To improve economic, health and education sectors

It is our duty to protect the life and property of the people so that they will be able to live with peace of mind and to create an environment in which they will be able to earn their living freely. Economic infrastructures have been built to ensure economic development in all the regions across the Union. To avoid a situation in which only one or two major cities are well-developed and all the rest of the nation have to depend on them socially and economically, 24 development regions have been established and measures are being taken to improve economic, health and education sectors and to narrow the gap among the regions.

Senior General Than Shwe
Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services
(From address delivered at the graduation parade of the 4th Intake of Defence Services Medical Academy)