Pinoys can now stay longer in Myanmar without visa

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III and Myanmar President Thein Sein witnessed on Thursday the signing of several agreements including one that allows Filipinos to stay in Myanmar for up to 14 days without need for a visa.

Aquino said the agreement will grant Filipinos who are holders of ordinary passports visa-free entry to Myanmar for tourism and business purposes.

"We had the chance to pay a short visit to their country earlier this June—and we are pleased that more Filipinos will have greater opportunities to see the beauty of Myanmar. This will also facilitate the people-to-people exchanges that are vital to our countries’ relationship," Aquino said.

The no-visa MOA was one of the memoranda signed by the Philippines and Myanmar on Thursday.

Aquino and Thein Sein also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Trade and Investment and agreed to continue discussions on establishing a Joint Trade Commission and concluding a Double Taxation Agreement.

A MOA between the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce was also inked, which will establish a bilateral business forum.

"By facilitating linkages with businessmen from both our countries, this forum will serve as a mechanism to match Philippine businesses with the business opportunities in Myanmar, and vice versa," Aquino said.

Also signed were MOUs on cooperations in renewable energy and agriculture and discussed collaboration in rice research and irrigation, the development of pineapple and banana plantations, as well as technical cooperation in forestry and forestry industries development.

The two countries also concluded an MOU on information and cooperation, providing for the exchange of visits of journalists from the Philippines and Myanmar, for cooperation between private radio and television networks in both nations, and for the sharing of best practices on media’s role in national development.

Aquino said the Philippines and Myanmar have also agreed to update the 1979 Air Services Agreement and discussed the need of further cooperation to combat illicit trafficking and abuse of drugs.

Myanmar president to visit Cebu

As part of his state visit, Thein Sein and his delegation will go to Cebu to show support for the relief efforts for the victims of Super Typhoon "Yolanda."

Aquino said Thein Sein will bring with him a team of doctors and two tons of relief goods.

"[A]llow me to reiterate how grateful we are for the support that Myanmar has given to the Philippines," Aquino said.

The President also thanked the Myanmar government for its donation of $100,000 in humanitarian aid and for the seven tons of relief goods flown in by the Myanmar Defense Services.

Thein Sein is also set to visit the International Rice Research Institute in Laguna to acquaint himself with the latest developments in rice research.