(Washington, DC) The National Foreign Trade Council, the US-ASEAN Business Council, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce issued the following statement after Myanmar's by-elections on April 1:
"We are encouraged by the positive developments in Myanmar, and what appears to have been a much improved electoral process compared to the last elections. This election is an important milestone in that country's ongoing process of reform. Resolving political differences will be fundamental to Myanmar's economic development, and to the welfare of its people.
"Further, we support the enhanced U.S. diplomatic engagement with Myanmar that has occurred over the past several months. We call for its continuation and expansion, including taking the next step in the administration's already-announced plans to upgrade the status of our embassy in Yangon by nominating a U.S. ambassador as soon as possible. We believe that such engagement has been, and will be, crucial in encouraging and supporting further reform."