Establishment of the Ministry

In order to effectively carry out the activities of progress of border areas and national races,”Ministry of Development of Border Areas and National Races” was established on 24th September 1992.The following activities are being performed by the Ministry:

1. Co-ordinating the development activites of Sub-committes,Regional Work Commitees and other relevant Ministries
2. Submitting reports and measures pertaining to development of border areas and national races to the Cabinet
3. Following the guidances of the State and the Central Committee for the Development of Border Areas and National Races through the Cabinet.

Objective of the Na Ta La

1. To develop the economic and social works and road and communication of the national races at the border areas
2. To cherish and preserve the culture, literature and customs of the national races
3. To strengthen the amity among the national races
4. To eradicate totally the cultivation of poppy plants by establishing economic enterprise
5. To preserve and maintenance the security, prevalence of law and order and regional peace and tranquility of the border areas

Border Areas of Myanmar

The total area of Myanmar is 261228 square miles. Stretch for 582 miles from East to West, 1275 miles from North to South. The length of contiguous frontier is 3906 miles sharing 1384 miles with China, 1304 miles with Thailand, 903 miles with India, 169 miles with Bangladesh and 146 miles with Lao PDR. The length of Coast line is 1385 miles.   There are 8 main
ethnic groups of over 100 national races.

Departments of the Ministry

Under the Ministry,there are three Department and one Bank which are as follows:

1. • Progress of Border Areas and National Races Department
   • Department of Development Affairs
   • Department of Education and Trainning
   • Sibin Tharyaryay Bank Limited