SBY to meet Myanmar President, discuss investment

JAKARTA. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled on Thursday to receive Myanmarese President U Thein Sein and discuss opportunities for Indonesian businesses to invest in Myanmar.

The two heads of state are scheduled to attend a bilateral meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, with topics of discussion to include the enhancement of cooperation in a number of sectors, including politics, security, economy and culture.

“The bilateral meeting will also be used to explore opportunities for Indonesia to invest in Myanmar, particularly in the energy and agriculture sectors. “These two sectors of partnership are in line with Indonesia’s priorities concerning energy and food security,” Indonesian presidential spokesman Teuku Faizasyah says in a press statement sent to The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

Faizasyah adds that the two leaders are also expected to discuss regional issues in regards to Indonesia’s current chairing of the ASEAN as, with Sein also in Jakarta to attend the ASEAN Summit, which commences this weekend.

“This state visit reflects the close relations between Indonesia and Myanmar. It is the first state visit by the Myanmar President, His Excellency U Thein Sein, since he was elected President and after the Myanmarese government’s successful implementation of seven stages in its Roadmap to Democracy,” Faizasyah says. (Erwida Maulia/The Jakarta Post)