Wednesday, 2 January 2013

Japanese deputy PM arrives in Myanmar

YANGON. Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso arrived in Yangon Wednesday evening to begin a four-day visit to Myanmar, according to official sources.

Aso's visit represents the one to Myanmar of a highest-ranking Japanese official since Myanmar President U Thein Sein made a historic tour to Tokyo in April 2012 which opened up a new chapter of bilateral friendly relations.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-01/02/c_132076814.htm
In his first also high-profile overseas visit by a member of Tokyo's new cabinet since it took office last week, Aso will proceed to Nay Pyi Taw Thursday and have talks with President U Thein Sein, the sources said.

Besides meeting with Myanmar Finance Minister U Win Shein in the capital, Aso will also visit Thilawa Special Economic Zone and meet Japanese business representatives in Yangon during his stay, other sources said.

Japan, Myanmar's largest creditor, has announced that it will clear Myanmar's overdue debt of 500 billion yens (about 6 billion U.S. dollars) to it in January and offered to provide Myanmar a new loan of 50 billion yens for the development of the country's nationalities in border areas and construction of Thilawa Port and deep seaports.
The loan will also be used in poverty alleviation, communications, Myanmar-host 2013 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and 2014 Myanmar's ASEAN chairmanship.

In December 2012, Myanmar and Japan signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Yangon on cooperation in development of Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project which comprises factories, high-tech industry, textile, labor intensive industry and manufacturing industry.

Japanese side committed to provide financial and technological resources and use advanced technology with least environmental impact.

With Myanmar holding 51 percent and Japan 49 percent, the project will be implemented in 2013 and commercial operation will be launched by 2015.

According to figures, Japan injected a total of 216.94 million U.S. dollars as of July 2012 since 1988, standing the 12th in Myanmar's foreign investors line-up.

In the fiscal year 2011-12, trade between Myanmar and Japan nearly doubled, reaching 822.5 million dollars compared with 2010- 11's 493.8 million dollars.

source: Xinhua
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-01/02/c_132076814.htm

No comments:

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...