緬甸駐香港及澳門總領事 Wai Lwin Than 獻辭

緬甸駐香港及澳門總領事 Wai Lwin Than 獻辭
Message from the Consul General on the 66th Anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar

二零一四年一月四日是緬甸聯邦共和國獨立六十六周年的日子，亦是緬甸人民具有重要意義和崇高的一日。今年緬甸慶祝獨立日，剛好我國擔任東盟主席國。在這喜悅特別節日，本人高興地謹代表緬甸政府和人民，謹向中華人民共和國香港特別行政區及澳門特別行政區人民致以最熱烈的問候和良好的祝願，並祝居於香港及澳門的緬甸人及緬華幸福和身心安泰。

緬甸位於具策略性位置的中南半島西岸，與中華人民共和國、老撾、泰國、印度和孟加拉為鄰。這裡是中國、東盟和其他南亞國家之間人民和貨物具意義的管道。緬甸是由八個主要民族和逾一百多個少數民族所組成的家園。緬甸的八個主要民族計有克欽族、克雅族、克耶族、欽族、孟族、緬族、若開族和撣族等。全國人口逾六千萬，其中有百分之八十九的人口是信奉佛教，而基督教、伊斯蘭教、印度教、猶太教和泛靈教等亦有人信奉。

經歷逾一百多年的殖民統治後，緬甸於一九四八年一月四日成為一個獨立的主權國家。全國同胞及其先輩們為獨立而犧牲了其性命。緬甸於一九六二年實施一黨政治制度及中央計劃社會主義經濟，直至一九八八年軍政府掌權後，嘗試以多黨制和市場經濟所取代。其後政府倡議政治改革進程和致力維持和平與穩定，並達致全國大和解。根據二零零八年頒佈的新憲法，緬甸於二零一零年十一月舉行了多黨派的大選，從而完成了「七步路線圖」，為緬甸寫下新的篇章。二零一一年三月三十一日組成了由吳登盛總統為首的新憲制政府。在新的文人政府領導下，民主現正順利地實行並得到政府立法、行政和司法三大權力的支持。我們政治上的合法性及其進程贏得國際的認同，從而得到歐盟和美國放寬制裁、恢復國際援助，同時亦促進了經濟轉型和為營商機會舖平道路。在新市場經濟制度下，中央權力正在減低，把權利和權力下放給七個省和七個地區的政府。

藉此機會，本人謹簡介現今的文人政府在近年來進行的四波改革進程。第一波改革，專注於政治變革，從而帶來了和平與穩定、民族團結與和解，在其努力下，導致一系列的實質性進程，實現民族和解、各武裝隊伍停火、產生了全包容性的政治制度；進步的民主價值觀和實踐。第二波改革是開放經濟。通過經濟自由化、金融改革、邀請外來投資、以人為本的發展方針、農村發展、扶貧和公平的發展等。它還包括浮動匯率、財政和稅收改革、營造有利於投資者環境、振興旅遊業以及開啟環境保護措施。第三波改革的重點是管治和行政領域。政府已採取具體步驟，例如確認聯合國反貪公約和組織國家反貪機構等。而第四波改革，政府轉為專注於私企發展。強調改善體制基礎設施和規管架構，以利於商業、貿易與投資。

談到商業和投資機會，緬甸是一個資源豐富的國家，是一個擁有六千萬人口的龐大市場，而地理上位於世界兩個人口最大國，中國和印度之間的優越位置。緬甸的政治、經濟和社會改革，使我國有更多的機會與東盟的成員國加強東盟一體化。緬甸擁有豐富的自然資源，包括石油和天然氣、礦產和寶石、森林、綿長的海岸線和廣袤肥沃的土地。經濟領域，例如礦業和礦產、電力、能源、農業、林業、漁業和製造業都具有在未來驅動出口增長的潛力。國際投資者可把我國貧乏和不足的基礎設施轉化為商機。緬甸正在努力發展和擴大服務業，包括旅遊業、資訊科技、金融服務業、保健、教育以及基礎建設等都是興起的商機。作為一個自然資源和人力資源豐富的國家，緬甸最為需要的是金融資本、技術訣竅和人力資源發展，期望能通過外來投資者而獲得。

在為國際投資者營造良好環境的同時，外來直接投資法於二零一二年十一月作出修訂並予以實施，確保外來投資者的利益，包括免稅優惠以及在合營投資比例的條款更具靈活性。現時，緬甸正就投資法進行檢討，並與經濟合作與發展組織(OECD)合作，審視我國的政策當中有那些是會防礙改善投資環境。緬甸也促進負責任的投資，目的是要建立投資者的信心。為確保負責任的投資，緬甸非常重視發展一個保護天然資源的框架，從而回應人民的訴求。在開採自然資源方面，緬甸正採取措施，執行國際公認的採掘行業透明度倡議(EITI)。

