Regional and national economic development can be gained by promoting production businesses based on regional raw material supply
NAY PYI TAW October 17
Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met MSME entrepreneurs of Kayin State at Zwegabin Hall in Hpa-an this morning and discussed regional economic development.
Present at the meeting together with the Senior General were SAC Joint Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo, Union ministers U Win Shein, Dr Kan Zaw, U Tin Htut Oo, U Hla Moe, Dr Charlie Than and U Aung Naing Oo, Kayin State Chief Minister U Saw Myint Oo, Chief of General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) General Maung Maung Aye, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, South- Eastern Command commander and officials and state government members and MSME entrepreneurs from Hpa-an.
Requirements for development of businesses The chief minister reported on business operations of MSMEs, industrial zones in the Kayin State and their functions, technical and financial aids for MSME development, promising products of the region and future programs.
Chairman of Kayin State Commerce and Industry Association U Zaw Htay, Chairman of Kayin State Agriculture Entrepreneurs Association U Saw Sae Htoo, representatives of breeders, rice millers, edible oil millers and hoteliers of the state and other attendees represented reports on the gratitude they owe to the State for its assistance for development of MSMEs and agriculture, the required assistance for farmers and development of agriculture in the area, electricity, quality strains and land supply for farming, tourism development undertakings, availability of chemical fertilizers for rubber growers at reasonable prices, provision of agricultural loans, setting up of advanced rubber factories, relaxation of rules for facilitation of corn exports, a trade haulage centre in Hpa-an for smooth flow of goods, dredging of canals along Thanlwin River to prevent flooding.
Union ministers’ sector-wise discussions Union ministers made arrangements for facilitation of sector-wise businesses. They explained ministry-wise undertakings, lessons to be taken from global economic crisis, relaxation on border trade, undertakings for economic development, collective efforts to curb illegal trade that still exists despite the development of border trade, potentials for coffee export one of the main crops of the state, ministry-wise endeavours to solve technological and the other shortages, technical and mechanical provisions to manufacture finished goods for export, rural income generation programs, formation of rural cooperative societies and assistance for them, supply of agriculture inputs.
The chief minister also looked into the requirements.
Visit to discuss improving businesses in Kayin State to develop State economy and to fulfill the needs In his speech, the Senior General said that he came to Kayin State to discuss improving businesses in Kayin State to develop State economy and to fulfill the needs. Myanmar’s economic policy is to realize the market economic system, and the State is to adopt the economic policies. As it is not the centralized system as well as not projected economic system, the government is just to control the policy. Hence, businesspersons need to strive for achieving success of their businesses. But, it is necessary to control the measures not to collapse the State economy and not to harm the interests of citizens.
Encouragement for production based on domestic raw materials Business comprises manufacturing and trading. Only when production is high will economy improve. Hence, encouragement is being given to manufacturing. If trading is no supply and demand, prices of commodities will increase. In manufacturing, manufacturing based on domestic raw materials will be more firmed for the economic development of the region and the State. Only when production of raw materials is firm, will finished products gain progress with a firm market. Kayin State is endowed with abundant agriculture and livestock products as well as underground and aboveground natural resources. Minerals can be used for products.
Due to large volume of limestone in Kayin State, the state can produce cement.
Kayin State is 80 percent of rice sufficiency. Rice-based industries must be operated without fail, and it is necessary to increase per-acre yield of rice for local sufficiency. Agriculture comprises quality strains, land, water and techniques.
Farmlands should be reclaimed to be modern acre plots or hectare plots where land preparation can be made with the use of heavy machinery. Local farmers need to grow domestic quality strains of paddy rather than varieties of paddy strains.
High yield of crops needs good agricultural techniques and sufficient agricultural water.
The State is striving for distribution of fertilizers for local farmers. Likewise, livestock farming tasks must be done systematically and waste from livestock farms can be used as bio-fertilizer. Green fertilizer and EM bokarshi can be used as natural fertilizers. Broken rice and ban from milling rice can be used as feedstuff production.
