A delegation of Ho Chi Minh City leaders and businessmen led by Le Thanh Hai, HCMC Party Secretary, left Yangon in Myanmar to visit the capital Nay Pyi Taw on March 13.
The delegation paid a courtesy visit to Myanmar’s Vice President U tin Aung Myint Oo.
Vice President U tin Aung Myint Oo applauded the Vietnamese delegation, saying their visit would help bring the traditional friendship and co-operation between Vietnam and Myanmar to a new level.
He also described the visit as an important political event to further consolidate and develop Vietnam- Myanmar relations.
Comrade Hai appreciated the warm welcome of the Vietnamese delegation, and expressed his hope that the two countries would co-operate comprehensively in a range of areas and HCMC business circles would step up investments in Yangon in particular and in Myanmar in general.
He informed Vice President U tin Aung Myint Oo that HCMC businessmen accompanying the delegation had signed 12 Memorandums of Understanding with Myanmar partners who want to seek investment opportunities in Vietnam.
He said that HCMC businessmen when investing in Myanmar concentrated on three main fields: aqua-breeding, agricultural and consumer products processing; real-estate and tourism; banking and finance.
He thanked and expressed hope that the Yangon authorities as well as the Myanmar Government would create favourable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to effectively invest in their country.
Vice President U tin Aung Myint Oo said that Myanmar regarded Vietnam as a good friend in the past and at present. With the new open policy, Myanmar is ready to give every priority to consolidating and strengthening the relationship between the two countries and the business community.
Mr Hai also took this occasion to work with Myanmar Industry Minister U Soe Thane and Trade Minister U Win Myint. He said at present, Vietnamese products are being exported to 128 countries and territories, and affirmed that the opening of direct air routes between the two countries would boost economic cooperation between the two countries. The two ministers promised to continue providing favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses seeking investment opportunities in Myanmar.
At the same time, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh paid an official visit to Myanmar on March 12 at the invitation of his Myanmar counterpart Wunna Maung Lwin.
During his visit, Minh paid a courtesy visit to President Thein Sein, accompanied by his ministers of foreign affairs, industry, commerce, finance and chief of the President’s office.
At the reception, President Thein Sein expressed his pleasure at the sound development of the friendship and multifaceted relations between the two countries and appreciated the frequent exchange visits between the two-sides with such high ranking delegations.
He agreed that the two countries should continue to boost cooperation in bilateral relations as well as in regional and international affairs which both sides were interested in.
FM Minh forwarded best regards from President Truong Tan Sang and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to President Thein Sein.
He affirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of strengthening the traditional friendship and cooperation with Myanmar, adding that Vietnam was actively preparing for the upcoming visit of Thein Sein to Vietnam.
The two sides agreed that there should be more exchange of delegations between the two countries to induce closeness and trust as well as draw out the major guidelines for the development of a bilateral relationship.
Both ministers concurred on the need to further implement high-level agreements and spoke highly of the role of some mechanisms such as joint commissions and political consultations between the two foreign ministries in consolidating the development of the two countries.
Vietnam and Myanmar needed to promote further cooperation in terms of economics, trade and investment. Particularly, the two sides should hold the sixth meeting of the Trade Sub-Committee and kick off Vietnamese investment projects in Myanmar.
Both sides will continue to work together at international and regional forums and affirm that along with other ASEAN members, they would build a united and solid ASEAN Community by 2015.
FM Minh said Vietnam fully supports Myanmar in holding the ASEAN’s chairmanship in 2014. The two sides discussed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea, with disputes settled in peaceful ways in accordance with international laws.
Vietnam also welcomes Myanmar’s bid towards participating in the international Mekong River Commission towards more sustainable use of this river water resource.
