Top Story of the Week: Myanmar takes up ASEAN chair
LOOKING AHEAD
- Council Myanmar Director Anthony Nelson is on paternity leave until October 29th. Please direct questions to Praab Pianskool at Praab@usasean.org in the region and Fon Wanlapa at fwanlapa@usasean.org in D.C.
- For a listing of recent Myanmar government tenders, please click here.
Myanmar Ascends to ASEAN Chairmanship
Earlier this month at the 23rd ASEAN summit, Myanmar finally assumed its chairmanship role. The chairmanship rotates annually based on alphabetic order. However, Myanmar was skipped in 2006 due to international pressure regarding the former regime’s human rights abuses. The 2014 ASEAN chairmanship is an opportunity for Myanmar to showcase its positive steps towards democratic transformation and economic liberalization. Although President U Thein Sein has yet to announce the official theme for the summit or any agenda items, U Aung Lynn, director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hinted that Myanmar will continue to address previous agenda issues such as a peaceful South China Sea resolution and climate change. Handling the the South China Sea dispute will continue to be one of the key challenges for ASEAN’s chair. Myanmar will need to toe the line between a skillful broker with close ties to Beijing and a tough negotiator committed to protecting the interests of ASEAN. Myanmar’s chairmanship also as the deadline to implement the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) comes closer. Among the excitement also resides the reality that ascending to the chairmanship will not be an easy task. Myanmar’s successful, yet still fragile transition will be placed on center stage and may be the target of further international criticism for incomplete reforms, such as how to deal with violence along ethnic and religious lines. Logistically, hosting over 1,000 meetings of top diplomats will be structurally difficult for Myanmar as they divert resources to hosting a successful event while preparing for the 2015 elections and continuing to manage its transition. The Council plans to host several events in conjunction with Myanmar’s government during their chairmanship year.
Telecommunications Law Published
Myanmar’s telecommunications law was published on Saturday, October 19th in the New Light of Myanmar, the state run newspaper. Although the official English text of the new law is not yet available, members can contact the Council for an unofficial English translation at amontano@usasean.org.
Eight Suspects Arrested in Myanmar Bombings
A spate of bombings last week is being blamed on a group of Karen business men in an attempt to deter foreign investors from the mining sector in the ethnic region, according to The Irrawaddy. Eleven Myanmar reported three people were killed and over 10 injured, including an American tourist staying in a room at the Trader’s Hotel in downtown Yangon. The bombings come at a time when a national ceasefire is expected to be signed in November. Initial reports published questioned if the bombings could be linked to armed ethnic groups in an attempt to hinder the peace agreement. However, U Ye Htut, Deputy Minister of Information and Presidential Spokesman, told Eleven Myanmar that President U Thein Sein is committed to not allowing these crimes to deter the peace process and he still hopes to sign a peace agreement with ethnic groups in November as planned. The Irrawaddy reported the arrest of eight suspects in connection with the bombings.The Council will continue to monitor the situation as it develops.
IN THIS UPDATE:
Defense & Security
Myanmar Urged to Ratify Chemical Weapons Treaty Radio Free Asia 11 Oct 2013
The Nobel Peace Prize awarded to a global chemical weapons watchdog on Friday has prompted a call for Myanmar to ratify a key international treaty banning the arms. New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Myanmar must ratify the Chemical Weapons Convention two decades after signing if it wants to prove to the international community it is serious about reforms. Despite political and economic reforms enacted since Myanmar’s military junta gave up power more than two years ago, experts say there are still looming questions about possible chemical weapons stockpiles and allegations that the military used chemical weapons against ethnic rebel groups. Reformist President Thein Sein’s government has denied the claims. Myanmar is one of a handful of countries that have not fully committed to the treaty, which prohibits the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer, and use of chemical weapons.
Myanmar Commander-in-Chief pays visit to China Eleven Myanmar 13 Oct 2013
The Commander-in-Chief and his delegation have been invited by China’s People Liberation Army and will meet with officials from China’s Central Military Commission and People Liberation Army. Moreover the Chief of Defense Services will visit famous places in China such as Chengdu, Beijing and Hainan and other places. He will also visit production industry and planned to meet with students from Myanmar who are currently in scholarship program. The army chief also visited Thailand from September 15 to 19 for five days. He met with Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Supreme Commander of Royal Thai Army General Thanasak Patimaprakorn to discuss about border affairs and easing the tensions on borders. He also attended 1st Thailand-Myanmar High Level Committee Meeting. The Myanmar Commander-in-Chief visited Malaysia from September 30 to October 2 as well to accept The Honorary Malaysian Armed Forces Order for Valour (First Degree) – Gallant Commander of Malaysian Armed Forces awarded by King of Malaysia. At present, Myanmar army is liaison in military affairs with UK, USA and other countries in addition to China and Russia.
