BRI implementation leading committee formed under State Counsellor leadership

BRI implementation leading committee formed under State Counsellor leadership
Published 29 November 2018
Hsan Moe Tun

A leading committee for implantation of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been formed with State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi as chairperson to establish China-Myanmar economic corridor, according to a press release issued by the Chinese Embassy to Myanmar on November 28.

Ning Jizhe, vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission of the People's Republic of China, visited Myanmar from November 24 to 27. The visit was aimed at implementing an important agreement to establish a joint China-Myanmar economic corridor under the BRI agreed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in the end of last year.  

Ning Jizhe held a meeting with the State Counsellor, Union Minister for Planning and Finance Soe Win and officials from the ministries of foreign affairs, transport and communications , electricity and energy, industry, commerce and hotels and tourism, the Union Attorney General's Office, the Central Bank, the Department of Economic Research Development.

The Chinese guest also met with Yangon Region chief minister Phyo Min Thein, Yangon Region Parliament speaker Tin Maung Tun. Discussion focused bilateral economic projects, encouragement for establishing a joint economic corridor, cooperation in implementing important projects including new Yangon town plan, and some agreements were reached.

The China-Myanmar economic corridor starts from China's Yunnan Province to Myanmar's Yangon and Kyaukphyu. It is a project of bilateral trade and investment cooperation.

According to the press release, a memorandum of understanding on establishment of joint economic corridor was signed in September this year and the first meeting of the joint economic corridor committee was held. Moreover, China-Myanmar economic corridor forum was held during the 15th China-ASEAN Trade Fair attracting about 300 people.

The leading committee for implantation of the Belt and Road Initiative is chaired by the State Counsellor and its members include region and state chief ministers and relevant ministries.