Pyithu Hluttaw Briefed on MSME Growth, Key Infrastructure Progress

 

The 25th day of the Third Pyithu Hluttaw’s second regular session was held in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday, where lawmakers raised 10 questions covering value-added agricultural production, MSME and industrial zone development, road and bridge upgrades, government staff housing, and land compensation. Speaker U Khin Yi and Deputy Speaker U Maung Maung Ohn chaired the sitting.

Responding to questions from Hluttaw representatives, Union Minister for Industry and MSME Development Dr Charlie Than said the government is promoting value-added agricultural products through exhibitions, training and digital marketing, including the eMart Myanmar online platform. He said a K170 billion MSME Development Fund has been established, with K150 billion already disbursed as loans since October 2024 and the remaining K20 billion allocated for non-loan development initiatives. The ministry is also working to strengthen legal protections for MSMEs and improve industrial zones by expanding electricity supply, developing skilled workers and enhancing production capacity.

Union Minister for Construction U Myo Thant said the government would continue upgrading roads and bridges in phases, subject to funding. He said the Htugyi-Shwegyin road in Ayeyawady Region would be improved in stages, while Dagon Myothit District would continue to be developed under Yangon’s master plan as a sub-centre, with no plans to build a separate ring road or designate it as a special development district.

The Union minister also said repairs to the damaged main cables of the Myittha Suspension Bridge in Kalewa would be prioritized during the 2026-2027 financial year following damage caused by terrorist attacks in 2023. He added that upgrading the Mogaung-Kamine-Hpakant road is currently impossible due to security conditions but would be considered once the situation improves. Plans for staff housing in Kalaw will depend on land availability and future budget allocations, while the upgrading of a concrete submersible bridge into a new 240-foot reinforced concrete bridge between Taungdwingyi and Myothit townships is scheduled to begin in the 2027-2028 financial year.

Road improvement and widening work on the Mongkai and Panketu–Kehsi routes will also be implemented in phases under the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 financial years.

On land compensation, Union Minister U Myo Thant said replacement plots had already been allocated for farmland acquired during the development of Dagon Myothit (North) Township in 1989-1990. Outstanding compensation claims will continue to be paid at the rates set in 2017, and there are no plans to provide compensation based on current market prices.

The Pyithu Hluttaw adjourned its 25th-day sitting and is scheduled to reconvene for the 26th day of the session on 20 July.

MNA/ST

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