Mr Goh's first meeting was with Lieutenant-General Myint Swe, 58, the Chief of Bureau of Special Operations 5 from the Ministry of Defence.

The two-star general, slated as one of Myanmar's rising stars, briefed Mr Goh on recent developments in Yangon, Myanmar's largest city and its former capital.

The general spoke about the efforts to attract foreign direct investment as well as preparations for the country's general election next year.

He also thanked Singapore for its help to Myanmar in the wake of Cyclone Nargis in May last year, said Mr Ho Tong Yen, the Senior Minister's press secretary.

Singapore had sent a 24-member medical team, among other things, in the aftermath of the cyclone, which caused widespread devastation and killed nearly 140,000 people across the country.

During the one-hour meeting with the Myanmar general, Mr Goh also shared Singapore's perspective of developments in Myanmar and the region.

Meeting Myanmar's younger generation of leaders is one of several aims that Mr Goh has for his visit.

Another is to better understand the developments in Myanmar since his last visit in 1998.

He is particularly keen to find out how the country is preparing for next year's election and how Myanmar's leaders see the country's future developments.

Today, Mr Goh will meet the country's top leader, State Peace and Development Council chairman Than Shwe, 76.

The meeting will take place in the new capital Nay Pyi Taw, which is about 320km from Yangon.

Mr Goh is also scheduled to meet the country's No. 2, council vice-chairman Maung Aye, and former Myanmar prime minister Tura U Tun Tin.

-end of ST article