The eleventh-day meeting of the eleventh regular session of the Second Pyidaungsu Hluttaw was held at the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw meeting hall in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning where Hluttaw representatives discussed and approved the ratification of ASEAN-Hong Kong, China Free Trade Agreement (AHKFTA) and ASEAN-Hong Kong, China Investment Agreement (AHKIA).
The Hluttaw also put on record a bill, replaced members of a joint committee and extend the committee and another committee’s terms for another year, voted down to extend the term of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw’s Legal Affairs and Special Cases Assessment Commission and reports on a bills read.
Protection and Preservation of Cultural Heritage Regions Bill put on record
First Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker U T Khun Myat announced the Hluttaw putting on record the Protection and Preservation of Cultural Heritage Regions Bill considered as approved by the Hluttaw.
Replacement of members of committees and extension of the committees’ terms
Next, Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker said Joint Committee on ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly and Joint Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Union were formed in 1 March 2016 and the terms were extended annually. Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker submitted to the Hluttaw on the replacement of Joint Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Union member Pyithu Hluttaw representative Daw Nan Moe of Mantong constituency and Tatmadaw Pyithu Hluttaw representative Brig-Gen Win Ko Ko with Pyithu Hluttaw representative Dr. Soe Moe Thu of Myaungmya constituency and Tatmadaw Pyithu Hluttaw representative Brig-Gen Zaw Win.
As there was no objection to extending the committees’ terms for another year and to the replacement of two members of Inter-Parliamentary Union the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker announced the approval of the Hluttaw on the matter.
Legal Affairs and Special Cases Assessment Commission term not extended
Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker then said Pyidaungsu Hluttaw’s Legal Affairs and Special Cases Assessment Commission was formed on 1 March 2016 and the term extended annually. A draft announcement on extending the term of this committee was also being distributed to the Hluttaw representatives. As there were objections toward extending the term of this commission the matter was put up for a vote and there were 20 for, 555 against and 10 abstaining toward the extension. As such, Hluttaw announce its disapproval of extending the term of the Commission for another year.
Joint Bill Committee report on Invention Patent Rights Bill read and submitted
Afterwards Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Joint Bill Committee secretary U Kyaw Soe Lin read and submitted to the Hluttaw the committee’s findings and comment report on Invention Patent Right Bill.
Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker announced for Hluttaw representatives who want to discuss the report to register their names.
Joint Bill Committee report on Occupational Safety and Health Bill read and submitted
Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Joint Bill Committee member U Zaw Win also read and submitted to the Hluttaw the committee’s findings and comment report on Occupational Safety and Health Bill in which the two Hluttaws were in disagreement.
Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker announced for Hluttaw representatives who want to table amendment motions specifically on the matters in which the two Hluttaws were in disagreement to register their names.
Hluttaw discusses and approves the ratification of AHKFTA and AHKIA
As a final agenda of the day, Hluttaw representatives, Deputy Minister for Planning and Finance U Set Aung discussed and the Hluttaw approved the ratification of AHKFTA and AHKIA.
First ratification of AHKFTA was discussed by U Aye Min Han of Mon State constituency 1, U Than Soe @ Than Soe (Economic) of Yangon Region constituency 4 and U Zarni Min of Shwegu constituency.
In his discussion Deputy Minister for Planning and Finance U Set Aung said AHKFTA strengthen economic connection and cooperation between ten ASEAN countries and Hong Kong, China and will create opportunities in trade and investment. It will also support ease and smooth trade. Mutual trade between Myanmar and Hong Kong, China will increase and benefit service trade and investment sectors and recommend for the Hluttaw to approve the ratification of AHKFTA.
As the Hluttaw decided to approve the matter, an announcement was accordingly made by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker.
Ratification procedure of AHKIA was then discussed by Daw Htu May of Rakhine State constituency 11, U Khin Cho of Hlaingbwe constituency, U Zarni Min of Shwegu constituency, U Than Soe @ Than Soe (Economic) of Yangon Region constituency 4 and U Kyaw Thaung of Sagaing Region constituency 1.
In his discussion Deputy Minister for Planning and Finance U Set Aung said AHKIA was drawn up with the aim of increasing investment between ASEAN member countries and Hong Kong, China and is based on relaxing, protecting, easing and speeding up investment. As Hong Kong, China is included as the main countries to invite toward increasing investment in Myanmar. AHKIA will support increasing investment works in Myanmar and recommend for the Hluttaw to ratify AHKIA.
As the Hluttaw also decided to approve the matter, an announcement was accordingly made by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker.
The 12th-day meeting of eleventh regular session of the Second Pyidaungsu Hluttaw is scheduled for 5 March it is learnt.
By Aung Maw, Aye Aye Thant (MNA) (Translated by Zaw Min)
