Myanmar hails EU lifting of sanctions

Описание: (23 Apr 2013)
1. Various of workers at garment factory
2. Various of workers sewing
3. Pan of young workers
4. Close of young worker
5. Close of hands working with scissors
6. Tracking shot of Myint Soe, chairman of Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association and vice chairman of Union of Myanmar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, walking in his factory
7. Visiting German businessmen inside garment factory
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Markus Kanz, Economic adviser at Kanz Financial Holding:
''Good conditions for labour, no child labour or if there are, the kids which are coming form the school and going to work, they should be trained. They should have a similar system like in Germany, a dual system, where they have a combination between school and working. And finally it is good for everybody. It is a win-win situation for the industry and for the people here."
9. Various of German businessmen talking with Myint Soe
10. SOUNDBITE (Burmese) Myint Soe, Chairman of Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association and vice chairman of Union of Myanmar Chamber of Commerce and Industry:
"Because the European Commission has removed the sanctions, not only our exports to European market will increase but as well the European investment will come to us as well."
11. Various of workers at garment factory
12. Various of workers taking lunch break
STORYLINE:
Myanmar on Tuesday hailed a European Union decision lifting political and economic sanctions against the former pariah state, pledging to continue its reforms and march towards democracy.
On Tuesday, a group of German businessmen visited a garment factory in the outskirts of Yangon to evaluate the work force ahead of making a deal to buy the factory.
The visit came as a senior Myanmar diplomat said the international community can expect more reforms, especially in socio-economic sectors.
Markus Kanz, a member of the German group, said the decision to lift economic sanctions is a "win-win situation for the industry and for the people" of Myanmar.
According to Myint Soe, the chairman of the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association and the head of the garment factory the group visited on Tuesday, removing the sanctions could open up the garment market and improve the lives of its thousands of workers.
He said the number of garment factories could increase from 200 to 300 and that the work force expand from 120-thousand to 200-thousand.
"Because the European Commission has removed the sanctions, not only our exports to European market will increase but as well the European investment will come to us as well," Myint Soe said.
The 27-nation bloc lifted all sanctions except for the sale of arms and equipment that can be used for internal repression.
The economic sanctions were suspended last April for one year after Myanmar's military rulers handed over power to a civilian government that launched democratic reforms.
The measures had targeted more than 800 companies and nearly 500 people, and included the suspension of some development aid.
EU officials say the sanctions' permanent abolition will encourage firms and development organisations from the bloc, the world's largest economy, to strengthen ties with Myanmar.


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