The Amyotha Hluttaw devoted much of the 12th day of its Second Regular Session to discussions on economic development, rural infrastructure and employment, as MPs questioned the government on the stalled Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ), road construction projects, affordable fertilizer for farmers and job opportunities for university graduates. Lawmakers also accepted a proposal calling for stronger tax collection and anti-corruption measures.
Opening the question-and-answer session, U Maung Sein, representative from Taninthayi Region Constituency 3, asked whether the government intended to restart the long-delayed Dawei Deep Seaport project in Nabule, Yebyu Township. Deputy Minister for Commerce U Win Myint Khaing replied that Myanmar and Russia had discussed expanding economic cooperation during the fifth Myanmar-Russia Intergovernmental Commission meeting held in Nay Pyi Taw in February 2025, where both sides signed a Memorandum of Intent on investment cooperation in and around the Dawei SEZ. He said the Dawei SEZ Management Committee was updating the project’s master plan, negotiations on the port boundary were nearing completion, and procedures required under the Myanmar Special Economic Zone Law were being carried out with investors to enable work on the project to resume.
The Hluttaw then turned to rural development issues. Nang Woe Sein, representative from Shan State Constituency 12, asked whether an earth road linking Panmaw village with neighbouring communities in Mongpyin Township could be upgraded into a motorcycle-accessible road. Deputy Minister for Cooperatives and Rural Development U Theik Soe said a narrower 10-foot-wide road would provide a faster and more cost-effective solution than building a standard rural road. He added that the first five-mile section would be proposed for funding in the 2027-2028 financial year, while the remaining sections would be implemented depending on budget availability and development priorities.
U Khin Maung Myint, representative from Shan State Constituency 7, also raised concerns over transport infrastructure, asking for farm access roads to serve more than 320 acres of farmland in Yaksawk Township. Deputy Minister U Thaik Soe said preliminary engineering work, including surveys, road design and cost estimates, would begin during the 2026-2027 financial year before the project is considered for funding.
Agricultural support was another key topic. U Sein Lwin Oo, representative from Kachin State Constituency 11, asked whether farmers could buy fertilizer at government-supported prices to improve rice production and farm incomes. The deputy minister said fertilizer was being distributed through a consortium system without profit margins, with only transport and handling costs added. He noted that the Kachin State Government had requested 5,000 tonnes of urea fertilizer, part of which had already been delivered, while the remaining quantity would be supplied as required. Authorities were also monitoring fertilizer quality and preventing price manipulation to ensure farmers received affordable supplies.
The Assembly also continued debating a proposal submitted by U Yan Naing Oo, representative from Yangon Region Constituency 9, urging the Union Government to review recruitment criteria for graduates applying to Union ministries, particularly age limits that many lawmakers argued had become outdated following education reforms and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Supporting the proposal were U Myo Thant, representative from Ayeyawady Region Constituency 6, who called for greater employment opportunities for graduates with disabilities; U Nyan Tun, representative from Taninthayi Region Constituency 9, who argued that education reforms and the pandemic had delayed graduates and justified relaxing age restrictions; Daw Theingi Win Shwe, representative from Sagaing Region Constituency 9, who said better employment opportunities would help retain skilled young people; U Pe Thant Zaw, representative from Magway Region Constituency 11, who urged transparent recruitment and advance vacancy announcements; U Kyi Lin Htet, representative from Yangon Region Constituency 8, who supported temporarily easing age limits; and U Kyaw Zin Tun, representative from Sagaing Region Constituency 8, who said merit-based recruitment would strengthen the country’s human resources and public administration. Debate on the proposal will continue at the next sitting on 6 July.
Before adjourning, the Hluttaw accepted for future debate a motion submitted by Daw Soe Soe Myint, representative from Mon State Constituency 12, urging the Union Government to strengthen tax collection and implement more effective anti-corruption measures. The proposal, seconded by Daw Khin Than Oo, representative from Ayeyawady Region Constituency 12, argues that transparent taxation and clean governance are essential for economic development and public confidence.
MNA/ST
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