The Myanmar junta and the Russian counterpart are not onlyworking in political and military ties, but also joining hands in businessaffairs. Under the initiative, a direct flight between Myanmar and Russia willstart by July this year, reported BETV.

Myanmar investment and foreign economic relations minister Dr Kan Zaw recentlyannounced about the flight during the SPIEF-2023 International Business Forumat St Petersburg.

“Myanmar Airways International's flights will start its operation next month.MAI will fly from Yangon and Mandalay to Russia's capital Moscow andNovosibirsk once a week,'' he added.

The Russian citizens are eagerly waiting for the direct flights to Myanmar, andthe Russian hotels and tourism ministry is planning to present the Russianfriendship program very soon.

“This program will arrange travels from Russia to Myanmar,''said Dr Zaw.

Myanmar is expecting the Russian authorities to reciprocateby exempting visa restrictions for their nationals, he added.

Since 2022, the Myanmar authorities have allowed the Russian citizens to enjoyseamless tourist visa facilities.

Currently, a memorandum of understanding has been signed between the twogovernments for initiating various hotel and tourism activities at Ngapalibeach of Rakhine State in western Myanmar.

However, it has received critical views that this initiative would help Russiato build a naval base on the Rakhine coast in the days to come.