YANGON, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar government has voiced commitment to the social development of the ethnic people in Naga Self-Administered Zone, northwestern Sagaing region, Myanmar News Agency reported Monday.
President U Htin Kyaw made the pledge Sunday in his speech at the opening of Naga traditional new year festival which was celebrated after harvest.
Expressing delight to see the unspoiled natural environment in the hilly region, U Htin Kyaw called for cooperation from all ethnic people in striving for development of the country with the aim of building a federal union without separation.
Minister for Border Affairs Lt-Gen Ye Aung said the Naga Self-Administered Zone has seen progress in infrastructures, adding that lack of transportation still hinders development of the region.
Sagaing Region Chief Minister Myint Naing said the government has allotted more than 9 billion Kyats (some 700,000 U.S. dollars) to the zone in the nine months since it took office.
The ethnic people's new year festival, celebrated in Layshi, Lahe and Nanyun, has been launched with assistance of the government since 1993 and became a state-level one in 2001.
