After three days of negotiations, the Myanmar government has reached a preliminary ceasefire with the Kachin rebels, raising hopes of ending two years of fighting. Min Zaw Oo, the director of the Myanmar Peace Centre, told the AFP news agency that Kachin and government representatives had signed a seven-point plan, including an agreement to halt hostilities.
The 22nd World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia will take place in Naypyidaw from 5-7 June. Over 900 government officials, business leaders, civil society representatives and academics will meet and discuss issues facing Myanmar and East Asia today. Sushant Palakurthi Rao, senior director and head of Asia at the World Economic Forum, said the event would help ensure that development in Myanmar translates into “inclusive growth”, as the country continues on a path of “bold economic and political reform”. Mr Sushant added that Asean integration would be another major theme of the conference.