1. Istanbul Plan of Action Implementation Workshop
New York, United States of America
(Oct 15-17, 2012)
Brief Report on the Implementation of the Istanbul Programme Action for LDCs: The Republic of the Union of Myanmar
Dr. Wah Wah Maung
Deputy Director General
Foreign Economic Relation Department
Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development
The Republic of the Union of Myanmar

2. Changing Era
All aspects of reforms: Political, economic, social, institutional
Practicing elements of Democratic System
According the speeches of the President
Good Governance
Transparency
Anti-corruption
Check and Balance
Utilizing Public Finance effectively and efficiently

3. A series of political and economic reforms
political dialogue with Daw Aung San Su Kyi,
free and fair bi -election,
release of prisoners,
developing civil society in Myanmar,
free discussion at the parliamentary meeting,
invitation of the exiles back to our country, policy consultation with multi stakeholders for the national development,

4. A series of political and economic reforms
promoting freedom of journalism and its associations,
peace peace talks with ethnic armed groups
implementing national level projects of rural development and poverty reduction
conducting macroeconomic reforms

5. First Stage of Reform Process
Focus more on political reforms: Peace Talk, Bi election, Release of prisoners
Focusing on good governance,
Clean government
Institutional reforms

6. Second Stage of Economic Reform
Focusing more on Economic and Administrative Reforms
Economic
Rule of Law
Reform
Close cooperation, coordination and collaboration among the ministries, regional and local governments

7. Our Vision
actively engaged in building a new, modern, developed and democratic nation
necessary to strengthen systematic market economic system
to accelerate the pace of economic development
getting out of poverty trap

8. Our economic policies
Sustaining Agriculture towards Industrialization and All round Development
Balance and proportionate development among States and Regions
Inclusive growth for entire population
correctness of statistics and statistical systems

9. Changing planning system
We have changed out from centralized to decentralized one.
Regional plans are formulated by regional and local governments
Our ministry is also finalizing 5 years Plan (from to )
also planning to draw National Comprehensive Development Plan ( NDCP )

10. National Planning Sectoral Plan Regional Plan
Plans and projects proposed by Ministries
Sectoral Plan
Plans and projects proposed by State and Regional Governments
Regional Plan

11. For the formulation of National Development Plan
Organizing Regional Workshops in States and Regions
Development
Public Consultation for their needs and inputs for the plan formulation
Plan
National level workshop will be organized after all regional level workshops have been convened.

12. Future National Plans
2 Annual Plans already approved by the parliament
Annual Plan and Annual Plan
Now, our ministry is formulating 5 years national plan, expect to submit next parliamentary session
5 years national plan ( to )

13. Comprehensive National Development Plan (Long term development plan)
We also have a plan for long term development.
With long term national vision
20 years or 30 years National Plan
Duration:

14. Quick wins for short term
But, quick wins are also important.
Poverty intended to reduce 2 % per year
Short term therapy ?
Matching short term plan/ program of donors as well as project duration and type of support with our priority areas and regions

15. Sustaining Agriculture towards Industrialization and All round Development
Since our economy is based on agriculture sector, it is necessary to maintain for the momentum of agriculture to fulfill world food security
Sharing our agricultural products to the global community. Moreover, it will also provide national food security as well as for the rural development and poverty reduction
Since 70 % of our population residing in the rural area and 50 percent of the people are engaging in those agricultural activities.
Apart from that, according to the development experiences of different countries, it cannot be developed without industrialization process. That is why we are establishing Special Economic Zones for promoting industrial sector.

16. Focusing balanced and equitable growth
Since our country is a Union Nation, it is necessary to focus balanced and equitable growth among the states and regions.
development paradigm has already shifted
we need to focus human development to improve the quality of life
inclusive growth for entire population to realize people-centered development
Human development index of Myanmar

17. Quality data
Correct ing our statistical system for ensuring quality data which reflect the real situation.
National census in 2014
To implement all those policies, it is necessary to nurture human resources and establish education process
To create new institutions, use new technologies, cope with their environment, and alter their patterns of behaviour
We need an education system that improves the capabilities of individuals and capacity of institutions.

18. Trade and Investment as the engine of growth
Business laws, rules and regulations for the company registration are being amended and improve for the faster processes.
Some laws, rules and regulations are to be amended and some laws will be enacted
Foreign Direct investment Law amended
Revised Foreign Investment Law and it will create more economic opportunities and business friendly environment.
Special Economic Zone Law, Dawei SEZ Law
Necessary law such as Competition Law, Consumers Protection Law are also under process.

