Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing meets Region-level departmental officials of Ayeyawady Region and local elders and discusses regional developent
Nay Pyi Taw January 20
Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met Region-level departmental officials of Ayeyawady Region and local elders this morning.
The Senior General and party arrived at Pathein Airport in the region and were welcomed by Chief Minister U Tin Maung Win, South-West Command Commander Brig-Gen Wai Lin and officials.
Pathein airport upgrading program in progress
At the briefing hall of the airport,SAC member Union Minister for Transport and Communication General Mya Tun Oo, the chief minister and officials reported on a brief history of the airport, and upgrading of the airport and runway in accord with the guidance of the Head of State.
In response, the Senior General said the upgrading project is for the progress of the local and foreign tourist industry.
The region has natural beauties including famous beaches, local food and other advantages.
Roads in the region will also be upgraded, apart from the airport.
Sustainability and safety must be prioritized in stage by stage upgrading the airport and runway.
The Senior General and party met region-level officials and local elders at the Ayeya Shwewa Hall of the region government office.
Also present at the meeting together with the Senior General were Joint SAC Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo, SAC members General Mya Tun Oo, Lt-Gen Nyo Saw, Mahn Nyein Maung, and Dr Ba Shwe, union ministers U Min Naung, U Hla Moe, U Khin Maung Yi, U Myo Thant, and Dr Nyunt Pe, the chief minister, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the Western Command commander.
Reports on progress of work and requirements in the region
The chief minister reported on functions of the local government, ongoing farming businesses in the region and success, salt production and marketing, farming-based production industries run with the financial aid from national economic promotion fund, setting up of conservation areas, environmental conservation programs supported by collective tree-growing activities, undertakings to increase electricity supply and improve road transport, health and education promotion undertakings, plans to develop local tourism industry and other matters.
Local elders presented a report on upgrading of two bailey bridges on Pathein-Chaungtha and Pathein-Ngwehsaung roads, establishment of a haulage center at the entrance of Pathein to further facilitate trade, upgrading of Yangon-Pathein road and other requirements.
Ministry-wise clarifications on presentations
In response to the presentations,union ministers U Min Naung, U Hla Moe, U Khin Maung Yi, U Myo Thant, and Dr Nyunt Pe, explained ministry-wise programs to look into their requirements, ongoing ministry-wise arrangements and support for the success of farming-based production industries in the relevant regions and states, establishment cooperative societies and provision of necessary inputs, technology, machines and capital and marketing strategies for socioeconomic development and income generation in rural areas, success of production businesses based on raw materials derived from forest resources including wood, bamboo, rattan in Ayeyawady Region, benefits for regional development through the use of modern means in producing salt for export as the region is the main supplier for local salt demand, long-term plans and annual budget allotments for upgrading bailey bridges on Pathein-Chaungtha and Pathein-Ngwehsaung roads and Yangon-Pathein road, and undertakings to fulfill the needs of education staff and improvement of schools in the region.
A reliable region for country that has favourable foundation and geographical conditions
In his discussions, the Senior General said Ayeyawady Region is a reliable region for the country as it possesses good geographical conditions and foundations. The region has the largest student population and highest pass rate. So, it has good foundations for the future. As local elders already have a lot of experience, they should set up groups that are beneficial for the region and that will maintain the good foundations. In this way, the region will achieve further development.
Pathein Airport will be upgraded for the development of the area, and plans are being made to allow international flights to land. It will be necessary for the regional urban development to be organized in a systematic way. Communication routes will be upgraded for the development of tourism in the region, so that the towns and villages on the routes are orderly and cleanliness needs to be carried out. Urban projects need to be systematic. Looking at the benefit of the region and the country, we want to plan for the future, not just to be convenient for a certain period of time.
In the past, the Pathein area mainly used the sea to trade goods. At present, it is being planned to further develop maritime transport and maritime trade. It is needed to make use of the train transportation in the area. There are transportation by air, transportation by sea, transportation by vehicle and transportation by railway, and transportation by railway and using train can transport many passengers to their destinations at a low cost, as well as large quantities of goods can be transported to various regions of the railway network in a short period of time at the lowest cost.
So we need to use the train transport system effectively.
He said that the agricultural and livestock activities in Ayeyawady Region are being carried out successfully and productively.
We need to make efforts to ensure that the agricultural products meet the target, and rather than expanding the acre age, we want to improve the yield and succeed in replanting.
We can’t just use traditional farming methods, but use modern farming techniques to be successful. In carrying out agricultural activities, we need factors such as good breeds and land, having enough water and planting in a systematic way, and we need to be able to use the good irrigated soil of the region. In our country, farming is done in small plots, so by implementing the minimum acre plots, we will be able to implement the industrial farming system, and the yield will also improve. If the land is properly prepared and the fields are planted, the yields will be good.
The state will provide what is needed, so the residents and entrepreneurs really need to work and succeed.
Similarly, Ayeyawady Region already has the resources to successfully carry out fish farming activities. There is a great demand for meat and fish in the country, and fish farming businesses that can be sold at a reasonable price for people to consume, in addition to livestock animals such as chicken, pork, duck, goat, buffalo and cattle.
We want them to pay attention and invite entrepreneurs who want to do it as the Ayeyawady Region is a region where businesses that can meet the needs of the local market and foreign import substitution activities based on agriculture and livestock. Regarding foreign imports, as we did not encourage domestic production in the country in the past, we had to import a lot of goods from abroad, resulting in trade deficits.
If we really work to encourage domestic manufacturing, we will be able to reduce foreign imports and foreign currency spending. Therefore, looking at the benefit of the country and regional benefit, domestic production is needed to be successful.
Industrial products based on timber, bamboo and rattan in Ayeyawady Region can be successfully carried out, and the state is also encouraging it.
On the other hand, we need to carry out restoration activities for continuous supply of materials obtained from nature. We also need to plant trees and forests in the region. Natural disasters are inevitable and can be overcome with minimum damage if prepared and faced when they occur. As mangroves can protect from natural disasters, we need to plant as many trees as possible along the coast and in the region. We need to produce timber, bamboo and rattan successfully.
To make a comprehensive effort with a broad vision in bringing about the benefit of the region and national interest
Regarding health, we need to live in harmony with our health as much as we can, and the state is fulfilling the needs of local health workers as far as possible. Only when an individual is healthy and strong will they be able to work more for socio-economic development.
By taking care of oneself and living in good health, one can save the money that will be spent on health. Department officials, township elders and locals need to act with a broad vision and everyone must work together to do it in bringing about the benefit of the region and the national interest, the Senior General said.
After the meeting, the Chairman of the State Administration Council, the Prime Minister and the members warmly greeted the attendees.
After that, it was reported that the Chairman of the State Administration Council, the Prime Minister and the members went around in vehicles to inspect the roads and bridges, urban developments, the Ayeyawady International Industrial Port and industrial zones in Pathein Township.