Myanmar vows to provide safe, secured environment for incoming foreign visitors

Myanmar government has vowed to provide safe and secured environment for foreigners visiting the country, official media reported Tuesday.

Development of security system at border check points to welcome targeted 5.5 million tourists worldwide this year is necessary, said Vice President U Myint Swe, who is also chairman of the supervisory committee for taking care of foreign visitors.

Myanmar police force has established a 24/7 channel to connect the international organizations regarding matters related scrutinizing and protecting foreign visitors, he told the first meeting of the committee Monday.

He called for stepping up scrutiny of visitors entering the country for security, especially those blacklisted by the international governments and Myanmar government, while promoting the tourism sector.

He urged for all-out efforts to achieve the functions of the committee to ensuring sustainable tourism in the country.

Meanwhile, Myanmar introduced in January a new entry and re-entry visa system to foreigners. Under the new system, there are 12 types of entry visa and three types of re-entry visa to be sought through Myanmar embassies abroad.

Except the gratis diplomatic or official courtesy visa which is granted free of charge and the duration of stay to last as long as the tour of duty, visa such as business visa, employment visa, religious visa and education visa will allow 70 days of stay on paying 36 U.S. dollars, while official visa and tourist visa 20 dollars for 28 days, social visa, journalist visa, crew visa and workshop, seminar, meeting and research visa 36 dollars for 28 days.

Transit visa will cost 18 dollars for 24 hours' stay.

Visa-on-arrival are available at three Myanmar international airports - Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw for business, workshop, crew and transit purposes.

Re-entry visas include ordinary, special and multiple journey special and their permitted period of stay is not specified. Enditem