Nay Pyi Taw August 10
SAC Chairman Prime Minister of the Provisional Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivers address at meeting 1/2021 of Provisional Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
The meeting 1/2021 of the Provisional Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar took place at the meeting hall of the Office of the Chairman of the State Administration Council, here, this afternoon, with an address by Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister of the Provisional Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Also present at the meeting were Vice Chairman of the SAC Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Union Ministers General Mya Tun Oo, Lt-Gen Soe Htut, U Wunna Maung Lwin, Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, U Chitt Naing, Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung, U Win Shein, U Aung Naing Oo, U Ko Ko Hlaing, U Maung Maung Ohn, U Ko Ko, U Tin Htut OO, U Hla Moe, Admiral Tin Aung San, U Khin Maung Yi, U Aung Than Oo, Dr Charlie Than, U Khin Yi, U Myint Kyaing, Dr Pwint San, Dr Nyunt Pe, Dr Myo Thein Kyaw, Dr Thet Khaing Win, U Min Thein Zan, U Shwe Lay, Dr Thet Thet Khaing, Dr Htay Aung, U Saw Tun Aung Myint and Attorney-General of the Union Dr Daw Thida Oo together with region and state prime ministers who participated in the meeting through video conferencing system.
In his opening speech, the Senior General said the Provisional Government was constituted on 1 August, and he took the responsibilities of Prime Minister as the Head of Government. All cabinet members need to collectively carry out development tasks of the State. A government is responsible for undertaking improvement of the country. The Senior General stressed that they are not a political government with party policies but implement the fivepoint road map and nine objectives as policies adopted by the State Administration Council for the nation. It is necessary to secure achievement in implementing these policies. The tenure of the current government is a short time. He has explained it in the address delivered to mark the six months period of the government duty. The legal permission for incompletion of the tasks within the state of emergency is mentioned in the chapter of the provision of the State of Emergency.
Depending on management of the government and good cooperation of the people, the period for carrying out the tasks can be changed. Although the government takes responsibility for a short period, it is necessary to manage food, clothing and shelters of the people without fail. Likewise, efforts should be made for ensuring political peace and stability as well as security peace and stability. Only when the country is peaceful and stable, can the election be held in a smooth manner. The Senior General stressed the need to continuously fulfill the needs of respective regions in undertaking regional development tasks in addition to the basic needs of the people. The democratization process has been implemented since 2011 for the country to walk along the multi-party democracy route. In the time of President U Thein Sein, necessities were undertaken in accord with the Constitution (2008) and the government elected in 2016 implemented the reform processes as much as it can. There remain to fulfill the needs in implementing the multi-party democracy. In reviewing the various situations which happened in last six months period, a lesson was obtained for carrying out many tasks related to democracy. There are many tasks to be undertaken in line with the basic principles of democracy. These tasks are to ensure betterment of enforcing the laws and disciplines. Although the current political route depends on the public aspiration, it should be conformed to actual situations of the country. Records and documents showed that although the people demanded to implement democracy in 1988, there were a few number of persons who deeply understood the measures of democracy. Hence, it is necessary to realize the democracy in conformity with the current situations of Myanmar.
There are some 55 million of population in the country, most of them believe in Buddhism. Hence, there are many Myanmar’s national characteristics under the advice of Buddhism. Hence, it is necessary to consider the national characteristics in building a country. Myanmar is home to some 135 ethnic nationals. All the people and ethnic nationals accept the multi-party democracy system. They wish to enjoy the fruits of development, unity and prosperity. Some 70 percent of the total population residing in rural areas is engaged in manufacturing sector based on agriculture and livestock breeding. Myanmar with proper climatic conditions is teeming with Ayeyawady, Chindwin, Thanlwin, Sittaung, Laymyo and Kaladan rivers and others streaming from the north to the south. Based on these rivers, the country is operating agriculture and livestock breeding tasks and other businesses. With regard to increasing number of educated persons, Myanmar has been striving for turning out many numbers of educated persons while reducing the poverty rate. Due to political conditions and outbreak of COVID-19, the country is struggling in downtrend of economy. So, some people went abroad to seek jobs in foreign countries because of shortage of job opportunities at home.
Since 1948 when the country regained her independence, the armed conflicts of ethnics have been long-lasting for some 75 years. Due to immigration problems related to some neighbouring countries, citizenship problems came out. It was scrutinized that there are some four million of citizens who do not have citizenship scrutiny cards after turning 18. These are actual situations of Myanmar. Depending on these facts, the government needs to consider how to develop the country. Education must be encouraged as it is important for every citizen to have knowledge and skills. The construction has stated compulsory basic education for every citizen. Regions and states need to cooperate with relevant ministries for education promotion of the people. Measures must be taken for the good image of schools, enough teaching aid supply and appointment of qualified teachers. Respective regions and states must have a target of ensuing all people complete at least middle school education ranging from elimination of illiteracy.
Abundance of agricultural and livestock experts is a basic requirement. Therefore, measures are being taken to fulfill such requirement. Likewise, it is necessary to turn out lots of economists, law experts, technological experts, construction entrepreneurs, doctors and nurses. Educated people must emerge in respective regions and region and state prime ministers must encourage this. Abundance of educated people brings an honour to the country. So, this is the first priority of the government. When it comes to promoting national economy, sound conditions must be created for everyone to get a job to get income. With modern agricultural and livestock breeding methods, more factories and businesses can run to create more jobs. Constant research is for agricultural products to meet set quality. With good quality and fair prices, products of the country will gain stronger market. Crop boostingfor local food sufficiency will benefit the respective regions. The country’s crop yield is lower than that of the intentional community. In the regions without enough food, priority must be given to growing rice and wheat. Without the necessity to buy food from other regions or overseas, the country will see improved monetary circulation and become affluent.
