The 22nd World Economic Forum on East Asia, hosted by Myanmar for the first time, was formally opened at Myanmar International Convention Center in Nay Pyi Taw Thursday.

Chairman of the World Economic Forum Professor Klaus Schwab, Myanmar President U Thein Sein, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong delivered speeches respectively at the opening ceremony.

Schwab said Myanmar is creating a historic chapter. The participants are not only observers but will be also possible partners in the future.

He urged Myanmar to learn from neighboring countries, continuously carry out reform, promote the growth of sustainabilty, speediness and inclusiveness, expressing his optimism over the prospects of Myanmar.

Myanmar President U Thein Sein assured in his speech of unshakably continuing the country's reform process, hoping the international community would render support and assistance to Myanmar which needs foreign investment .

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong stressed strengthening of building ASEAN integration, vowing to make joint efforts to build up ASEAN Community in 2015 to realize ASEAN development goals.

The three-day forum, which began on Wednesday, includes several separate sessions covering agenda of acceleration of ASEAN integration, dialogue with Myanmar businesses and energy development.

The motto of the forum is "Courageous Transformation for Inclusion and Integration".

The forum brings together over 900 participants including over 500 business leaders from 55 countries and the host country.

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