Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivered a speech at a Ceremony to Mark the 60th Anniversary of India Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) 2024 at the Myanmar International Convention Centre-II (MICC-II) in Nay Pyi Taw on 24 October.
First, Indian Ambassador to Myanmar gave a greeting speech as follows:
- The attendance of the SAC Chairman Prime Minister at the ceremony marking the 60th Anniversary of ITEC showed the critical role of human resources in the sector-wise development and economic growth of Myanmar.
- Myanmar observed the Thadingyut lighting festival recently, and India will celebrate Diwali in the coming week. Both are lighting festivals that reflect friendly relations between Indian and Myanmar peoples. Hence, he prayed for strengthened relations between India and Myanmar and for lasting friendly ties.
During the ceremony, the SAC Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing made remarks as follows:
- He expressed pleasure for the opportunity to give a speech at the ceremony marking the 60th Anniversary of ITEC as a specially invited dignitary.
- ITEC program stands for a long time as a trademark of India to nurture human resources for knowledge-sharing, partnership and global development. It is a good program also.
- Myanmar and India established their diplomatic relations on 4 January 1948, the day on which Myanmar regained independence. It is remarkable to note that both countries could establish distinctive bilateral relations and close cooperation throughout history.
- Myanmar, strategically located in the focal point the Neighbourhood First Policy and the Act East Policy of India meet, and plays a vital role in Indian diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Geographically, Myanmar is located at the focal point between India and Southeast Asia, bridging South Asia and Southeast Asia. So, it is an important country for India.
- ITEC has trained more than 200,000 staff from 160 countries in capacity-building courses since 15 September 1964.
- ITEC is important for Myanmar and its public service personnel to enhance their skills and capacity. In previous years, the programme could have much beneficial to skilled workers from all sectors of Myanmar through training courses.
- The Senior General expressed his gratitude to the Indian government and officials for offering more than 900 scholarships to students from 2021 to 2024 January.
- The public service personnel who have completed the courses conducted by ITEC are striving for development of the State as much as possible.
- India, standing as the seventh trade partner of Myanmar, conducted a total trade worth US$1,150.181 million with Myanmar up to February of 2023-24 financial year. Moreover, India stands 11th in the chart of investments for 53 investor countries in Myanmar till January 2024.
- The Senior General also expressed gratitude to the Indian government for providing humanitarian aid and relief supplies for Myanmar’s flood-affected people suffering the impacts of Typhoon Yagi.
- If Myanmar had a chance to attend the courses on Geographic Information (GIS) and remote sensing technology with the necessary assistance to be applied in disaster risk reduction and early warning system under the ITEC program, Myanmar would reduce its loss and damage in the disasters. Such ITEC program is an essential force for the South-South Cooperation.
- The program today, which celebrates the 60th Anniversary of ITEC program’s success, expresses a wish for greater achievements in the years ahead. A ceremony to exchange the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the implementation of the Quick Impact Projects-QIPs between Myanmar and India followed.
Then, the SAC Chairman Prime Minister and wife, and dignitaries enjoyed the entertainments at the event, had a commemorative photo and dinner in honour of the 60th Anniversary of ITEC for 2024.
Also present were Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, wife of the Senior General, SAC Joint-Secretary General Ye Win Oo and wife, SAC members and wives, union ministers, union level officials and wives, Indian Ambassador to Myanmar H.E. Mr. Abhay Thakur and wife, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and wives, deputy ministers, military attaché and officials of the Indian Embassy in Myanmar.
Source: MWD (25-10-2024)
- Myanmar and India established their diplomatic relations on 4 January 1948, the day on which Myanmar regained independence. It is remarkable to note that both countries could establish distinctive bilateral relations and close cooperation throughout history.
- Myanmar, strategically located in the focal point the Neighbourhood First Policy and the Act East Policy of India meet, and plays a vital role in Indian diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific region.
- India, standing as the seventh trade partner of Myanmar, conducted a total trade worth US$1,150.181 million with Myanmar up to February of 2023-24 financial year. Moreover, India stands 11th in the chart of investments for 53 investor countries in Myanmar till January 2024.
- The ITEC program is an essential force for the South-South Cooperation.