Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia visits Myanmar
(20th-24th July, 2012)
Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission accompanied by Dr. Isher Judge Ahluwalia, Chairperson of the Board of Governors, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) paid an official visit to Myanmar from 20-24 July 2012. Besides Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw, the Deputy Chairman also visited the India-Myanmar Industrial Training Centre, at Pokokku.
In Yangon the Deputy Chairman addressed a seminar on the theme “India’s Experience in Reforms” that was jointly organized by the Centre for Economic and Social Development, Myanmar Development Resource Institute (MDRI-CESD) and Embassy of India, Yangon. Shri Ahluwalia addressed the participants on the ‘Dimension of National Planning’ with special emphasize on poverty alleviation and rural development. He mentioned that India development strategy was one of inclusive growth that produced the broadest spread of income expansion to benefit rural areas and backward regions. The strategy was supplemented by schemes that directly targeted at the weakest sections such as the rural employment guarantee scheme and the National Livelihood Mission of the Government. He also emphasized the importance of health, education and skill development. Dr. Isher Judge Ahluwalia gave a broad overview of India’s economic development over the last six decades with special focus on the Industrial Development Strategies. She also highlighted the factors behind the accelerated growth witnessed in the service sectors and the importance of human resources development. Over 150 people including law makers, academics, business and media representatives and students attended the seminars which concluded with a lively question and answer session.
In Nay Pyi Taw, in a seminar organized by the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development, the Deputy Chairman spoke about ‘National Planning Process, Poverty alleviation and Rural Development’ drawing attention again to specific poverty alleviation schemes of the government of India and the benefits accrued from them. Dr. Isher Judge Ahluwalia spoke on India’s experience in carrying forward economic reforms. The participants at the seminar were senior officials drawn not only from all central Ministries, but also from States and Regions. The seminar was presided over by Professor Dr. Kan Zaw, Deputy Minister of National Planning and Economic Development. The presentation also stimulated an interactive question & answer session.
The Deputy Chairman also called on the Vice President of Myanmar Dr. Sai Mauk Kham and discussed wide range of issues of mutual interest. The discussions also dwelt upon India’s development as also on ways for Myanmar to strengthen its human resource base. The Deputy Chairman also met the Minister of Industry U. Soe Thane, who is also Chairman of Myanmar Investment Committee. During this meeting they discussed possibilities about greater investments from India, the new investment law of Myanmar that is currently under consideration of Myanmar Parliament and ways to promote exchange of experience on public private partnership.
The Deputy Chairman also had an interactive meeting with the members of Finance and Planning Committee of the Myanmar Parliament when he briefed the members about the role of Planning Commission in India and the steps taken by Government of India towards ushering in economic reforms. He further explained the interactive process between the Planning Commission and the Parliament.
The Deputy Chairman and Dr. Isher Jugde Ahluwalia called on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and briefed her about their visit and discussed bilateral cooperation between the two countries. He conveyed India’s commitment to extend all possible assistance in Myanmar’s development. Referring to the invitation extended by Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) to visit India to deliver the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Lecture, he expressed the hope that it will be possible for her to undertake the visit soon.
In Pokokku, the Deputy Chairman toured the India-Myanmar Industrial Training Centre, that has been established with India’s assistance and in which the second batch of students are currently receiving training in nine different skills including welding, cutting and machining. Following the successful experience in establishing this centre, the government of India is now assisting Myanmar in setting up another similar industrial training centre at Myingyan.
Yangon
24 July, 2012
