Mekong-Japan Exchange Year 2019 hold in Nay Pyi Taw which intends to promote the social and economic sectors among the countries in Mekong region

Myanmar hosted Mekong-Japan Exchange Year 2019 at Thingaha Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw on 14th of August.

The ceremony was commenced with the traditional dances and performances staged by the artistes from Japan and Mekong region countries. State Counsellor DawAung San SuuKyi graced the ceremony and delivered an opening remark. Introduced by the Government of Japan, the Japan-Mekong Partnership Programme has started in 2007 with the member States of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar. The program intends to promote the social and economic sectors among the countries in Mekong region; especially Japan will expand its ODA to CLMV countries in order to develop its East-West Economic Corridor and Southern Economic Corridor in the Mekong region.

Director General, Trade Department (Ministry of Commence), Min Min said “This Mekong-Japan Exchange Year 2019 is the celebration of 10th anniversary of Mekong-Japan Partnership Programme. The Mekong member countries include Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand plus Japan. We have done three activities for Mekong-Japan Exchange Year 2019 like art exhibition, film shooting and entrepreneurship discussion.”

As the Japan-Mekong Partnership Programme, Myanmar has nearly 60 projects with Japan and many cooperative projects among Mekong countries. The outstanding contestants competed in international contests featuring economic, robotic, entrepreneurship, and information and technologies, held in the US, Japan, Thailand and Indonesia.

M. Sc. Student, University of Mandalay, Aung Aye Chan said “A group of six candidates including me from University of Mandalay went to Thailand for the first global entrepreneurship camp by Suranaree University of Technology, last year. After participating a week long training and internship, we had to compete in business model competition. We received first runner up prize for our presentation on marine waste.”

Winner, Electronic Engineering Department (YIT), Kaung Min Khant said “Firstly, they trained us before the robotic competition. They are really open-minded. It might be a help for our further innovative interest and internship opportunity.”

The Mekong Region Ministerial Meetings, High-Ranking Officials Meetings, Foreign Ministers’ Meetings and Summits have been organized annually. Japan hosted Mekong-Japan Summit once in three years. The first Mekong-Japan Summit was held in Tokyo in November 2009.  The 10th Summit resulted to commence the Mekong-Japan Exchange Year 2019 and Tokyo Strategy 2018 which will be implemented in three years (2019-2022). The Tokyo Strategy 2018 focuses on three priority areas: vibrant and effective connectivity, people-centered society, and realization of a green Mekong.

(Myanmar International TV Channel: https://www.myanmaritv.com/news/mekong-japan-myanmar-hosted-mekong-japan-exchange-year-2019 )

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