正因商機的大門現已廣闊地敞開，許多投資者和全球性的公司經已表明對開拓緬甸這個新興的市場越來越感興趣。直至二零一三年十月底，來自三十三個國家在十二個經濟領域，合共六百二十個投資項目經已獲批準，確認的金額達四百三十九億零一百七十一萬八千美元。其中外來投資的四大領域為能源，佔百分之四十三點九三，石油和天然氣佔百分之三十二點七四，製造業佔百分之七點八七和礦業佔百分之六點四五。香港是第三大外來投資地(僅次於中國內地和泰國)，佔緬甸外來投資總額的百分之十四點七一。來自香港的投資者，在六十一個項目的投資金額達六十四億五千八百九十七萬九千美元，投資項目包括礦業、製造業、石油和天然氣以及酒店服務業。同時令人鼓舞的是緬甸與香港的雙邊貿易由二零一二至二零一三年度的二千七百二十八萬二千美元增至二零一三至二零一四年十月的的三億九千五百九十八萬二千美元。中國內地仍是緬甸的最大投資地，其在五十一個項目的投資佔外來投資總額的百分之三十二點三三。

緬甸與中華人民共和國是友好鄰邦，共享綿長疆界，兩國保有悠久友誼和友好關係。緬甸和中國於一九五零年六月八日正式建立外交關係。緬甸於一九五二年七月在香港設立領事館，由一位名譽領事擔任館長，其後一九六九年十二月升格為總領事館。自此以後，駐香港總領事館肩負着促進貿易、投資以及緬甸與香港特別行政區之間的互相瞭解。近年來，我們目睹前往緬甸的香港遊客及商貿代表團正在增加，其中包括有香港貿發局和香港服裝協會。在二零一二年至二零一三年期間，香港貿發局有三個商界代表團訪緬並與政府高級官員商談投資與商機。本人衷心希望在仰光及勃固設立香港紡織工業園能成為事實，在不久之將來，會引進更多的香港大型紡織及服裝廠到緬甸。

爭取達成東盟 – 香港雙邊自由貿易協議對香港和包括緬甸在內的東盟確是一項具意義和重要的里程碑。這將會有利於香港和緬甸之間的貿易和創造更多商機。此外，香港與緬甸之間簽署《保護和促進投資協議》的談判正在進行，預料將會達成協議並落實。

在此，作為對具潛質投資者的藏寶之地，本人誠邀更多來自中國內地、香港和澳門的商業公司及投資者轉到緬甸進行貿易和投資推廣、開拓龐大的商業和投資潛能、設立大型的工業區並獲得利益。自二零一三年一月，港龍航空有直航由香港至緬甸的商業之都仰光，航班僅需三個小時之內。本人並相信，緬甸將會成為來自中國內地、香港和澳門遊客以及投資者的熱門目的地。

本人在此謹再次對進一步加強緬甸和中華人民共和國香港特別行政區、澳門特別行政區緊密連繫、促進貿易與投資的每一位人士致以最良好的祝願。

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Message from the Consul General on the 66th Anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar

January 4th, 2014, is the 66th Anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, which is of great significance and a noble day for the people of Myanmar. The Independence Day celebration of Myanmar this year also coincides with the country’s taking the role of the ASEAN Chairmanship. On this very special occasion, I am pleased to extend, on behalf of the Government and the people of Myanmar, my warmest greetings and best wishes to all the citizens of the Peoples’ Republic of China, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and the Myanmar people and Myanmar Chinese citizens living in Hong Kong and Macau, for their happiness and physical and mental well-being.

Strategically located on the west coast of the Indochina peninsular, Myanmar shares its borders with the People’s Republic of China, Laos, Thailand, India and Bangladesh. It is a significant conduit for the movement of people and goods between China, the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other South Asian states. Myanmar is homeland to eight major national races and more than a hundred ethnic groups. Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Bamar, Rakhine and Shan are the eight major ethnic groups within Myanmar. The total population is over 60 million, of which 89% practice Buddhism while Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism and animism are professed by others.

Myanmar emerged as an independent sovereign state on the 4th of January, 1948, after having been colonized for over a hundred years. National brethren and our ancestors sacrificed their lives for independence. Myanmar practiced one party political system in 1962 with centrally planned socialist economy until 1988, when the military government came into power, trying to replace it with the multiparty system and the market oriented economic system. The then government initiated political reform process and made efforts to maintain peace and stability while trying to achieve national reconciliation. A new chapter of Myanmar was created with the completion of the “seven-step roadmap” laid down by the then government, by holding the multi-party general elections in November 2010 according to the new Constitution, promulgated in 2008, and the formation of new constitutional Government on March 31, 2011, headed by President U Thein Sein. Under the new civilian government, democracy is being fairly practiced and supported by three governmental powers - legislation, executive and judiciary. Our political legitimacy and its progress have earned international recognition, resulting in the relaxation of sanctions by the EU and the US and resumption of international assistance, while also facilitating economic transformation and paving the way for business opportunities. Centralization has been reduced under the new market economic system, with the rights and powers entrusted to the governments of the Seven States and Seven Regions.

Taking this opportunity, I wish to brief on the four waves reform process taken by the present civilian government of Myanmar in recent years.

