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Opening Remarks for MDCR III Report Launching Event by H.E. Ambassador Jong-Won YOON
Thursday 23 June 2016,Yangon
Min-ga-la- Ba!
It is my great pleasure to be in Myanmar,and I would like to thank you all for a very cordial welcome.
First of all, I’d like to thank U Win Aung, President of Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, for hosting the launch of the OECD Multi-
Dimensional Country Review here in Yangon.
I am also grateful to Professor UAungTunThet for moderating the session today, and all of our speakers,U Ye Min Aung, Managing Director for
Myanmar Agribusiness Public Corporation (MAPCO);Dr U SoeTun, Secretary General for Myanmar Rice Federation; and Professor U Yu Pa, Yangon
University of Economics.
Today I am here with the MDCR team from the OECD Development Centre. I believe I am continuing a fine tradition, as former Prime Minister of Korea Han SeungSoopreviously accompanied this delegation for the first policy dialogue in Yangon.
I am particularly pleased to join this mission as Myanmar is taking a historical journey in its transition.
(Myanmar’s journey for a bright future)
Myanmar today stands at a critical juncture. It is time for Myanmar, in the heart of Asia, to create a bright future and write the next chapter of the Asian
story.Myanmar has made impressive progress; for example,it has gained macroeconomic stability, sustaining growthat over 7 percent. It is still fragile and needs strong institutional underpinnings, but the groundwork has been laid.
The next step is to undertake sustainable, strong, and inclusive development—
to lower poverty and lift the prospects of everyone in the nation.
As you are well aware, economic development is a very complex and difficult process. Challenges are daunting, given that Myanmar is experiencing multiple transitions. Making decisions in an uncertain and complex situation is not an easy task, butpolicy experiences of other countries and advice of international
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partners can be useful guides.In other words, they are your useful navigator as you try to find your way. In this regard, I consider today’s launching event particularly meaningful.
Now, I feel that I am wearing two hats, one for the OECD, the other for Korea.
(OECDand MDCR III Report)
Firstly, I’d like to touch upon the work of the OECD. As you know, the OECD is an international organization consisting of 34 countries. While its members are mostly advanced, it is closely cooperating with developing countries through regional programs, such as the Southeast Asia Regional Program, and individual country programs. The Development Centre is the main body through which the OECD Secretariat co-operates with developing countries.
The Development Centre is a unique forum where 51 OECD and non-OECD countries come together to share their experience of economic and social development policies. The objective is to help policy makers develop“better policiesfor better lives.”It has over 50 years of expertise in public policies, analysingwhich policies have worked and which have not.
Its collaboration with Myanmar has been enriching. It has learned from Myanmar’s experience and,in turn, hasproposed ideas for Myanmar’s
development based on what has worked for other countries and that can meet the country’s challenges.
Against this backdrop, todaywe are launching the Phase III MDCR report, entitled with “From Analysis to Action.”Myanmar is the first country for whichthe OECD undertook a multi-dimensional review. This report is the culmination of last three years of hard work that has brought together
Development Centre and Myanmar actors from the private and public sectors, as well as civil society.
Thisreport emphasizes agriculture and skills, covering how to create value with quality agriculture products, how to develop human resources, and how to modernize agricultural finance. I am sure that agriculture and the agri-food industry present an important opportunity for Myanmar, including for itseconomic development, poverty alleviation, and return to the country’s historic role as “Southeast Asia’s rice bowl.”
Having said that, I’d like to add some points from the Korean perspective.
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Korea faced daunting challenges in the early development stage, like Myanmar, and suffered from hardships from the war, extreme poverty, and difficulties to obtain bare necessities. Peoplemade sacrificesand persevered, through “blood, sweat, and tears.”They are, however, necessary but not sufficient conditions.
Good policies, right incentives, and sound institutions are critical. Human capital, macroeconomic stability, competition and innovation, and sound governance have been among the key factors that underlie the success story.
Korea’s experience shows that economic transformation and rural development are complementary. The rural development strategy, called SaemaulUndong(“New Village Movement”), contributed toenhancing agricultural productivityand
providing infrastructure in rural areas, therebyimproving the quality of life in both rural and urban areas. I am pleased tosee that this MDCR report well captures the key components of the rural development strategies.
Strong cooperation between Myanmar and Korea is underway. I hope that Korea’s development experience will offer useful lessons for Myanmar in designing and implementing development strategy.
(OECD, Myanmar and Korea)
Lastly, I hope the fruitful collaboration between the OECD and Myanmar will make a lasting difference in Myanmar’s future.Let me also assure you that Korea willstand by Myanmar as a friend in your futureendeavours.
Thank you once again for your hospitality.
Kyeizu tin ba de!