The government encourages export of products but it should not harm local consumption, said Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at the meeting 3/2023 of the Union government at the SAC Chair­man Office in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon.

First, the Senior General delivered an address, saying that due to storm Mocha which hit on 14 May, the country faced loss­es and damage worth some K522 billion. The government and the people have spent a large sum of money on repairing lost and damaged parts in rehabil­itative measures. As such, the Senior General stressed the need to make many prepara­tions to be able to overcome the challenges of natural disasters.

In focusing on the devel­opment of the nation, the gov­ernment emphasized the pro­motion of the State economy. So, the State economy resurged in the 2021-22 financial year and grabbed the 3.2 per cent increase of the State economy in 2022-23 FY, according to the released records. If the country does not have a developed econ­omy, the country will face many criminal cases.

With regard to export meas­ures, a larger volume of pulses and beans, rice and agricultural produce, marine products and livestock products were export­ed to foreign markets. If the country can boost production, it will earn increased income. In taking manufacturing meas­ures, it is necessary to meet the local demand as well as manu­facture export-quality products.

Prices of commodities rose in 2022 and 2023. Such an event was based on imbalance between production and con­sumption in addition to produc­tion costs. The government can solve the problems of dispropor­tion between production and consumption. To do so, factories and industries must be operated at full capacity.

If export volumes surge in the agriculture sector, the country will have increased in­comes to boost the State econ­omy. Hence, it is necessary to boost the per-acre yield of crops in the agriculture sector with a double-cropping process by all means.

High prices of goods are based on unbalance between production and consumption due to a lack of innovation and initiatives. The government prioritizes declining prices for meat and fish. The government encourages the export of prod­ucts but it should not harm local consumption.

The central committee is authorized to grow other crops on the farmlands but regions and states do not have the au­thority to allow it. Region and state authorities can allow the cultivation of other crops on the croplands. But, the central committee is authorized to allow changing of other businesses on these lands.

In conclusion, the Senior General stressed the need for relevant ministries to arrange safe and security of schools and teachers. As basic educa­tion schools open classes for KG+12 students, arrangements must be made for upgrading the schools with adequate areas and school characteristics. The Senior General pointed out that it is necessary to expand sown acreage of crops which have occupied firm shares of foreign markets to earn incomes of for­eign exchange for the State. — MNA/TTA