THE second Pyidaungsu Hluttaw convened its 11thday meeting of 17th regular session yesterday.
Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Joint Bill Committee Secretary Dr Myat Nyana Soe reported the committee’s findings and remarks on the controversial bill for the amendment of The Law Protecting the Privacy and Security of Citizens.
Speaker U T Khun Myat announced that MPs can submit their names if they want to discuss the amendment proposals that are directly concerned with the controversial facts.
The Joint Bill Committee’s Secretary Dr Myat Nyana Soe reported the Animal Health and Breeding Development Bill sent back with remarks by the President.
The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker sought the assembly’s opinion on the bill and said that the Hluttaw’s decisions on the President’s remarks for the bill will be sent back to the President in accordance with Article 109 of its bylaw.
Dr Myat Nyana Soe submitted the National Library Bill’s Paragraph (15). The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker sought the assembly’s opinion on the bill and said that the Hluttaw’s decisions on the President’s remarks for the bill will be sent back to the President in accordance with Article 109 of its bylaw.
Joint committees, MPs, and Union-level organizations’ members discussed the 2020-2021 Financial Year National Planning Bill and Union Budget Bill.
Upon the Road Department’s discussions on the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) policies and indirect tax for road construction fund, Union Minister for Construction U Han Zaw said that BOT contract was being amended compared with the rules and regulations that are internationally applied.
The amendment bill was now submitted to the Union Government’s Economic Affairs Committee after that had been discussed by Pyithu Hluttaw Transport, Communications and Construction Committee and Amyotha Hluttaw Construction, Industry, Electricity and Energy Committee.
The Union Minister continued that the taxes for roads and bridges would be increased if the amendment of the bill is approved.
Deputy Minister for Agricultural, Livestock and Irrigation U Hla Kyaw said that only 3.36 per cent of the Union expenditure is used for agricultural development in the country, and among regional countries, Malaysia uses 7 per cent, the Philippines 9.17 per cent, and Thailand 16.15 per cent.
Moreover, one of the main factors for agro production is access to agricultural water. We can only distribute agricultural water to 14 per cent of total cultivation in the country, which is low if compared to regional countries, he added.
He said that the ministry will successfully implement socioeconomic development projects for the public with the government’s increase in agricultural investment.
Deputy Minister for Electricity and Energy U Khin Maung Win reported on the KfW loan provided by Germany. A project to electrify the villages in Taunggyi, Loilem, and Langkho townships in southern Shan State is underway with the use of €23.883 million of KfW loan and €6.535 million of cash assistance, totalling €30.418 million.
The project duration is from 2018 to 2022, and compilation of bidding document is currently 90 per cent complete. Tender for purchasing concrete pole will be invited in September 2020, and tender for remaining packages will also be invited. The ministry is trying to complete the project within the designated period, he added.
Deputy Minister for Planning, Finance and Industry U Maung Maung Win said that the drawing up of the National Plan for 2020-2021FY included the predictions for COVID-19.
The ministry is also drawing up Economic Recovery Plan. If the National Planning Bill is approved, the projects will be implemented in cooperation with relevant departments, he added.
The COVID-19 Economic Relief Plan (CERP) has to be implemented to help the businesses affected by COVID-19 recover.
The ministry received the loan of US$700 million under Rapid Credit Facility (RCF) and Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) from IMF in first batch in July 2020. The second batch of the loan from IMF will be obtained during 2020-2021.
Moreover, Pyidaungsu Hluttaw already approved taking the loans of Japanese ¥30 billion from JICA, and K250 million from ADB.
The loans will be received in line with rules and regulations during 2020-2021FY.
Union Minister for Education Dr Myo Thein Gyi, Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe, and Union Minister for Border Affairs Maj-Gen Phone Myat also participated in the discussions.
The Second Pyidaungsu Hluuttaw will convene its 12thday meeting of 17th regular session on 24 August.
Aung Ye Thwin, Aye Aye Thant
(Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)
Photo – MNA
Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar