A delegation of representatives of Vietnamese ministries and businesses visited Myanmar from January 14-16 to survey investment opportunities in this country.

The delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Doan Xuan Hung, paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Thein Sein and held a working session with the Myanmar Ministry of Economic Development and State Planning at Myanmar ’s administrative capital of Nay Pyi Taw.

At the meetings, the Myanmar side spoke highly of the Vietnamese delegation’s visit, affirming that Myanmar values the traditional relationship between the two countries.

The Myanmar officials said they were pleased with the continuously developing friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Myanmar , both bilaterally and multilaterally.

They also affirmed that they would create favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to invest in areas that benefit both sides and meet Myanmar ’s demand for development.

On January 15 and 16, the Vietnamese delegation joined Myanmar’s Ministry of Economic Development and State Planning and Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry to hold two seminars in Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon which aimed to seek solutions to boost Vietnam’s investment in Myanmar as well as bilateral trade cooperation.

According to the Myanmar statistics, by the end of September 2009, Vietnam had invested 23.4 million USD in Myanmar . Investment activities between the two countries started in late 1988.

Vietnam is Myanmar ’s 16 th largest export market. The country imports agro-forest, seafood products and electronic components from Myanmar while exporting steel, electronic items, pharmaceuticals, industrial goods, chemicals, computers and computer’s spare parts.

The two countries are looking towards launching a direct air route to promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation./.