Meeting on Sufficient Fuel and Fertilizer: Acting President delivered the opening address

A meeting on ensuring the sufficient availability of fuel and the adequate supply of fertilizers required for agricultural operations was held on the afternoon of April 1 at the meeting hall of the Office of the Chairman of the National Defence and Security Council in Nay Pyi Taw.

Acting President Chairman of State Security and Peace Commission, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, attended the meeting and delivered a speech. The meeting was attended by Commission Member and Prime Minister U Nyo Saw, Commission Member U Aung Lin Dwe, Commission Secretary Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services General Ye Win Oo, Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Phone Myat, Union Minister for Finance and Revenue Dr. KanZaw, Union Auditor General Dr. Khin Naing Oo, and Central Bank Governor Daw Than Than Swe.

First, the Acting President SSPC Chairman delivered an opening speech. He stated that due to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, fuel shortages are being experienced globally, and Myanmar is also striving to overcome and resolve this difficulty. He noted that as fuel prices rise, commodity prices could also increase due to transportation costs. To prevent commodity prices from surging because of freight costs, it is necessary to prioritize the transport of goods using railways, a key public transportation service.

He further mentioned that to prevent fuel prices from escalating, consideration should be given to reducing the taxes levied on imported fuel. When importing fuel, priority should be given to diesel, which is predominantly used in public transportation services.

To reduce fuel consumption, the importation of electric vehicles (EVs) should be implemented through a system where old fossil-fuel vehicles are handed over in exchange for importing new EVs. For fertilizers, which are essential for agricultural operations, he stated that support and maximum possible tax reductions can be provided to ensure they reach the hands of farmers at affordable prices.

Following this, the attendees discussed and presented on the ongoing efforts to purchase fuel from foreign countries to resolve the domestic fuel shortage crisis. They also discussed plans to secure sufficient fuel for public transportation services such as trains, ships, and buses, as well as measures to ensure an adequate supply of fertilizers required for agricultural operations.

After that, Acting President SSPC Chairman, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, provided necessary discussions and instructions regarding the presentations before concluding the meeting.