11 January 2025
Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met with district- and township level departmental staff and small, medium, and micro-enterprise (MSME) entrepreneurs from Meiktila District, Mandalay Region, this afternoon.
The meeting was held at the Kandaw Mingala Hall in Meiktila and focused on discussions regarding regional development and the progress of economic activities.
Also present at the meeting together with the Senior General were Joint Secretary of the Council General Ye Win Oo, Union Ministers General Moe Aung, U Khin Maung Yi, and Dr. Charlie Than, Chief Minister of Mandalay Region U Myo Aung, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the Central Command Commander, district- and township-level departmental staff from Meiktila District, and MSME entrepreneurs from within the district.
Discussion of regional information and needs
Initially, the Chairman of the Meiktila District Administration Council and District Administrator, U Zaw Tin Moe, presented an overview of regional information.
This included updates on social, economic, educational, healthcare, and beautification initiatives, as well as the ongoing development activities in these sectors. He also highlighted the operations of small, medium, and micro-enterprise (MSME) businesses within the district, the functioning of the Meiktila Industrial Zone, and the implementation of plans for the development of MSME businesses.
Following this, the Chief Minister of Mandalay Region supplemented the discussion by explaining the efforts being made by the Regional Government to address the needs of Meiktila District for its continued development.
Next, MSME entrepreneurs shared insights on their business operations, market conditions, and challenges they are currently facing. They discussed the need for reliable electricity, particularly the benefits and profitability achieved through the use of solar power systems, and requested government assistance to enable broader adoption of solar energy for businesses. Entrepreneurs from oil mill industries expressed a desire for additional support to achieve greater development.
Similarly, representatives from agriculture and livestock sectors emphasized the need for enhanced cultivation of cotton and boosting cotton-related industries and sustainable improvements in livestock farming, particularly goat rearing, which has been a successful venture in the region. They presented these specific needs and challenges to seek support for the overall development of the region.
Discussions and clarifications based on sector-Specific presentations
Regarding the presentations, Union Ministers explained that the government is actively providing the necessary support for generating and utilizing electricity through solar systems.
They also highlighted that loans required for the development of small, medium, and microenterprise (MSME) businesses are being issued in accordance with established guidelines.
Meanwhile, efforts are being made to boost cotton cultivation and improve cotton-related industries as guided by the Head of State. For the agricultural and value chain sectors, they emphasized that, under the guidance of national leadership, systematic measures are being implemented to ensure comprehensive development from crop cultivation to the production of textiles and garments.
Additionally, efforts are being made to promote MSME development and market access by organizing product exhibitions at both regional and national
levels. Businesses are encouraged to produce high-quality products that meet standards, enabling them to showcase their goods at these exhibitions.
It was also noted that Meiktila District is the largest producer of bamboo in Mandalay Region, highlighting the potential for further production of bamboo related goods.
Discussions and clarifications were provided for each relevant sector during the meeting.
Discussion of development needs for the region
Following these discussions, the Senior General elaborated on the development of Meiktila District and its MSME sector.
He emphasized the importance of addressing regional socioeconomic needs based on local data and fostering progress in the district’s social and economic landscape.
Referring to recommendations made during his visit to Meiktila in 2024, he reiterated the measures required for regional development.
He also highlighted that the growth of a region depends primarily on the efforts of admini stative authorities and local residents. He urged all stakeholders to continue their collective endeavors to ensure sustainable regional development.
In the agricultural industry, given goals and objectives are calculated based on actual output.
There is a difference in the yields depending on the seeds, types of soil, water and planting methods, so it must be considered that the target of crop production is not being met.
It is known that only more than 10 percent of the agricultural land in Meiktila District can be supplied with agricultural water. There will be difficulties, but if we find a way to do it, we will succeed. Regarding agriculture, there are four ways to improve varieties: to improve the seeds, to make land preparation and proper inputs, to get enough water for cultivation and to have correct planting methods.
It is known that the yield is low due to the lack of good agricultural land in Meiktila District. It is necessary to search for methods including adding to meet the required inputs, planting green manures, adding natural fertilizers and improving the soil.
Along with the development of agricultural industries, livestock industries will also improve, and the socio-economic life of the region will also develop.
Therefore, local administrative officials need to develop opportunities for the successful implementation of agriculture based businesses in the region, said the Senior General.
We are encouraging the use of renewable energy for the electricity needs. As Meiktila is a region with few rainy days, it will be possible to successfully extract and use electricity from solar energy.
As there are projects carried out by the state, entrepreneurs can also carry out solar projects according to their business needs. Regarding the ability to distribute electricity, there are difficulties due to the destruction of infrastructure caused by terrorists, factory power limitations, and gas shortages.
In addition, there are objections to the implementation of hydropower projects implemented by the state.
Therefore, wearer promoting the solar system that can be implemented as soon as possible, and as the state is doing, the entrepreneurs also need to work together, said the Senior General.
The animal feed factory can also be made successful with the agricultural products produced from agricultural activities in Meiktila District. If the regional meat production is to be improved more than now, it will become the center of meat production in the country.
It is because the central location allows for the efficient transport and sale of meat, dried meat, frozen meat, and leather across the entire country, said the Senior General.
By successfully carrying out livestock breeding businesses, leather-related industries can also be implemented successfully.
Products made from leather, such as clothing, bags, shoes, and other accessories, are marketable goods.
Therefore, ensuring the success of livestock breeding can also lead to the success of other related industries.
Onion, which is a local agricultural crop, is a must-have daily kitchen crop. It was found that onions are cultivated in Meiktila District, and if the yield can be improved, it will be sold locally as well as being able to export and sell to foreign markets.
We will also be able to produce and sell high-value onion-based products.
The cultivation of pepper is also the same. Since onion and pepper are local crops that are in demand in the local and foreign markets, if it can be cultivated and sold throughout the year, the local economy will develop and export and sell abroad will help the country’s economic development a lot.
In addition to the sale of onion and pepper, it can also be done by producing high-value industrial products based on them.
Industrial products related to neem trees that grown in the region should also be carried out. Neem trees not only provide shade and wind protection but can also be utilized to produce neem-based pesticides and fertilizers, thereby creating various benefits, said the Senior General.
Meiktila District need to develop manufacturing activities based on agriculture and livestock activities and industries, and to develop a green environment in the Meiktila District.
We can get water, which is the main source of water for greening, from rain, underground, dam, river and stream, and we need to find ways to get water that suits the Meiktila area.
If the area possesses the beauty and the green environment, peace and tranquility, the number of visitors to the area will increase.
Many travellers coming to the area can greatly contribute to the socio-economic development of the local people, so it is mandatory to implement green zone areas in Meiktila District, and encourage the need to properly plant and maintain perennial shade plants according to the age of the plants, urged the Senior General.
After that, the Senior General warmly greeted the departmental staff and MSME entrepreneurs.
After that, the Senior General observed the displays of the local products, food, consumer goods, clothing and cotton products, and inquired about the conditions of market availability, and the businessmen gave explanations according to their business.
