Nay Pyi Taw December 30
Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing addresses meeting 4/2021 of Union government of Republic of Union of Myanmar
The Union government of Republic of Union of Myanmar held its meeting 4/2021 at the meeting hall of State Administration Council Chairman’s Office in Nay Pyi Taw this afternoon with an address by Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Also present were Vice Chairman of SAC Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win, union ministers General Mya Tun Oo, Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, U Chit Naing, Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung, U Win Shein, U Aung Naing Oo, U Ko Ko Hlaing, Dr Daw Thida Oo, 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 Hsan, 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 and U Saw Tun Aung Myint.
In his address, the Senior General said national development, the rule of law and administrative affairs are the main duties of a government. So, its functions are important. The government has adopted the five-point roadmap, reestablished UEC, rechecked the voter lists, exposed and punished those who are responsible. It has accomplished the job to a certain degree. Thanks to the ardent efforts of officials, public participation, especially in observing the rules, and the help of neighbouring countries, the country could overcome the third wave in preventing, controlling COVID-19 and providing treatment. As infection rate is decreasing, rules in connection with COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment will be relaxed in certain regions and states through negotiations. But awareness is still needed as there is some infection of the omicron variant. Hospitals have already made preparations in advance and they have been provided with oxygen, medicines and other necessary gear.
Efforts are in progress for the resurgence of the economy hit by repercussions of COVID-19. Prioritization programs for the agriculture and livestock breeding industry have benefited a lot for the country’s economy that is based on the industry. Except for a small number of factories, almost all of them have already resumed their business. Tourism has become active again together with the related businesses as infection rate has decreased. However, some businesses are still under control because of COVID-19 restrictions. The national economy will recover, if they resume their normal functions.
The government has always opened the door to peace negotiations. Thanks to the ongoing negotiations, peace negotiations could be held soon and prospects are bright for peace. After the completion of the task stated in the five-point roadmap elections will be held and the power will be transferred to the winning party. But the facilitation of functions to reach the end depends on the public involvement and international cooperation. The government alone cannot do the job. The four preceding points pave the way for the facilitation of the fifth point. Hence, any act that hurts the first four points will hamper the final step. The government will not change its policies.
The country could deliver exports to a certain degree in the previous three months – October, November and December. It could export agro goods more. Palm oil and fuel imports should be checked. The ministry should reduce fuel oil consumption without causing any negative effects on their functions. The country must generate income from trade and exports from the production sector. So, efforts must be made to improve the quality of goods and to sell them at reasonable prices internationally and internally. Although GDP does not solely depend on trade, the rise in trade volume is supportive for GDP growth. The country should increase the production of goods of various categories rather than food alone.
The Senior General said “We have weakness in data, and I have already mentioned this at the economic committee meeting yesterday. The weakness has been found not only at present, but also during the past successive governments. There are no proper records. One reason might be that the records were erased during the time we were under servitude. We have no historical records. In some cases, references are hard to find. Some of the information can be discovered in the English version publications. Some of our records are written on palm leaves, and most of them are medical treatises. In fact, we have records on other subjects, but most are medical records. So, we faced a lot of difficulties in finding data. In this regard, the ministry must prioritize the work of keeping records systematically. When the offices were moved from Yangon to Nay Pyi Taw, some of the data were neglected as they were regarded as unnecessary. That was what happened. Some of the data are not in Nay Pyi Taw, they were left behind in Yangon. For example, some papers of the National Museum are in Yangon. Some of the materials in connection with culture are in Yangon while others are in Nay Pyi Taw. During my visit to the railway station in PyinOoLwin, I asked officials to show me a room that was closed. There I found old photos of locomotives and the station. They are very valuable. Some do not understand the importance of keeping records, which show how the ministries, functions, national economy and business models changed and developed. What are the changes in developments in rice, beans, edible oil, and rubber cultivation methods? How does rubber products changed? To know, we need records. But now, the work of collecting and keeping records has become easier. We can even go back to 20 or 30 years to collect data. In the coming 10 or 15, they will become 50- year old records. Old records are more valuable. The work may be difficult, but the ministry must overcome this weakness.”
As we are the government that serves its State duty just for a short period, we need to prioritize currently needed tasks rather than long-term measures. The tasks that can be implemented on a shortterm basis in the sport and transport sectors are the first priority. Regarding the education sector, like in the past, we are going according to the 30- year national education plan. There have been only some edits and modifications in the school curriculums for those incompatible with the social system of our country. In building departmental infrastructures also, a similar form of buildings should be constructed to reduce cost. Likewise, the construction of universities, lecture halls, assembly halls and stadiums requires close supervision by responsible officials for their long-term existence.
Then, the union ministers reported on their respective sectors and sought approval. In his concluding remark, the Senior General talked about taxation saying that the country’s business transactions were stagnant due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, ministries and region/state governments need to try to levy full taxes. In issues of tax relaxation, reports and reviews should be made only if it is necessary.
There was surplus income in foreign trade but there were always deficits in drawing annual budgets. And this results from a lack of full taxes and a difference in exchange between Myanmar kyat and foreign currencies. The ministries need to save foreign exchange spending as much as possible and seek ways to increase foreign income. In export sector, production of valueadded items is necessary rather than sale of raw materials. It is necessary to seek ways to produce and export value-added goods by making best use of the country’s resources. In trade also, a bilateral agreement has been signed to make Yuan/ Kyat direct payments. Such agreement has been sought with Thailand and India to do the same thing. Businesses must be operated in consideration of long-term goals.
When it comes to COVID-19 vaccination, the country has been targeted to complete 50 percent of the population aged 18 and above by December this year. According to the Ministry of Health, over 51 percent of the people aged 18 and above and 87 percent of those aged 12 and above have been vaccinated. Despite this, it is necessary to follow the COVID-19 rules and disciplines while responsible officials need to take supervisory measures in the national interest.
Measures to ensure there are no squats in ministriesowned land areas must be taken in accord with the law and procedures. Ministries concerned and region and state governments need to cooperate in taking such measures in line with the law. With regard to policy, there have been the laws, rules, policies, procedures, disciplines, orders and instructions for respective ministries. The main thing is to serve the national interest.
The year 2022 coincides with the diamond jubilee of Union Day and 2023 with the diamond jubilee of Independence Day. The citizens need to try their best so that they can be proud of having a nationalist spirit and their own dignity. The ministries need to place greater emphasis on their respective tasks and render best assistance in organizing the diamond jubilee celebrations.
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