Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing meets religious groups of all faiths in Mandalay, local elders, officials of Mandalay Industrial Zone Management Committee and Mandalay Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Nay Pyi Taw January 23
Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met religious groups of all faiths in Mandalay, local elders, officials of Mandalay Industrial Zone Management Committee and Mandalay Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the City Hall, Mandalay Region this afternoon.
Present were members of the Senior General’s entourage, the Mandalay Region chief minister, the commander of Central Command and officials, Chairman of Mandalay-based YMBA U Kyi Sein, Vice Chairman of Upper Myanmar Hindu Association U Maung Maung Lwin, Priest Rev U Khin Maung Htwe of Mandalay Catholic Archdiocese, Pastor U Naung Naung Lwin of Mandalay Baptist Association, Vice Chairman of Islam Organization of Mandalay Maulana Hafiz Nurudeen (a) U Myo Myint and members, locals elders, Chairman of MMIC U Khin Maung Hla and members, Chairman of MRCCI U Win Htay and members and officials.
In his discussion, the Senior General said Mandalay is the royal city ruled by King Thibaw, the last monarch of the Konbaung dynasty. It is a cultural city with fine historical traditions. It is the city where Buddhist leaders have emerged and an important city for people of the Islam and Christian faiths. Additionally, the city has produced national leaders and artists. A city is a place with good economic foundations and transport. It also has favourable land and water resources and weather.
It is a friendly place for the production industry where farms of various types are doing well. The city with a large number of educated persons won third in the matriculation pass rate in the whole country.
The Senior General is desirous of witnessing the city’s progress.
Mandalay saw significant progress during the terms of multi-party democracy governments. If those developments are used more effectively, the city will really become an economic hub.
Thanks to its good transport links, Mandalay can do trade with China in the east and India in the west via Tamu. So, the city has the opportunity to export local goods directly to foreign countries. As the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, the Senior General could conserve the palace walls and renovated the palace compound, cannon museum, Boktalok Lake and other historical heritages in Nanmyo in cooperation with the Department of Archaeology and National Museum. The royal city must be preserved and protected.
Maravijaya Pagoda where the marble Buddha Image that will become the world’s largest and tallest Image of its kind is under construction. Marble stones are being produced in Madaya Township, Mandalay Region. The pagoda is being built in accord with the ancient Yadanabon designs with the help of modern technology. As Mandalay is a cultural city, the image of the Myanmar royal dynasty must be restored. But, the work must be carried out in conformity with the modern age free from ultra-conservative ideas. Religion-wise cultures must also be conserved. Modern views have weakened the will of some youths to preserve culture. Mandalay should be the model of the cultural conservation movement.
Mandalay is the economic hub and it can connect with any region or transport goods to them easily. Efforts for ensuring a sufficient power supply have been made throughout the successive periods. But, destructive acts have hampered sufficient power supply. Delays in the power distribution are caused by disturbances created against power projects for various reasons.
There are many modern ways to generate electricity with the least environmental impact. But, some organizations politically utilize the generating of electricity in Myanmar with reasons on impacts of natural environments.
So, the country cannot generate electricity at full capacity.
As Mandalay Region has the least rainy days and lesser rainfalls, electricity can be generated solar power.
To do so, the government will allow it. Likewise, by using LED bulbs, electricity consumption and charges of electricity bills can be reduced. If so, the electricity can be used in necessary areas. Biogas from agriculture and livestock farms can be utilized for consumption. So, it is necessary to consider the ways for electrification.
In the transport sector, roads and railways are being improved in Mandalay Region. As aviation transport is expensive, it can transport some passengers and commodities. Trains can transport many passengers and cargo. So, efforts are being made to improve ment of railways and arrange right time transportation. The government is also focusing on the improvement of roads and bridges for better transportation.
As Mandalay Region is in good condition of transport, local people need to use these roads for improvement of businesses.
Calculation of GDP must be based on agriculture and livestock, industries and services.
Mandalay Region has full of three factors. It has SME industries based on the agriculture sector. As it is a cultural city and ancient city, there are many pagodas and religious edifices as well as cultural heritages in Mandalay. Religious culture and cultural heritage of ancient buildings can be seen in Mandalay. As such, it is necessary to improve the services of the tourism industry to attract travellers.
Every country is striving for the development of its respective countries. Governments of developing countries, least developed countries, G-7 countries and OECD countries are focusing on the development of their countries. The governments which cannot manage the development of the countries face various problems. Those who could develop the countries can take support of the people. Hence, efforts are being made for the development of the nation.
Likewise, the people in individuals must have hardworking, their lives will have improved.
Otherwise, they will be lagged behind the development.
So, all need to strive for improvement in their lives.
Everybody must have a good education. As Mandalay is encouraging education, it is necessary to maintain the good facts. The government opens basic education schools and universities for all citizens to learn education and encourages academic measures.
Libraries must be established for students to read literature as well as learn education. It is necessary to create good environments for university students.
Efforts must be made for turning out the educated persons by applying the sound foundations.
People will be different from their lives depending on conscience and efforts. It is necessary to encourage the learning of all school-age children.
Being a good fertile soil and favourable weather, Mandalay needs to improve its economy.
Agricultural tasks must be done in conformity with the current era but with traditional methods. If so, businesses will be booming. Products from agriculture and livestock can be used in industries. As located in the centre of the nation for the economic sector, Mandalay can emphasize the manufacturing industries.
The government aims to ensure the prosperity of the nation with food sufficiency. The prosperity of the nation must affect the happy working of the people, prevailing rule of law, peace and free working. All school-age children must have a chance to learn. They all have to strive for ensuring the food sufficiency of the region.
As the country has fertile soil and favourable weather, it is necessary to utilize them for ensuring food sufficiency. The Senior General requested all religious leaders in Mandalay to urge the people to participate in the prosperity and development of the country. As they all are born there and take this shelter,
they all need to participate in the prosperity of the nation and food sufficiency. The Senior General presented gifts and Ks-15 million each to religious organizations in Mandalay through respective religious leaders.
On behalf of the religious organizations, Vice Chairman of Upper Myanmar Hinduism Organization U Maung Maung Lwin expressed thanks to the Senior General for presenting gifts and funds for the organizations, pledging that they will coordinate to successfully serve the religious measures and interests of the State.
The Senior General joined the tea party together with those present.
After the meeting, the Senior General cordially greeted the attendees to the meeting.