Question : BANKING SERVICES WITH MYANMAR



(a) whether the Union Government are exploring possibilities for establishment of banking Serivces in Myanmar; and

(b) if so, the progress made so far in this regard?

Answer given by the minister


THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI BALASAHEB ViKHE PATIL):

(a) and, (b) Ministry of Commerce & Industry (Department of Commerce) have reported that in the Second Senior Trade/Economic Officials` Meeting (STEOM) of the ;Sangaldesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand Economic Co-operation (BIMST-EC), a forum under the Ministry of Commerce, held in Yangon, Myanmar, on 14th February, 2001 it was agreed that having proper banking arrangements is crucial for facilitating growth of trade among member countries and recommended consideration of setting up an Expert Group comprising representatives of the Central Banks. Action has been initiated to set up the Expert Group.