President U Min Aung Hlaing reaffirmed Myanmar’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with Thailand and invited Thai businesses to expand investments across a wide range of sectors during the Myanmar-Thailand Business Forum held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok yesterday. Thai Prime Minister Mr Anutin Charnvirakul also pledged to deepen bilateral economic ties, saying both governments would work closely with the private sector to boost trade and investment between the neighbouring countries.
The forum was
attended by President U Min Aung Hlaing and members of the Myanmar high-level
delegation accompanying him on his official visit to Thailand, Prime Minister
Mr Anutin Charnvirakul, senior Thai government officials and business leaders
from both countries. Upon arrival at the convention centre, the President and
the Thai Prime Minister were welcomed by officials of the Thailand-Myanmar
Friendship Association and representatives of the business community. The event
opened with welcome remarks by the presidents of the Thailand-Myanmar
Friendship Association and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of
Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI).
In his
keynote address, Prime Minister Mr Anutin described Myanmar as one of
Thailand’s key economic partners and said the two countries were ready to enter
a new era of economic cooperation based on mutual trust, mutual respect and the
shared interests of their peoples. He said Thai investments in Myanmar already
span the energy, manufacturing, logistics, telecommunications, real estate and
tourism sectors, which continue to provide a strong foundation for longterm
economic growth. The Prime Minister added that both leaders had held productive
discussions earlier in the day and confirmed that Thailand would host the Joint
Trade Committee meeting later this year. He said Thailand would work towards
increasing bilateral trade to US$12 billion, while encouraging closer
cooperation between governments, business associations and the private sector
to convert new opportunities into tangible economic outcomes. He described the
forum as more than a platform for exchanging views, calling it the starting
point for a new phase of government-private sector cooperation to shape the
future of bilateral economic relations.
President U
Min Aung Hlaing said it was an honour to address the forum, whose theme focused
on opening a new chapter in promoting the Myanmar-Thailand economic
partnership. He expressed confidence that stronger bilateral cooperation would
enable both countries to better withstand global economic uncertainties while
creating mutual benefits. The President noted that Myanmar and Thailand are not
only neighbouring countries sharing long land and maritime borders but also
close partners linked by common culture, traditions, religion and longstanding
historical friendship. Diplomatic relations established in 1948 have now
continued for 78 years, and bilateral ties were upgraded to a Natural Strategic
Partnership in 2018.
He added that
both countries continue to cooperate actively through regional frameworks,
including ASEAN, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP),
BIMSTEC, the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), Mekong-Lancang Cooperation and
ACMECS.
The President
said Thailand remains one of Myanmar’s most important trading partners, with
Myanmar exporting natural gas, agricultural produce, fisheries products and
garments, while importing investment goods, machinery, vehicles, industrial
products, consumer goods and pharmaceuticals from Thailand. Bilateral trade
exceeded US$4 billion during the 2025-2026 financial year and surpassed US$1
billion by June of the 2026-2027 financial year. Since 2022, cumulative
bilateral trade has reached more than US$20.758 billion, demonstrating the
importance of cross-border commerce to both economies. He highlighted border
trade routes through Myawady-Mae Sot and Tachilek-Mae Sai as vital economic
corridors and called for closer cooperation to combat illegal cross-border
trade, warning that illicit trade not only causes revenue losses but also
allows substandard food and pharmaceutical products to enter markets.
The President
also noted that Thailand is currently Myanmar’s fifth-largest foreign investor,
with 103 investment projects worth more than US$4.605 billion, accounting for
6.3 per cent of total foreign investment in Myanmar. Thai investments cover
agriculture, livestock, fisheries, mining, manufacturing, electricity, oil and
gas, construction, transport and communications, hotels, industrial zones and
services.
Highlighting
Myanmar’s strategic geographical position linking East Asia, South-East Asia
and South Asia, President U Min Aung Hlaing said the country offers significant
opportunities for regional connectivity and trade. He pointed to the ongoing
development of the Thilawa, Kyaukpyu and Dawei special economic zones and
deep-sea ports, the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, the Kaladan Multimodal
Transit Transport Project, the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and
Asian Highway and railway networks as projects that will strengthen regional
logistics and economic integration.
The President
invited Thai investors to expand investment in energy infrastructure,
agriculture, livestock, agroprocessing, renewable energy, education,
healthcare, digital technology, fertilizer production, public transportation,
electric vehicles, cement and steel manufacturing, pharmaceutical production,
value-added rubber industries, logistics and border economic zones. He said the
government continues to improve the investment climate by simplifying
procedures, strengthening legal protections for investors, implementing
intellectual property laws, promoting digital transformation through the
Myanmar Digital Roadmap 2030, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises,
and advancing projects such as the Yadanabon Cyber City located on about 10,000
acres of land. He emphasized that Myanmar welcomes Thai investors in order to
contribute to trade, investment, border trade and regional economic linkages.
Following the
forum, President U Min Aung Hlaing and Prime Minister Anutin posed for a
commemorative photograph before touring exhibition booths showcasing businesses
from both countries. Later, the President held separate meetings with representatives
of Thai business groups at his hotel to discuss further measures to enhance
bilateral trade and investment cooperation.
MNA/ST
#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar
No comments:
Post a Comment