United Wa State Party (UWSP) spokesman Aung Myint said that they have made an agreement with the government to take census in Wa controlled area in early April next year so that people can have national identity card.
The agreement for taking census in Wa controlled area between UWSP and government was reached at the meeting held in People’s Hall, Pansang attended by Union Peace Making Group Vice-Chairman Thein Zaw and UWSP Vice-Chairman Xiao Milian.
“Wa agreed to let the government take census in our controlled area this time around, 30 years after the last census was taken, as it is part of the new political and economic agenda of the nation,” Aung Myint said.
For taking census in Wa area, the government will form six teams and will provide necessary trainings and required facilities to the team.
Spokesman Aung Myint also said that taking of the census will start at the end of March or early April 2014 and the information collected will be sent to the National Census Board.
Mizzima has learned that the government and UWSP also discussed the economic potential of rubber plantation as a substitute for opium production.
“The population in Wa area will not provide adequate work force for mass production of rubber in this area after declaring Opium Free Area in 2015. So we discuss with the government’s representatives for recruiting more labour force from mainland Myanmar through our UWSP liaison office and economic department,” Aung Myint said.
