France pledges to provide 200 mln EUR to Myanmar

French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Jean-Marc Ayrault  (Source: Getty Images)

French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Jean-Marc Ayrault revealed the information at a joint press conference with his Myanmar counterpart Aung San Suu Kyi in Nay Pyi Taw on June 17. 

Ayrault said the French Development Agency (AFD) got involved in Myanmar’s urban development, energy and health care.

He added that the Mayor Office of Paris is ready to help the Southeast Asian country with urban planning.

Also on the day, he had a meeting with the host country’s President U Htin Kyaw. 

The French Minister arrived in the Myanmar capital on a three-day visit on June 16. His trip is the first by a French government representative since the new Myanmar government took office in April.

The visit aims to establish a new foundation for the two countries’ relations, especially through the French development aid and the AFD financial assistance in the years to come. 

France is the 12th biggest investor in Myanmar. In the 2015-2016 fiscal year, the European country poured over US$546 billion in Myanmar.