SAC Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivers speech at SAC Meeting 2/2024
Nay Pyi Taw March 29
The State Administration Council meeting 2/2024 took place at the meeting hall of the Chairman of the State Administration Council Office in Nay Pyi Taw this afternoon, with an address by SAC Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
The meeting was also attended by SAC Vice Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Secretary Lt-Gen Aung Lin Dwe, Joint Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo, council members and officials.
First, the Senior General delivered a speech, saying that in the economic sector, development of the nation can be seen with GDP in previous financial year.
In reviewing it, the country faced starting of economic decline in 2018. The SAC could pull up the State economy from the minute to the plus trend since its establishment. But, it needs to achieve deserved success as expected. Primarily, economic development of the nation depends on incomes from trade and non-trade processes.
The incomes from trade process comprise manufacturing of products and production of natural resources. So, it is important to manufacture products.
With regard to manufacturing and trading, Myanmar has been exporting domestic products and natural resources to foreign trade partners from time of post-independence era to date. The statistics showed the foreign trade volume was larger in the Tatmadaw government period (2007-2008) and the multi-party democratic government period (2009-2010). In its time, the current government has been emphasizing production of agriculture and livestock sectors concerning the majority of citizens and the most fundamental situation of manufacturing in the nation. Hence, the Senior General recounted he himself encouraged all to meet the target production of paddy, pulses and beans, oil crops and industrial crops.
Western countries have imposed economic, trade and financial sanctions against Myanmar politically. Although Myanmar exports oil and natural gas to China and Thailand, these western countries ban the rights of Myanmar not to spend the incomes from export of oil and natural gas. But, the government could develop the nation to some extent amid these difficulties. During the three-year period, Myanmar could pay back US$-2.2 billion of foreign debts. The majority of these debuts were based on capital finance borrowed by previous successive governments.
Efforts to boost agricultural produce depend on expansion of sown acreage, increase of target production, and increase of per-acre yield in double cropping.
The government is specially striving for boosting production to meet the target and expansion of double cropping to rising per-acre yield. Some firm evidences can be showed to enhance State economy by boosting target production.
Myanmar has more than 14 million acres of monsoon paddy.
Monsoon paddy is expected to yield 100 baskets per acre.
But, monsoon paddy produced more than 78 baskets per acre of monsoon paddy in 2023-24 financial year, declining 22 baskets than the target. So, it can be said that yield of some 300 million baskets of paddy would decline. If so, such decline may be valued at some Ks-7,000 billion of incomes. It is just an example. So, if other main crops such maize, pulses and beans and other crops can meet the target production, the State economic will increase much. If double cropping can be extended again, it is noticeable that State economy and socio-economic life of the people will be higher.
Myanmar, endowed with a large area of cultivable lands, possesses farmlands for double cropping and favorable weather. If such two points can be thoroughly implemented, Myanmar can stand tall as an agriculture power country in taking a deserved position in the food security sector. As such, all council members have to cooperate in these measures with utmost efforts.
Some 70 percent of Myanmar people reside in rural area. Of them, 41 percent of rural population is engaged in agriculture, livestock, fishery and forestry sectors. Agriculture and livestock sectors are sure in production. Likewise, developed and developing countries are operating MSME businesses.
In this regard, as Myanmar is engaged in manufacturing sector based on agriculture and livestock industries, it is necessary to manufacture value-added products in the aerobated industry. If existing sound foundations and human resources are utilized for development of agriculture and livestock, production will change.
So, it is necessary to improve livestock sector. Development of quick win process such as agriculture and livestock sectors will contribute to development of manufacturing.
The Senior General stressed the need to allow extraction and sale of underground and aboveground natural resources and forest resources under relevant disciplines. Due to being plentiful timber and bamboo used in production of paper, Myanmar has to grow trees in vacant areas. Likewise, straws from paddy cultivation can be efficiently used as pulp and feedstuffs, these can benefit the country. Hence, council members have to encourage farmers in relevant regions for exerting their efforts in works and sharing knowledge with them. Likewise, efforts must be made for booming the tourism
industry which can contribute to development of State economy.
In the measures of peace and stability, some terror acts happen in some areas. The government will continue peace and stability of the whole nation.
Preparations are being made to hold the election and it is a must. Emphasis is being placed on enumeration of census for emergence of firm voter list.
Currently, the government is striving for ensuring systematic multi-party democratic system.
Armed terror acts cannot be deployed on the route of democracy.
Council members reported on development for agriculture tasks, needs of farmers, plans for sharpening patriotic spirit of student youths during the long summer holidays, development of tourism industry and fostering peace and stability in relevant regions.
The SAC Vice Chairman Deputy Prime Minister discussed quick process of restoring peace and stability in the regions with public participation.
In conclusion, the Senior General reviewed all discussions, and stressed the need for people from the regions with needs of peace and stability to join hands with security forces as public participation is of importance in restoring peace and stability. Parents and guardians have to encourage student youths to efficiently utilize long school holidays and culture better spirit. The government will provide necessary for them and concluded the meeting.