Chairman of Planning Commission President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar U Thein Sein delivered an opening address at first meeting of Planning Commission, at the meeting hall of the President Office, here, at 10 am today.

It was attended by Union ministers, the Union Attorney- General, the Union Auditor-General, the Chairman of Union Civil Services Board, chief ministers of Region/State government and chairmen of Self-Administrated zone/ division. In his opening speech, President U Thein Sein said that today’s meeting was Planning Commission’s first meeting. At the morning session, he had already elaborated on planning in State of Union Address delivered to Union Level organization members, chief ministers of Region/State government, chairmen of Self-Administrated Division/Zone, deputy ministers and departmental heads. So, those present were to submit the approval of fifth short-term five-year National Plan (draft), yearly National Plan (draft), facts about policies for sectorwise reform strategy of Union Ministries, adjustment of budget and taxes in line with yearly plan and policies for local and foreign investments and region-wise investments after drawing electricity sector development plan.

Afterwards, the Union Ministers and the Region/State Chief Ministers also presented report on sector-wise plan and regional plan that include in the fifth short-term fiveyear National Planning. Then, the Union Ministers reported approval of ministry-wise and sector-wise reform strategies they want to lay down, and Advisor to the President U Hset Aung gave a supplementary report.

After that, Union Ministers for Electric Power Nos.1 and 2 presented reports on drafting plan for electric power sector development and compilation of conditions and measures of private sector investments in region/state. Those present coordinated general matters. Afterwards, President U Thein Sein made a concluding speech.

He said: In the today’s meeting, it was found that discussions are being made on presentations to lay down the policy over the fifth short-term five-year plan (draft) and reform strategy. Presentations over policy are of paramount importance for national development and good progress of political, economic and social sectors. Tomorrow’s session will cover the discussion of policy.

It is learnt that complete work programmes over reform strategy have been presented. However, as to macroeconomic reform discussions were made only on budget, foreign aids and local and foreign investments.

The Planning Commission is to underscore the tax reform which plays a pivotal role in the national and regional development. More efforts should be made to be able to fully collect taxes in the pursuit of national and regional development projects. The recent tax reform was launched with the aim of increasing the population of tax payers and of boosting collected taxes.

The country has been introducing market-oriented economic system like other countries of the world while striving for national development. Globally, for example, prices over the use of land, water, electricity have been fixed weighing the production costs in order ensure income of a nation.

As regards launching the development project of a township, it can be found that extended measures are taken weighing incomes and expenditures of the township which levies residential tax, commercial tax, industrial tax, car parking tax, utility tax, property tax, business tax etc.

In land reform also, location of squatters in forest land and virgin and fallow lands requires funds. The funds are to be extracted at a proportional rate from premiums of land investors, industrial investors and other investors in the township. Therefore, the ministries and region and state governments in coordination with the respective committees are required to seek ways over land reform and tax reforms and educate people in that regard in line with the township development plan.

In a similar manner, the urban development project is to be launched with the consent of both investors and local people. The region and state governments are to introduce administrative reforms weighing taxes such as utility taxes and car parking tax and laws such condo laws.

In the drawing of the national electricity plan, only when 75 per cent of population is facilitated with electricity will the nation can reach the status the industrialized neighbours enjoy. To reach such a status a total of US$ 16 to 20 billion needs to be invested in the electricity sector. In addition to hydro power, gas-fired power and coal fired power are to be supplied as much as possible, import of electricity from other countries and seek ways of buying electricity from abroad apart from using all electricity generated in the country. In doing so, an energy policy is to be adopted and implemented. It could take ten years to use US$ 16 to 20 billion at the rate of two billion a year to generate 16,663 megawatt for 75 per cent of population. It means building a power plant with a generation capacity from 500 to 1000 megawatt yearly. Thus, efforts are to be made to widely introduce all power plants ranging from gas-fired, fuel, coal fired to supply electricity to small townships and villages in regions and states in addition to import of electricity from abroad.

In conclusion, the President called on those present to change their mind-set and procedures in the reform process to be able to fulfill the basic needs of the people and improvement of socio-economic status.

The first meeting of Planning Commission came to an end in the evening.