Japan sees opportunity in Myanmar's emerging economy

Japan's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso shakes hands with Myanmar's President Thein Sein (L) as they meet in the capital Naypyitaw January 3, 2013.

LONDON (Reuters) - Japan's deputy prime minister confirmed fresh financial aid for Myanmar on Friday during a visit to an industrial zone that underlined the long-isolated nation's growing importance as an economic partner.

With a land mass as large as Britain and France combined, Myanmar shares borders with 40 percent of the world's population in India, China, Bangladesh and Thailand.

President Thein Sein's quasi-civilian government has enacted reforms since it took over from a long-ruling military junta nearly two years ago.

Taro Aso, who is also Japan's finance minister, chose the country for his first official visit abroad just a week after taking up his job.

His visit sets the stage for Japanese firms to gain privileged access to Myanmar as Western competitors move in slowly after years of economic sanctions.

"I can feel Myanmar has very big potential. It is our intention to support its development by private-public partnership," Aso said as he visited Thilawa, a $12.6 billion, 2,400 hectare special economic zone and centrepiece of Japan-Myanmar relations.

Mitsubishi Corp., Marubeni Corp. and Sumitomo Corp. form the Japanese side of the joint venture developing the industrial park. The plan is to build the first 400 hectares by 2015 and start luring Japanese and global manufacturers.

Aso confirmed during the visit that Tokyo would waive part of Myanmar's 500 billion yen debt and make a fresh loan of 50 billion yen, partly to kick-start construction of Thilawa.

"The Myanmar side has thanked us for waiving their debts many times," Aso told reporters in Yangon. "I hope this will serve as a first step in boosting Myanmar's economic development."

Aso, a senior member of the Japan-Myanmar Association, had arranged the visit before he was appointed, but took many by surprise with his decision to go despite a busy domestic agenda.

Aiming to offset the economic impact of Tokyo's frayed relations with Beijing, Shinzo Abe's new administration has been reaching out to other Asian neighbours, pledging to send special envoys to improve ties with both South Korea and Russia.

Myanmar is still re-working its laws governing special economic zones after passing new foreign direct investment laws last year. Officials there hope Thilawa will bring employment opportunities to the job-starved country, helping stabilise a country undergoing social and economic upheaval.

"With the help of Japan and its technology, we will be able to create jobs for the people and enter a new age of economic development," said Win Aung, who heads the Myanmar side of the consortium.

Japan is also investing in an economic zone in Dawei on Myanmar's southern peninsula, where the largest industrial complex in Southeast Asia is on the drawing board.

(Editing by Tom Pfeiffer)