A 14th-day meeting of Second Pyithu Hluttaw’s 13th regular session was held at the Pyithu Hluttaw meeting hall in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday where questions were raised answered, a bill approved and a motion discussed.
Question and answer session
First Dr Sai Hla Thein of Chanmyathazi constituency asked what was being done by Ministry of Ethnic Affairs to enact rule on protecting rights of ethnic people. Deputy Minister for Ethnic Affairs U Hla Maw Oo said a draft rule was drawn up with the suggestion of Union Attorney General Office and was submitted to Union Government meeting according to procedure where it was approved. Accordingly arrangements were made to distribute the draft rule to Hluttaw representatives explained the Deputy Minister.
Union Election Commission member U Than Htay then responded to a question raised by U Aung Soe Min of Ywangan constituency on whether the usage of the word Pyithu Hluttaw representative candidate during non-election period was legal and according to law.
In response to a question raised by U Aung Soe Min of Ywangan constituency on the legality of using the word Pyithu Hluttaw representative candidate during non-election period, Union Election Commission (UEC) member U Than Htay said this was not in accordance to the law and recommended taking legal action against anyone who do so.
In responding to a follow up question on the number of such word usage occurring in the past, U Than Htay explained that there was no report or complaint to UEC on such matters but to prevent such incidents from occurring a notification will be issued and sent to political parties, relevant organizations and individuals.
Questions raised by Dr U Than Aung Soe of Minhla constituency on establishing a firm international market for mung bean and Daw Cho Cho of Ottwin constituency on arrangements made for a time when regular buyer countries no longer buy the country’s agriculture products were answered by Deputy Minister for Commerce U Aung Htoo.
Similarly questions raised by U Thant Zin Tun of Dekhinathiri constituency on permission granted to local businesses on using foreign banks, arrangement made to permit expansion of investment by foreign financial institutions and preventing high inflation rate; U Maung Myint of Mingin constituency on relaxing the present SME loan system; and U Kan Myint of Thayet constituency on publishing reports on implementing financial policy and stabilizing financial system were answered by Central Bank of Myanmar Deputy Governor U Soe Thein.
Hluttaw approves Education Research, Project and Training Bill
Following the question and answer session Bill Committee member U Pa Htan submitted to the Hluttaw points to be approved in the Education Research, Project and Training Bill returned by Amyotha Hluttaw with amendments by Amyotha Hluttaw. After obtaining the consensus of Hluttaw, Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker U T Khun Myat announced the Hluttaw’s approval of the bill.
As there were disagreements between the two Hluttaws on the bill, Bill Committee secretary U Kyaw Soe Lin tabled a motion for the matter to be submitted to Pyidaungsu Hluttaw for discussion and decision.
Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker then announced that the disagreed matters in the bill will be submitted to Pyidaungsu Hluttaw for discussion and decision.
Hluttaw discuss motion on utilizing idle state-own and JV factories and industrial zones
As a final agenda of the day a motion urging the Union Government to take action urgently to prevent wasting public funds on matter of idle state-own factories that are to be privatized, idle factories, idle state-own factories already working with private sector and idle industrial zones tabled by U Bo Gyi of Chauk constituency was discussed by U Aung Kyaw Kyaw Oo of Hline constituency, Tatmadaw Hluttaw representative Lt-Col Toe Lwin, U Kyaw Aung Lwin of Sedoktara constituency, Tatmadaw Hluttaw representative Lt-Col Myo Htat Win, U Maung Myint of Mingin constituency, U Win Htut of Pyapon constituency, U Phone Myint Aung of DaikU constituency, U Sein Myint of Myingyan constituency, Daw Mi Kun Chan of Paung constituency, U Kan Myint of Thayet constituency, U Thein Tun of Thabaung constituency and Daw Cho Cho Win of Mawlaik constituency.
In discussing the motion Deputy Minister for Industry said there were a total of 112 factories under Ministry of Industry out of which 55 were operated under private-public cooperation program. Of these 55 factories 2 were joint ventures, 3 were cooperation under mutual benefit and 50 were on long term leases. 57 factories were operated as state-own factories.
At the moment under the title of state-own enterprise (SOE), the SOE were conducting the functions of policy maker, regulator, public service and economic entities. As per international practice, SOEs were to be classified and the transition or transformation needs to be systematically implemented.
Much thought need to be placed toward transiting or transforming SOEs. The first would be to carefully consider and estimate the responsibility of the State to pay pension. Conducting capacity raising trainings of SOE personnel, arrangements to smoothen the transition and reassignment of personnel were important.
Ministry of Industry will establish clear and concise policies and regulations to support and raise private sector productivity and provide required technical supports. Privatization of SOEs that should be transferred to private sector will be given a special priority. Furthermore entities cooperating with private sector for mutual benefit will be reviewed and efforts will be made toward making the cooperation beneficial to the State. State’s organizations and ministries, including Ministry of Planning and Finance will be cooperated on effective management of local and foreign loans of the SOEs.
A group will arrange the long term lease of state own factories, transfer to private sector, working as joint venture, cooperating for mutual benefit and other means. The group will consist of expert personnel from Ministry of Planning and Finance, NECC (National Economic Coordination Committee) members, experts and technicians from local and foreign entities and efforts will be made toward conducting transitions and transformation soon explained the Deputy Minister in support of the motion.
U Bo Gyi who tabled the motion want the motion to be approved and Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker obtained the comment of the Hluttaw. As there was no objection, an announcement was made of Hluttaw approving the motion.
The 15th-day meeting of Second Pyithu Hluttaw’s 13th regular session is scheduled for 29 August. — Aye Aye Thant, Kyaw Zin Htike (Translated by Zaw Min)
