"I HAVE made frequent trips to Rakhine since 2016. I traveled there as part of the Maungtaw Investigation Commission led by Vice President U Myint Swe after the conflicts that occurred in Maungtaw Region in 2016. I have also visited the region for socioeconomic research programmes during my tenure at the Institute of Economics. I collected information at various villages and collaborated with the pearl and fishery associations as well. Then when the UEHRD was formed in 2017, I made more visits as its Chief Coordinator and also as part of the Independent Investigation Commission. Personally, I have also visited Sittway and MraukU with my family. Meeting with businesses in Sittway This was different from past visits as I was meeting with private businesses in Sittway. I had recently been acquainted with U Soe Paing, Chairman of a public company in Rakhine, during an investment forum in Bangkok. Now, as I was both a researcher and lecturer on public companies, one established in Rakhine State intrigued me. I had gotten in contact with U Soe Paing last month and arranged for a seminar in Sittway. We chose a date I was available but U Soe Paing had to go abroad that day so my assistance, Ko Lu Aye, had to organize everything with the officials. Joining me in that seminar were UMFCCI Secretary-General U Aung Kyi Soe, the leader of Rakhine Ethnic Myanmar Innovators Association U Tun Tun Naing, and U Zaw Min Thein, founder of the Rakhine State football team. We notified State Chief Minister U Nyi Pu of the meeting and seminar as well. Exchanging perspectives I flew to Sittway in the early morning to get more time. Ko Lu Aye was waiting for me at the airport with the Chairman of the Rakhine Chambers of Commerce, the Chairman of the Rakhine Ethnic Entrepreneurs Association and other officials. We went to the SS Restaurant near the beach and had Rakhine mont-di (rice vermicelli mixed with thin soup). I quite enjoyed the mont-di as it was very delicious as well. We held our meeting at the restaurant after we finished our meal. We explained the motive behind our visit and urged them to honestly put up the actual facts. The attendees were experienced business people consisting of individual company owners, conglomerates and public companies who have practical experience. We listened to them and exchanged opinions. We had the opportunity to learn what the actual people in the field were facing. I was happy with their honesty and trust..."