Dr. Than Myint: Border fair creates new opportunities for cooperation

"This border trade fair not only brings new investment opportunities to Lashio, but also allows Lashio and its surrounding areas to take a new step in economic and trade cooperation with Lincang, China," said Dr. Than Myint, Minister of Commerce of Myanmar.

Than Myint said this at the first Myanmar (Lashio)-China (Lincang) border economic and trade fair, which was held from November 21 to 24 in Lashio, a major city of Shan state in north Myanmar.

As a gateway for land transport, Lashio holds a key position in economic exchanges between China and Myanmar.

Than Myint added that Lashio links up Mandalay, Yunnan and Taunggyi, the fourth largest city in Myanmar, and the creation of the trade fair will definitely boost economic and trade cooperation between Myanmar and China.

The theme of the border trade fair is the paukphaw friendship under the Belt and Road Initiative, and the Myanmar minister hoped that the entrepreneurs of Myanmar and China could work together like close friends. 

The cities of Lashio and Lincang are located in the areas for the joint pursuit of Myanmar and China under the Belt and Road initiative. The border fair increased mutual understanding, win-win business results, and people-to-people friendship in the two cities. 

"Economic activities in the border areas are essential for the bilateral trade between Myanmar and China. Therefore, we established the land ports of Muse, Chinshwehaw, Lwegel, Kambaiti and others for border trade."

Than Myint said Myanmar mainly exports watermelons, Mangos and aquatic products to China, and he believed this border fair have brought more business opportunities for companies.

"Chinese business people, especially those in Lincang, are very welcome to visit Myanmar for the export of soybeans, beef and others."

As for Lincang, Than Myint was impressed by its ancient tea. He also hoped the Myanmar-China economic cooperation could be ever growing like the millennium-long tea trees, which are brought back to life by new opportunities. 

Reporting by Zhang Yinglin and Zaw Ye Anug; trans-editing by Wang Shixue