Coordination Meeting: Improving socio-economic lives of rural areas discussed

The ministry must place special emphasis on reducing the urban-rural gap and improving the socio-economic standards of rural residents. It is necessary to establish strong economic infrastructure to uplift rural socio-economic conditions.

In addition, support and promotion must also be provided to MSMEs as well as domestic manufacturing industries in order to substitute imports and enhance domestic production capacity. Union Minister for Cooperatives and Rural Development U Myo Zaw Thein made these remarks on Wednesday morning during the coordination meeting on the implementation of rural development activities by the Department of Rural Development in Nay Pyi Taw.

The Union Minister further stated that, in order to improve the socio-economic lives of rural people, the cooperative system should serve as a central pillar, with departments under the ministry coordinating and working together in a balanced and integrated manner. He also stressed the need to organize and encourage public participation in village development projects and ensure that projects are managed by the people themselves for comprehensive rural development.

Afterward, Acting Director General of the Department of Rural Development U Myo Naing Aung and directors of region and state rural development departments each presented reports on the status of rural development activities. Deputy Minister U Theik Soe and responsible officials then discussed operational requirements based on the presentations.

The Union Minister subsequently provided necessary guidance and instructions. Following the meeting, Union Minister U Myo Zaw Thein and responsible officials received UNICEF Representative to Myanmar Mr. Yasumasa Kimura at the Union Minister’s office reception hall, where they exchanged views and held discussions regarding “Rural Water Supply, Environmental Sanitation, and Personal Hygiene Strategy and Investment Plan”.