The EU-Myanmar Task Force opened its first plenary session to discuss acomprehensive support base for Myanmar’s democratic transition in Yangonon November 15.
Myanmar media quoted Head of theEuropean Union delegation, EU High Representative of the Union forForeign Affairs and Security Public Policy Catherine Ashton as sayingthat the EU has vowed to build an economic and political partnershipwith Myanmar. She said they will cooperate in the areas of establishingindustries and small and medium enterprises (SME), developing commercialstandards and formulating strategies in different sectors, such astourism.
Aston, also vice president of the EuropeanCommission, said the objectives of the task force visit are to supportMyanmar’s economic reform and democracy transition process, to enhancethe development partnership between Myanmar and EU and to boostopportunities for economic growth between the two sides.
Meanwhile, European Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs alsopledged to reinforce development cooperation in some proposed mainsectors with Myanmar from 2014 to 2020, namely rural development,education, governance and support to peace building, saying that EUsupport could increase up to 120 million USD per year.
Established in March, the EU-Myanmar Task Force includes EU businessleaders, civil organisations and politicians who want to set uppartnership with Myanmar.
Over 100 European andMyanmar businesses took part in a EU-Myanmar business forum in Yangonduring November 14 and 15 to promote a all rounded cooperation betweenthe two sides.
The EU has provided developmentassistance to Myanmar since 1996 with over 400 million USD. In April,the EU lifted all embargoes against Myanmar except a weapons embargoorder. In June this year EU re-granted preferential commercial treatmentto the country. The two way trade between the EU and Myanmar reached226 million USD in 2012, Myanmar exports to the EU market posted at over43 million USD while Myanmar imports from the EU valued at over 182million USD.-VNA
Myanmar media quoted Head of theEuropean Union delegation, EU High Representative of the Union forForeign Affairs and Security Public Policy Catherine Ashton as sayingthat the EU has vowed to build an economic and political partnershipwith Myanmar. She said they will cooperate in the areas of establishingindustries and small and medium enterprises (SME), developing commercialstandards and formulating strategies in different sectors, such astourism.
Aston, also vice president of the EuropeanCommission, said the objectives of the task force visit are to supportMyanmar’s economic reform and democracy transition process, to enhancethe development partnership between Myanmar and EU and to boostopportunities for economic growth between the two sides.
Meanwhile, European Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs alsopledged to reinforce development cooperation in some proposed mainsectors with Myanmar from 2014 to 2020, namely rural development,education, governance and support to peace building, saying that EUsupport could increase up to 120 million USD per year.
Established in March, the EU-Myanmar Task Force includes EU businessleaders, civil organisations and politicians who want to set uppartnership with Myanmar.
Over 100 European andMyanmar businesses took part in a EU-Myanmar business forum in Yangonduring November 14 and 15 to promote a all rounded cooperation betweenthe two sides.
The EU has provided developmentassistance to Myanmar since 1996 with over 400 million USD. In April,the EU lifted all embargoes against Myanmar except a weapons embargoorder. In June this year EU re-granted preferential commercial treatmentto the country. The two way trade between the EU and Myanmar reached226 million USD in 2012, Myanmar exports to the EU market posted at over43 million USD while Myanmar imports from the EU valued at over 182million USD.-VNA
