Last year trade value between China and ASEAN reached 100 billion dollars Potentials for expansion of trade and investment between ASEAN and China exist Myanmar striving towards all-round socio-economic development, relying mostly on her own resources Appreciates support given by ASEAN, China and other friendly countries

YANGON, 21 Oct — Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Soe Win delivered an address at the Opening Ceremony of 2nd China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit at the Multifunctional Hall of Nanning International Conference Centre in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the People’s Republic of China, at 2.30 pm on 19 October.

Also present at the summit were Vice-President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Mr Choummaly Sayasone, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economics Mr Somkid Jatusripitak, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar U Nyan Win, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Tin Naing Thein, Chairman of Mandalay City Development Committee Mandalay Mayor Brig-Gen Phone Zaw Han, Myanmar Ambassador to China U Thein Lwin, Director-General Col Kyaw Kyaw Win of the State Peace and Development Council Office and departmental heads, ministers, deputy ministers and senior officials of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the People’s Republic of China, the Chairman of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and officials, responsible officials of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, entrepreneurs of ASEAN countries including Myanmar, ASEAN Secretary-General Mr Ong Keng Yong and officials.

First, Chinese Minister of Commerce Mr Bo Xilai delivered an opening address.

Next, Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Mr Wan Ji Fei and Chairman of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Mr Lu Bin extended greetings.

Afterwards, ASEAN Secretary-General Mr Ong Keng Yong gave a speech. And, Vice-President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Mr Choummaly Sayasone delivered an address.

Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Soe Win delivered an address, saying that the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit is an important mechanism for promoting trade and investment between ASEAN and China and instrumental for the realization of ASEAN-China Free Trade Area. It is very encouraging to see that this Business Summit and Expo have not only been attracting businessmen and investors from China and ASEAN countries, but also becoming a magnet for businessmen from other countries around the world, such as Japan and Korea.

China and ASEAN possess dynamic economies in Asia and the Pacific. Twenty-five years of uninterrupted and sustained economic growth in China has brought significant improvement of standard of living and spending power of the Chinese people.

Trade between ASEAN and China has also increased rapidly since the beginning of the negotiations on ACFTA in 2002. The trade volume has grown significantly with the implementation of the tariff reduction programme under the normal track of the Trade in Goods Agreement by the mid-2004.

Last year when we gathered here for the first time, we had set the target of two-way trade value between China and ASEAN to reach to 100 billion US dollars.

According to the study made by ASEAN Secretariat, the ACFTA still has potentials for expansion of trade and investment between ASEAN and China and will positively contribute to the real GDP growth of both ASEAN and China. We should utilize these potentials for the benefit of the peoples of ASEAN and China. I do believe that this Summit and Expo will serve as a vehicle for reaping these potentials.

In the area of direct foreign investment, China is very successful in attracting FDI and become the world’s second largest foreign direct investment destination. The FDI flows in ASEAN also continued to increase amounting to US$ 25.1 billion in 2004.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to highlight our bilateral trade and investment relations. China is a major trading partner of the Union of Myanmar. As Myanmar and China is linked by land, the border trade is flourishing. Myanmar also imports machinery and construction materials from China in addition to consumer goods. Myanmar is also exporting agriculture and fishery products to China. China becomes Myanmar’s second largest trading partner at the present moment. In 2004, 13.85 per cent of Myanmar’s export is destined to China and more than a quarter of total import to Myanmar came from it. I am confident that China will remain of our largest trading partners. We must redouble our efforts to reach our target of Myanmar-China trade to 1.5 billion in the year 2005.

Myanmar is also a destination for Chinese investments. China is the 11th largest foreign investors in Myanmar and has the intention to invest US Dollars 203.52 million in 25 projects. I hope that this Summit will bring more trade and investment from China to Myanmar. One of the new areas China might have interest to invest in Myanmar is hydroelectric and oil and gas sector. Myanmar has a huge electric power potential and substantial gas reserve in offshore areas within its continental shelf. Myanmar would like to welcome Chinese investments in production of manufacturing goods as well as in energy sector in Myanmar.

I would like to take this opportunity to brief recent developments of Myanmar economy. In order to achieve higher economic growth and better standard of living, the Government of the Union of Myanmar has been implementing five-year economic plans. We are now implementing the third Five-Year Economic Plan covering the period of 2001/2002 to 2005/2006 and have achieved a double digit economic growth in the first four years of the plan. Myanmar economy is traditionally an agrarian one with vast natural resources. Agriculture represents 41.2 per cent of the DGP in the year 2004/2005. However, Myanmar still has a huge potential for expansion of its agriculture sector as only 66.8 per cent of the total cultivable land area of 42.2 million acres is being utilized. To fulfill its domestic consumption and promote exports, Myanmar is also striving to develop its fishery and livestock sector, which constitutes 9.1 per cent of the GDP.