19. Stakeholders for Development
Government
Private sector
Non Governmental Organization, Civil Society Organization
International Organization ( IO)/ International Non-governmental Organization ( INGOS)
Public

20. Trade and investment policies reforms
Changes in trade and foreign exchange policies were aimed at transforming the economy from a state sector dominated socialist economic system to a market-oriented economic system.
The role of the private sector in external trade was expanded sharply.
Border trade expended.
Import, export licensing and Company registration procedures are eased

21. Banking Sector Interest rate Taxation policies
Managed float: Exchange rate
Banking sector reforms: More private banks, more financial services are allowed
Technical Assistance: IMF, WB
Capital Market Development: Daiwa

22. Exports, Imports and Duties
Sr.
Particular
( Million kyat)
(April-June) 1.
Domestic Export
8266.2
2081.6 2.
All Export ( including re-export)
9135.6
2223.4 3.
Import
8325.6
1901.9 4.
All Import ( includes draw-back items)
6635.3 5.
Custom Duties
( Normal Trade) 6.
( Border Trade) 7.
Custom Duties (All)

23. Investment
A total of 456 foreign enterprises in 12 sectors from 31 countries were permitted with the total pledge amount of USD million up to 2012, March.
China is the 1st leading investor
Thailand and Hong Kong are taking place in 2nd and 3rd respectively.
power sector %,
oil & gas sector %
mining sector- 7.75%

24. Program for the Poverty Reduction
To achieve the MDGs
Institutional mechanism for eight tasks
(a) Development of agricultural production sector
(b) Development of Livestock sector
(c) Development of rural productivity and cottage industries
(d) Development of micro saving and credit enterprises
(e) Development of rural cooperative tasks
(f) Development of rural socio-economy
(g) Development of rural energy
(h) Environmental conservation.

25. Reducing the half of poverty line in 2015.
We have set our target to reduce the half of poverty line in
Currently it is now 26% is below the poverty line
trying to reduce until 16 % in 2015.
In that case, we need more cooperation not only from regional community but also from global community.

26. Aid Effectiveness
Aid effectiveness is also emphasized after the openness of our economy.
Since our international relation has been improved, we received more aid, grants from the donors community.
We also would like to build the trust with international community as well as we ourselves would like to have aid effectiveness for our national aim of poverty reduction.

27. Foreign Direct Investment
Sources of Finance: Consideration for the best allocation of the sources of finance
Source of Finance
Own Budget
Loan
Grant
Aid
Foreign Direct Investment

28. Foreign Aid Effectiveness
Sources of finance
Aid
Grant
Loan
Foreign Aid Effectiveness

29. Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness
Ownership
Alignment
Harmonization
Managing for results
Mutual accountability

30. Aid Effectiveness Mechanism
Now we have already formed Central Committee on Aid effectiveness chaired by the President.
Under the Central committee, we have working committee as well as National Socio-economic Advisory Council (NSAC) which comprises Academicians, private sectors and civil society.

31. Matching between Needs & Grant/ Aids
There was coordination weakness and failure among donors, between government agencies and donors
Previously, foreign grants and Aids are donor driven
Overcoming coordination weakness and failure
Therefore, we need to provide projects and plans to reflect our people’s wants needs and close coordination with donors community
Reflecting our people’s wants needs

32. Aid Effectiveness Management Institution
Central Committee on Effective Aid Management
Working Committee on Effective Aid Management
Ministries/ Local and Regional Govts
Donors Community/ IOs
National Economic and Social Council (NESC)
Private sector/ Civil Society
Academicians

33. Aids Effectiveness
formed Central Aids Effectiveness Management Committee which is chaired by the President to utilize the aids, grants and loans effectively and efficiently.
We also have formed Socio-economic Advisory Council which includes civil society organizations, private sectors and academicians.
Planning Commission also has been formed to systemically implement the projects and to ensure balance growth among the regions.

34. Cooperation with regional economy as well as international economy
We are ready to cooperate
now closely working with ADB, IMF, World Bank and WTO
And we are also closely working with UN organizations and its affiliates and INGOs for the rural development and poverty reduction in Myanmar.
We very much welcome the removal of economic sanctions from EU and US.

35. As a member in the family of nations,
Myanmar will be participating more actively in the activities of the United Nations in various fields.
Standing as a responsible and respectable nation on the world stage
take the challenges of the 21st century in a bold and resolute manner
Myanmar should be viewed from a different and new perspective
It is also necessary for us to be able to work in a more conducive and favourable environment than never before.

36. Implementation of Istanbul plan of actions
Reforms: in line with the Implementation of Istanbul plan of actions
government is taking ownership and leadership for our own development.
An integrated approach is also applied with the participation of all stakeholders including international community.
Peace and security, development and human rights are also promoted by conducting political, economic and institutional reforms
committed to carry on for the sake of our people as well as to achieve MDGs and to actively contribute towards the maintenance of international peace and security.

37. Appreciation to UN
Looking forward closer cooperation with United Nations for Normal Country Program in Myanmar and many thanks for the Human Development Initiatives and technical assistances that contributes towards national development of Myanmar.

38. Thank you for your kind attention!