China-ASEAN Expo benefits Myanmar businesses: Secretariat official

YANGON - The upcoming China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) will bring more opportunities for Myanmar businesses to enhance economic and trade cooperation with China and other countries in the region, said an official of the CAEXPO Secretariat Monday.

The 15th CAEXPO is scheduled for Sept 12-15 in Nanning, capital of South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region under the theme of "Jointly building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and the China-ASEAN community of innovation."

Speaking at the expo's promotion event held here, Zeng Zhong, vice secretary-general of the CAEXPO Secretariat, said the expo will serve as an effective platform for Myanmar enterprises and products to tap into the Chinese market and attract foreign capital.

Zeng encourages chambers of commerce and industrial associations in Myanmar to organize buying missions to join the expo with business matching being arranged.

According to CAEXPO Secretariat, the China-ASEAN Yangon Trade Fair will be held from May 17 to 19, featured with exhibits including building materials, hardware, lighting products and machinery, among others.

According to Myanmar's statistics, bilateral trade between Myanmar and China hit $8.5 billion as of December 2017 in the present fiscal year 2017-2018 which began in April, with Myanmar's export to China taking $4 billion and its import representing $4.49 billion during the period.