Contact: FAS Public Affairs (202) 720-7115
U.S. Department of Agriculture Expands Presence and Engagement in Myanmar
YANGON, MYANMAR, August 8, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is expanding its activities and services in Myanmar with the opening of a new office in Yangon.
“The opening of the FAS office in Myanmar is a part of the greater United States commitment to strengthening collaboration between our two countries through increased trade and investment,” said FAS Administrator Phil Karsting, who traveled from Washington, D.C., for the official opening. “USDA is committed to supporting inclusive economic growth that helps Myanmar further integrate into the global economy and deliver tangible economic benefits to the people of this country.”
With the opening of the office in Yangon, FAS now has a network of 94 offices at U.S. Embassies and diplomatic missions around the world, covering 171 countries. In addition to building international markets and facilitating exports of U.S. food and agricultural products, FAS leads USDA’s efforts to help developing countries strengthen their food and agricultural systems, establishing a foundation for future trading opportunities. FAS also supports U.S. agriculture in its vital role of helping to feed hungry people around the world, working with the U.S. Agency for International Development and other partners to administer food assistance programs and provide technical expertise to help improve food security developing countries.
FAS invests in the future of the countries where it operates by helping them strengthen their agricultural institutions and regulatory systems, encouraging compliance with international norms and fostering an environment conducive to agricultural growth. FAS-sponsored fellowship and exchange programs enable international researchers, policymakers and agricultural specialists to work alongside their U.S. counterparts, acquiring knowledge and skills to help build their countries’ agricultural sectors.
For more information about FAS, visit www.fas.usda.gov.
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