Myanmar-India Border Trade Hits $87 Million
Border trade between Myanmar and India has reached $87 million as of September 21 during the six-month transitional period which started in April this year, according to Ministry of Commerce.
Myanmar has changed its fiscal year period from original April-March to Oct-Sept beginning 2018-2019, producing a six-month transitional gap. The country’s total border trade with India during this period saw a sharp increase of $54 million compared to the same period of the last fiscal year 2017- 2018 when it showed $33 million.
From April to September this year, the country’s export to India through border gates totaled $78 million while its imports were $9 million. Myanmar trades with India mainly via Tamu and Reed border gates.
Myanmar to Host ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information Meeting
Myanmar will host the 53rd meeting of ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (ASEAN- COCI) in Nay Pyi Taw on coming November 12-16 under the framework of ASEAN Charter, Myanmar News Agency reported.
The meeting is one of the important parts in implementing cooperation and communication projects to increase awareness of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), establishing positive views on ASEAN and increasing the culture and art shows.
“In addition to nurturing mutual understanding and unity among ASEAN citizens and to successfully establish an ASEAN Community in 2025, ASEAN-COCI is striving toward effectively increased cooperation in culture and information sector among ASEAN countries by drawing projects and implementing work process,” said Aung Ko, Myanmar Minister of Religious Affairs and Culture.
State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi Attended 10th Mekong-Japan Summit Meeting
State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi held bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe in Tokyo to discuss important issues between the two countries.
The two discussed Japan’s efforts in developing Myanmar’s economy and in solving the crisis in Rakhine State. Aung San Suu Kyi arrived in Japan on October 5 to attend a regional investment forum and 10th Mekong-Japan summit meeting. According to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Mekong-Japan summit meeting has been held every year since 2009 to strengthen the relationship between Japan and the Mekong countries, and for the sustainable development of and narrowing the development gap within the Mekong region.” State Counsellor also visited Fukushima Prefecture on October 7 to tour a farm that employs workers with various disabilities. Some rural areas of Myanmar face a serious shortage of farm workers and Myanmar is seeking solutions to ease the problem. She visited Cocoroya farmers market and café in Izumizaki where she viewed the production and toured the facility.
After touring the facility, the State Counsellor said she learned a lot from her brief visit and expressed her appreciation and sympathy to the people of Fukushima, who have gone through difficult times since 2011 when a massive earthquake and tsunami and ensuing nuclear disaster hit the area.
