Development priorities will be given to areas where the ceasefire accord is in place, said Union Minister U Aung Min at a press conference after the nationwide ceasefire accord signing ceremony in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday the Global New Light of Myanmar reported on 16 October.
The government will provide funds for development, with assistance from international donors, as stipulated in the nationwide ceasefire accord (NCA).
Of the 15 ethnic armed groups invited by the government to ink the truce pact, eight ethnic armed groups agreed to do so. During the ceremony, both sides expressed the view that the signing was a first step in the right direction for achieving lasting peace in Myanmar.
U Aung Min insisted that development projects will also be rolled out in areas inhabited by groups who did not sign the ceasefire, provided permission to do so is given by the groups. “They will not be side-lined because we are brothers living in this country. But it is up to them to determine whether or not to allow development work.”
Top priorities include demining, providing food and shelter, creating jobs and providing assistance to those who wish to return home after having fled earlier conflicts, the union minister said.