Myanmar, Vietnam vow to promote security cooperation Eleven Myanmar 15 Oct 2013
Myanmar and Vietnam have vowed to promote security cooperation between the two countries, state media reported Tuesday. The pledge was made by Myanmar Minister of Home Affairs Lieutenant-General Ko Ko and visiting Vietnamese Minister of Public Security General Tran Dai Quang at the first ministerial meeting of the two countries on combating transnational crime and security matters held in Nay Pyi Taw, said the New Light of Myanmar. The meeting discussed matters on anti-narcotics, anti-terrorism, preventive measures against poisonous materials, trafficking of women and children and money laundering, it said. The meeting called for efforts to face challenges and threats, tackle regional issues such as democracy, human rights, especially taking Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chair by Myanmar in 2014, it added. Meanwhile, according to Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Myanmar and Vietnam signed a visa exemption agreement for ordinary passport holders which grants exemption for entry, exit and transit visas up to 14 days of stay in each other's territories, beyond which a formal visa is required. The exemption will take effect from Oct. 26.
Myanmar army seeks first female applicants Jakarta Post 17 Oct 2013
For the first time in Myanmar’s history, the Ministry of Defense is inviting women to join the army. An advertisement in the Myanmar Ahlin newspaper says the new cadets must be single, at least 160 centimeters tall, between 25 and 30 years of age, and weigh no more than 59 kilograms. Though they won’t be called on to fight, the ad said successful candidates would be offered commissioned posts, starting as second lieutenants. Myanmar’s army once enjoyed widespread popularity for fighting for independence from British colonial rule, but support plummeted following military coups in 1962 and 1988
SEA Games: Myanmar to tighten security after bomb blasts Channel News Asia 17 Oct 2013
The organisers of the 27th SEA Games in Myanmar have pledged to tighten security for the event after Yangon was hit by a series of bomb blasts this week, which reportedly killed two people and injured three others. On October 14, a home-made time bomb exploded on the ninth floor of the 22-storey Traders Hotel in Yangon and wounded a 43-year-old American woman. Hours later, another small bomb went off at a hotel restaurant near Mandalay. About one million spectators are expected to fill the stadiums, multi-purpose halls and swimming complexes in the cities of Yangon, Naypyidaw, Mandalay and Ngwe Saung Beach for the biennial event from December 11 to 22. SEA Games Operation Committee Chairman Zaw Winn, who is also Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Sports, said: "The Ministry of Home Affairs will gather information and make security (arrangements) for the whole of Naypyidaw, Mandalay and other areas. We will be (increasing the level) of security for the SEA Games - not only for these areas but the whole country. I am confident security will be (fine) for the games
Chinese president meets Myanmar defense chief Mizzima 17 Oct 2013
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Min Aung Hlaing, commander-in-chief of Myanmar's Defense Services, on Wednesday in Beijing. Xi, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, hailed the bilateral relationship and described China and Myanmar as "good neighbors, good friends and good partners." To cement the comprehensive strategic partnership in a sustained way is not only in the fundamental interests of the people of the two countries, but also helps to promote peace and stability in the region and the world at large as the international situation is undergoing profound and complex changes, said the Chinese president. The Chinese side firmly adheres to a friendly policy towards Myanmar and stands ready to work with Myanmar to increase strategic communication and advance practical cooperation in a smooth way to ensure the healthy, stable and continuous development of the bilateral relationship, Xi said. China attaches great importance to peace and stability in China- Myanmar border areas and supports the process of ethnic reconciliation in Myanmar, he added.
Economics
U.S. Sanctions Against Myanmar Need to Go US News 2 Oct 2013
For anyone who follows Myanmar, the unprecedented domestic changes that have been witnessed since 2011 are nothing short of remarkable. The United States, to its credit, has welcomed these reforms and has made efforts of its own to start reaching out to a country that for many years was run by one of the most brutal and repressive governments in the world. Indeed, President Barack Obama has already made Myanmar one of his administration's top foreign policy priorities in Southeast Asia. It is critical that the United States retain this focus, as there are numerous challenges that could yet upset Myanmar's "rehabilitation" in global affairs. Initiating a process to remove sanctions, even if this takes time, would be a good start. In March 2011, power in Myanmar was transferred to a nominally civilian – albeit military backed – government that has since exhibited signs of a fundamental transformation in both political and strategic direction. Under the presidency of Thein Sein, the country has released political prisoners of conscience, opened up the economy, unblocked Facebook, moved to at least partially unshackle the press and, perhaps most notably, freed Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi from nearly 15 years of house arrest. Last year, her National League for Democracy contested in elections, winning 43 out of 44 seats – a result the military accepted.
