Myanmar - The political and socio-economic changes in Myanmar are leading to increased mobility by land, sea and air, creating a need for better migration management capacity. IOM is responding with a series of three document examination trainings in Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw which, over the next two weeks, will improve the skills of 130 Myanmar immigration officials.

The trainings, opened by the Myanmar Union Minister of Immigration and Population (MOIP) and attended by frontline officials from the MOIP stationed at Myanmar’s international airports, will equip the officials with practical skills to address the challenge of managing irregular migration, smuggling and human trafficking.

“It is excellent to have this practice-based training for our immigration officers,” said Minister of Immigration and Population U Khin Yi at the opening ceremony. “The presence of international trainers brings a wealth of knowledge on the subject of document examination. This is something that can be applied in daily practice.”

MOIP Deputy Director Kyaw Myint, added: “The Ministry of Immigration and Population would like to express its gratitude to IOM for providing support to improve the capacity of frontline officers to fulfill the needs in this crucial area.”

The training is part of IOM Myanmar’s ongoing border management capacity building project funded by the Canadian Government. Other parts of the programme have included four border assessments, a review of Myanmar immigration legislation, and procurement of specialized document examination equipment.

“These trainings will provide Myanmar immigration officers with the necessary skills to better detect fraudulent travel documents and to more effectively address irregular migration,” said IOM Myanmar Chief of Mission Kieran Gorman-Best. “We are delighted to see our trainers from IOM being joined by representatives from the governments of Portugal, Malaysia, Canada and the United Kingdom.”

For more information please contact

Kieran Gorman-Best
IOM Myanmar
Email: kgormanbest@iom.int
Tel: +95 1 210 588 x 5011.