Toungoo Special Economic Zone to Link with Capital

President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar U Min Aung Hlaing, together with his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, Union ministers and officials, inspected the development initiatives in Toungoo yesterday morning.

At the hall of the local airbase, the President met departmental officials from Toungoo District.

The Bago Region Chief Minister reported on the agricultural and livestock activities in Bago Region, efforts to increase the cropping intensity and cultivable capacity, efforts to meet the set per-acre yield, prevention of floods, plans to ensure food security and grow the Yezin Pawsan rice strain, the increase of cooking oil security, and production of natural fertilizer.

In response, the President stressed the need to organize local farmers to reclaim large farmlands with the use of machinery.

He added that coffee growing and production should be carried out as a product of the State.

Union Minister U Myo Thant reported on the formulation of the town plan to construct new Toungoo city, preparations to build new railways in the town plan, which consists of government offices, hospitals, schools, service facilities, resorts and greening areas.

In his speech, the President said that Toungoo District is being implemented as a special development zone, and regional development initiatives are being promoted in connection with Nay Pyi Taw. Although agriculture and livestock breeding are the main economic activities in the Toungoo area, it is necessary in the long term to promote production-based industries and MSME businesses that are based on the agriculture and livestock sectors. It is also necessary to advance the development of agrobased industrial manufacturing in order to support and achieve the overall development of the region.

He continued that since the Toungoo region has already achieved rice self-sufficiency, it is possible to utilize rice bran and broken rice for the production of animal feed and rice bran oil.

By making use of the region’s strong natural resource base, successful fish farming can also be carried out in flood-prone and low-lying areas. It is necessary to further promote and develop agricultural and livestock activities in the region beyond their current level.

He emphasized that Toungoo, Nay Pyi Taw, Yamethin, and Meiktila regions are being shaped as special development zones. Through these areas, efforts will continue to extend special development to other towns in a cascading manner. As these regions are centrally located and form part of the middle belt with connectivity to the upper, lower, eastern, and western parts of the country, they already possess favourable conditions and strong foundational advantages for successful development.

The President underlined that it is necessary to accurately compile and submit basic data for the government to formulate plans and projects based on fundamental statistical data in implementing national economic development. In carrying out agricultural activities, rather than expanding cultivated acreage, efforts should be made to achieve target yields from existing farmland and to ensure full cropping intensity.

He added that the Government is, as far as possible, making efforts to meet basic needs, including the current fuel supply difficulties being experienced internationally, in order to ensure the ability to work and carry out economic activities.

The President and his entourage inspected the upgrade of the Nay Pyi Taw-Toungoo railway section and the cleaning and greening efforts along the section by the RBE special train. The President gave guidance, saying that the railway service must be given under the law. Emphasis must be placed on the improvement of the railways, which are crucial for the rail transport system.

At Toungoo railway station, the President and party were welcomed by Bago Region Chief Minister U Myo Swe Win and Commander of the Southern Command Maj-Gen Soe Kyaw Htet.

The President inspected the railway section detouring Toungoo and the site chosen for the construction of the Toungoo railway station. Union Minister for Transport and for Digital Development and Communications U Mya Tun Oo and officials explained facts about the project.