NAY PYI TAW, 2 Dec - President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar U Thein Sein received a goodwill delegation led by Prime Minister Dr. Mikhail V. Myasnikovich of the Republic of Belarus at the Credentials Hall of the Presidential House, here, at 8.50 am today.

At the meeting, the President extended greetings, saying that he took pride of the visit of the Belarusian goodwill delegation, and he expressed his belief that the visit of the Belarusian Prime Minister would further promote friendly relations between the two countries.

In his speech, the Belarusian Prime Minister expressed his thanks for the opportunity to pay a first-ever trip to Myanmar. He said that he would continue more mutual cooperation between the two countries. He praised progress in reforms of Myanmar under the leadership of the President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. He expressed his concept that very far distance between the two countries could not disturb friendly relations between them. From now onward, the two countries will cooperate in all sectors such as education and trade. He said that a great potential for cooperation and trade can be seen in Myanmar. He expects to further enhance trade volume between the two nations than before.

After signing the basic bilateral agreements, the two nations would achieve greater success in cooperation in all sectors between the two countries.

In his address, the President said that China puts investments in laying of pipelines for transport of oil from Middle East to China through Yunnan Province via Myanmar and construction of railroads. Moreover, he said that other countries invested in deep sea port and other businesses. For example, he said that Dawei Deep Sea Port is under construction with the investment of Thailand, and on completion the water course will be shorter due to that fact that it is not necessary to pass Malacca Strait.

Likewise, he added that Kyaukpyu Deep Sea Port is under construction at the western coast of Myanmar. He said that a plan is underway to establish ThilawaDeep Sea Port Special Economic Zone in port city Yangon. In this regard, he said that investments were invited from neighbouring countries to cooperate in construction tasks.

Now China, Japan and Republic of Korea are planning to make investments in deep-sea port and other businesses. Seventy percent of population of the country are living in rural areas. The poverty rate in this country stood at 26 per cent. Myanmar is striving to bring down the country's poverty rate by 16 per cent by 2015 from 26 per cent. Such a drive for poverty alleviation calls for more job opportunities to be created. So I would like to invite to invest in agro-based businesses and the sector of meat and fisheries. Investing in rubber, pulses and beans and related industries and mining as well as energy sector would be beneficial to the two countries. I would like to encourage investment of government organizations as well as private investment. Cooperation can be made in civil engineering sector.

The Belarusian Prime Minister said that he agreed with the explanations and discussions of the President. It is hoped that Myanmar and Belarus will be able to produce goods for export to neighbouring countries as the two countries are blessed with trade potentials.

He said he would like to discuss to boost bilateral trade. Cooperation can be made in geological projects in Myanmar as Belarus has a large quantity of geologists. It is also hoped that Myanmar will cooperate with Belarus in manufacturing of automobile. He expressed his hope to penetrate the markets of big countries through the collaborative efforts between the two countries in agriculture sector. He also called for bilateral cooperation in tourism industry and education sector.

Also present at the call were Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Wunna Maung Lwin, Union Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation U Myint Hlaing, Union Minister for Industry U Soe Thein, Union Minister at the President Office U Thein Nyunt, Union Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Tin Naing Thein, Union
Minister for Energy U Than Htay, Deputy Minister for Sports U Aye Myint Kyu, Ambassador of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the Republic of Belarus U Min Thein and departmental heads.

The Belarusian Prime Minister and party were accompanied by Minister of Industry Mr. Dmitry Katerinich, Minister of Education Mr. Sergei Maskevich, deputy ministers, senior officers, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Dr Valery Sadokho and officials.

MNA