Kayin State needs qualified rice mills to produce high quality rice. As rice can be used in making foodstuffs, production made of rice in high technology will be beneficial. Likewise, maize products from the local regions should be made as finished products rather than export of raw materials, it will be beneficial. Kayin State achieves success in agriculture and has sound foundation for industries. Efforts must be made for boosting coconut plantation to manufacture coconut products.
There are more than 200,000 acres of rubber plantations in Kayin State. Rubber-based finished products can be manufactured in the region. Leather from animals should be efficiently used in making personal goods. If rubber and leather can be used to produce shoes and other high value finished products in Kayin State, it will contribute to local economy. As bamboo production is boosting in Kayin State, various personal goods can be produced with the use of pulp and paper. If products made of bamboo can be manufactured, it will much benefit the region.
With regard to the livestock industry, duck farming is widely carried out in lower Myanmar.
If duck is bred systematically commodity production enterprises based on duck could be operated. Similarly, duck farming is to be systematically carried out. If there is adequate production in fish farming, that will help meet demand of domestic consumption and promote export items. If micro, small and medium enterprises will be operated with the use of raw materials produced locally, there will be development of local businesses.
In terms of the inputs, chemical fertilizer, insecticide, fuel oil and electricity are required.
The Government is making efforts to have adequate fuel oil.
To save fuel oil, it is necessary to use electricity for the public transport system. If electricity is generated enough, there will be progress not only in transport but in industries. For availability of cultivation water in agriculture, river water could be pumped with the use of solar power. Similarly, hydrological power could be generated through water resources already existing in the region.
Regarding the capital investment, the State has disbursed loans in successive eras but some businessmen did not repay their loans. Tasks are being taken to be able to disburse loans to agricultural businesses and MSMEs. It is essential to repay loans to the State within the set term. We are striving for ensuring prosperity of the nation and security of food, water and provision as a national task.
Therefore, loans for capital investment will be disbursed to agricultural businesses and MSMEs.
Emphasis on ensuring rich human resources Qualified human resources are necessary for achieving success in doing business. As there are weaknesses in the country’s education sector, skilled workers are scarce. So, measures are being taken to teach agriculture, livestock and technologies at high schools.
Plans are also underway to open an agriculture institute and a livestock breeding institute in Hpa-an. Only when there are a lot of educated people, will there be rich human resources.
Encouragement should be given in Kayin State to turn out more educated people. The State is encouraging the education promotion of students, and local people are to cooperate in ensuring rich human resources.
Sweet home attracts guests Kayin State is blessed with natural beauties to attract tourism.
With the use of such good foundations, efforts can be made to boost local and international tourism. As a sweet home appeals to guests, local people and civil servants working in the region need to cooperate in creating beautiful, pleasant environments, ensuring peace, stability, rule of law and security so as to attract local and foreign tourists. Traditional foods produced from the region must be varied and clean for attraction. The State is encouraging the boosting tourism of Kayin State. And all are urged to cooperate in the effort.
Success can be achieved if all individual businesses are to run systematically. If MSMEs, agricultural and livestock breeding businesses and tourismrelated businesses try to work till success is achieved by using the existing good resources in Kayin State, regional economy and socio-economy of the local people will improve, thereby developing the whole region in a short time.
Next, the Senior General cordially greeted the MSME entrepreneurs.
He then interestingly studied the displays of local products such as foodstuffs, consumer goods, industrial goods, traditional handicrafts, clothing and traditional medicines.
The Senior General also asked about market situations and the businesspeople briefed him on their respective sectors.
In the afternoon, the Senior General and party visited Precision Auto Engineering Co Ltd, which is a foreign-invested company, in Hpa-an Industrial Zone where they were welcomed by Manager U Myo Thiha and officials. At the briefing hall, the Senior General was reported on nationwide sales of Bajaj brand three-wheeled vehicles, functioning of the factory and charity work for public welfare. The Senior General questioned what he wanted to know.
Then, the Senior General and party viewed the assembling and production of three-wheeled vehicles and other automobiles at the company and were conducted round by officials. Later, the Senior General asked for information about what he wanted to know.