27 Aug

THE working group for easing and promotion of bilateral trades between Myanmar and China held the first meeting on videoconferencing on 25 August. 

The Department of Trade under the Ministry of Commerce representing Myanmar and the Asian Affairs Department of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (MOFCOM) took part in the discussions. 

Director-General U Min Min of Myanmar’s Trade Department and his associates and Commercial Attache Mr Tan Shufu from the Chinese Embassy with three representatives attended the meeting in Nay Pyi Taw while Mr Yang Weiqun, the deputy director-general of MOFCOM’s Asian Affairs Department attended the videoconference from Beijing with 12 other representatives. 

The meeting discussed upgrading infrastructure to promote border trade, solving the traffic issue in the Muse-Shweli region where the bulk of border trade occurs, coordinating with Yunnan Province for transporting fruits, vegetables and fishery products faster, increasing bilateral cooperation on cultivation of opium substitution crops, continuing implementation of the FiveYear Development Programme for Economic and Trade Cooperation, and supporting regional trade. 

The meeting discussed at length on swiftly signing the agreements on ensuring agricultural and fishery products from Myanmar were free from diseases, compiling a list of new products Myanmar wants to import on basis of priority and submitting it to GACC, having GACC prioritize it, reopening Hosaung Gate No.4 and Kyein San Kywat (Mahnman-Nwanyin) Gate, and completing construction of infrastructure for border crossings. 

They also discussed organizing the 3rd CIIE, 17th CAEXPO and other trade fairs to promote bilateral trade, having trade coordination meetings, signing an MoU on e-Commerce between the commerce ministries of both nations, and promoting cooperation between the central banks of both nations to facilitate smoother banking and financial activities between Myanmar and China. 

The working group aims to hold its second meeting in March 2021. The working group was established under the MoU signed Union Minister for Commerce Dr Than Myint and Chinese Minister Mr Zhong Shan on 18 January earlier this year. The Chinese minister was part of the entourage of the President of China, Mr Xi Jinping, during his state visit to Myanmar from 17 to 18 January this year.

MNA (Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)