As Myanmar aims to transform its agricultural economy into an industrialized one, Myanmar is effectively expanding its industrial sector, which currently occupies 10.6 per cent of the GDP, by establishing 18 industrial zones throughout the country. Government is encouraging and supporting local as well as foreign investors to invest in the industrial zones.

As infrastructural development is a precondition for long-term economic development, the government is paying more attention to the establishment of infrastructural facilities such as roads, railroads, reservoirs, irrigation facilities, major bridges, port facilities and hydro-electric power stations. We appreciate very much the positive role played by the Chinese companies in the development of infrastructure in Myanmar.

Myanmar is striving towards the all-round socio-economic development of the country, relying mostly on her own resources. I would like to express my appreciation for the support given by member countries of ASEAN, China and other friendly countries in our endeavours.

ASEAN and China will make a milestone in 2006 by celebrating the 15th Anniversary of their dialogue relations. It is the time to strengthen friendship and cooperation, promote public awareness and people-to-people contacts, and deepen understanding of the growing ASEAN-China relations and to generate new impetus for the mutually beneficial relations. This summit is one of the best examples of these mutually beneficial relations between ASEAN and China. I am confident that the next time when we meet in Nanning, we will be seeing more flourishing trade and investment relations.

Next, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economic Mr Somkid Jatusripitak delivered an address, and the Summit came to a close.

Myanmar invites investors from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Prime Minister General Soe Win PRC invites Myanmar to make investment in establishment of economic zone in Nanning Chairman of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Mr Lu Bin

YANGON, 20 Oct—Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Soe Win met with Chairman of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Mr Lu Bin at Li Yuan Resort in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the People’s Republic of China, on 17 October evening.

Also present at the call were Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Tin Naing Thein, Myanmar Ambassador to China U Thein Lwin, Director-General of the SPDC Office Col Kyaw Kyaw Win, Director-General of the Government Office Col Thant Shin, Pyithu Hluttaw Office Director-General U Myint Thein,Director-General of the Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet, Brig-Gen Kyaw Kyaw of the Ministry of Defence, Director-General of the ASEAN Affairs Department U Aung Bwa, Deputy Director-General of the Political Department Daw Than Than Htay, and officials from Myanmar side, and Vice Chairman of Communist Party Permanent Commission of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Mr Li Jin Zao, Vice Chairman of People’s Congress of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Mr Pan Qi, Ambassador designate Mr Guan Mu and officials from Chinese side.

Chairman of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Mr Lu Bin presented his members to the Prime Minister. Next, the Prime Minister presented Myanmar ministers, the ambassador and departmental heads to Mr Lu Bin.

Mr Lu Bin said that it was a pleasure for him to pay a courtesy call together with his colleagues on Prime Minister General Soe Win. He said his warm welcome represented the government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and over 48 million local people. He said he thanked the Prime Minister very much for the goodwill visit to PRC sharing valuable time despite many huge tasks.

The presence of the Prime Minister at the 2nd China-ASEAN Expo and 2nd China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit not only brought honour to the region but also reflected firm friendship between the two nations.

The 1st China-ASEAN Expo and 1st China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit met success thanks to the cooperation of China’s friendly ASEAN members. He expressed his belief that the 2nd China-ASEAN Expo and 2nd China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit will meet greater success than the first time owing to the cooperation of ASEAN countries. Arrangements are being made for the 2nd China-ASEAN Expo and 2nd China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit to be grander than the first time.

He wished Myanmar to make an investment in the establishment of an economic zone in capital Nanning. He said he would like Myanmar to open Myanmar consulate-general in Nanning to be more convenient in dealing with Myanmar.

Prime Minister General Soe Win said that he was glad to find his Chinese friends in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in good health. Upon arrival in Nanning, he had witnessed the development of Nanning.

The Prime Minister expressed belief that PRC’s developments are the results of the good leadership of the Chinese government. The successful holding of the expo and the summit with the cooperation of the ASEAN is due to the sound policy of the PRC.

He lauded the PRC government for its good leadership that bears fruits of progress. As Myanmar has been in the process of striving to become a developed nation, Myanmar appreciates China’s efforts to become a developed nation. Various nationalities are living in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Myanmar is also home to various national races. Thus, the government has been giving priority to national unity and striving for development of all parts of the nation. It has been implementing five-year projects and the annual rise in the GDP exceeds the respective targets. Like the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Myanmar is also inviting foreign investments.

