The governments of the Philippines and Myanmar signed six agreements on Thursday, including the visa-free entry of Filipinos to Myanmar for tourism and business purposes.
The signing of agreements was held during the visit of Myanmar President Thein Sein in Malacanang Thursday. It was President Thein Sein's first visit to the Philippines.
The Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on Visa Exemption grants Filipinos who are holders of ordinary passports visa-free entry to Myanmar for tourism and business purposes.The non-visa entry to Filipino nationals will have a 14-day validity.
Myanmar nationals may already enter the Philippines without visa for up to 30 days under Executive Order (EO) 408. The MoA was signed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario and Myanmar Minister for Foreign Affairs U Wunna Maung Lwin.
The governments of the Philippines and Myanmar also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Agriculture, which establishes a general framework for bilateral cooperation in the field of food security and agriculture and provides for the promotion of investments through joint venture arrangements.
The MOU was signed by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and Myanmar Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation U Myint Hlaing.
A MOA was also signed in the field of Renewable Energy, which provides for the technical exchange of expertise, joint research and development activities in renewable energy resources, information exchange and networking, and other related activities in the successful adoption of renewable energy technologies and their commercialization.
The MOA was signed by Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla and Myanmar Minister for Energy U Zayar Aung.
The fourth agreement was a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Information cooperation in the fields of news exchange, radio, and television broadcasting, film industries, public relations, and printing and publishing.
The MOA aims to strengthen information cooperation between the two countries. It also provides for exchange of visits of journalists, cooperation between private radio and television networks, and sharing of best practices on media's role in national development and peace process.
The said MoU was signed by Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. and Myanmar deputy minister for Information U Ye Htut.
The fifth agreement was a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in trade and investments. The said MoU calls for closer cooperation in the facilitation of investments between the Philippines and Myanmar through the dissemination of investment information and consultation for the business community, among others.
The MoU was signed by Trade and Industry Undersecretary for trade and investment promotions Ponciano Manalo, Jr. and Myanmar Amb. U Ye Myint Aung.
The sixth and final agreement between the Philippines and Myanmar was a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
The MOA calls for the exchange of information and the establishment of business contacts between the chambers of commerce of both countries through the organization of events such as conferences, seminars, study tours, exchange of trade groups, and participation in trade fairs. The MOA was signed by PCCI president Miguel Varela and UMFCCI president U Win Aung.
In his visit to Malacanang, the Myanmar government also turned over US$50,000 for the victims of the Bohol earthquake and $100,000 for the victims of supertyphoon "Yolanda."
In his speech, President Aquino expressed the Philippine government's continuous support to Mynamar's transition towards democracy.
He said he has also appointed a resident defense attaché to Myanmar "to further defense cooperation" between the two countries.
President Aquino also expressed support to Myanmar's chairmanship of the ASEAN in 2014.
"Our meeting this morning is a testimony to our desire to learn more from each other and advance cooperation in various fields. We look forward to an even stronger relationship with Myanmar, as we prepare for the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations in 2016," Aquino said.
"Thank you, once again, for the solidarity you have shown the Filipino people—a solidarity that is even more important in this time of recovery. This visit is truly a symbol of our shared commitment to continue as partners for the progress, peace, and well-being of our peoples, our countries, and of ASEAN," he added.
President Aquino hosted a state luncheon in honor of President Sein following the bilateral meeting.
President Sein was slated to visit some typhoon-affected areas Friday before he goes back to Myanmar via Cebu.
Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/12/05/ph-myanmar-ink-visa-agreement/
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