THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
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USAID to help govt manage expectations, administrator says

USAID to help govt manage expectations, administrator says

YANGON - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) vowed to extend all possible supports to Myanmar, to help the country address social challenges.

 “In partnership with the people of this country, I identified ways that we can be a partner. We are committed to providing assistance, sharing expertise we have, and being a friend of the country. We tried to figure out how to address some of the challenges,” said Administrator Gayle Smith after finishing her first visit. 
Her visit during April 29-May 3 was to demonstrate the US government’s commitment to the people and new civilian government. During her visit, Smith engaged with a wide range of leaders from civil society, government, and the private sector to learn about the opportunities and challenges facing the country.
“I think one of my takeaways in terms of the challenges is how to manage expectations. If you look across almost every sector here - education, health, agriculture, job training - the needs are enormous. So, we will be necessary for the government to manage the expectations by delivering progress but also helping people to understand that is going to take time to yield the kind of benefits that people rightfully hope for. I think we can help with that… We want to do everything, everywhere.”
Smith and US Ambassador Scot Marciel travelled to Nay Pyi Taw on May 2 for meetings with senior-level government officials and parliamentarians. In her meeting with State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, she discussed how USAID could support the new government’s priorities to improve the welfare of the people. Smith also met with the union ministers of agriculture, commerce, health and social Welfare, as well as parliamentarians, to learn about how international donors like USAID can help address the challenges and opportunities ahead.
“Our mission here is to continue to work with the government on policy issues and some of the other things that will create the conditions. Our intention is to maintain a robust assistance for portfolios here. I hope over time, we will be able to increase the amount of funding we will provide for food security broadly in terms of the breakdown right now. It is part of the programme in addition to what we are doing with the economic policies, national reconciliation, health and a few other areas.”
During the five-day visit, the administrator also toured the USAID-supported emergency operations centre in Nay Pyi Taw, observed a rice harvest as part of a USAID agriculture programme and meet with farmers, held discussions with Rakhine people and other ethnic community leaders, and honoured World Press Freedom Day with members of civil society and media. 
Smith was impressed with high optimism among Myanmar people. At the press conference, she stressed the need for improvement in the agricultural sector which has so far attracted low investment.
 “These things take time. It is reaching the point where we can help_ work with local producers, with the local private sector, the government, and others to help generate more private sector capital flows into the agriculture sector. So the people can produce more for exports and support the national export strategy, and increase their income. Then, their livelihood and their ability to send their kids to schools and all the other things come with the increased income. They are getting there. We discussed with government ministries as well as local farmers on how to improve farming methods,” she said.
 
 
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