THE Myanmar-India Friendship and Development Organization organized a three-day meeting on Agriculture and Economic Development with businesspeople from five countries at Esperado Lake View Hotel in Yangon from 2 to 5 March. The meeting will bring bilateral relations with other countries, including India, and also be supportive measures for agriculture, breeding, tourism, banking, construction, technology and other related industries, creating job opportunities locally.

Being an agriculture-based country, Myanmar has many vacant, fallow and virgin land. Some regional countries, despite their economic growth, are interested in Myanmar due to various factors such as land scarcity, investment in the agriculture and livestock sectors, the desire to collaborate with countries that have good water and land resources, and the increasing economic opportunities. The meeting with the business people from India, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia and South Africa will promote the socioeconomic status of people residing in rural areas.

U Zaw Zaw Naing (Chairman of Myanmar-India Friendship and Development Association)

The meeting is being held with the relevant economic officials from embassies in Myanmar and business people from five countries to develop the agriculture and livestock sector by cooperating with the Myanmar Tourism Association and Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Association. The representatives were from India, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia and South Africa. We launched such doing as we have plenty of fallow, vacant and virgin land and we cooperate with other countries that will invest to develop the agriculture and livestock sectors.

We will receive technologies from Canada and India for the agricultural sector, and it is important for the State economy. Malaysia also wants to cooperate in palm oil, durian plantation and other businesses in Myanmar. Singapore experiences a scarcity of land, so it shows interest in making investments in agriculture. For the agricultural sector of the country, we have plans to cooperate with other countries in addition to the attending countries, and the meeting will be held in local and foreign countries. The conferences on agricultural cooperation with Myanmar will also be held in Malaysia and India. We agreed to hold the meeting in Myanmar in December. The conference will bring good outcomes for agriculture and livestock. The Head of the State also prioritizes the new generations, so we will gather many youths in the agriculture and livestock sectors while cooperating with other countries, so we can create job opportunities. We will cooperate with India in the IT and medicine sectors.

U Yan Win (Chairman of Myanmar Tourism Bank and Myanmar Tourism Federation)

Myanmar is an agricultural and livestock-based country. The Head of the State instructed to develop the economy through the agriculture and livestock sectors. All have to work together to promote agriculture, livestock and construction. In the tourism industry, it is connected with agriculture and livestock, and the holding of international conferences can bring benefits to the country. They can also support agriculture, tourism, banking and other industries. The government also works with China, India, Japan, Korea and ASEAN countries to promote the tourism industry. If the relevant organizations work together while the government is paving the way, the participant countries also bring benefits to their respective countries.

Mr Ravindra Jain (Rotary Club of Yangon, Vice-President & President-Elect)

Today’s conference is fine and important. The intention of holding this conference through the collaboration of Mr Tanga Raja and Myanmar officials is to promote the economic status of Myanmar and India. India and Myanmar have had a relatively close relationship since 1942. Therefore, we both have strong religious beliefs and cooperation in the education and business sectors. Our Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, always talks about the need to have fine relationships with our neighbouring countries. Myanmar is also included.

Myanmar is an agriculture-based country, and if we have quality samplings and innovative technologies through India-Myanmar cooperation, it is sure that the economy of Myanmar will be promoted through the agricultural sector. Therefore, it is such a good chance that the more we produce, the more income we receive. It is such pride.

U Shein Win (Chairman of Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Association)

The conference was attended by most of the countries, and India played a key role. Our association signed with the Myanmar-India Friendship and Development Association. The major point is that Myanmar must engage in trade with India. Currently, India is experiencing rapid growth and shares similarities with Myanmar in terms of natural resources and goods. They are high in technology and affordable. In the agriculture sector, there are many facts that Myanmar can learn. The fertilizer can be used naturally without losing its original effectiveness. Similarly, the seed sector offers valuable lessons. There are plans for collaboration in the electricity sector.

The forums can contribute to many international papers. As it communicated with developing countries, we can get good advice and extend our friendship. Therefore, it is a good and valuable chance for Myanmar.

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