Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Burma discusses trade deal with Luxembourg

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Wednesday, 07 November 2012 12:37 Khin Myo Thwe

Burmese President Thein Sein discussed the possibility of Burma signing an agreement against double tariff—effectively a preferential trading agreement—with Luxembourg when he met Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker in Vientiane on November 4, according to Burmese state media.

The two leaders were among dozens of heads of state gathering in the Laotian capital for the ninth Asia-European Meeting (ASEM).

The New Light of Myanmar reported that the two delegations discussed the resumption of “Generalized Scheme of Preferences” or GSP to Burma and bilateral cooperation in various sectors.

They also held discussions on cooperation in Burma’s nascent tourism industry, its human resources and natural resources, and future investments by Luxembourg industrialists in the country.

Luxembourg is one of the founder members of the EU. According to the International Monetary Fund, it has the third wealthiest population in the world—albeit a population of just half a million people—with a GDP per head of US $80,000 in 2011.

The Burmese president also met with Australian premier Julia Gillard at the ASEM, the New Light of Myanmar reported, and held discussions aimed at increasing mutual trade and promoting business cooperation between the two countries.

On November 5, the two leaders reportedly discussed investment in Burma’s energy and mining sector, and the generation of electricity including views on solar power.

State media said that agriculture, telecommunications and information technology were also discussed, as well as the conducting of courses and workshops for Burmese staffers who will be on duty when Burma hosts its first ASEAN summit in 2014.

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