Keidanren, Myanmar begin talks on t

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Kyodo News Service

Keidanren, Myanmar begin talks on trade, investment

DATELINE: YANGON, May 28 Kyodo

Japan's Federation of Economic Organizations (Keidanren), its most powerful 
business lobby, and the
Myanmar government began a two-day meeting Monday to explore ways to 
promote economic
cooperation between Tokyo and Yangon.

The talks follow Tokyo's decision last month to provide a grant to repair 
an aging hydroelectric power
station in Myanmar after the Yangon junta last October resumed dialogue 
with pro-democracy leader
Aung San Suu Kyi for the first time in seven years.

The meeting is meant to step up private-sector economic cooperation, 
especially in the fields of trade
and investment, and help push the regime to hold dialogue with Suu Kyi, 
Keidanren officials said.

Delegates from Keidanren and the Myanmar government are scheduled to 
discuss how to promote
information technology-related businesses in Myanmar and accelerate 
Japanese firms' trade and
investment in the country, the officials said.