China is Myanmar’s second largest trading partner. The two countries are trying to promote the border trade into normal cross-border trade. Myanmar invites investors from the Autonomous Region.

As over 100 Myanmar entrepreneurs attend the expo, they will be able to discuss business with their Chinese counterparts. Myanmar will seriously consider PRC’s invitation to invest in Nanning economic zone and open a Myanmar consulate in the city.

The China-ASEAN summit has helped to develop the economies of China and the Association.

Mr Lu Bin presented documents relating to buses and farm machinery worth one million yuan to Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Tin Naing Thein.

General Soe Win and Mr Lu exchanged gifts.

Mr Lu hosted dinner in honour of the Myanmar Prime Minister and delegation at Li Yuan Resort.

Also present were ministers of the delegation, the Myanmar ambassador to PRC, the SPDC Office director-general and heads of department and Vice-Chairman of Permanent Commission of the Communist Party of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Mr Li Jin Zao, Vice-Chairman of People’s Congress of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Mr Pan Qi, Ambassador designate Mr Guan Mu and Chinese officials.

Prime Minister General Soe Win attends second China-ASEAN Expo

YANGON, 21 Oct — Prime Minister General Soe Win of the Union of Myanmar at 11 am on 19 October attended the opening of the second China-ASEAN Expo held at Nanning International Convention & Exhibition Centre in Nanning, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the People’s Republic of China.

Present at the opening ceremony were Vice-President Mr Zeng Qinghong of the People’s Republic of China, Vice-President of Laos PDR Mr Choummaly Sayasone, Cambodian Prime Minister Mr Samdech Hun San, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economics Mr Somkid Jatusripitak, Deputy Prime Minister of Socialist Republic of Vietnam Mr Nguyen Tan Dung, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar U Nyan Win, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Tin Naing Thein, Mandalay City Development Committee Chairman Mayor Brig-Gen Phone Zaw Han, Myanmar Ambassador to the PRC U Thein Lwin, Director-General Col Kyaw Kyaw Win of the State Peace and Development Council Office and heads of department, ministers, deputy ministers, high-ranking officials and business entrepreneurs of China and ASEAN countries, ASEAN Secretary-General Mr Ong Keng Yong and officials and correspondents of international news agencies including those from ASEAN nations.

Before the opening of the second China-ASEAN Expo, Vice-President Mr Zeng Qinghong of the People’s Republic of China, Vice-President of Lao PDR Mr Choummaly Sayasone, Cambodian Prime Minister Mr Samdech Hun San, Myanmar Prime Minister General Soe Win, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Econo-mics Mr Somkid Jatusripitak and Deputy Prime Ministers and ministers of the ASEAN countries watered the commemorative trees planted in front of Nanning International Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Next, Minister of Commerce of the PRC Mr Bo Xilai delivered an opening speech and Chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Mr Lu Bin expressed thanks to those dignitaries for their attendance.

ASEAN Secretary-General Mr Ong Keng Yong explained fruitful results emerged from the holding of China-ASEAN Expo and summits according to the proposal of the Chinese Premier Mr Wen Jiabao.

Afterwards, the Chinese Vice-President announced the opening of the second China-ASEAN Expo. Then, Vice-President Mr Zeng Qinghong of the People’s Republic of China, Vice-President of Lao PDR Mr Choummaly Sayasone, Cambodian Prime Minister Mr Samdech Hun San, Myanmar Prime Minister General Soe Win, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economics Mr Somkid Jatusripitak and Deputy Prime Ministers and ministers of the ASEAN countries and the ASEAN Secretary-General formally opened the the second China-ASEAN Expo.

Later, the Chinese Vice-President cordially greeted the Vice-President, Prime Ministers, Deputy Prime Ministers and ministers of ASEAN countries.

Prime Minister General Soe Win calls on Lao PDR Vice-President

YANGON, 21 Oct — Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Soe Win called on Vice-President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Mr Choummaly Sayasone at Xindu Hotel in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on 18 October evening.

Also present at the call were Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Tin Naing Thein, Myanmar Ambassador to China U Thein Lwin, Director-General of the Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet, Director-General of the ASEAN Affairs Department U Aung Bwa, and Deputy Director-General Daw Than Than Htay of the Political Department.

They cordially discussed promotion of relations between the two countries and cooperation in respective sectors.