The time has arrived to strategically expand and implement economic cooperation based on the strong historical friendship between Myanmar and Belarus, said President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar U Min Aung Hlaing at the Myanmar-Belarus Business Forum at the President Hotel in Minsk at 11 am local standard time yesterday.
At the ceremony, Belarusian Prime Minister Mr Alexander Turchin stated that he warmly welcomed President U Min Aung Hlaing and the Myanmar delegation to the Republic of Belarus. It is an immense honour and pleasure to inaugurate today’s Belarus-Myanmar Business Forum, which clearly demonstrates the positive momentum in relations between our two countries. He explained friendly relations between Heads of State of both countries, promotion of cooperation, plans to enhance investment and cooperation between the two countries, cooperation in industrial production, and promotion of cooperation in the unlimited legal environment for textile, personal good industries, agriculture and foodstuff, health and medicine, advanced technology science and nurturing human resources, and investment sectors and creation of finance and transport infrastructure.
Speaking on the occasion, the President of Myanmar said that the bilateral relations have reached their ‘closest’ and ‘highest’ levels. Even amidst today’s heightened global geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges, Myanmar-Belarus relations have grown increasingly robust through mutual trust. They have affirmed a steadfast commitment to further elevating and advancing these ties in the future. The time has arrived to strategically expand and implement economic cooperation based on the strong historical friendship between Myanmar and Belarus.
To promote investment and enhance cooperation between Myanmar and Belarus, a Memorandum of Understanding on Investment Promotion was signed on 28 November 2025. Furthermore, efforts are currently underway to conclude the Agreement on the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments between the two countries as expeditiously as possible.
Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding across trade, economic, science and technology, and cultural cooperation have already been signed, including Memoranda of Understanding on Science and Technology Cooperation and Cooperation in Customs Affairs, as well as Export Credit Framework Agreements, all of which will support bilateral economic cooperation.
To strategically advance comprehensive, multisectoral cooperation, including mutual investments, the Myanmar-Belarus Cooperation Promotion Roadmap (2026-2028) has been drafted, ratified, and signed. In addition to initiatives aimed at boosting investment, trade, and economic cooperation, this roadmap incorporates detailed plans for collaboration across various sectors, such as industry, agriculture, health, banking, education, and tourism.
To facilitate the successful transition of Myanmar’s agricultural sector towards a Smart Agriculture system, entrepreneurs and business enterprises from Belarus are invited to collaborate through technology transfers and investments across the entire value chain, from farming to food processing.
There are strong prospects for importing and deploying Belarus’s high-quality agricultural machinery, equipment, and heavy machinery in Myanmar, and investments are welcomed for joint domestic manufacturing ventures. As another opportunity, the government encourages local production of consumer goods, dairy and dairy products, pharmaceuticals, and medical supplies.
Investments are welcomed in logistics operations and commercial projects such as modern warehouses, cold-storage facilities, and cargo-transport infrastructure. Likewise, the government is encouraging and inviting private investments to achieve domestic power sufficiency, with a particular emphasis on power generation projects utilizing hydropower, solar, wind, and biomass energy.
Myanmar is endowed with four major rivers—the Ayeyawady, Thanlwin, Chindwin, and Sittoung—along with more than 1,000 tributaries and streams. Coupled with an annual rainfall of 2,000 mm to 5,000 mm, the country holds a hydropower potential of up to 100 gigawatts, with 40 to 50 GW viable for commercial development. Furthermore, Magway, Mandalay, and Sagaing Regions possess the potential to generate up to 51,973.8 terawatt-hours (TWh) of solar power annually.
Myanmar’s Tikyit, Namma, and Mawlaik regions are abundant in coal deposits. By utilizing advanced, eco-friendly technologies with minimal environmental impact, coal-fired power plants can be constructed to ensure national power sufficiency. Therefore, Belarusian entrepreneurs and enterprises are cordially invited to invest in power generation projects.
Located in central Myanmar near PyinOoLwin, the 4,047-hectare Yadanabon Cyber City is operational. With all-weather road access and an international-standard airport capable of accommodating jet aircraft, seamless travel for international flights is well facilitated.
Interested investors from Belarus are warmly invited to invest in the digitalization of government services, telecommunications technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications, digital payment systems, and the development of an innovation-driven business ecosystem.
Depending on the nature of the business and the regional strengths of the respective States and Regions, not only industrial zones and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) but also integrated agricultural zones and industrial projects can be established. Regarding Special Economic Zones, Myanmar has established SEZs in Thilawa, Dawei, and Kyaukpyu.
The Thilawa Special Economic Zone is currently the most successful SEZ. With its logistical advantages in international connectivity and comprehensive infrastructure, it serves as the optimal choice for export-oriented operations and manufacturing industries. In addition, in the Dawei Special Economic Zone, which is currently being initiated through cooperation between Myanmar and Russia, Belarus is invited to undertake heavy manufacturing operations, including the production of tyres, heavy machinery, and heavy commercial vehicles.
Investments are welcomed in mineral extraction and refining operations within the Taninthayi Region. Furthermore, as the region offers an advantageous investment environment for tourism, he invite investors to participate in hotel and tourism development projects.
As Myanmar actively participates in economic cooperation under ASEAN+1 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), it enjoys market access to relevant member states alongside tariff reductions and exemptions on Myanmar’s exports. Belarusian enterprises can gain access to the ASEAN regional and broader Asian markets by investing in Myanmar. In turn, products manufactured in Myanmar can gain access through Belarus to the expansive market of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states, creating a win-win scenario.
As prominent business organizations and entrepreneurs from both countries are in attendance, Belarusian business leaders are cordially invited to assess Myanmar’s investment opportunities and develop mutually rewarding, long-term collaborative projects.
After the ceremony, the President and party viewed the booths where Myanmar’s products are displayed.
The forum was also attended by Union ministers and officials who accompanied the President, the Myanmar Ambassador to the Republic of Belarus, the Belarusian Ambassador to Myanmar, officials of the Belarusian Cabinet, the patron and party of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, businesspeople from the two countries and guests. — MNA/TTA
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