MFA Press Statement: Official Visit of Her Excellency Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, 30 November – 2 December 2016

                State Counsellor of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Her Excellency Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who is in Singapore on an Official Visit, received a ceremonial welcome at the Istana and called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong this afternoon.  Prime Minister Lee also hosted an Official Dinner in honour of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

                Prime Minister Lee and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi reaffirmed the excellent relations between Singapore and Myanmar on the occasion of the 50^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries this year.  The two leaders noted the strong and growing people-to-people ties between Singapore and Myanmar, which would be further strengthened when the mutual lifting of visa requirements for Ordinary Passport holders from Singapore and Myanmar is effected from 1 December 2016. 

                Prime Minister Lee welcomed the commencement of negotiations between Singapore and Myanmar on a Bilateral Investment Treaty, as well as discussions to update the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement signed by the two countries in 1999.  Prime Minister Lee and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also noted that Singapore and Myanmar would enhance air connectivity between the two countries.  Both leaders welcomed these initiatives which would further strengthen investor confidence in Myanmar and promote tourism and business flows between Singapore and Myanmar.

                Prime Minister Lee noted the good progress in vocational education cooperation through the Singapore-Myanmar Vocational Training Institute (SMVTI) in Yangon, such as the commencement of internships in Singapore for the first batch of top SMVTI graduates in December 2016. 

                Prime Minister Lee and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also exchanged views on economic developments in Singapore and Myanmar.  Prime Minister Lee noted the strong interest from Singapore businesses to explore projects aligned with Myanmar’s developmental needs, including in key sectors such as infrastructure development and industrial parks.

                Earlier in the afternoon, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also attended International Enterprise Singapore's Global Conversations with Singapore businesses, where she briefed Singapore business leaders about the investment opportunities in Myanmar and welcomed them to contribute to Myanmar’s long-term growth.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

30 NOVEMBER 2016