MFA Press Statement: State Visit of President Tony Tan Keng Yam to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, 1 to 5 April 2013

President Tony Tan Keng Yam, who is currently in Myanmar on a State Visit, called on Myanmar President U Thein Sein at the Presidential Palace in Nay Pyi Taw this afternoon.  Following the Ceremonial Welcome, President Tan and President Thein Sein engaged in a substantive discussion, which covered inter alia political developments in Myanmar, and how both countries could work together to further strengthen bilateral ties and enhance cooperation in areas such as education, trade and investment.

During the meeting, President Tan conveyed to President Thein Sein the Singapore Government’s intention to set up a Vocational Training Institute (VTI) in Yangon to help build up a pool of skilled workers in Myanmar which will in turn facilitate the inflow of foreign investments.  President Thein Sein welcomed the move and expressed the Myanmar Government’s support for the VTI which would contribute to the sustainable development of Myanmar.

The VTI is an extension of Singapore’s and Myanmar’s cooperation under the “Singapore-Myanmar Technical Cooperation Programme” (SMTCP) which was signed during President Thein Sein’s State Visit to Singapore in January 2012.  The proposed VTI will focus on imparting skills in a wide range of industry sectors including hospitality, electrical skills and electronics, engineering services, and facilities management. 

President Tan also met with Chairperson of the National League for Democracy Daw Aung San Suu Kyi today.  During the meeting, President Tan and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi discussed recent developments in Myanmar and the need for all stakeholders to work together for Myanmar's continued progress.

President Tan and Mrs Tan were also hosted to a State Banquet by President Thein Sein and his wife, Daw Khin Khin Win, this evening. 

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

1 APRIL 2013