PRESIDENT ATTENDS MONGOLIA-MYANMAR BUSINESS FORUM

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj and accompanying him officials Wednesday attended a Mongolia-Myanmar business forum. Opening it, a head of Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry Wang Aung thanked the high Mongolian guests for attending the forum, and briefed on the goals of the forum to discuss chances to intensify economic and agricultural relations of the both countries, that, he assumes, have a vast opportunity to develop further. He also thanked the Mongolian leader for giving significance to the Mongolia-Myanmar boosting economic cooperation and expressed a further support from his Union to this initiative. The President of Mongolia expressed a pleasure for attending this event and thanked the Myanmar side for friendliness he feels from its government and people. He talked about the historical connections between Mongolia and Myanmar, citing a visit by a grandson of Kublai Khan in the 17th century that precedes this first-ever state visit since establishment of Mongolia-Myanmar diplomatic relations in 1956. He also touched upon a changing economy of his country, citing the fact that the private sector in Mongolia nowadays composes most of its Gross domestic product that once was supplied by the State. Our two countries are rich in minerals, and Mongolia is striving to share its experiences with Myanmar. Cooperation with Myanmar in the mining sector will facilitate efforts to maintain a balanced condition between the foreign major corporations in Mongolia, Mr Elbegdorj said. We demand mining corporations in Mongolia to adhere related law implementation, international standards, environmental friendliness, and civil society interests, these are all requirements to be observed by those who want to invest in our mining sector, he said. The leader of Mongolia invited the Myanmar business people to Mongolia, mentioning a recent agreement on mutual visa exemption between the countries that, he believes, offers a favorable opening for increasing people-to-people relations. Ending his speech, Mr Elbegdorj referred to former Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) U Thant from Myanmar, for whom Mongolians are always thankful, as he supported Mongolia’s joining the UN in 1961. The President also expressed a confidence in strengthening of relations that have history of many years.