The first wave of reform, focusing on political transformation to bring about peace and stability, national unity and reconciliation, has resulted in a series of tangible progress in its efforts towards national reconciliation, striking ceasefires with all armed groups, emergence of all-inclusive political system and advancement of democratic values and practices. The second wave of reform has led to opening up its economy through economic liberalization, financial reforms, inviting foreign investments, people-centered development approach, rural development, poverty alleviation and equitable development. It also include floating exchange rate, fiscal and tax reforms, creation of investor-friendly environment, revitalization of tourism sector, and initiation of environmental protection measures. The third wave of reform is focused on governance and administrative areas. The Government has taken concrete steps such as ratifying the UN Convention on anti-corruption and formation of National Anti-corruption body. As a fourth wave of reform, the Government is turning its focus to private sector development, by placing a great emphasis on improving institutional infrastructure and regulatory framework to facilitate business, trade and investment.

Turning to the business and investment opportunities, Myanmar is a resource-rich country with a huge market of 60 million people and is advantageously located between the world’s two most populous countries: China and India. The political, economic and social reforms in Myanmar have given the country more opportunity in strengthening the integration with ASEAN member states in the ASEAN Community. Myanmar is blessed with abundant natural resources including oil and gas, minerals and precious stones, forests, long coastlines, and vast fertile lands. Economic sectors such as mining and minerals, electricity, energy, agriculture, forestry, fisheries and manufacturing have the potential to achieve significant export-driven growth in the near future. International investors can turn our poor and inadequate infrastructures into business opportunities. Such opportunities are emerged as Myanmar is trying to develop and expand services sectors such as tourism, technology and telecommunications, financial services, healthcare, education, and infrastructure. As a country rich in natural and human resources, what Myanmar need most is financial capital, technological know-how and human resource development and hopes to receive it via foreign investment.

While creating a better environment for the international investors, the Foreign Direct Investment Law was revised and enacted in November 2012, ensuring the benefits of the foreign investors, with tax exemption benefits and more flexibility in terms of investment rations in Joint ventures. At present, Myanmar is conducting investment policy review in cooperation with Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to check the weakness in our policies which may hinder the improvement of investment environment. Myanmar is also promoting responsible investments with the aim to build investors’ confidence. To ensure responsible investment, Myanmar puts great emphasis on developing a framework of natural resources conservation in response to the aspiration of the people. In the area of natural resource extraction, Myanmar is taking steps to practice internationally recognized Extractive Industry Initiative (EITI).

As the door of business opportunity has now widely opened, many investors and global firms have shown growing interest in Myanmar to tap newly emerging market. Up to the end of October, 2013, a total of (620) foreign investment projects from (33) countries with pledge amount US$ (43901.718) million had already been permitted in (12) economic sectors. The four leading sectors of foreign investment are power (43.93%), oil and gas (32.74%), Manufacturing (7.87%) and mining (6.45%) . Hong Kong is 3rd leading investor (after China and Thailand) in Myanmar and its investment comprises (14.71%) of the total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flow. Investors from Hong Kong are currently investing in (61) projects with the investment amount of US $ (6458.979) million, which includes the Mining, Manufacturing, Oil and Gas, and Hotel and Services sectors. It is also encouraging to see that the bilateral trade between Myanmar and Hong Kong has increased from US$(27.282) million in 2012/2013 to US$(395.982) million in 2013/ October 2014. China also stands as the largest investor in Myanmar, with its investment comprising (32.33)% of the total FDI in (51) projects.

Sharing a long border, Myanmar and People's Republic of China are two close neighbors, which have maintained long-standing friendship and cordial relationships. Myanmar and China formally established diplomatic relationships on June 8, 1950. The Myanmar Consulate office was opened in Hong Kong in July 1952, then headed by an Honorary Consul, and later upgraded to Consulate-General in December 1969. Since then, the Consulate-General in Hong Kong has played a major role in promoting trade, investment and mutual understanding between Myanmar and the Hong Kong SAR. Recent years has witnessed increasing visits of Hong Kong tourists and business delegations to Myanmar including the delegations from Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Hong Kong Apparel Society. During 2012 to 2013, there were three business delegations of HKTDC to Myanmar and discussed with senior government officials on investment and business opportunities. I truly hope that the setting up of Hong Kong Textile Industrial Park in Yangon and Bago will come into reality, bringing in more Hong Kong large textile and garment factories to Myanmar in the near future.

The pursuit of a ASEAN- Hong Kong bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a significant and important milestone for Hong Kong and ASEAN including Myanmar as it will surely facilitate the trade and create more business opportunities between Hong Kong and Myanmar. In addition, the negotiation on the signing of Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement between Hong Kong and Myanmar is in the process and will be singed and come in force soon.

In this regard, as the most promising treasure for potential investors, I wish to invite more business firms and investors from China, Hong Kong, and Macau to turn to Myanmar for their trade and investment promotion, to exploit vast business and investment potentials, to set up larger industrial zones and reap the benefits. Dragon Air, which has been flying direct from Hong Kong to Yangon starting from January 2013, takes less than three hours to reach Yangon, the business city of Myanmar. So I have no doubt that Myanmar will become a popular destination for tourists as well as investors from China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

Once again, I wish to extend my best wishes to everyone for their personal well beings as well as for the further strengthening of close ties and promotion of trade and investment between Myanmar and the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong SAR, and Macau SAR.