MSMEs Development: PM Meets Entrepreneurs In Mandalay Region

Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min AungHlaing met micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) entrepreneurs at the Mandalay Industrial Zone on Thursday.

At the meeting, Chairman of Mandalay Region Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Secretary of Mandalay Industrial Zone Management Committee, patron of Myanmar Cotton Entrepreneurs Association, officials and entrepreneurs reported on measures for MSME industries, the needs for getting product markets, technology and investment capitals, the needs for sustainable development of industrial zone in future, quality cotton strains, markets, providing capital at a low interest rate for cotton farmers by the state,  loan disbursement, the site for sculpturing and the needs of machines, development of gold foil industry, weaving industry development, plan to establish a library and research center,   electricity supply, the needs for generation of solar power, the difficulties of domestic finished products manufacturers due to the direct imports of finished products, taxation for imported finished products and tax exemption for raw materials, creating new markets by holding exhibitions for the products and arrangement for the site to open offices in one place for MRCCI and the Brother Associations by the state with the set rate.

In response to reports, Union Minsters U Tin Htut Oo, U Hla Moe, Dr Charlie Than, the Region Chief Minister U MaungKo discussed emphasis on getting quality cotton strains, arrangements for providing capitals by the state forthe necessary inputs for cotton farming and high-quality strains, development of small enterprises, implementation of cooperative system for rural development and incomes of rural people, measures for fulfilling the needs of the farmers with contract farming system by forming cooperative societies, the needs of technical assistance and trade and commodity flows in Mandalay region. 

Regarding development of MSMEs in Mandalay region, the Prime Minister said thatthe people living in the country must work for the prosperity of the country and the abundance of food and it needs to carry out the local job opportunities and the improvement of the local economy.In order to produce enough domestic production, it needs to have sufficient raw materials, input, capital and human resources.

In regards with inputs, it is important to get electricity for industry, water for agriculture and the animal feed for livestock industry and energy and power for industries. The Prime Minister added that during his visit to the Russian Federation, he discussed hydropower and nuclear energy generation.

Myanmar has many water sources that can generate hydroelectric power. For the use of nuclear energy in the near future, efforts are being made to apply it in electricity, agriculture, education and health sector. Regarding natural gas and fuel, the country imports the fuel oil worth about 2 billion US dollars annually.He stressed the needs on substitution of electric machines for reducing the import of fuel oil and diesel, plan to run electric trains and buses in the Public Transportation sector, generating of solar power in addition to hydropower and nuclear energy and arrangements for the sufficient electricity in Mandalay.

He also said plan for producing raw materials for agriculture and livestock sector and quality cotton strains for achieving cotton based industries in Mandalay Region.

The Prime Minister called for encouraging the domestic production and domestic investment, creating job opportunities and efforts for achieving production industry in Mandalay region. Later, the Prime Minister cordially greeted MSMEs entrepreneurs and viewed around the display of booths on foodstuff, personal goods, industrial products, farm implements and vehicles and traditional medicines and asked about the marketing process. 

Afterwards, the Prime Minister and party visited LawkaMarazeinKuthodaw Pagoda and offered flowers, water and lights. They then looked into stone inscriptions and all-round renovation of the pagoda and gave necessary instructions. The Prime Minister signed in the distinguished visitors’ book and made cash donation for the pagoda.