Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi speaks to students of Roosevelt Senior High School in northwest Washington, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi is calling for U.S. companies to bring investment to the former pariah state, saying economic success would help convince people and the powerful military that democracy is the best way forward.
Suu Kyi addressed the U.S. business community on Thursday, a day after President Barack Obama announced that the U.S. would lift sanctions and restore long-lost trade benefits as the Southeast Asian nation emerges from half a century of oppressive military rule.
Suu Kyi says that lifting sanctions entails some political and economic risk, but adds, "It is time now for our people to depend on themselves."
Obama aide Ben Rhodes says the so-called "national emergency" with respect to Myanmar that authorizes the sanctions will be terminated in the "coming days."
From left, Elsi Argueta, Cindy Mayen and Michannie Grant, 12th grade students from Roosevelt Senior High School in northwest Washington, pose for a selfie with Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, second from left, following a forum Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
The Associated Press
A man cleans U.S dollars with cotton wool at his currency exchange shop, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016, in Yangon, Myanmar. Myanmar economists and businessmen welcome President Barack Obamaâs announcement that the U.S. will lift economic sanctions and restore long-lost trade benefits to the Southeast Asian country. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw)
The Associated Press
San Lwin, 20, talks during an interview with Associated Press at his family's pharmacy shop Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016, in Yangon, Myanmar. Myanmar economists and businessmen welcome President Barack Obamaâs announcement that the U.S. will lift economic sanctions and restore long-lost trade benefits to the Southeast Asian country. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw)
The Associated Press
Pedestrian walks past while a man buy cigarette at a roadside shop Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016, in Yangon, Myanmar. Myanmar economists and businessmen welcome President Barack Obamaâs announcement that the U.S. will lift economic sanctions and restore long-lost trade benefits to the Southeast Asian country. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw)
The Associated Press
A man arranges local newspapers fronting photos of U.S. President Barack Obama and Myanmar's State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi at his roadside shop, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016, in Yangon, Myanmar. Myanmar economists and businessmen welcome President Barack Obamaâs announcement that the U.S. will lift economic sanctions and restore long-lost trade benefits to the Southeast Asian country. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw)
The Associated Press
Maung Maung Than, a seaman, talks during an interview with The Associated Press Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016, in Yangon, Myanmar. Myanmar economists and businessmen welcome President Barack Obamaâs announcement that the U.S. will lift economic sanctions and restore long-lost trade benefits to the Southeast Asian country. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw)
The Associated Press
Khin Maung Lwin talks during an interview with The Associated Press at his roadside snack shop Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016, in Yangon, Myanmar. Myanmar economists and businessmen welcome President Barack Obamaâs announcement that the U.S. will lift economic sanctions and restore long-lost trade benefits to the Southeast Asian country. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw)
The Associated Press