Visa
waiver among agreements reflecting close links, cooperation between the 2
nations.
Singaporeans
travelling to Myanmar will no longer need to apply for a visa from Dec 1.
The two
countries have eased visa requirements for their citizens.
It was
one of several announcements made yesterday, the first day of Prime Minister
Lee Hsien Loong's official visit to Myanmar.
Singapore
has invited Myanmar officials, including Yangon Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein,
to visit the country to learn more about its education policies and how it
builds and operates hawker centres.
It will
also sponsor short internships for top graduates of the Singapore-Myanmar Vocational
Training Institute in Yangon, which trains Myanmar youth to be skilled workers.
The
agreements underscored closer links and cooperation between Singapore and
Myanmar, whose new civilian government came to power last November.
PM Lee,
the first head of government to visit since, said Myanmar "is not only an
old friend, but also an important partner" for Singapore.
"Over
the last decade, during Myanmar's transition to democracy, we have walked
alongside Myanmar," he said at a dinner hosted by President Htin Kyaw at
the presidential palace in Naypyitaw.
Agreeing,
Mr Htin Kyaw thanked Singapore for its "wholehearted and continuous
support". He also said bonds between both countries have strengthened in
working towards an Asean Community.
Singapore
and Myanmar, which celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties this year, have strong
historical links and bonds between their people, said PM Lee, tracing their
common past to the days when both were under British rule.
Today,
Singaporeans live and work in Myanmar, and Myanmar citizens also contribute to
Singapore society, he said.
At
meetings with Myanmar's top leaders yesterday, PM Lee said Singapore will
continue to support Myanmar's development by sharing its expertise where
possible.
He added
that he was very happy to see Myanmar's progress in political and economic
development. "We wish you well and we look forward to continuing to be of
help in a modest way," he said.
PM Lee
will launch the training institute, Singapore's flagship project in Myanmar,
tomorrow.
Its first
batch of students graduated last month and many have found jobs or internships
in Myanmar.
The
school also held training programmes for 160 trainers and recruited 40 of them
as its pioneer batch of instructors.
PM Lee
said he looked forward to working with Myanmar in Asean. "I understand
that your priority in this phase has to be domestic nation-building, but
Myanmar has an important contribution to make to the region," he said.
Earlier
in the day, PM Lee received a ceremonial welcome at the presidential palace
before meetings with Mr Htin Kyaw and Myanmar State Counsellor and Foreign
Minister Aung San Suu Kyi. They discussed how to strengthen economic ties and
boost air links between both countries to increase tourist flows.
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