1.     Office of the Work Committee for the Development of Border Areas and National Races established with (49) officers and (158) staff, totally (207) staff was formed as a separate office by the State Law and Restoration Council’s office Order No. (17/92) on 8th April 1992 to perform the functions and duties of the Work Committee for the Development of Border Areas and National Races. As more national groups came into the legal fold, for the multi-sectoral development of their regions, Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the Central Committee for the Development of Border Areas and National Races attended the meeting held in the meeting hall of Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs, Ministers’ Office on 8th September 1995 and gave necessary guidance on organizing the department from the Work Committee office.

2.        In accordance with the guidance by the Chairman of the Central Committee for the Development of Border Areas and National Races, organizational structure was approved from the Cabinet Meeting No. (40/95) held on 25th October 1995. By this approval, the office of the Work Committee for the Development of Border Areas and National Races was reorganized as Progress of Border Areas and National Races Department Under the Organizational structure of Progress of Border Areas and National Races Department, (94) civilian officers, (1872) staff, (105) military engineering officers and (3420) other rank staff totally (5,591) staff were organized under the department.

The main objectives of carrying out development measures for border areas and national races are as follows:-

1. To develop the economic and social works for basic infrastructure development for national races residing in border areas, in accordance with the aims which are non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of the national solidarity perpetuation of the sovereignty of the State.

2. To prioritize and implement for the equitable and proportionate development among the territories of the Union;

3. To strengthen the amity among the national races;

4. To eradicate totally the cultivation of poppy plants by implementing alternative development works;

5. To preserve and maintain the security, prevalence of law and order and regional peace and tranquility of the border areas.

The Department Policies are as Follows-

(1)  To Develop Border Areas .

(2)  To Develop Socio-economic life of the National Races .

(3)  To Strengthen the Union Sprit.

The duties and functions of the Department are as follows:-

(a)   Determination of special development areas;

(b)   Drawing up the long-term and short term plans for the development of border areas;

(c)   Implementing the long-term and short-term plans which are approved by the Central Committee for the Development of Border Areas and National Races;

(d)   Implementing the development works which have been prescribed by the Work Committee for the Development of the Border Areas and National Races for immediate performance;

(e)   Implementing socio-economic infrastructure for the border areas with annual plans such as:

        i.    Roads and Bridges;

        ii.   Water Supply;

               a.  Agriculture

               b. Drinking Water

      iii.    Electricity;

              a. Hydropower

              b. Solar Energy

      iv.    Housing.

       v.    Development Activities for Peace Making

              a. Roads & Bridges

              b. Education

              c. Health

              d. Housing

(f)   To set up the  culture exchanging programs in order for all Nationalities Youth in Development areas to enrich a wider knowledge.
(g)    To carry out national  affairs  as a priority in accordence with the desire  of  Nationalities Youth.
(h)     To make arrangements for the promotion and  propagation religious affairs in the border areas.
(i)    To make arrangements for establishing crops cultivation, livestock  breeding and cottage industries in substitution for poppy cultivation.   
(j)     To protect and preserve border boundary pillars and markers.

(k)    To cooperate with the United Nations Organzations, International Organzations, Regional Organzations and persons in responsible position with the intention of implementing the development work programs in border areas more effectively.