Minister-president visits Myanmar and Vietnam on economic and political mission

  • March 13, 2012
Peeters_Myanmar

During a political and economic mission to Myanmar and Vietnam, Flemish minister-president Kris Peeters had a meeting with human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi. Besides the setting up of economic and commercial contacts, the three-day mission to Myanmar was designed to support the fledgling democratisation process. The Flemish delegation joined the Belgian economic mission to Vietnam, headed by Prince Philip. Bilateral trade between Flanders and Vietnam has doubled in the last 10 years. Further cooperation in areas such as port development, transport infrastructure and logistics will undoubtedly reinforce this alliance.

During the mission to Myanmar, organised by Flanders Investment &Trade (FIT) and the Flemish Department of Foreign Affairs (DiV), minister-president Peeters met with President Thein Sein and the ministers for health care, education, agriculture, transport and industry. He was also received by the spiritual leader of the Buddhists in Myanmar.

Aung San Suu Kyi

 

The meeting with human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi was the highlight of the mission to Southeast Asia. During the meeting, the minister-president discussed how Flanders, with its knowledge of healthcare, education and agriculture, can help Myanmar tackle the challenges it faces in the short and long term. The need for a modern and coordinated agricultural policy is a key priority according to Suu Kyi. In the near future, Flanders will consider supporting the construction of a school and, along with FIT, look into how the contacts between the Flemish and Myanmar agricultural sectors can be made more specific to benefit the local population.

The minister-president also invited Aung San Suu Kyi to take part in the international peace symposium to be held by Flanders next year as part of the official commemoration of 'The Great War Centenary'. She will also consider accepting an honorary doctorate from the KU Leuven.

“Never once in her decade-long struggle did Aung San Suu Kyi lose her faith in democracy, human rights and basic liberties. We have only the greatest respect and highest admiration for such dedication. April’s elections are the first serious test of the fledgling democracy in Myanmar because the present democratisation process is still very delicate and fragile.” concluded Flemish minister-president Peeters following his meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi.

Democratisation

The minister-president reiterated his support for the democratisation process in the Southeast Asian country: “I welcome the interim parliamentary elections to be held in April, and support the democratisation process in Myanmar. [...] I am pleased to see that the Myanmar government is taking action to make its policies transparent and encourage open dialogue with other governments. I sincerely hope that the Myanmar government will continue to meet the challenges it faces in the area of human rights - such as freedom of opinion, rights for minority groups and the formation of political organisations and civil institutions.”

Vietnam

The Flemish delegation also took part in the Belgian Economic Mission to Vietnam. As many as 110 participants from 59 Flemish companies and 5 Flemish universities were present. During the mission, a number of important political contacts were scheduled in Hanoi. Besides a meeting with the President Truong Tan Sang, there were contacts with the Vice President, Premier and several ministers. Economic relations were also reinforced and commercial contacts were initiated.

During the mission, minister-president Peeters visited several sites, including Belcholat, a successful Belgian chocolate production unit that exclusively uses imported Belgian chocolate, and VinMec International Hospital, a state-of-the-art healthcare project designed by the Belgian VK Group. “On this Princely Mission, no fewer than 13 contracts and Memoranda of Understanding were signed by Flemish companies and organisations. Sustained efforts clearly result in specific cooperation projects” the minister-president said.

Bilateral trade between Flanders and Vietnam has doubled in the space of 10 years, and Flanders accounts for 84% of Belgian exports to Vietnam. “Above all, I want to emphasise port development, transport infrastructure and logistics - sectors of very great importance to Flanders and Vietnam. As many as 1/3 of the companies that came along are active in these sectors, which demonstrates their categorical interest in playing a part in future Vietnamese project developments,” concluded minister-president Peeters.