"Myanmar is an agricultural country, so it will enter to the region's market with farming products," said Dr. Maung Maung Lay, Vice - President of Myanmar's Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI), at a press briefing about his country's capacity to be a full member of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by the end of 2015.

Myanmar, the country had been making headlines worldwide since 2010, when it embarked on a political and economic reform-process ending decades of international isolation.

Myanmar was like a sleeping beauty, waiting for princes to come", Maung Maung Lay describes his country's current state, attracting the outside world in many different ways.

Foreign businesses are visible almost everywhere in the streets of Yangon, the country's business capital. Foreign products and companies are waving their banners everywhere on billboards, in the newspaper advertisement sections and even on vehicles.

Vietnamese also appears on communication equipment, such as telephones or meeting-room speakers at conference rooms and hotels.

Mr. Maung Maung Lay noted that Myanmar has imported many products from Vietnam, adding that "the two countries are both parts of the Mekong community, ASEAN region, and familiar culture. We are one", the official said.

However, he also mentioned about the completion joining the AEC, and indicated that farming industry is the key business sector of his country.

Thus, Vietnam, the second biggest rice exporter in ASEAN, and market leader Thailand will be Myanmar's direct competitor in AEC. Pyaf Sonf Do underlined. The 29-year-old man who earned an economic degree in Canada and worked there before returning to his native country where he exports rice to Africa.

 Myanmar exports only small amounts of rice to ASEAN countries like Indonesia and Philippines, but wants to target the EU and the US market in the future.

"I know it is not easy to enter the fight; we will face a lot of difficulties, but I believe we will have our own way to overcome", said Pyaf. "By now, Vietnam is the mayor competitor for us. Its established export industry and the low price are advantages for Vietnamese rice. To compete, we have to focus on producing high quality rice," the young business man added.

Pyaf is betting on scientific research to improve the quality of his rice, as well as training and capacity-building.

"We will train our farmers with high technology and modern knowledge on the product's quality as well. I think all those things will help," Pyaf added.

Rice production in Vietnam in the Mekong and Red River deltas is important to the food supply in the country and national economy.

The Mekong River and its tributaries are crucial to rice production in Vietnam. The delta produced about 20 million tons in 2008, about a half of the country's total production. The rice field has assured food security to its population whose 75 percent of daily meals are met by rice, and support diets to international consumers.

Meanwhile, according to Myanmar's media, rice exports by Myanmar in 2012-13 were the highest in 46 years, and are expected to grow to around 3 million tons in 2013-14, up around 43% from the previous year.

Myanmar has expanded its export market from mostly African countries during the military rule (that ended in 2008) to China, Japan, and European countries, including Russia, Spain, Portugal and Belgium.

Recently, Myanmar signed an agreement with Indonesia to export up to 500,000 tons of rice per year to Indonesia.

Myanmar’s rice production stands at around 13 to 14 million tons of milled rice. The country is aiming to increase rice production by introducing a third crop to help boost rice exports.

Hoang Huong (from Myanmar)