State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi attended and addressed the opening ceremony of Rakhine State Investment Fair (2019) held at Rakhine State, Thandwe Township, Ngapali Beach, Jasmine Ngapali Resort Hotel yesterday morning.

Rakhine State Investment Fair (2019) was led by the Rakhine State government with support from Myanmar Investment Commission, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Myanmar Survey Research Co., Ltd. (MSR) and private sector companies with an aims to create investment opportunities and connect local businesses with local and foreign investors for economic development of Rakhine State.

Also present at the opening ceremony were Union Ministers Lt-Gen Kyaw Swe, U Min Thu, Dr. Aung Thu, U Win Khaing, U Thaung Tun and U Ohn Maung, Rakhine State Chief Minister U Nyi Pu, Magway Region Chief Minister Dr. Aung Moe Nyo, Bago Region Chief Minister U Win Thein, states/regions ministers, ambassadors and embassy officials, Hluttaw representatives, officials from JICA and JETRO, local and foreign business persons and news media personnel.

In her speech to the opening ceremony, the State Counsellor said investments made with imagination and foresight and implemented with responsibility and dedication could play a crucial role in putting Rakhine’s development trajectory on track. The Rakhine State Investment Fair presents the barely explored side of Rakhine State that has brimming opportunities and warm and friendly people, all eager to be part of the development adventure.

Money spent by the government and development partners and investment made by private sectors will be a vote of confidence in the resilience and potential of Rakhine and its people said the State Counsellor.

At the Invest Myanmar Summit 2019 held late last month in Nay Pyi Taw, a wide range of new and exciting investment projects to be implemented in Rakhine State, from road and airport construction to the development of industrial estates and new cities, were shared with some 1,600 participants. These are included within the Project Bank and transparent and competitive tender processes for the implementation of these projects will soon begin added the State Counsellor.

While Myanmar has benefited to a large extent from the opening up of our economy, much of Rakhine’s economic potential still remains untapped. For too long the international community’s attention has been focused narrowly on negative aspects related to problems in North Rakhine rather than on the larger picture that shows the immense potential of this State for peace and development, said the State Counsellor in her opening speech at the fair.

(The full text of the speech of the State Counsellor is covered on Page-4).
After delivering her speech State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was presented with a painting and flower bouquet in commemoration of the opening ceremony by State Chief Minister U Nyi Pu.

Next the State Counsellor, Union Ministers, State Chief Ministers and ambassadors posed for a commemorative group photo.

Afterwards State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi observed the exhibits of ministries and private companies exhibiting investment opportunities, Rakhine traditional weaving exhibit and traditional culture exhibits displayed in the hotel.

Rakhine State Investment Fair will share economic and development information in addition to raising the trade and investment environment and will support in attracting local and foreign investment into Rakhine State.

Today’s Rakhine State Investment Fair is the first of its kind. The Rakhine State Investment Fair is held at Ngapali beach in Thandwe, Rakhine State for three days from 21 to 23 February.

The fair is aimed at generating individual job opportunities, increasing per capita income, regional development and improving the living standard.

It will be a place where visitors can witness the actual image of Rakhine State. Rakhine investment fair can pave way for JVs with foreign investors.

The fair will be the place where MoUs can be signed. It will also serve as the venue where business organizations and persons can meet and set up contacts, reach mutual understanding and consent and sign MoUs.

— MNA
(Translated by Zaw Min)