The Union government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar held its meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon, with an address by Prime Minister U Nyo Saw.

The meeting was attended by Union ministers, deputy ministers and officials.

The current government is the Union government formed by the National Defence and Security Council. The government has to safeguard Our Three Main National Causes: non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity, and perpetuation of sovereignty. Likewise, it is necessary to adhere to and implement the four objectives set forth by the National Defence and Security Council.

At present, Myanmar needs to move forward peacefully along the path of multiparty democracy without political, ethnic, or religious diversity. All citizens must avoid actions that could divert the country from this democratic path and abide by the existing laws in accord with the Constitution. As elections are a cornerstone of the democratic process that the people aspire to, the Head of State has already announced to the public that a general election will be held in December of this year. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that all eligible citizens are able to cast their votes. For those who may be unable to vote on election day due to various reasons, arrangements must be made as per the prescribed rules and procedures to allow them to vote in advance.

The State will uphold and implement a genuine, disciplined multiparty democratic system. In terms of governance, efforts will be made to establish a Union system based on a multiparty democracy and a federal system. To successfully hold a free and fair multiparty democratic general election, all relevant ministries must actively participate and carry out their responsibilities in their respective sectors.

Let us encourage production for the prosperity of the Nation

Myanmar is a country with an economy primarily based on agriculture and livestock. Since the majority of the rural population is engaged in farming and livestock breeding, it is essential to develop these sectors in order to improve the socioeconomic conditions of rural communities and reduce poverty. Only through this path can national economic development be achieved. All stakeholders must prioritize efforts to enhance agricultural and livestock production. It is necessary not only to utilize farmland systematically but also to strive for higher per-acre yield and improved crop productivity. Doing so will ensure domestic food sufficiency and also enable exports to foreign markets. The State is also making arrangements to ensure an adequate and timely supply of fertilizers, which are crucial inputs for agricultural activities.

Similarly, efforts must be made across the regions and states to improve the cultivation and production of oil crops, which are another important agricultural product. Regarding oil sufficiency, since these oil crops can produce the necessary edible oils for the country, it is essential to develop domestic production to substitute imported oils. Although measures have been taken since before to ensure domestic oil sufficiency and efficient consumption, full achievement has yet to be realized. It has been observed that the production of oil crops has not yet sufficiently progressed across regions and states. Therefore, priority should be given to cultivating oil crops in suitable areas as a key sector, aiming to achieve better yields and to expand sunflower cultivation and production, exceeding sown acreage.

In accord with the motto: “Let us encourage production for the prosperity of the Nation”, in practical terms, efforts must be made to promote rural economic development and support agricultural and livestock activities. There are vast tracts of arable land along basins of the Ayeyawady River and the Chindwin River, and it is necessary to utilize these cultivable lands efficiently. To ensure food security, livestock such as chickens, pigs, goats, cattle, and fish should also be raised according to the respective regional conditions.

The government allocates funds to the relevant Union ministries by sector to carry out national development activities. It is necessary to use the annual national budget allocations assigned to regions and states efficiently and effectively, and to ensure that the projects are completed successfully within the designated timeframes.

Let us ensure the education sector for the development of the Nation

It is necessary to encourage the education of citizens to develop the country. In accord with the motto “Let’s ensure education sector for the development of the Nation”, it is necessary to improve the education sector in the entire nation. The technique is based on school education, so it is necessary to support the improvement of learning education without fail. Emphasis must be placed on attending to all school-age children and increasing student grades in learning. To prevent a decline in student transition rates between grade levels, it is necessary for the Ministry of Education to conduct research, analysis, and studies in order to implement effective remedial measures. Moreover, the current government needs to pave the way for the forthcoming government to continue encouraging to development of the education sector of the nation.

In the health sector, public healthcare activities are being carried out with a focus on preventive measures to avoid the outbreak of diseases, and policies and plans must be implemented to ensure the effective delivery of quality medical treatment when diseases do occur. There are still weaknesses in the delivery of healthcare services due to terrorist acts and conflicts in some areas. Therefore, not only health care workers but also all those involved in the health sector are required to work together in a coordinated manner. When assigning healthcare personnel to various regions and states, they are truly deployed to the respective designated areas of responsibility, and their assignments are made for a clearly defined period of service.

In line with the policies set by the Head of State – “Only with good health can one pursue education; only with good health can one work”, “Nothing is more important than human life,” and “Every hospital must have a doctor” – the State is actively implementing measures to provide the necessary healthcare personnel and medical support equipment for regions and states across the country.

Let us protect our environment for the prosperity of the Nation

It is now evident that the increasing occurrences of flooding, earthquakes, cyclones, and river overflows around the world are the result of environmental degradation. Therefore, in order to promote nationwide greening and sustainable agriculture, it is necessary for us to actively preserve forests and the natural environment. While forest coverage in our country once exceeded 50 per cent, it has now declined to just 42.19 per cent. To restore forest coverage and ensure a greener environment, it is essential to expand the planting of long-term trees. In line with the motto “Let’s protect our environment for the prosperity of the Nation”, efforts must be made to increase the cultivation of perennial, shade trees and windbreaks in forested areas.

As the Union government must all work together and make collective efforts to carry out the necessary tasks for the nation at this time. In particular, collaborative efforts must be made in the preparatory work to successfully hold the upcoming election scheduled for December. Only then will the free and fair multiparty democratic general election that all the people aspire to be held successfully.

Union ministers attending the meeting discussed their sectors.

In his response to the discussions, the Prime Minister noted that in the earthquake-affected areas, where it is currently the rainy season, there are certain needs for reconstruction efforts, and that the government is doing its utmost to assist accordingly. Relevant ministries and regional/state authorities were also urged to monitor and regulate market prices to ensure reasonable and fair pricing. Moreover, it is important to expedite the completion of support and relief operations related to the damage and losses caused by the earthquake. Efforts must also be made to collectively prevent illegal trade activities. Furthermore, it is necessary to ensure the timely provision of essential fertilizers for agricultural activities.

In his concluding remarks, the Prime Minister said that Myanmar is currently developing its national economy based on an agriculture and livestock-oriented economic model. Therefore, only by advancing agricultural and livestock production industries can the country generate increased foreign income. At the same time, farmers’ household incomes will improve, contributing to national economic growth. To ensure full cultivation coverage during this monsoon season and to achieve higher yield targets, the relevant ministries and regional/state governments must ensure that fertilizers reach farmers in a timely manner. The nation has been able to overcome recent challenges and make progress. Union Ministers were urged to collectively strive, during their terms of service, to realize national causes and the four objectives set by the State. And the meeting came to an end.

MNA/TTA

#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar