(Kayin State Chief Minister Daw Nan Khin Htwe Myint)
WITH mountain ranges as a backdrop, waterfalls along with the numerous limestone caves, Kayin State continues to be one of the leading tourist attractions for both local and foreign travelers. Kayin is divided into 4 districts with 7 townships, 11 towns, 376 village tracts with 2097 villages. There are 1.5 million residents who are Kayin, Mon, Bamar and PaO. The past year has been successful for the Kayin State government in various aspects.
Tourism
Kayin is rich in picturesque natural landscapes with its mountains and waterfalls. The government made sure to take advantage of this resource. From 16 hotels in 2015, there are now 28 hotels with almost 100 rooms with 15 more hotels that are yet to be expanded. Additionally, there is now an evening cruise every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday departing from Hpa-an’s Shwe Yin Myaw Jetty at 5 pm for a one hour boat ride along the Thanlwin River.
Transportation
Myawady is one of the most crossed land-border points for trade. To make transportation to and from smoother, the Myanmar-Thai friendship bridge No. 2 was opened March 19th 2019. During the current administration’s term, 91 per cent of the roads to be built has been finished with the rest planned for the coming 2 years. There is an additional fund from the Union of K237 million for further construction and renovations of roads and bridges as well.
Distribution of Electricity and Coastal Zone Management
In the past 3 years, there have been 1050 villages who were given access to electricity either through the national grid, solar power, diesel or small-scale hydro power. Over last year alone, 1241 households in Kamamaung gained access. For villages that are further from the union grid, there have been MoUs signed with 5 private companies for distribution. For example, the Sule Tech Solutions Co., Ltd and MREF Power Co., Ltd were able to produce 400 KW from a Hybrid Micro-System Solar firm to 400 households with K250 per unit starting February 4th. In the 2018-19 financial year, there were K310 million of funds dedicated to erosion control management that built over 1000 feet long of erosion control walls.
Peace Efforts
There is a US$30 million fund from Japans’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs to utilize towards helping families who gave up arms for peace set up their life in the Union. Within the first roll out of construction, it built: 750 houses, 7 schools, 2 clinics, 1 hospital and 2 bridges. The second round built 1700 houses, 27 schools, 8 clinics, 30 wells, 6138 solar panels and 6 projects for increasing access to water.
Health
According to the 2014 census, the area was highlighted for its lack of resources for mothers and children. The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, has therefore, set up a social security system starting 2018-19 financial year to give social security for families starting from K500 per day, that can be collected every 3 months. This has fund up to K7.3 billion for over 14532 expectant mothers and 4478 children.
Sports
Within the financial year 2018-19, the state has renovated, from the K256 million fund, the indoor stadium flooring, the athletes residences, expanded another gym as well as built more bathrooms and wells for public use. The Myawaddy football field also received proper fencing.
Natural Disasters
There have been landslides annually due to heavy rain, especially from July to September in Hpa-An, Hlaing Bwe, Kaut Ka Yeit, Kyar Inn Seik Gyi and Pa Pun townships. The floods have destroyed 20 houses along with 55 houses damaged and the resulting landslides buried 22 houses and 53 schools with an estimated K81 million damage. A total of 32292 acres of rice paddies were destroyed with only 19955 recovered.
The Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Irrigation was able to provide, in collaboration with the State government, up till 12,000 baskets of crops to make up for the lost yield. Due to the destruction of roads and bridges from floods, the State received 3721 million kyats for rehabilitation efforts from the 2018-2019 funds from the National Disaster Management Committee. Additionally, there were emergency buildings constructed so that the residents can take shelter during floods and landslides. The buildings are also equipped with life vests and fiber motor boats.
Collaboration with International Organizations
With the help of the World Bank in the 2018-19 financial year, there were central public projects initiated and carried out in 73 village tracts in Hlaingbwe Township, 53 in Kawkareik, totalling up to 259 villages. Other INGOs that are working in collaboration with the State includes World Vision, International Organization Migration(IOM), Norwegian Refugee(NRC), Community Development Association (CDA ), Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Advertist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), AAR (Japan), Save the Children, Malteser Internation, Acdion Aid Myanmar UNHCR, Mercy Corps, MHDO, Local Resource (LRC), Peace Winds Japan (PWJ), UNICEF, Help Age International, IFDA, Pact Myanmar, Swisscontant and Essential Health Project. These organizations and the state government accomplished several projects throughout the year from building low-cost housing, toilets, clinics, small loan businesses and financial literacy workshops.
Rule of Law
Rehabilitation efforts for drug addicts are underway. There is a center that is set to build near Hpa-an industrial area for rehabilitation on 6.34 acres of land. The hospital and clinics in the state has also helped 350 addicts in the past year towards recovery.
The State Parliament members, committee members, department heads and other representatives are working with other respective governments to help solve complaints and concerns from the public. They also receive consultation and advice from other law experts and local authorities as well.
The Kayin State government is putting their best efforts into developing the State’s financial and physical structure and hope to continue this forward together with the people of the State and the Union.
(Translated by Myat Thu)
By Shin Min
Photos: Aye Than
