UNION Minister for Industry Dr Charlie Than urged the practical implementation of MSMEs, noting that they can create job opportunities for local people, reduce poverty, and lead to real development, during a meeting with staff and officials of the Magway Region Directorate of Industri­al Supervision and Inspection yesterday.

He stated that the percent­age of the MSME sector’s con­tribution to the region’s GDP must be calculated, and said that increasing production is key to national economic development, requiring the industrial sector to scale up production.

The Union minister em­phasized that developing the manufacturing sector requires managing access to technol­ogy, developing human re­sources, and securing financial capital, and he highlighted the need to link industries with universities to facilitate tech­nology access.

During the meeting, the head of the Magway Region Di­rectorate of Industrial Supervi­sion and Inspection explained the efforts to develop MSMEs in the region, including the construction and implemen­tation of the Magway Indus­trial Zone, as well as Magway Region’s participation in and competition at the Union-level MSME Expo and Competition.

The meeting was also attended by Magway Region Minister for Economic Affairs U Aung Chein and officials.

The Union minister also visited Pyay Township to tour the display and sale of prod­ucts produced by MSMEs in Bago Region. — MNA/TH