooperation to ensure the winning parties formed governments. After the 2015 elections, there were dishonest acts in the political, economic and social fields with the use of politics as a tool. With weaknesses in the administrative and economic sectors as well as the acts harming the national culture, the unity broke up. The Tatmadaw stressed the need for a free and fair election. As their actions led to declining support, dishonest acts were perpetrated to win the election.
The Tatmadaw called for a solution to the incorrect voter lists, but to no avail. Therefore, the Tatmadaw had no chance but to take over the State duties in accord with the law. The Tatmadaw is really working towards ensuring a durable multi-party democratic system.
Currently, the SAC has set an aim to hold a free and fair general election. As such, measures have to be taken to get correct voter lists so that the entire country can vote. A national census will be conducted in 2024 and then plans will be made to hold an election as quickly as possible. Taking the road to democracy essentially requires peace and stability. Measures are being taken to ensure peace and stability. We are cooperating with the people to ensure peace and tranquility and the rule of law. All are urged to cooperate in ensuring peace and stability and the rule of law in Shan State (North).
Nation’s economy could be promoted through achieving success in manufacturing industry based on agriculture and livestock regionally
As the country had weaknesses in successive eras, there were economic weaknesses and its growth rate is lower than other countries’. As the nation has a small economic growth, development tasks of the nation could not be fully implemented. It will be seen that the nation’s GDP is lower than others in the region. As the nation’s GDP will become high through supporting the domestic manufacturing industry, we are encouraging and promoting the MSMEs. It is necessary to support commodity production as well as to take measures to ensure a balance between consumption and production in order that prices of goods will not rise. Although the State conducted supervisory measures on the rise in price of edible palm oil, the price was higher than it should be due to the act of the people motivated by greed and avarice. Now, the price of edible palm oil dropped as necessary action was taken against them.
In carrying out agriculture and livestock farming tasks for development of Shan State (North) and improvement of its residents’ socio-economic life, livestock farming businesses should be systematically operated to be able to export frozen meat to neighboring countries.
Raw materials in animal feed necessary for the livestock farming industry are available in the region. Achieving development of commodity production will be helpful to individual economic development as well as the regional economic growth. Regarding agriculture, it is seen that coffee and tea flourishing in the region are mainly grown.
Coffee and tea have already been regarded as agricultural commodities in international markets. Therefore, it is necessary to systematically manufacture quality products of coffee and tea as well as to boost production.
Skilled workers are needed to manufacture value-added products in the agriculture and livestock farming industry.
Therefore, it is necessary to encourage education. Agricultural and technical high schools are being conducted and outstanding students from those schools could join universities and colleges for further studies.
Doing so will be helpful to produce good human resources necessary for the agriculture and livestock farming industry.
Only if the transport is smooth and speedy with easy flow of commodities, will there be socioeconomic life of the region and residents. Therefore, tasks for upgrading LaShip Airport and its runway are being carried out to ensure better transport and communications in the region of Shan State (North). Tasks are underway for reoperation of LaShip-Mandalay Railway and plans have been made to build a railway on the routes between LaShip and Muse and LaShip and Chinshwehaw.
The current highway is being upgraded to become a four lane one and there is a plan to upgrade it to a six-lane highway as well. Smooth and convenient inter-relations and travels will help Shan State (North) and its residents enjoy improvement of socio-economic life. Region wise development will be helpful to the entire nation’s development.
Shan State (North) is a region already having scenery and resources that can attract travelers.
It has the Joke Heike Bridge and landscape to attract travelers.
If all work together to make the region beautiful, clean and pleasant, travelers can be attracted more. Only if good services are rendered for quality local food and accommodation and transport, could foreign and domestic travelers be attracted.
More arrivals of travelers in the region will help the region enjoy improvement of socioeconomic life. As it is necessary to ensure peace and stability in the region for the development of the tourism industry, all need to work together for stability, peace and rule of law in the region.
As we are on the path to democracy, it is necessary to have knowledge about law. That is why the law subject is being taught at universities. It is believed that sharing the subject is helpful. On this trip, union ministers participated in suitable discussions and I talked about the nation’s affairs and economic development of the nation too.
I believe that all will work together for development, stability and peace of the region and the nation through considering our discussions.
Afterwards, the Senior General cordially greeted the officials at state, district and township levels, the town elders and MSME entrepreneurs.
Viewing and encouraging local products on display Then, the Senior General viewed mineral products, foodstuffs, personal goods, industrial products, traditional handicraft products, textiles and traditional medicines on display and discussed market availability with the entrepreneurs.
Inspecting project of upgrading LaShip Airport and runway This morning, the Senior-General and party inspected tasks being carried out for upgrading LaShip Airport and its runway. Officials reported them on the tasks.
Regarding the reports, the Senior General gave instructions saying that the project is being implemented with the long-term hope of achieving development of the tourism industry in Shan State (North) and improvement of socio-economic life of the region and its residents. As the runway is being upgraded in order that the jets can land, supervisory measures are to be conducted to meet the set quality and to complete the tasks timely as planned.
