Manufacturing industries based on agriculture and livestock breeding are being operated throughout Myanmar. The government is providing support and assistance to promote micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). However, there are still weaknesses in actual operational capacity, which continue to hinder the strengthening and expansion of manufacturing industries.
Myanmar’s primary economic sector, agriculture and livestock breeding, continues to require a large number of skilled human resources. The State has been providing vocational education and training to help produce skilled workers in different regions and has also allowed those who have completed at least KG+9 education to pursue studies at agricultural, livestock breeding, and industrial high schools. However, skilled labour shortages persist. This is assessed to be due to limited employment opportunities and relatively low wages in existing jobs.
The 2024 Population and Housing Census stated that the proportion of Myanmar’s population falls within the working-age group, and the capability of employment has been declining. Working-age people are also migrating to urban areas where job opportunities are more abundant, as labour shortages are being experienced across regions and states. In addition, domestic investment by business entrepreneurs remains limited in region-specific manufacturing industries based on local land, water, and natural resources. Therefore, efforts must be made, whether at the Union level or at the regional and state levels, to attract investments, create employment opportunities, promote economic development, and expand opportunities for people to work.
With investment and the adoption of modern, systematic methods, it is possible to establish successful and prosperous business enterprises. Investors should not focus solely on short-term profit-generating ventures but should also undertake long-term investment projects. As their businesses grow and succeed, they will be able to create more and better employment opportunities for the people.
Most internal migrant workers continuously move to places with better living conditions and better employment opportunities. In general, people from rural areas are abandoning their original occupations and migrating to work not only within the country but also in various foreign countries. This outflow of human resources abroad often results in a situation that is neither effective for the individuals themselves nor beneficial for the country.
Therefore, the State Government is prioritizing the implementation of national stability, peace, development, and economic improvement. In this regard, it is urged that business entrepreneurs, together with the government, should also cooperate in improving domestic manufacturing industries and expanding better employment opportunities for the people.