Pyidaungsu Hluttaw approves Union Supplementary Budget Allocation Bill

28 May

The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw convened its 5th-day meeting yesterday, and approved the Union Supplementary Budget Allocation Bill for 2019-2020 financial year after discussions of ministers and deputy ministers of the Union Government.

International Fund for Agriculture Development

Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U Hla Kyaw explained the Eastern States Agribusiness Project (ESAP) which is financed by the Loan and Grant provided by the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) and partial cost sharing of the Government of Myanmar.

With US$56.73 million loan and $1.5 million grant of IFAD for the period from 2018-2019FY to 2023-2024FY , the project area covers Taunggyi, Hopong, Hsihseng and Kyauktalongi in Shan State, and Hpa-an, Hlaingbwe, Kawkareik and Thandaunggyi in Kayin State for promoting livelihoods of low-income rural people and small-scaled farmers, while sustaining forests and agricultural lands.

The MoALI has proposed supplementary budget of K7.667 billion for 2018-2019FY, excluding international aid and grants.

Budget for Advance Metering Infrastructure (AMI)

Deputy Minister for Electricity and Energy U Khin Maung Win explained the replacement of Class 2 analog electricity meters with the system of digital off site meter reading in 2014 as the Remote Hand Held Unit (HHU) of this method can read the electrical units more accurately before collecting the data into computer system.

He added the ministry will set a certain budget to use the Advance Metering Infrastructure (AMI) under the new digital system.

Prioritizing edible oil crops in export strategy

Deputy Minister for Commerce U Aung Htoo discussed implementation of State project on prioritizing edible oil crops in the export strategy of the country. He added the project requires fertile lands, seeds, input items, techniques and investment, and his ministry is working together with the MoALI, the Myanmar Edible Oil Millers Association (MEOMA).

Myanmar exported 50,000 tonnes of ground nuts in 2017-2018FY and has shipped about 70,000 tonnes of this edible crops up to 15 May of 2019-2020FY; the export of sesames increased from 90,000 tonnes to 100,000 tonnes in the corresponding period, while the cultivation of other edible crops is rising in the country to substitute imported cooking oil and byproducts.

Union Minister for International Cooperation U Kyaw Tin, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Union Minister for Defence Lt-Gen Sein Win, Union Minister for Labour, Immigration and Population U Thein Swe, Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe, Deputy Minister for Education U Win Maw Tun, Deputy Minister for Construction Dr Kyaw Lin, Deputy Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement U Soe Aung, Deputy Minister for Planning, Finance and Industry U Maung Maung Win and Vice Chairman of the Joint Public Accounts Committee U Aung Min discussed the bill.

U Aung Min also discussed presented each paragraph of the bill and the Hluttaw approved them with the agreements of respective ministries.

Deputy Minister U Maung Maung Win tabled a proposal to approve the whole bill and the Hluttaw also approved it.

ADB’s $60 million loan

Deputy Minister U Maung Maung Win also explained the $60 million loan proposal, put forward by the President, from the Asian Development Bank to establish a loan insurance corporation for SMEs development. The Hluttaw approved the $60 million loan.

ADB’s $30 million loan

Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe and Deputy Minister for Planning, Finance and Industry U Maung Maung Win discussed the $30 million loan proposal, tabled by the President, from the ADB, for capacity-building of health workers to handle global pandemic like the COVID-19.

EDCF’s $20 million loan

MP U Myint Lwin from Twantay constituency, MP U Ohn Khin from Palaw constituency, MP U Aung Thike from Seikpyu constituency and MP Dr Sein Mya Aye from Dala constituency discussed the $20 million loan from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) of the Republic of Korea for the expansion of the Myanmar-Korea Friendship Bridge (Dala) project.

Euro 33 million loan from Unicredit Bank

The Hluttaw representatives also discussed the proposal of no-interest loan of Euro 33 million, presented by the President, from the Unicredit Bank of Austria for the project to register population with electronic system which will be carried by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population.

MP U Tin Ko Ko Oo from Belin constituency discussed the proposal, together with five MPs. The 6th-day of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw will be held on 28 May.—Aung Ye Thwin, Aye Aye Thant (Translated by Aung Khin)