The European Union and Myanmar have identified four main sectors for development cooperation during 2014-2020, namely rural development, education, governance and support to peace building.
This was announced by European Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs on Thursday while on a visit to Myanmar to participate in the first EU-Myanmar Task Force.
Although bilateral assistance budget has not been formally approved by the European Parliament and the European Council, EU support could increase up to EUR90 million per year, the European Commission said in a press release.
Piebalgs said: "The development taking place in Myanmar is unprecedented and to needs to be acknowledged. But we must not forget about the challenges ahead, for which the EU, as one of the main donors, will stand by with further support to continue the necessary reforms in the country. This will be done in coordination with EU Member-States and other donors, and in harmony with the government's own plans."
In addition to attending the Task Force Meeting, Piebalgs is also chairing a Development Forum with the Myanmar Minister for Planning Kan Zaw. Opposition leader and democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi, civil society organizations and private sector representatives also will be attending the Forum. It will provide an opportunity to discuss a coordinated response from the EU and Member-States and to support the government's development plans over the next few years, as well as to review and debate the key development challenges facing Myanmar.
Piebalgs is also taking part in the official launch of the SWITCH-SMART (SMEs for Environmental, Accountability, Responsibility and Transparency) program. The project promotes and supports sustainable production of garments "made in Myanmar" striving to increase the international competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises in this sector. The three-year project is funded with an EU grant of about EUR2 million and aims to reduce poverty through trade and private sector development in Myanmar.
The visit of the EU-Myanmar Task Force is part of a "Joint Programming," through which the EU and its Member-States jointly assess the priorities in each partner country to establish a common framework to implement their development programs.
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