Myanmar seeking PHL help to improve agriculture sector — Aquino

Myanmar is seeking the assistance of the Philippines to improve its agriculture and energy sectors as well as its bureaucracy, President Benigno Aquino III said over the weekend.

The Presidential Communications and Operations Office quoted Aquino as saying Myanmar President Thein Sein raised the matter when they met during the 22nd World Economic Forum on East Asia.

“Merong invitation ‘yung bureaucracy nila na ibi-build-up. NEDA [National Economic and Development Authority], I understand, will be inviting their counterparts to undertake trainings in the Philippines with regards to this. Pero ang concentration ni President Thein Sein was agriculture,” he said.

He also said Myanmar's leader thanked the Philippines for allowing its students to be trained in agricultural institutes in the Philippines.

“Pinuri ko naman sila... nag-aral kayo sa amin, siguro may ma-impart kami sa inyo. Mukhang natuto kayo nang mahusay dahil nag-i-import na kami sa inyo ng bigas. I think the biggest component of our trade with Myanmar currently is rice,” said Aquino.

The President added he expects his trip to Myanmar to boost economic cooperation between the two countries.

He said there are three Philippine companies already doing business in Myanmar: Philex Mining, Maynilad, and Meralco. — BM, GMA News