The Policy Research Institute (PRI) conducts technical cooperation mainly for Myanmar Economic Bank (MEB) in conjunction with the Japan Finance Corporation, Micro Business and Individual Unit (JFC-Micro) in order to improve MEB’s capacity in SME Finance. We held the 2nd seminar on SME Finance in two cities of Myanmar, Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw. There were 124 participants from MEB’s credit analysis staff. The signing ceremony of the memorandum on technical cooperation was held at the central branch of MEB (Nay Pyi Taw).

With the aim of promoting formation and improving the efficiency of technical assistance (TA) proposals pertaining to public finance, money market and taxes, the PRI hosted roundtable discussions by practice staff of the Ministry of Finance (the Customs and Tariff Bureau, the International Bureau and the PRI), the National Tax Agency, the Financial Services Agency, the Bank of Japan and JICA.

At the 12th TA Round Table Discussions, persons in charge of the organizations introduced TA proposals, which were followed by a Q&A session and a free discussion.

In order to accumulate information on the relationships of frequent earthquake disasters, protectionist moves, and rapid development of technologies with trade and global logistics, the PRI, jointly held the Trade and Global Logistics Workshop with Nittsu Research Institute and Consulting on December 13.

The PRI has been holding workshops on timely themes closely related to finance and economy. For FY2018, the institute decided to hold the Workshop on Innovations in the Digital Age (chaired by Professor YANAGAWA Noriyuki (University of Tokyo)) under the theme of digitalization of economy and held the first meeting on December 18.

With a view to improving the MOF’s knowledge on the current situation and policies of ASEAN countries, the PRI has been holding ASEAN Workshops by inviting external experts.

At the 1st ASEAN Workshop in 2018, Mr. USHIYAMA Ryuichi (Principal Economist of the Japan Center for Economic Research) gave a lecture on “ASEAN companies crossing borders – accelerated multi-nationalization,” which was followed by a Q&A session on the subject and a free discussion.

For research and study of political and economic situations in China, the PRI has been holding the China Research Conference.

At the 2nd meeting, Committee Member TANAKA Osamu (PRI Advisor on Research Exchange with China), Committee Member TAKAHARA Akio (Dean, Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Tokyo) and Committee Member SEGUCHI Kiyoyuki (Research Director at the Canon Institute for Global Studies) gave lectures on “Economic trends and economic policy in 2019,” “Japan-China relations” and “China’s international relations from the viewpoint of economic policy operation,” respectively. The lectures were followed by a Q&A session on the subject and a free discussion.

Ministry of Finance Statistics Monthly Monthly Finance Review