緬甸聯邦共和國駐香港及澳門總領事Wai Lwin Than獻辭

緬甸聯邦共和國駐香港及澳門總領事　Wai Lwin Than獻辭

藉緬甸聯邦共和國獨立六十五周年這喜悅日子，本人謹代表緬甸政府和人民，向中華人民共各國香港特別行政區市民、澳門特別行政區市民以及居於香港和澳門的緬甸人致以最親切的問候和最良好的祝願！

在這特別日子，本人藉此機會謹向香港投資者簡介我們美麗的國家、它的發展以及營商機會。

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、東盟國家和其他南亞國家人民與貨物流動通道。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。

緬甸經歷三場侵略戰爭後於一八八五年被吞併，並成為英國殖民地。全國同胞們以團結精神為獨立而鬥爭，緬甸最終於一九四八年一月四日獲得獨立。緬甸於一九六二年實施一黨政治制度，而中央計劃社會主義經濟執行長達逾二十六年，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。政府倡議「七步路線圖」的政治改革進程，並竭盡所能地維持和平與穩定，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」，為緬甸寫下了新的篇章。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，一系列政治、經濟和社會改革現正迅猛地進行。

在緬甸推行適當民主的政治變革包括大赦政治犯，讓以前被放逐的政治力量能有尊嚴地回國；成功召開了公平和具透明度的二零一二選舉；廢除媒體審查制度；互聯網通訊自由；設立工人和僱員組織以及全國人權委員會；讓更多的民眾和不同的政治團體參與政治進程等都是改革的顯著成果。

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。我們的政治合法性及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鋪平道路。

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。為促進經濟增長，緬甸政府「敞開大門」地為宏觀經濟進行改革措施。財政及稅務政策、貿易、投資和工業政策等已進行了檢討和修訂。為創造一個投資者良好環境，程序和通知已經精簡和簡化，從而消除瓶頸情況。為吸引更多的外來投資，新的外來投資法最近已頒佈。特別經濟區法和土瓦特別經濟區法經已實施。

目前，來自三十二個國家的五百零三家外國企業在十二個領域的投資金額已超過四百一十一億美元。獲外國投資最大的三個領域為電力能源、原油和天然氣、礦業。香港是緬甸第三大投資者(僅次於中國內地和泰國)，佔外來直接投資總額的百分之十五點三。來自香港的投資者目前投資了四十一個項目，包括礦業、製造業、原油和天然氣、酒店和服務業等。中國內地是緬甸的最大投資者，其三十六個投資項目佔外來直接投資總額的百分之三十四點四一。中國亦是緬甸頂級的貿易夥伴，在二零一一至一二財政年度，兩國的貿易總額達五十億零一百萬美元。

緬甸和中華人民共和國是鄰邦，兩國保有長期的緊密和友好關係。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，由一位名譽領事任館長，其後在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兩地之間的相互瞭解。近年來，我們目睹前往緬甸的香港商界代表團和遊客正在增加。

在此，本人誠邀中國內地、香港和澳門的公民和商人前往緬甸訪問，一睹在這地區對潛在的投資者最具前途之國的新貌。自二零一三年一月九日起，港龍航空將會有直航由香港至緬甸的商業之都仰光，航程僅需三小時之內。本人並相信，緬甸將會成為來自中國內地、香港和澳門遊客的熱門目的地。

本人在此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、澳門特別行政區之間緊密連繫的每一位人士致以最良好的祝願，並期望持續加快的貿易與投資互惠雙贏。

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Message from the Consul-General on the 65th Anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
(4-1-2013)

It is my great pleasure to extend, on behalf of the Government and the people of Myanmar, my warmest greetings and best wishes to all the citizens of the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, as well as the Myanmar citizens in Hong Kong and Macau on this auspicious occasion of the 65th Anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

On this special day, I wish to take this opportunity to explain briefly about our beautiful country and its developments as well as business opportunities for Hong Kong investors.

Myanmar is strategically located on the west coast of the Indochina peninsular, while sharing 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 was annexed in 1885 after three aggressive wars and became a British colony. All the national brethren struggled for the Independence with their union spirit, and Myanmar eventually regained her independence on January 4, 1948. Myanmar had practiced the one-party political system in 1962 with a centrally planned socialist economy for over 26 years 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 by implementing a “seven-step roadmap” and made efforts to maintain peace and stability while trying to achieve national reconciliation. Thus, a new chapter of Myanmar was created with the completion of the “seven-step roadmap” by holding the multi-party general elections in November 2010 according to the new Constitution, which was promulgated in 2008.

Consequently, the new constitutional Government was formed on March 31, 2011, headed by President U Thein Sein. Under the new civilian government, a series of political, economic, and social reforms are currently being undertaken at a rapid pace. The political transformation, with proper democratization in Myanmar, includes granting amnesty to political prisoners; formerly exiled political forces have come back with dignity. The successful convening of the 2012 by-elections in a fair and transparent manner, the abolition of media censorship, freedom of internet access, the establishment of workers' and employers' organizations and of National Human Rights Commission, the increased participation of the people and different political forces in the political process are also noteworthy events which have resulted from the reforms.

Democracy is now being fairly practiced and supported by three governmental powers - legislation, executive and judiciary. Our political legitimacy and its progress has 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. To promote economic growth, the government has “opened the doors” of Myanmar, with reform measures taking place in the macro-economy. Financial and tax policies, trade, investment and industrial policy have been reviewed and amended. To create an Investor Friendly Environment, the procedures and notifications have been streamlined and simplified to remove bottlenecks. In order to attract more foreign investment, the new Foreign Investment Law was recently introduced. The Special Economic Zone Law and the Dawei Special Economic Zone Law have also been enacted.

At present, foreign investment in Myanmar, out of a total of (503) foreign enterprises in (12) sectors from (32) countries, is currently valued at over US$ 41.1 billion. The three leading sectors of foreign investment are electric power, oil and gas, and mining. Hong Kong is 3rd leading investor (after China and Thailand) in Myanmar, its investment comprising (15.53)% of the total foreign direct investment (FDI) flow. Investors from Hong Kong are currently investing in (41) projects, which includes the Mining, Manufacturing, Oil and Gas, and Hotel and Services sectors. China stands as the largest investor in Myanmar, with its investment comprising (34.41)% of the total FDI in (36) projects. China is also the top trading partner of Myanmar, with the total trade between the two nations valued at US$ 5001 million in the 2011-12 fiscal year.

As Myanmar and People's Republic of China are neighbors, we have maintained long-standing close 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 business delegations and tourists to Myanmar.

In this regard, I wish to invite all the citizens and business people from China, Hong Kong, and Macau to pay a visit to Myanmar and have a fresh look at how it stands in the region as the most promising treasure for potential investors. Starting from January 9, 2013, Dragonair will fly direct from Hong Kong to Yangon, which is the Business Capital of Myanmar, and will take less than three hours. I have no doubt that Myanmar will become a popular destination for tourists from China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

Once again, I wish to extend my best wishes to everyone for the further strengthening of close ties between Myanmar and the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong SAR, and Macau SAR, as well as the continued acceleration of trade and investment for our mutual benefits.