Min Aung Hlaing highlights Myanmar's strength as a land bridge connecting ASEAN and East Asia, accelerating projects like the Thilawa deep-sea port and cyber city, while promoting policies such as EV tax exemptions and a baht-kyat payment system.
On 6 Aug 2026 GMT+7, Min Aung Hlaing, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, delivered a speech at the Thailand–Myanmar Business Forum 2026. He expressed his honor at visiting Thailand and his pleasure in meeting many business representatives and senior executives to strengthen relations and promote economic cooperation.
This cooperation agreement between Myanmar and Thai private sectors focuses on leveraging each other's strengths in a balanced way (Complementary Economy) to develop the economy, drive innovation, and ensure long-term stability. Myanmar and Thailand share a long border and close relations among their people, governments, and businesses. Border trade points such as Myawaddy–Mae Sot, Kawthaung–Ranong, and Tachileik–Mae Sai serve as key drivers of economic growth for both countries.
: "Belief in Myanmar as a connecting bridge" (title only, no additional text to translate)
Min Aung Hlaing continued that today’s world is increasingly interconnected with deeper economic integration. Myanmar benefits from fertile natural resources and a strategic geographic position. Located as a land bridge between ASEAN and East Asia, Myanmar is known as the western gateway and plays a vital role in Andaman Sea maritime transport. Myanmar is developing key projects like Thilawa, Dawei SEZ, the Thilawa deep-sea port, and special economic zones in Dawei and Thilawa. The Thilawa deep-sea port, closest to Thailand, is the nearest export point for Thai goods to South and West Asia.
: "Hope to connect Asian routes" (title only, no additional text to translate)
Min Aung Hlaing added that Myanmar’s inclusion in the Asian Highway Network and Asian power grid creates opportunities to connect with regional logistics systems. Myanmar is a resource-rich country with potential to meet domestic needs. The government prioritizes and promotes investments in sectors such as fertilizer production, food processing, confectionery, healthcare, and electric vehicle manufacturing. It also supports processing industries like rubber production. Thailand and Myanmar share strong ties in medical services and health management. Therefore, enhancing connectivity at Myawaddy, Tachileik, and Kawthaung presents great investment opportunities in border economic zones.
: "Emphasizing use of intellectual property laws" (title only, no additional text to translate)
Min Aung Hlaing stated that the government is committed to promoting both domestic and foreign investment by fostering a transparent and clear economic environment, streamlining procedures for convenience and speed, and continuously supporting appropriate policies.
The investment promotion and protection agreement between Myanmar and Thailand has been in effect since 8 June 2012. He invited businesspeople to invest confidently under protections offered. Myanmar fully enforced four intellectual property laws in 2024 and established a trade exchange system using kyat and baht since 2022.
: "Highlighting EV tax exemptions" (title only, no additional text to translate)
Min Aung Hlaing further said that to improve the economic and investment climate, the government has implemented reforms including customs tax exemptions for electric vehicle investments. The focus is on promoting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which are vital for economic recovery in both countries, by reviewing procedures and restoring regional business cooperation. They are also digitizing workflows under the Myanmar Digital Roadmap 2023.
Additionally, the Yadanabon Cyber City project is underway on about 1,000 acres in Pyin Oo Lwin, an area with favorable climate. He invited interested Thai businesspeople to participate in this project.
: "Hope for cooperation between the two countries" (title only, no additional text to translate)
In conclusion, he expressed hope that today's forum would strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries in new dimensions. He invited all parties to collaborate for resilience in investment, border trade, and regional economic connectivity by combining Myanmar's resource and energy advantages with technology, capital, and expertise. Such integration would create a stable win-win outcome. He wished for strong and successful business ties between both sides in every respect.
