Burma seeks investment from Bangladesh

by Siddique Islam
Friday, 11 December 2009 00:03

Dhaka (Mizzima) - Burma has proposed to Bangladesh to set up joint-venture industries and agricultural farms in Burma to utilize its huge workforce and Burmese land.

Burmese Ambassador to Bangladesh Phae Than Oo made the proposal when he called on Industries Minister Dilip Barua at his office in the capital, in Dhaka on Wednesday, an official announcement said.

The meeting discussed bilateral issues, including the contentious Rohingya refugee problem, maritime-boundary disputes and transport facilities for mutual benefit.

"Bangladesh has world-standard industries like textiles, ceramic, pharmaceuticals and jute. It is possible to set up such industries in Myanmar [Burma] through transfer of technology, where both neighbouring countries will benefit socio-economically" the Burmese ambassador said.

The ambassador stressed the need for resolving the current disputes between the two countries, including the Rohingya refugee problem and the maritime-boundary dispute, through mutual understanding.

He also stressed on the need to strengthen South-South cooperation for enhancing socio-economic conditions of Bangladesh and Burma.

“Bangladesh is willing to work together with Myanmar [Burma] for achieving bilateral socio-economic development of the two countries,” the Industries Minister told the envoy.

He said the two neighbours would be able to develop their industrial sectors by introducing smooth and easy rail-and road-transport networks.

The minister also drew the attention of the envoy to make a success of the process of setting up the Bangladesh-Burma road link.

Mr. Barua sought cooperation from Burma playing a positive and comprehensive role at the climate conference in Copenhagen for tackling the impact of global climate change.