Wider World by CS

200 foreign businesspersons attend agriculture conference

Monday, 30 July 2012 15:52 Theingi Tun

Rangoon (Mizzima) – Foreign businesspersons outnumbered Burmese businesspersons at the recently completed  “Into Myanmar: Agri Trade, Investment & Infrastructure Global Summit 2012” at the Sedona Hotel in Rangoon.

A farmer sprinkles fertilizer on his rice field in Bago District, northeast of Rangoon. Photo: AFP

The conference was hosted by Burma on June 26-27 and nearly 200 businesspersons attended from nine countries: Burma, Singapore, China, Indonesia, Australia, Vietnam, Italy, Japan and Hong Kong.

Ninety-six Burmese businesspersons attended from groups including Myanmar Rice Industry Association, Myanmar Rice and Paddy Traders Association, Myanmar Edible Oil Dealers Association, Myanmar Fruit and Vegetable and Flower Producer Association.

“The international community wants to know what happening in Burma now that it’s opening. I want officials to hold a summit like this twice per year,” said Myo Aung Kyaw of Myanmar Rice Industry Association, who attended the summit, adding that it’s an easy way to get detailed knowledge of the agricultural sector.

The summit discussed amendments to the foreign investment law, the agricultural sector, the currency policy and the electricity sector.

Myo Aung Kyaw said that to run rice factories, it is important to get regular electricity but in Burma now the electricity supply is not sufficient. Transportation costs are also high and the transportation system must be upgraded.

“To get electricity is important. Otherwise, it will be difficult for foreign investors to invest in Burma. It is very important to improve basic infrastructure,” said Myo Aung Kyaw.

The conference was organized by Magenta Global, which is based in Singapore.