25 April 2012— The third regular session of the First Amyotha Hluttaw continued for 20th day at Amyotha Hluttaw Hall in Hluttaw Complex here today, attended by Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker U Khin Aung Myint and 216 MPs.

First, Bill Committee Member U Myint Tun read the report of the committee on Foreign Currency Expenditure Bill which was sent back to the Amyotha Hluttaw by the Pyithu Hluttaw with amendments. The Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker sought approval from the Hluttaw about the amendments and supplements of the Bill Committee made to the bill.

Next, U Zaw Myint Pe of Mandalay Region Constituency (5), U Steven Thabeik of Chin State Constituency (4), Dr Myint Kyi of Yangon Region Constituency (8) and U Nyan Lin of Ayeyawady Region Constituency (3), in their affirmative discussion about the proposal of U Myo Myint from Mandalay Region Constituency (6) who urged the Union government to hire local and foreign experts to compile reports on economic and engineering development of Myanmar and to form high-level work supervision coordination committee, said it needed to draw national development for both short term and long term. It was disappointing that KTL Plan was still the blueprint of the national development plans of the present time. It was required to adopt Myanmar Investment Plan with the assistance of local and foreign experts. As there was a great potential of investment from foreign countries flooding into the country following the reforms of the nation, it was advisable to have a master plan to get ready. It needed to compile comprehensive reports on economic and engineering development for such reports were pivotal for national development.

Regarding the proposal, Deputy Minister for Industry U Myo Aung said the 30-year grand plan was initially drawn by experts from ministries of the nation without the ideas foreign experts. The plan was found to be incomprehensive despite the utmost efforts of the ministries due to time and financial constraint for detailed surveys on the ground. Policies and fields of some ministries had changed much during ten year period from 2001 to 2010. The new government was redrawing 30-year grand plans of the respective ministries in line with national project policies of the modern time. In addition, it was also planning rural development project, township development project, urban development project, regional projects for regions and states, calling for sheer quantity of local and foreign competence assistance.

Likewise, previously it was focused on net production and GDP in agriculture, meat and fish, forestry, industry, mines and minerals, energy, electric power, construction, transportation, communication, finance, social and management, service, trade and other sectors. Now, it had been instructed to launch projects in national interests, which means to only essential projects for the nation, region and the people will be implemented under consideration of economic viability and socio-economic needs. In so doing, it needed to invite the assistance of experts at home and abroad. Now, as there were offers from international organizations for assistance and economic cooperation, some ministries had started seeking international competency assistance. Under the assistance of UNDP, foreign experts were conducting trainings to local experts in shifting over to 1993, 2008 System of National Account from 1986 System of National Account in national planning. Investment feasibility surveys were being carried out by hiring foreign consultant groups in addition to local experts, and seeking assistance from UNCTAD. It was also preparing to draw industrial development plan with foreign assistance. The national plan covered sectorwise projects and regional projects. Coordination for adopting of comprehensive plan was under way and discussions would be held in near future.

Regarding formation of a high-level project coordination committee, “National Plan Commission” led by the Prime Minister was formed in parliamentary democracy era. “Special Projects Implementation Committee” chaired by the Chairman of State Peace and Development Council was established in time of SPDC. In time of the new government, the President chairs “Special Projects Implementation Committee”. Financial Commission was formed in line with Section 229 of 2008 Constitution which does not require the formation of Planning Commission. Formation of the National Planning Commission would focus more on sector-wise projects and regional projects.

As the Hluttaw was agreed on the proposal, it was approved. Daw Khin Waing Kyi of Yangon Region Constituency-1 seconded the proposal submitted by U Maung Aye Tun of Rakhine State Constituency-9 “urging the Union government to amend penalties in Sections 417, 426 and 427 of Penal Code”. She discussed the rule of law is important in the country and it is needed to draft new legislations commensurate with the age, to amend the old ones which are not suitable to the current trend and to abide by laws. Judge of Supreme Court of the Union U Mya Thein said: The Supreme Court sent Bill amending Penal Code (Draft) and explanations to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Union on 16-11-2011 and the latter returned the bill (draft) with remarks on 10-2-2012. The bill (draft) was amended to meet requirements in the remarks and sent again to the Union Attorney-General’s Office on 12-3-2012. Provisions in Sections 417, 426 and 427 of Penal Code were amended in the bill (draft). By the time the Supreme Court receives the final remarks of the Union Attorney-General’s Office, it will continue efforts to enact the bill (draft). As the Hluttaw was agreed on the proposal, it was approved. Today’s session concluded at 12.25 pm. One bill was approved and two proposals discussed and approved at today’s session.