Belt and Road Cooperation: Seminar on Belt and Road Cooperation held in Yangon

At the invitation of the embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Union Minister U Aung Naing Oo of the Union Government Office (1) attended a Seminar on Belt and Road Cooperation holding in the afternoon on 26 October 2023 at the Grand Ballroom of the Wyndham Grand Yangon Hotel in Yangon and delivered a speech.
In his speech, the Union Minister said that the Belt and Road Initiative is not just about building roads and connections; it’s a symbol of quality, unity, and shared progress. The goal of this strategy is to foster mutual respect, understanding, and trust among different nations.
China is not only a friendly neighbour to Myanmar, but it’s also the country’s biggest trading partner. The yearly trade between Myanmar and China makes up more than 30 percent of Myanmar’s total foreign trade.
Our bilateral trade, investment, and multi-sector cooperation have been flourishing due to very friendly relations between the two governments (G to G), the friendship between the business communities (B to B), and the friendship between the people of the two countries (P to P). Significant noteworthy collaboration is the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone, where Myanmar’s future development potential will be realized in cooperation with China’s investment.
With an expansive coastline embracing the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, Myanmar assumes a pivotal role in the BRI’s maritime initiatives through China Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC). The optimization of sea routes not only ensures faster and more cost-effective transportation of goods but also stands to amplify trade activities, providing a boost to local businesses and fostering economic growth.
Moreover, the development of ports and associated infrastructure generates employment opportunities for local communities, contributing significantly to poverty reduction and an overarching improvement in living standards.
Improved air connectivity fosters people-to-people exchanges, nurturing cultural understanding and collaboration, enriching the local cultural experience.
Upgrading the existing railways and the construction of new railways such as Muse-Mandalay and Mandalay Kyaukphyu Railway for High Speed Trains increases the efficiency of domestic goods transportation, potentially reducing costs and enhancing the competitiveness of local industries.
Myanmar is committed to implement any projects under the BRI which are beneficial for the State and the People of our country. In this seminar, H.E Mr. Chen Hai, Ambassador of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, attended.