NAY PYI TAW, 3 Oct

 President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar U Thein Sein, while he was in New York, the United States, met with officials of United Nations and national and regional organizations and Myanmar families.

After addressing the 67th United Nations General Assembly on 27 September morning, the President met President of the 67th session of United Nations General Assembly Mr. Vuk Jemic at the latter’s office at 10:45 am on that day.

The meeting focused on Myanmar’s cooperation with the United Nations in the priority areas and resumption of granting regular aids to Myanmar and constructive responses for her positive reforms by the United Nations.

In meeting with President Mr. Herman Van Rompuy of European Council and Ms. Catharine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, at the meeting hall of the UN Headquarters at 11 am, they held friendly discussions on the EU’s pledge to grant financial assistance to Myanmar, decision made by all 27 EU member countries for the grant of Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) on Myanmar’s exports, full recognition for reform process in Myanmar by EU, aids for implementation of infrastructure-building and rural development tasks in Myanmar, holding political dialogues, facilitating in trade and economic matters and easing national races conflicts, assistances necessary for Myanmar’s ASEAN alternate chairmanship in 2014 and cooperation with EU in long-term projects in Myanmar.

The President received Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in New York. At the call, they cordially exchanged views on strengtheing amity, mutual respects and cooperation between the two countries, seeking ways to boost trade and economic cooperation, establishment of BIMSTEC Free Trade Area and Myanmar government’s fair handling of Rakhine incidents in line with its sovereignty.

Also present at the call together with President U Thein Sein were Union Ministers Lt-Gen Thein Htay, U Wunna Maung Lwin, U Soe Thein, U Khin Yi and Myanmar permanent representative to UN Ambassador U Kyaw Tin.

On that eveing, the President met with US-ASEAN Business Council President Mr Alexander Feldman and executives, Vice-President of US Chamber of Commerce Mr Myron Brilliant and members, at the office of Myanmar Permanent Representative to UN.

At the meeting, the President said that it is expected that there will be investments in oil and gas enterprise and in the sectors of communication and information technology, aviation market and hotels and tourism. A new Foreign Investment Law will be passed soon so as to attract foreign direct investments, which gives advantages to the investors.

He continued to say that the goverment would create favourable environment for foreign investors, promote the copy rights and environmental conservation tasks.

The government has entacted Special Economic Zone Law. Kyaukpyu region in Rakhine State, Dawei region in Taninthayi Region and Thilawa region near Yangon have been designated as special economic zones.

It is expected that these zones would become export manufacturing zones for foreign investors.

Myanmar’s youths work force who can speak English would become cheap labour for US industries and businesses.

Myanmar would like to prove as the gem of rising Southeast Asia. Myanmar would go forward without backsliding. Reforms that could facilitate economic development and promote the interests of the people would be continued. The aim of attracting foreign investments was to create mutually beneficial condition.

He addressed Asia Society in New York at 5.20 pm and answered queries raised by its members.

The President on 28 September met reporters of BBC, VOA, DVB, RFA and Myanmar National TV and New York Times columnist Mr Bill Keller and answered queries. He also visited Metropolitan Museum of Art, the largest museum in US.