State Meeting: President addresses meeting in Nay Pyi Taw

President U Min Aung Hlaing presided over a meeting with Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman and Chief Ministers of Regions and States at the President’s office on Wednesday morning. In his opening remarks, the President stressed on taking effective measures to resolve increasing commodity prices, food sufficiency and strict monitoring of allocated land utilization in accordance with existing laws and regulations. Likewise, the President urged to address illegal flow of goods through checkpoints, acceleration of oil crop cultivation to reduce annual reliance on imported edible oils, establishment of cooperative system consistent with Myanmar’s traditional practices, adequate supply of irrigation water and organic fertilizer. For education sector, the President urged the Chief Ministers to emphasize on regional economy growth as a strong economy enables the development of education sector and establishment of better teaching and learning environments in universities, colleges and institutes. Moreover, the President stressed to address the shortage of teaching staff in basic education schools and to promote physical fitness of the students, providing the necessary sports grounds, sports halls, and sporting equipment. The President encouraged on opening of a degree college in Putao region which offers appropriate fields of study law and economics subjects for the development of border areas and ethnic nationals. Furthermore, the President instructed on conserving drinking and irrigation water, promoting efficient water use, protecting groundwater, and preventing unnecessary deforestation amid global climate change and warnings of severe El Niño heatwaves. Regarding legislation, the President called for the concerted efforts of the regional and state advocates general on enacting, amending and drafting laws in accordance with current conditons. Then, the attendees reported on efforts to reduce commodity prices, ensure food and edible oil sufficienty, improve education and develop agriculture, livestock and MSME businesses. They also made clarifications on preparedness for potential water shrotages caused by climate change, facilitate the resettlement of temporarily displaced people and promote regional development. In his closing remarks, the President underscored the importance of poverty reduction and creating better job opportunities. He also urged officials to safeguard national sovereignty and identity, while ensuring a thorough understanding of and strict compliance with the Citizenship Law enacted by the State, as well as the proper tax collection and tax evasion prevention.