Burma removes over 2,000 names from entry blacklist to support reform

Yangon, Aug. 28 (Xinhua-ANI): The Myanmar government has lifted 2, 082 out of 6,165 black-listed people in line with its current reform policy, the official New Light of Myanmar reported Tuesday.

They include those from companies and media community who were black-listed and banned by the government in the past.

The lift, which also covers Myanmar citizens currently residing abroad, would encourage and enable them to return to Myanmar, said the paper.

The report quoted the authorities as saying that "The government is now introducing democracy in line with the constitution while making political and economic reforms."

Since taking office on March 30, 2011, President U Thein Sein' s new government has, on a number of occasions, urged Myanmar experts residing abroad to return home to join hands with the government and do their shares for economic prosperity and development of the nation.

"Myanmar is ranked as one of the least developed nations in the Asia-Pacific region. But the capacity of Myanmar people is beyond question if provided with a favorable environment in which they can demonstrate their skill," an official commentary said, adding that "The success stories of Myanmar migrants around the world are convincing evidence of the fact."

"The government alone cannot cope with all the daunting challenges on the revolutionary path toward a democratic nation but it calls for collaborative efforts of the government and the people in unison," the president was quoted as saying.

"As the country is moving toward a new inspiring chapter, however with various challenges and threats, big and small awaiting all of us," it said, calling on the foreign-based Myanmar people to come back cherishing their motherland, their families and friends.

"Our country at the moment is in critical need of human capital that can lead the nation towards its goal as it is undergoing a series of drastic reform," the commentary added. (Xinhua-ANI)