US permits NGOs to do development projects in Myanmar | WPN World People News

The US has announced plans to ease some of the financial sanctions against Myanmar that will enable American NGOs to do charity work in the formerly military-ruled Southeast Asian nation.

The announcement by the US Treasury Department Tuesday is likely to be followed by a similar one from the European Union, according to media reports.

The relaxation of sanctions will allow financial transactions to support humanitarian and development projects in Myanmar, which in the recent past has undertaken democratic reforms after decades of military rule.

The April 1 by-elections, widely held as free and fair, were swept by the opposition party of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi who is set to enter parliament when it begins its new session later this month.

"We are taking this step to support a broader range of not-for-profit activity in Burma (Myanmar) by private US organizations and individuals to promote increased cooperation between the Burmese and the American people," a senior Treasury Department official said.

Earlier the Foreign Assets Control section of the department issued a general license authorizing financial transactions for a range of projects and programmes for good governance, health, education and sports.

US State Department spokesman Mark Toner told journalists that easing of sanctions "were action in response to what we viewed as very positive parliamentary elections".

Following the US steps, European Union is also likely to authorize investments and exports of sensitive products to Myanmar.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton told AFP news agency that the 27-nation bloc will enter into "an active collaboration with Myanmar" that will assist the reform process and contribute to economic, political and social development in the country.

British Prime Minister David Cameron who was in Myanmar earlier this month called for the suspension of sanctions. Australia and Norway have made similar move this week.

Source: Europe News.Net