EU, Myanmar agree to cooperate in business, tourism and mining

NAY PYI TAW—The European Union and Myanmar have signed a packet of agreements to cooperate in business, tourism and mining sectors.

“We’ve come here to help Myanmar improve the living standards of its people,” Catherine Ashton, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the EU said, following a meeting held in the Myanmar capital on Friday.

The two sides of the EU-Myanmar Taskforce released a joint statement saying that they will work together on small- and medium-sized enterprises, tourism and mining businesses.

Between 2014 and 2020, Myanmar will become an Asian nation that largely benefits from cooperation with the EU, the release said. The EU has also planned to provide between €75-90 million (Ks 98.55-118.27 billion) in annual aid for development work in Myanmar.

The accords signed at the EU-Myanmar Taskforce meeting included agreements to hold policy-related discussions on small- and medium-sized enterprises, and raw materials; cooperation on long-term development of the tourism industry; a joint statement on the EU’s provision of aid for development; cooperation between European investment banks and Myanmar; and cooperation in agriculture.

source: Eleven Myanmar

http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/national/4119-eu-myanmar-agree-to-cooperate-in-business-tourism-and-mining