NAY PYI TAW October 24
Sixtieth anniversary of 2024 Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program was held at MICC II here this evening, addressed by Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Alsopresentwere 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.
First, the Indian Ambassador and wife welcomed and greeted the Senior General and party.
Afterwards, a video clip on the ITEC program was screened.
In his greetings, the Indian Ambassador explained the current functions of ITEC program and expressed special thanks to the Senior General and wife for gracing the ceremony with their presence.
He said the Senior General’s presence highlights the importance of human resources development in Myanmar’s multiple development and economic growth. Myanmar observed the Thadingyut festival recently, and India will celebrate Deepawali in the coming week.
Both are festivals of lights that are reflecting one another and also serve as the reflection of the close kinship relations between Indian and Myanmar people. With the spirit of the two festivals of lights, the present encouraging historic occasion will further strengthen bilateral relations and friendship and light up the path to closer cooperation between the two countries. May India-Myanmar friendship live long.
In his address, the Senior General expressed pleasure for the opportunity to speak at the ceremony as a specially invited dignitary. He said ITEC program stands for a long time as a brand indicating India’s determination for knowledge sharing, partnership establishment and global progress.
It is a good program.
Diplomatic relations between Myanmar and India began on 4 January 1948, the day on which Myanmar regained independence.
It is remarkable to note that the noteworthy bilateral relations and close cooperation were established since the country restored independence.
Myanmar is the only Southeast Asian country that has a long common border with India.
The country is touching northeast India through the land border and sharing the maritime border in the Bay of Bengal. Myanmar, located at the meeting point of India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and Act East Policy, plays a vital role in the latter’s diplomatic undertakings in the Indo-Pacific region. Geographically, Myanmar is located at the focal point between India and Southeast Asia and is a bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia.
So, it is an important country for India.
The Senior General said that he would like to express some points related to the ITEC programme in coincided with the 60th Anniversary of ITEC.
The programme was initiated on 15 September 1964, and so far, it has trained more than 200,000 staff from 160 countries.
ITEC is important for Myanmar and its public service personnel to enhance their skills and capacity. In previous year, the programme could much benefit skilled workers from all sectors of Myanmar through training courses.
ITEC conducts the shortand long-term courses on relevant subjects, master’s courses, doctoral courses and post-graduate courses as well as research programmes.
The Senior General expressed his thanks to the Indian government and officials for their offers to award more than 900 scholarship students from January 2021 to September 2024.
Moreover, it was reported that the ITEC conducted the electoral capacity enhance courses for staff of the Union Election Commission of Myanmar.
The public service personnel who have completed the courses conducted by ITEC are striving for development of the State as much as possible.
At present, some of them are serving the high-ranking duties.
Their experiences and knowledge and initiatives in the relevant workplaces and research process in addition to enhancement of productivity benefit the State in the long-term development process.
Moreover, Myanmar-Indian relations are improving in the technological cooperation and other sectors.
Bilateral trade between the two countries is also benefiting economic sectors of both countries.
India stands the seventh trade partners of Myanmar, managing a total trade worth US$-1,150.181 million with Myanmar up to February of 2023-2024 financial year. Moreover, India stands 11th in the chart of investments for 53 investor countries in Myanmar till January 2024.
The Senior General expressed his inspiration for India to stand the most valuable trade partner country. At present, ITEC firmly initiates promotion of cooperation in bilateral trust, friendly relations and mutual respect and other sectors.