Domestic manufacturing sector must be perfect to reduce import, and cutting import is a major requirement for the country. Myanmar has trade and budget deficits. It is necessary to boost local productivity and reduce import. Particularly, foodstuffs have to be imported. For example, millions of dollars have to be spent on import of edible oil. Myanmar grow oil crops such as sunflower, sesame, groundnut and oil palm. Over 391,000 acres have been allotted to Myeik and Kawthoung districts in Taninthayi Region to grow oil palm. According to experts, if those acres could be put under oil palm cultivation, about 4.5 million tons of edible oil could be produced. Oil palm can produce more oil than other oil crops. Those engaging in agriculture and businesspeople are urged to work together to make Taninthayi Region an edible oil bowl. That will reduce edible oil import. Export of goods via official routes will be encouraged to earn foreign exchange. Regarding cotton growing and production, raw materials worth about US$-100 million have to be imported a year to make clothing. The country has cotton factories, so growing of enough cotton in the country is necessary to get enough raw cotton materials and help the factories operate at full capacity. There are over 400,000 acres of cotton plantations in Sagaing, Magway and Mandalay regions but they have a low yield. Efforts must be made for boosting to create local jobs, reduce raw material import and facilitate success of local garment businesses. Similarly, about 1 million tons of cement are imported. The domestic State-run and private-owned cement plants can produce just about 7 million tons of cement a year. With full operation of them, local demand will be met and spending of dollars cut. The State will provide necessary aid for full operation of those plants. Relevant organizations need to set quality control measures for cement. As for steel production also, plants need to operate at full capacity.
Much steel demand in the country and import have made losses of foreign exchange. Some steel plants had to stop their construction causing losses to the State. Plans are underway to re-operate Pinpat Steel Plant and Myingyan Steel Plant. Re-operation of the inoperative plants and bringing them to full capacity with upgrade technology will boost quality production. Establishment of textile factories, steel plants and cement plants as well as industries producing consumer goods such as soap and toothpaste will bring job opportunities to the citizens. And this paves the way for the citizens to avoid working abroad by leaving their families and relatives. In other words, care or shelter can be provided for the citizens. State-owned factories must be operated under public-private partnership system. This cannot be done by the government alone and private sector must be promoted. As the private sector has a wide range of resources, they need to create sound conditions to do so. Meanwhile,
SMEs owned by national ethnics must be encouraged. They will help improve national economy. In connection with the electricity sector, the government has been encouraging the generation of renewable energy such as hydropower and solar power and it is necessary to utilize water resources in the country beneficially as there are mighty rivers created by nature in states and regions. As much as one loves natural beauty, it is important to think about how to make the best use of them for the country and the local residents. Taking measures to generate electricity on rivers and creeks in respective regions can contribute to regional development and efforts must be made to use them for agriculture and fish breeding. With regard to the energy sector, as the country possesses natural gas and coal reserves, the natural resources must be used to fulfil the needs of factories without damaging the environment.
The government is making attempts to narrow the gaps between regions and states, districts and townships especially by raising the living standards of villages. As rural areas are the bases for production, rural areas are the sources of development. Therefore, the rule of law and stability from the political and security perspectives can be restored by taking measures for raising the incomes of the rural public.
It is found that the sports sector of the country is deteriorating and therefore, it is necessary to promote sports. It takes time and effort to improve sports skills. It is necessary to promote sports that can contribute to public health. As sports play an important role in nation building and development mentally and physically, plans are underway to build sports stadiums complete with spectator stands. Measures must be taken properly to issue national registration cards and household lists to every ethnical national and everyone who is eligible to citizenship, especially before the next elections. Therefore, it is necessary for the relevant ministry and regional and state governments to exert efforts to issue national registration cards properly in a timely manner. In conclusion, the Senior General urged officials to implementthe above discussions seriously as they are indispensable basic needs of the country. Then, participant union ministers reported to the Senior General on respective sectors and sought approvals. Then, the Senior General delivered concluding remarks, saying incomes for the government are tax revenue but the amount of tax revenue is dropping due to economic impacts of COVID-19. It is necessary for ministries and bodies to save funds by spending only on essential tasks and to use water and electricity supplies properly without wastage. As the country encountered droughts in some areas of the country previous year, there were water shortages in the country. This year, the country has received sufficient rains and there are no water shortages. However, it is necessary to take preventive measures for the damage of dams and reservoirs and floods. With regard to COVID-19, weekly meetings are held with regional and state governments through video conferencing and guidance is given to curb the spread of the disease. Difficulties caused by the outbreak of the disease in July and early this month can be overcome with effort. The infection rate of COVID-19 has dropped to below 30 percent in recent days. Authorities concerned should not be contented with the situation, make further efforts and to monitor the observance of orders, instructions, rules and restrictions while awarenessraising campaigns about them are launched on the other hand.
Respective ministries are required to educate staff, family members and people nearby on COVID-19 step by step and to continue to cooperate for the reduction of infection rate. COVID-19 is not a disease that can be wiped out completely, according to scientists. Therefore, it is necessary to live in accordance with restrictions to prevent the spread of the disease. As medicines for treatment and vaccines for COVID-19 are being imported from other countries, there may be difficulty in the long run. Therefore, measures are being taken to manufacture medicines for treatment and vaccines for prevention of COVID-19 domestically. It was learnt that two new variants of coronavirus were found in other countries. Therefore, it is necessary for everyone to take the matter seriously without carelessness. I would like to urge officials from respective fields to offer a helping hand to provide vaccines, medicines for treatment and related medicines to the public conveniently. In conclusion, the Senior General said he had instructed officials to disclose people who have hoarded medicines for treatment of COVID-19 and related medicines to exploit the hardship of the public for their economic interests and to take action against them.
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