(AFP) UN envoy Razali Ismail is expected to urge Japan to play a larger role in developing Myanmar's education, health and energy sector, a government official said today.

"Razali will seek Japan's participation to develop critical areas like healthcare, education and energy," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Razali is expected to brief Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi who arrives later in the day on the situation in Myanmar.

"Razali will try to impress Koizumi to give more aid to Burma."

The official said Japan in the past had provided assistance for the construction of a hydro-electric dam in Burma.

The official said Japan was supportive of Asean's constructive engagement policy, adding that Koizumi would be seeking first-hand information on Razali's on-going national reconciliation efforts in Burma.

Close ally

Razali would brief Koizumi and voice his confidence that Buram was heading towards democracy but "it needs time and at the same time other nations must address its (Burma's) economic concerns."

Malaysia, a close ally of Burma within the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) had in past pressed for a two-pronged approach - diplomatic and economic reconstruction to bring Burma into the international arena.

Last month, Razali, who was on his sixth visit to the military-ruled state, spent an unprecedented two-and-a-half hours at opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Aung San Suu Kyi's lakeside compound.

The talks are believed to have focussed on quickening the pace of political prisoner releases and the eventual inclusion of ethnic minorities in tripartite talks after issues between the NLD and the junta are resolved.

Historic talks between Aung San Suu Kyi and the ruling State Peace and Development Council began in October 2000, but progress seems to have stalled in the past few months, diplomats say.

Asean groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.