Workshop on Rural Development: MCRD UM delivered the opening address at the workshop

The workshop on Sharing National Experience on Enhancing Rural Entrepreneurship Development for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods, a project under the ASEAN Rural Development Master Plan and ASEAN RDPE Framework aimed at developing rural livelihoods, was held in Nay Pyi Taw on February 25th.

The ceremony was attended by Union Minister for Cooperatives and Rural Development U Hla Moe who delivered the opening address. First, a documentary video on the implementation of livelihood activities by the Department of Rural Development under the Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development was screened.

Subsequently, Union Minister U Hla Moe delivered the opening address, stating that since 69 percent of the country's population resides in rural areas, sustainable rural development is an indispensable strategic process for nation-building. The State is providing multi-sectoral support in finance, infrastructure, and human resource development to narrow the urban-rural development gap, while also accelerating the promotion of innovations in line with modern systems.

He mentioned that the State has already disbursed a total of 369.755 billion kyats from the Country’s Economic Promotion Fund for the development of agriculture, livestock, and production sectors etc. Following this, Mr. Shihab Uddin Ahamad, Country Director of Action Aid, delivered a keynote speech on "Strengthening Rural Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Livelihoods."

After the keynote address, a group photo was taken, and the opening ceremony concluded. Subsequently, attendees including responsible government officials, representatives from UN agencies, INGOs, and NGOs, participated in four panel sessions discussing topics related to "Women's Livelihood Development, Sustainable Livelihood Development, Vocational Technical and Skills Development, and Financial Capital and Entrepreneurship Development."

After the presentations from each session, Deputy Director General U Myo Naing Aung from the Department of Rural Development provided reviews, discussions, and recommendations. The ceremony was then concluded with a closing address by Director General U Thein Lwin of the Department of Rural Development.