The State Administration Council Chairman and Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who is on a goodwill visit to Moscow, the Russian Federation, met the families of the Myanmar Embassy and the Military Attaché office to the Russian Federation at the Myanmar Embassy yesterday morning, local time.
The meeting was attended by SAC Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, Council Member General Nyo Saw, Union Minister 1 at the SAC Chairman’s Office Admiral Moe Aung, Myanmar Ambassador to the Russian Federation U Thit Linn Ohn and his wife, Myanmar Military Attaché (Army, Navy, Air) Brig-Gen Moe Kyaw and his wife, as well as embassy and military attaché family members and officials.
The Myanmar Ambassador to the Russian Federation, along with the embassy and military attaché families, introduced themselves. Afterwards, the Chairman of the State Administration Council and Prime Minister delivered a speech, stating that the visit was aimed at developing the Russia-Myanmar friendship and was successful, as he met leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, and achieved positive results.
He also highlighted the long history of Russia-Myanmar diplomatic relations, which have lasted over 77 years, with strong ties dating back to ancient times, as well as Russia’s assistance to Myanmar in the education and health sectors. He also mentioned that this is his 11th goodwill visit to Russia since becoming Tatmadaw’s Commander-in-Chief.
He said that the two countries have cooperated in defence matters in the past, with Tatmadaw officers being accepted as scholars in Russia after 2001, continuing to attend every year, contributing valuable human resources for the state and Tatmadaw, while Russia has also assisted in upgrading Tatmadaw.
The Chairman of the State Administration Council then encouraged the embassy and military attaché families to collaborate in supporting relations with Russia, noting that some military officers who studied in Russia have already served in high-ranking civilian positions, bringing great benefits to the country. He also advised the families to spend their free time reading books and studying languages, especially Russian literature and language, and to live in unity and harmony within the embassy. He also explained that Russia has always stood by Myanmar on the international stage and that the Ukrainian conflict began when some countries took actions undermining Russia, with the West intervening to weaken it, following past efforts by Western countries to disintegrate the Soviet Union, while the international situation continues to change over time.
He also expressed the need for all individuals to focus on and study issues that could benefit the country, take note of opportunities for national progress, enhance trade relations between Russia and Myanmar, improve trade based on Novosibirsk, export quality products, and promote the trade sector, as there are already products that can be traded between the two countries.
He said that he established the Myanmar Theravada Buddhist Centre in Moscow to promote the spread of Buddhism in Russia and that he would like to see the monks provided with all the necessary services as much as possible. Afterwards, the State Administration Council Chairman and the Prime Minister presented food and honorariums to the embassy’s families, which were received by the Ambassador and the Myanmar Military Attachés (Army, Navy, Air). The Ambassador then returned the souvenirs to the State Administration Council Chairman and the Prime Minister.
Afterwards, the State Administration Council Chairman and the Prime Minister signed the visitors’ book of the Myanmar Embassy to the Russian Federation and cordially greeted the families of the embassy.
He continued that GDP is calculated based on both revenue and expenditure and when comparing the budget deficit to the GDP ratio, unspent funds can lead to a reduction in GDP. Moreover, when the ministries that need to use the funds can utilize the allocated funds on time, projects and operations can be completed, contributing to the growth of their respective ministries’ GDP.
It is the most important issue. In this regard, the Head of the State instructed that “ it is essential to carefully utilize the budget. There are budget requests that are unnecessary, unfeasible and unrealistic. If the requests are reviewed before submitting, the initial budget estimate could be significantly reduced.” Therefore, the ministries and Union organizations are urged to analyze depending on the essential and non-essential projects before submitting the budget proposals.
In allocating the revenue, the newly established Industrial Development Commission, Electricity and Energy Development Commission and Agriculture and Livestock Development Commission will have to work with the ministries for economic development. Therefore, the expenditure is likely to be increased. On the other hand, if the unspent funds that are not needed are allocated to the commission and its relevant ministries, it will show significant GDP growth. When the GDP improves, there will also be an increase in revenue. Therefore, when submitting the Budget Estimate and Revised Estimate, the Union-level organizations and ministries should carefully assess and verify the actual needs before making their submissions.
According to the findings of the pre-scrutiny committee and officials, the initial submissions by the ministries indicated GDP with a budget deficit at 7.04 per cent. When the two departments and three committees under the Ministry of Planning and Finance scrutinized that ratio, it revealed GDP with a budget deficit of 6.56 per cent. Then, the deputy minister found 5.85 per cent, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Planning and Finance scrutinized up to 5.24 per cent.
The pre-scrutiny committee chairman and focal ministries collectively reviewed and made adjustments to the necessary expenditure and estimated GDP based on the 2025-2026 financial year budget estimate. Based on the result, the GDP and budget deficit ratio are reduced to 4.74 per cent, and the amount not more than five per cent of the deficit and GDP can be allocated to the ministries related to three commissions and other essential sectors depending on the needed funds.
He continued that the expenditures also should be estimated for maintenance after natural disasters, social protection, education and health sectors. Preparations should be made when the pre-scrutiny committee completes the reviews, as there can be instructions by the Prime Minister for further projects aiming to promote the State economy.
Afterwards, Commission Secretary Union Minister U Win Shein, Deputy Minister U Min Htut and Union Auditor-General Dr Khin Naing Oo reported on their respective sectors. Those from Union-level organizations and Union ministries discussed financial matters.
MNA/KTZH
MNA/TH
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