“Additionally, the Rakhine Investment Fair was held from Feb 21-23, 2019 on Ngapali Beach and attracted the attendees of 600 foreigners and locals including investors, diplomats and the State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.”
U Nyi Pu, State Chief Minister
STARTING from the inception of the incumbent government, the Rakhine administration has made the development, rule of law and peace the main priorities. U Nyi Pu, State Chief Minister comments: “The State Government is focusing on peace and development of the state. Safety of the people is our top priority. We’re working as much as possible and collaborating with the Tatmadaw, Myanmar Police Force as well as relevant district administrators and locals to make the area as peaceful and stable for residents as possible.”
Investments
There is the Investment Committee chaired by the State Chief Minister to make decisions on both domestic and foreign investments coming in the region. From its inception on 27 Feb 2019, the committee was able to approve 5 businesses, creating 579 job opportunities with K 4222 million invested in industrial companies and K 10051 million in hospitality and tourism industry.
Additionally, the Rakhine Investment Fair was held from Feb 21-23, 2019 on Ngapali Beach and boasted the attendance of 600 foreigners and locals including investors, diplomats and the State Councellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. “There were prospective investors who expressed interest possibly worth US$ 5.2 billion. These will create a lot of jobs for the people in Rakhine and greatly aid development in the region,” explains the State Chief Minister U Nyi Pu.
“We have also been building on the infrastructure in the region to be able to host the investments when they come.” As of the end of 2018. There are 72 hotels and guest houses with a total of 2311 in Rakhine. Additionally, there are plans to upgrade the Thandwe airport to become an international airport as well as upgrading the Man Aung Airfield to be able to land ATR-72 grade air vehicles.
Infrastructure
There have been several bridges built such as the 1920 feet long Kyae Sin Bridge that connects Myay Pone and Min Pyaw Townships as well as the Sat Yoe Kya Bridge that is 1642 feet long. Both bridges cost K8823 million and K11324 million respectively. There is also a new bridge built parallel Yan Maung bridge on the Yangon-Sittway highway and is now 13% complete. When opened, this will replace the old bridge. Japan has donated two Pontoon ships as well to ferry residents across Sittway and Taunggup. Furthermore, 51% of the Rakhine State population now have electricity with 386 powered by generators and new 1517 from other renewable sources.
The State Development fund of K 7444 million had constructed quite the infrastructure including 177 concrete bridges, trenches and wells over the course of 3 years. The first phase out of four for the project financed by JICA’s ODA loans to distribute water to Sittway Town has also been completed with plans to begin phase 2 underway. Lastly, there has been 36 cyclone shelters constructed with funds from the National Disaster Management Committee as well as 4 more shelters from the Bangladesh government.
Health and Education
The State Government was able to construct an additional 479 schools in 2018 including 37 high schools, 40 high school branches, 134 middle schools, 126 middle school and 153 preschools and primary schools. More than 1800 school teachers (primary, secondary and high school) teachers were added to the workforce as well. Plan to expand the Sittway Military school is also underway as well in the Sittway Computer University where 500 students are in attendance.
To build up the healthcare workforce, the State Government employed 200 more healthcare professionals from doctors, dentists to mid-wives. Additional professionals have also been dispatched to 183 hard to reach villages as well as 2 rescue camps for vaccinations efforts. Under the social security system, the State was able to support 17857 old age residents as well as 9748 people with disabilities.
Agriculture and Trade
To protect villagers from confiscation of land, 13388 acres of farmland were returned to 4143 farmers with additional 14720 acres of other types of land distributed as well. Thirty-one military departments have also returned 2582 acres of land which have been redistributed to the respective actors. The Myanmar Agricultural Bank have also loaned up to K 84342 million to farmers for crops and farm equipment. Between April and September 2018, the State was able to export over US$ 13.7 million against US$1 million imports.
Rule of Law
In Rakhine, there are 17 police stations in towns, 25 in villages and 33 outposts. There were 201 drug-related case arrests in addition to seminars being held and pamphlets distributed to educate the side-effects and other dangers of drug usage.
Seven cases of trafficking were shut-down with 10 other cases regarding illegal Muslims crossing into the country through Rakhine State Government. “We have been putting extra effort and resources into these cases and the task teams are showing wonderful results. We performed better in cracking down such illegal activities of smuggling illegal migrants, drug and human trafficking. The special task forces are producing wonderous results as well,” notes the State Chief Minister.
Repatriation Efforts
Under the authority and expertise of the Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement and Development in Rakhine (UEHRD) committee, there have been several camps set up to welcome back Myanmar citizens who had to leave the country to escape war and other attacks. A total of 1109 houses have been built with 892 in progress by the State and Union governments for returnees. Another 217 houses are seeking donors as well.
Additionally, there are 413 houses in several villages for Hindu households and 419 for Muslim households. There are 31 centers for repatriation in Maungtaw and 11 in Buthidaung. Between 13 April 2018 and 28 Jan 2019, the centers welcomed a total of 177 returnees.
Development of the State
In the State Chief Minister’s meetings with the people, he announced that the State have supported K 221 million in development efforts. U Nyi Pu, State Chief Minister, further notes, “Rakhine is a very special state. No matter how hard a situation may be, if the Rakhine people got together, no doubt it can be overcome.” In a region filled with rich culture, support from the Union as well as beautiful landscapes and other natural resources, Rakhine’s success in quite the near future.
(Translated by Myat Thu)
By Thi Thi Min
Photos: Tin Tun & Thant Zin Win
Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar
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