Myanmar President Thein Sein said Saturday that Japan has promised to help develop his country's economy and that he expects bilateral ties to grow.
"I think we can expect pretty good relations in the future," Thein Sein told reporters a day after meeting with Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on the sidelines of a series of regional summit meetings on the Indonesian resort island of Bali.
Thein Sein said Noda made positive remarks on recent developments in Myanmar and said Japan "would like to cooperate in developing our economy."
A Japanese official Friday said shortly after the meeting that Noda told Thein Sein Japan will continue its support for Myanmar's democratization process and economic development.
The meeting was the first in two years between the leaders.
Thein Sein was quoted by the official as saying he will continue efforts to advance reforms and work together with prodemocracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
