Myanmar is planning to reach agreements with all nine ASEAN countries on visa exemptions by 2015, sources from the Ministry of Immigration and Population revealed last week.
Currently, Myanmar has visa exemption agreements with Laos, Vietnam, the Philippines and Cambodia, while an agreement with Thailand was agreed in late 2012 but has been put on hold due to the current unrest taking place in Myanmar’s eastern neighbour.
The current agreements with ASEAN countries allow 14-day visits. “We aim for visa exemption agreements not just for tourists but also to help grow the export and import sectors between the countries in order for trade to flourish,” said U Maung Maung Than, director of the ministry.
“When Myanmar is ASEAN Chair [which officially began on January 1, 2014], a number of people from within the region will come for the meetings. An agreement would also help boost tourism development,” he added.
