European Union confirmed it was suspending

A complex web of Western trade gucci handbags embargoes imposed on the Southeast Asian nation since the late 1990s was supposed to punish its iron-fisted former military rulers for years of misrule and human rights abuses. But the poorest unskilled laborers suffered far more than the regime, and many lost crucial jobs that could sustain entire families. On Monday, the European Union confirmed it was suspending most of its sanctions to reward Myanmar's recent wave of political reforms. The announcement is the biggest rollback yet, and many here are hoping rekindled trade ties with the West will yield badly needed growth. "For us, it's simple. This means new job opportunities for our people," said Myint Soe, who also chairs Myanmar's Garment Manufacturers Association. "We're hoping for new contracts, new orders ... we're hoping to open more factories." U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who announced Monday that he will visit Myanmar this weekend at President Thein Sein's invitation, gucci shirts said there is "an unprecedented opportunity" to help promote its transition to democracy. "We must make the most of this moment," Ban told reporters. "We need to see more such progress, more international support for Myanmar's efforts to bring about democratic change." The sanctions ostracized Myanmar's former army rulers and drastically diminished lucrative investment and trade with the United States and Europe. Bans on international financial transactions were so strict that even today, top international hotels in Yangon can only accept cash, not credit cards. In recent months, though, the West has begun rewarding Myanmar's new government for widely praised progress toward democratic rule. The government has freed political prisoners, signed truces with rebel groups and organized April 1 by-elections deemed free and fair that were overwhelmingly won by opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party. The process has not been glitch-free. Suu Kyi's party refused to take its new seats in the parliament Monday because part of the oath of office pledges to "safeguard" the constitution — which they want to change. They would prefer it said "respect" the constitution. Thein Sein said he was open to the possibility of revising the wording, gucci bags and members of Suu Kyi's party said they believe the matter will be resolved soon.