MFA Press Statement: Visit by Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, 14 to 16 March 2017

ESM Goh Chok Tong called on Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw, 15 March 2017. From left to right: MP Joan Pereira, MP Zaqy Mohamad, Ambassador in Yangon Robert Chua, ESM Goh Chok Tong, President U Htin Kyaw, Union Minister for Transport and Communications Thant Sin Maung, Union Minister for Labour, Immigration and Population Thein Swe, Union Minister for Education Dr Myo Thein Gyi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Kyaw Tin

ESM Goh Chok Tong and Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw witnessing the signing of the SMVTI Vocational Training Institute MOU, 15 March 2017.

     Emeritus Senior Minister (ESM) Goh Chok Tong called on President U Htin Kyaw and met with Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services (C-in-C) Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on 15 March 2017.  ESM Goh and President U Htin Kyaw reaffirmed the longstanding and excellent bilateral relations between Singapore and Myanmar, as underscored by the 50^th anniversary of our diplomatic relations last year.  President U Htin Kyaw expressed appreciation for Singapore’s steadfast friendship, and ESM Goh reaffirmed Singapore’s continued support for Myanmar’s development.  They also discussed Myanmar’s development challenges and growth strategies.

     ESM Goh and President U Htin Kyaw also witnessed the signing of a renewed SMVTI Vocational Training Institute Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).  Under the new MOU, the Myanmar government will gradually take over the funding and management of the SMVTI while Singapore will continue to provide technical and management skills, with the aim to equip SMVTI personnel to manage the Institute independently.  Additional details on the SMVTI is at Annex.

     During their meeting, ESM and C-in-C Senior General Min Aung Hlaing discussed developments in Myanmar and how Singapore can continue to be a supportive partner in Myanmar's development.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

15 MARCH 2017

Annex

INFO SHEET ON THE SMVTI VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

     The idea of Singapore setting up a modest vocational training centre in Myanmar first arose following Emeritus Senior Minister (ESM) Goh Chok Tong's visit to Myanmar in June 2012, when Myanmar leaders sought Singapore’s assistance in skills training to support Myanmar’s industrialisation policy.  Singapore formally proposed the establishment of the SMVTI during President Tony Tan’s State Visit to Myanmar in April 2013.  The Myanmar government responded positively to our offer and provided a prime site in downtown Yangon (which housed the former Burma Polytechnic) for the SMVTI.  In April 2014, both sides signed a three-year MOU to formalise our respective contributions for the SMVTI project.

2     PM launched the SMVTI on 9 June 2016 during his official visit to Myanmar.  The SMVTI comprises four Schools, namely, (a) Hospitality and Tourism; (b) Electrical Skills and Electronics; (c) Facilities Management; and (d) Engineering Services.  So far, 718 students have graduated from the SMVTI and have had excellent job prospects. 66% have found jobs quickly after graduation with many being hired before they graduate.

3     Singapore and Myanmar have been working closely to ensure the success and long term sustainability of the SMVTI.  The SMVTI’s governing board is co-chaired at the ministerial level by Minister for Education Ong Ye Kung and Union Minister for Education Myo Thein Gyi.  The Myanmar government has given strong support to the project, in line with their emphasis on education and skills training to support Myanmar’s rapidly developing economy.  Myanmar State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi reaffirmed the importance of vocational training for Myanmar when she visited SMVTI on 3 December 2016.

4     The renewal of the SMVTI MOU reflects Singapore’s continued commitment to Myanmar’s human resource development.  Under the new MOU, the Myanmar Government will gradually take over the funding and management of the SMVTI.  During the next three years, Singapore will continue to provide technical and management skills, with the aim to equip SMVTI personnel to run the Institute independently.

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