Eco-tourism and a water management agreement with China were among the items discussed at the 2nd Amyotha Hluttaw 3rd Regular Session’s 6th Day Meeting yesterday.
The tourism topic arose in response to a question raised by Dr Khin Maung Win of constituency 11 in Tanintharyi Region, the site of many islands including the Mergui archipelago that are favoured by an increasing number of tourists as well as local visitors.
“In terms of the matters as to which arrangements are being made for the interest of the local people and for the development and perpetuation of sovereignty of the State from hiring islands in Tanintharyi Region, the Ministry is making suggestions on conservation of natural beauty of islands and coral reefs, island-originated tourism industry development and other necessary advice”, said U Ohn Maung, the Union Minister for Hotel and Tourism.
The Union minister said training is being done for personnel who have contact with tourism in the region to raise awareness and education of conservation practices while pursuing tourism growth.
“The ministry conducted 3 courses for tour guides and 9 courses for hotel service personnel during the period from April 1, 2011 until now, attended by 286 trainees and 689, respectively, with a view to improving hotel and tourism industry in the region, creating job opportunities for the development of human resources. The ministry will make efforts to develop the islands in the region into an ecotourism development area without harming the natural environment, in consultation with other ministries and Tanintharyi Region Cabinet, with a view to having other islands enlisted as world heritage sites with the advice of the UNESCO”, the minister said.
The issue of a possible agreement with China on management of water came up in reply to a query raised by U Soe Thein of constituency 9 in Kayah State, U Thant Zin Maung, where the Thanlwin River is located.
“For the time being, the Ministry does not yet have any plans to make the Trans-boundary Water Management Agreement with the People’s Republic of China, with a view to sustainable use of the Thanlwin River and to avoid potential disputes from emerging in the future. Currently, the ministry is consulting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss with the PRC through diplomatic channels and the ministry is to consult with Thailand as well, as it took part in the agreement”, the Union Minister for Transport and Communication said.
Later in the meeting, Union Minister U Thant Zin Maung and Brigadier-General Myint Nwe, deputy minister for Defense Services, replied to questions raised by U Kyaw Kyaw of constituency 4, in Rakhine State, U J Yaowoo of constituency 1 in Kachin State and U Ye Myint Soe of constituency 7 in Yangon Region on matters concerning
farming land, conservation of river bank erosion and aviation sectors.
U Soe Thein of constituency 10 in Taninthari Region and U Kyaw Naing of constituency 12 of Yangon Region
discussed wording and grammatical usage in section 10, 24 and 56 of Law on Civil Service (amendments).
Mahn Win Khaing Than, the Speaker of the Amyotha Hluttaw, decided to rehear the draft in Hluttaw Drafting Committee.
The 7th Day Meeting of 2nd Amyotha Hluttaw 3rd Regular Session will be held on November 28.