Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Tin Oo Lwin received Nepali Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Harishchandra Ghimire, and Sri Lankan Ambassador to Myanmar Mr JMJP Bandara in Nay Pyi Taw at 12 pm and 2 pm respectively yesterday.
During the meeting with the Nepali ambassador, they discussed the establishment of direct flights between Yangon-Kathmandu, Yangon-Lumbini, and Mandalay-Lumbini, the export of seafood products from Myanmar to Nepal, enabling tourists to visit famous pagodas in Myanmar and prominent places in the far north of the country, lowering the land rent for the Myanmar Golden Temple and the Lawkamanisula Pagoda in Lumbini Park.
During the meeting with the ambassador of Sri Lanka to Myanmar, they discussed the matter of foreigners studying at the International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University in Yangon, Myanmar, without the burden of covering their food and living expenses and the lowering of expenses for Myanmar monks pursuing their studies at Buddhist universities in Colombo and Kandy, Sri Lanka.
Union Minister for Hotels and Tourism Dr Thet Thet Khine also received Nepali Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Harishchandra Ghimire in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.
The Nepali ambassador to Myanmar stated that the Lumbini region in Nepal is the ideal destination for pilgrims. He held meetings and discussions with Myanmar National Airlines and Myanma Airways International regarding airline operations. Furthermore, he elaborated on the implementation of the e-visa system in Nepal and emphasized the need for enhanced cooperation in the development of tourism between the two countries.
The Union minister discussed the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on tourism cooperation signed between the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal, as well as the resumption of charter flights for pilgrims travelling to Bodh Gaya and Lumbini. Airlines and private organizations are encouraged to plan and operate pilgrimage trips. — MNA/KZW
