The Rural Development Department of the Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development hosted the Workshop on Rural Transformation through ASEAN Smart Village at the Grand Ballroom of the Eravati Sule Grand Hotel in Yangon yesterday.

Speaking at the event, Union Minister U Hla Moe said Myanmar’s rural transformation efforts are being carried out in line with the Myanmar Comprehensive Sustainable Development Plan, and the ministry is making efforts in rural transformation for 69 per cent of rural people. In implementing the Territorial Rural Development approach, the six major sectors, such as rural infrastructure development through the Smart Village project, agrochemicals and financial assistance, vocational development and rural economic promotion, strengthening units and technical distribution, social protection and environmental conservation, are being carried out.

He then called for active participation in sharing experience, good practices, potential points and practical measures.

The pre-recorded remark video sent by Deputy Secretary-General U San Lwin of the ASEAN Secretariat and a documentary of the model village project of the Rural Development Department were played.

ActionAid Country Director Mr Shihab Uddin Ahamad delivered a keynote speech titled Rethinking Rural Development in a Transforming ASEAN. The representatives of ASEAN coordinated in the discussion under four panel sessions. The workshop will be held until 5 December, and they will visit the Yemon Model Village, the fruit and vegetable research development centre and the Myanmar Handicraft Centre on 5 December.

MNA/KTZH

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