Regional Economic Development: PM meets MSME entrepreneurs in Kayin State

Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met entrepreneurs of the micro, small and medium enterprises in Kayin State at the Zwekabin Hall in Hpa-an on Monday and discussed regional economic development.

At the meeting, Kayin State Chief Minister reported on implementation of MSMEs in Kayin State, industrial zones in the state and progress of works, providing loans and technical assistance for MSME development and the products that are good prospects in the region and future programs.

Later, Chairman of Kayin State Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Chairman of the State Agriculturalists Association, representatives from the State Livestock Industry, rice mill, edible oil mill and hotel industry and attendees reported the needs of farmers in the region for producing agricultural products and requirements for agriculture development, electricity, quality seeds, the land for expanding the businesses, measures for tourism development, sale of fertilizers with reasonable prices, agricultural loans, the needs for high-tech factories for rubbers, relaxation for corns to export, implementation for wholesale centers, brokerages and bus terminals in Hpa-an for the smooth flow of commodities and re-digging of water channels on the road side of Than lwin river to prevent floods.

In response to the reports, the Union Ministers discussed relaxing restrictions on the border trades, implementation for economic development, the needs for combating illegal trade, planting coffee for export, fulfilling the necessary technologies by relevant ministries and machines for MSME development, value-added products, increasing incomes for rural people, providing assistance for regional development by forming cooperative syndicates and inputs necessary for agriculture.

Afterthat, the Prime Minister said that the country's economic policy is a market oriented economic system and the economic policies are set by the state. As it is not a central controlled system, the government will strictly control the policy and the entrepreneurs must work hard to make their businesses to be successful.In carrying out manufacturing activities, the economic development of the region and the country will be strengthened by carrying out manufacturing tasks based on the raw materials produced in the region.

State is rich in agricultural products and raw materials on the underground and above ground.There is abundant limestone in Kayin State so that cement production can be carried out.Rice-based industries should also be carried out and in order to be sufficient rice in the region, it is necessary to increase per acre yield.

The Prime Minister stressed the needs on quality paddy strains, fertilizers, bio fertilizers, production of value-added rice products, corn exports and production of coconut products, manufacturing of finished products based on rubber in Kayin State, value-added finished products including shoes and slippers and household goods.

He also stressed on the breeding of poultry, fish, cows and pigs and MSME development in the region by using raw materials, electricity generation for industrial development, implementation of river water pumping project by using solar power for irrigated water, hydro power generation, agricultural loans, repaying the loans to the state within the target time, disbursing loans for MSMEs, human resource development in the region, arrangement for opening the Institute of Agriculture and Livestock Science in Hpa-an, efforts for development of tourism industry in the state.

Later, the Prime Minister cordially greeted MSME entrepreneurs in Hpa-an. He then observed the display of foodstuff, personal goods, industrial products, regional handmade products, clothes and traditional medicines and asked about getting market. The Prime Minister and party then proceeded to Precision Auto Engineering Co.,Ltd that is a foreign investment company in the Hpa-an Industrial Zone.

There, officials reported on sale of Bajaj brand three-wheel vehicles to all parts of the country, functioning tasks and participating in the public social responsibility. The Prime Minister and party later looked into manufacturing and installation of 3-wheed vehicles in the company and asked about further information.