PYITHU Hluttaw (House of Representatives) Speaker U Khin Yi received a delegation led by Japanese House of Representatives Member, Honourable Hiromichi Watanabe, yesterday at the guest hall of the Pyithu Hluttaw Building in Nay Pyi Taw.
Speaker U Khin Yi highlighted parliamentary engagement as the starting point for revitalizing bilateral cooperation between Myanmar and Japan. He noted that the Myanmar-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Group has already been formed and stands ready to collaborate directly with Japan’s Lower House across various sectors, including parliamentary committees, women’s affairs, youth initiatives, and technology.
Addressing economic ties, U Khin Yi affirmed that the Hluttaw is reviewing legal frameworks to facilitate an inviting environment for international businesses and investors. Recognizing Japan as a global leader in agriculture and advanced technology, he expressed keen interest in bilateral coordination in those areas, noting that Mr Watanabe’s visit represents a promising initial step toward active inter-parliamentary collaboration.
In response, Honourable Hiromichi Watanabe recounted his personal engagement in Myanmar’s development initiatives spanning roughly 30 years, emphasizing the enduring friendship between the two nations. He stated that his visit aims to restart bilateral cooperation and resume Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects, agreeing that inter-parliamentary dialogue serves as an effective foundation for these goals. Mr Watanabe also expressed his desire to deepen people-to-people ties through cultural exchanges and noted ongoing collaboration in agriculture and the Thilawa Special Economic Zone.
He concluded by extending an invitation to Speaker U Khin Yi to visit Japan at a mutually convenient time and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening ties between the two parliaments. The meeting was also attended by U Yaw Aye Hla, Secretary of the Pyithu Hluttaw International Relations Committee; Dr Myo Aung, Chairman of the Myanmar-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Group; Secretary U Moe Min Oo; and officials from the Office of the Pyithu Hluttaw.
MNA/ TTA
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