THE Myanmar delegation, led by State Administration Council Member Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Transport and Communications General Mya Tun Oo, attended the 28th Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2025) held in Russia from 18 to 21 June.
The theme of the forum is Shared Values: The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World.
Established in 1997, the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum is an essential platform for discussing global economic governance and fostering international consensus on cooperation. Since 2006, it has been held under the auspices of the Russian president. The forum themed Shared Values: The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World, fosters sovereignty, mutual respect, criteria of society, mutual benefits and equality.
The Myanmar delegation included the Union ministers and senior officials of the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relation, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, and private entrepreneurs of the UMFCCI.
On 18 June, the Deputy Prime Minister-led Myanmar delegation met with Russian Economic Development Minister Mr Maksim Reshetnikov and Adviser to the Russian President and Chairman of Roscongress Investment Fund Mr Anton Kobyakov, and discussed work processes being conducted under the decision made at the meeting of the Russia-Myanmar Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, progress in Myanmar-Russia Economic Cooperation and further cooperation.
On 19 June, the Deputy Prime Minister attended a roundtable discussion on the expansion of new international transportation routes to enhance trade with Southeast Asian countries. The Deputy Prime Minister discussed the Russia’s expectations that are in alignment with the current global situation, transshipment of Russian goods to regional ports via the Yangon Port, the possibility of distribution to neighbouring countries of Myanmar by trucks or trains, investment in the development of Myanmar’s port sector, railway transportation systems, and related infrastructure development projects as the expansion of new international transport corridors for the enhancement of trade requires investments, modern technologies, and innovative logistics systems.
After the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister met Adviser to the Russian President for Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Igor Levitin, and discussed the expansion of waterways in the trading sector of Russia, upgrading of transportation infrastructure of Myanmar and other promising sectors.
At noon, the Myanmar delegates received Roscongress Investment Fund Supervisory Board member Mr Shatriov Sergey Vladimirovich, and discussed progress in cooperation with Myanmar and further cooperation.
On 20 June, the Deputy Prime Minister attended the signing ceremony for the expansion of investment and defence ties between the two countries, by Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations Dr Kan Zaw and Russian Economic Development Minister Mr Maksim Reshetnikov at the Expo Forum Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The Deputy Prime Minister received Russia-ASEAN Economic Council Chairman Mr Ivan Viktorovich Polyakov, and discussed the economic cooperation between Russia and ASEAN countries, further economic cooperation, including the promotion of trading and investment between Russia and Myanmar.
At noon, the Deputy Prime Minister and the party attended the Main Forum Plenary Session of the 28th St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Russian President Mr Vladimir Putin made a speech and led the event, and Indonesian President Mr Prabowo Subianto, Deputy President of South Africa Mr Paul Mashatile, Deputy Prime Minister of China Mr Ding Xuexiang and Commander of Bahrain Mr Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa participated in the discussion.
On 18 June, Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations Dr Kan Zaw attended the discussion on economic relations between ASEAN and the Eurasian Economic Union. At noon, Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations Dr Kan Zaw, Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U Min Naung, Union Minister for Labour U Chit Swe and Union Minister for Commerce U Tun Ohn attended the 2nd meeting of the joint working group between Myanmar and the Eurasian Economic Commission.
Similarly, Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations Dr Kan Zaw and Union Minister for Labour U Chit Swe met the representatives of Alabuga Special Economic Zone in the Republic of Tatarstan, and discussed the lure of international investment and demand for Myanmar workers in the industrial and construction sectors.
On 19 June, Union Minister for Hotels and Tourism U Kyaw Soe Win received the Russian journalists, and clarified the cultural heritage, natural beauty, tourist destinations, traditional food of Myanmar and preparations for Russian tourists.
The forum was attended by over 21,800 participants, including representatives from 144 countries and regions and heads of several international organizations, and a total of 1,073 agreements were made during the forum. The Myanmar delegation arrived back in Myanmar on 24 June. — MNA/KTZH
