Grand economic vision unplugged
Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing has unveiled a bold vision to revive an economy in free fall since the coup, focused on selling footwear and tires to Myanmar’s neighboring countries.
Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting of his cabinet, Min Aung Hlaing emphasized the massive potential market in neighboring China, India, Bangladesh, and ASEAN countries, collectively home to nearly half the world’s population.
“Everyone wears shoes. Everyone rides vehicles and motorcycles,” said the junta chief, calling for increased production of high-demand goods for export.
The words marked a striking shift from his focus over the past four years, when he directed his efforts to boosting agriculture for economic growth, visiting cattle, swine and fish farms and crop plantations to give instructions.
The junta chief began talking about regional and global economic opportunities after his visits to Russia and Belarus earlier this month.
His ambitious vision, however, is undermined by realities on the ground. Far from meeting regional demand, the regime still can’t supply reliable electricity to its industrial zones, while border trade with India, Bangladesh and Thailand has been largely halted by the fighting.
A more accurate reflection of Myanmar’s economic woes came when Min Aung Hlaing complained to the meeting that missed agricultural targets had cost the country up to US$ 19 billion over the previous fiscal year.
Millions vote with their feet
At the same cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the junta chief urged working-age citizens to remain in the country, declaring “there are already opportunities for people to prosper inside Myanmar.” He went on to claim it was safer to stay in the country than to leave for work abroad. Two days later, the junta’s Labor Ministry announced a new policy limiting the number of workers sent abroad to just 10 per month.
However, Min Aung Hlaing’s rosy picture bears no resemblance to the reality.
His 2021 military coup and subsequent military atrocities sparked a mass withdrawal of foreign investment, economic sanctions by Western countries, and collapse in the domestic job market.
As inflation soars and countless businesses close due to rising production costs and chronic electricity shortages, many young citizens have been left with no choice but to seek work abroad.
Those who remain face the grim threat of forced military conscription, driving them to flee to countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea – and most recently, even Russia. Recently, Thai MP Rangsiman Rome, chair of the House Committee on National Security, Border Affairs, National Strategy and National Reform, reported that over 7 million Myanmar people have crossed the border into Thailand since the coup.
If there is any truth to the Senior General’s claim of growth opportunities within Myanmar, the benefits appear to be enjoyed almost exclusively by his close circle – his son, Aung Pyae Sone, his daughter, Khin Thiri Thet Mon, and a cadre of military cronies.
Min Aung Hlaing has responded to crippling electricity shortages by initiating solar energy projects that were conveniently awarded to his son. More recently, after the junta boss called for investment in leather and rubber manufacturing for exports, it was revealed that his son had already positioned himself to capitalize, having established businesses in these sectors.
Military spending hiked as citizens struggle
After four years of urging citizens to cut back on electricity, fuel and cooking oil, the junta chief on Tuesday declared a boost in military spending.
At a meeting with the Financial Commission, Min Aung Hlaing announced that funding for defense, home affairs, healthcare, and education had been raised in the fiscal 2025-26 budget, without disclosing figures.
His claim of increased spending on health and education was met with widespread skepticism, given public hospitals and schools nationwide have shut their doors amid the civil war that erupted after he seized power.
By home affairs, the junta boss meant the Myanmar Police Force and the General Administration Department (GAD) under the Home Affairs Ministry. The GAD controls local governance across all levels, from the village and ward to the Union level. It oversees population and land registration, demographic data collection, and supervises administration, local dispute resolution, tax collection and compilation of voter lists.
In fiscal 2023-2024, the defense budget totalled more than 5.6 trillion kyats – a surge from 3.7 trillion the previous year. Figures for fiscal 2024-25 were not disclosed by the regime.
The junta’s military spending is almost certain to rise this year following formal agreements to enhance defense cooperation with major arms suppliers like Russia and Belarus.
Amid his regime’s indiscriminate daily airstrikes on resistance-controlled towns and villages, Min Aung Hlaing marked Armed Forces Day on March 27 by declaring the “just war” would continue, adding that Myanmar’s military has no history of acceding to insurgent demands.
The United Nations reports that over 6,000 civilians have been killed and 3.5 million displaced since the coup in 2021.
Junta chief defiant over ‘just war’
At an Armed Forces Day parade, Min Aung Hlaing said the military has “no history of acceding to demands of insurgents” or “tolerating threats to national security or peace and stability.” Watch more
Military exit from politics ‘not possible’
Myanmar junta’s border security minister, Lieutenant General Yar Pyae, told “peace talks” in Naypyitaw that it was an “impossible request” for the military to withdraw from politics.
The discussions titled “Peace Talks 2025” in Naypyitaw were held from March 24 to 26 with representatives of some ethnic armed groups and political parties while airstrikes and other attacks continued across Myanmar. Read more
January election mandated despite civil war
Min Aung Hlaing has told a meeting in Naypyitaw that elections must be held by January next year.
The military leader has repeatedly promised a general election since he seized power in a coup in 2021, claiming electoral fraud in the 2020 general election.
During his trip to Russia and Belarus this month he announced a likely time frame for an election. Read more
Media picture of Myanmar ‘fake’, says investment-hungry dictator
Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing, whose regime’s atrocities against Myanmar civilians have been widely reported, has accused local and international media of distorting the truth about post-coup Myanmar.
Addressing the “Forum on Myanmar Beyond 2025: Challenges and Opportunities in the Multipolar World” in Naypyitaw on Friday, the regime chief said: “I hope that experts here today will sense the stark differences between Myanmar’s image as portrayed by bogus and biased media and the real Myanmar you are witnessing firsthand.” Read more
Generals push for solar as Yangon goes dark
Myanmar junta industry minister Charlie Than has stressed the need to attract local and foreign investments in solar energy, as regime leaders ramp up promotion of solar amid a nationwide electricity shortage.
Speaking during a visit to No. 24 Heavy Industry zone in South Dagon, Yangon, on Sunday, he pressed for collaboration to address the country’s electricity demand. He also inspected a solar panel factory in Hline Township, urging an increase in production to meet rising market demand. Read more
