Written by Mizzima News Monday, 28 December 2009 15:24

Background:

Saudi Arabia established diplomatic relations with Myanmar in August 2004 and opened its embassy in Yangon in December 2005. New trading arrangements that were previously carried out through the Egyptian embassy are now conducted directly.

Myanmar and Saudi Arabia have no official business links despite forging of diplomatic ties more than four years ago. However, Myanmar exports seafood, gems, wood and agricultural products to Saudi Arabia, while the latter could potentially export to Myanmar goods such as pharmaceuticals, canned juice, urea and petroleum products.

Events:

May 2008 Myanmar Deputy Foreign Minister U Kyaw Thu visited Saudi Arabia and had discussions with his Saudi counterpart on the two countries' trade and Myanmar workers' job opportunities in Saudi Arabia

4 Dec 2009 The Saudi Development Fund (SDF) will provide an interest-free loan of 8 million U.S. dollars to Myanmar to help develop Myanmar's irrigation sector.

19 Nov 2010 Prime Minister U Thein Sein received a delegation led by His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed Bin Talah Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud who is also the Chairman of Kingdom Holding Company of Saudi Arabia at the hall of the Government Office. After the call, the Prime Minister attended the ceremony to donate cash to the funds for storm victims of Rakhine State and for the social activities of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association at the hall of the Government Office.