Myanmar unrest raises stakes for tourist industry South China Morning Post 7 Oct 2013
Recent anti-Muslim bloodshed close to Myanmar’s most popular tourist beach raises the stakes for an industry dependent on the former pariah state’s fluid transition to democracy. Several days of tension spilled into bloodshed on Tuesday in the western state of Rakhine, where Buddhist mobs killed six Muslims and burned dozens of homes in the latest outburst of violence in the strife-torn region. The riots occurred just a few kilometres from Ngapali beach, the country’s remote and beautiful major resort, where the tourist season is just getting back into action after the monsoon. Foreigners are flocking back to Myanmar as a result of dramatic political reforms since direct military rule ended in 2011 that have lifted the veil on a country left isolated by decades of military rule. A man walks out from a destroyed mosque that was burnt down in recent violence at Thapyuchai village, outside of Thandwe, in the Rakhine state. Photo: Reuters As tensions rippled through towns further inland last week, a few scattered tourists at Ngapali padded across palm-fringed pristine sands at upmarket resorts seemingly oblivious to the violence.
Streamlined approval process key to positive development in Myanmar The Nation 8 Oct 2013
Myanmar has shown positive developments, partly thanks to the Foreign Investment Law issued last November. However, the more significant change that has sped up business transactions is the predictable turnaround time of investment applications. In the year since professional-services firm KPMG reopened its office in Myanmar, the situation has improved. It was difficult in the past to plan when the Myanmar Investment Commission would respond to applications, but now businessmen can find that out within 90 days, which is similar to what Thailand's Board of Investment requires. Now that the approval process is clear and transparent, investors can plan ahead with more confidence when setting themselves up. KPMG sees advances in areas covering infrastructure, real estate segments like office buildings, serviced apartments and condominiums, and simple manufacturing, as well as projects that do not require substantial water and electricity. KPMG as a tax and business adviser is also active because businesses need a good fundamental structure from the very start. There's huge room to grow in the country, so businesses should establish transparent and well-governed operations right from the beginning.
World Bank releases GDP growth forecasts for 2013 Thura Swiss 10 Oct 2013
The World Bank’s Second Quarter Report released on 7 October forecasts that Myanmar’s GDP growth could reach 6.8 percent in 2013, despite stagnant economic growth in other Asian countries. Myanmar’s GDP growth was 5.9 percent in 2011 and 6.5 percent in 2012 according to the Bank. The report further predicts that Myan-mar’s GDP growth could average 6.9 percent from 2014 to 2015. However, the report also stated that inflation has risen significantly in recent months from the 2.8 percent figure recorded for the 2012-2013 fiscal year. The bank forecasts that economic growth in developing Asian nations will likely reach 7.1 percent on average during the current calendar year and 7.2 percent in 2014. On a country basis, the Bank predicts 8 percent GDP growth for Laos, 7 percent for Cambodia and 5.3 percent for Vietnam. According to Mr. Axel Van Trostenburg, Vice President for East Asia and Pacific Region, countries of the East Asia and Pacific region represent 40 percent of the world’s GDP and developing nations need to continue to enact sound economic policies in order to grow this number.
OVL wins two blocks in Myanmar rounds MENA FN 12 Oct 2013
State-owned ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) has won two onshore blocks of the 18 that were bid out by the Myanmar government for exploration. Myanmar had received 75 expressions of interest for these 18 blocks and short-listed 59 companies for final bids. A total of 31 foreign companies are working in Myanmar along with state-owned Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise. "ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corp. Ltd) has won two onshore blocks in Myanmar," said a senior Indian government official, requesting anonymity. A top OVL executive, who also didn't want to be identified, confirmed the development. OVL is the overseas arm of ONGC. There has been considerable interest in Myanmar's energy sector from neighbouring countries including China and India. Of Myanmar's overall trade of around 19 billion, China accounts for around 5 billion, and India 2 billion. Of this latter, exports account for 542.7 million and imports 1.4 billion. OVL has a presence in resource rich Myanmar with interest in five blocks.
Quenching your thirst on road to democracy: Coke, Pepsi wage war in long-isolated Myanmar NBC 13 Oct 2013
Consumers in long-isolated Myanmar are getting their first taste of globalization — and finding it is sweet, fizzy and comes served in a can. An end to international sanctions after decades of military rule has brought Coca-Cola and Pepsi back to the country, which is also known as Burma, triggering a soft-drink stand-off featuring the giants as well as several local brands. Although it's been just five months since Coca-Cola started production in Myanmar after a 60-year absence, the brand has already painted much of Yangon red and white. Until recently, Myanmar, North Korea and Cuba were the only countries where Coke didn't have an official presence. Wealthy people in the capital could find illicitly imported Coke in upmarket hotels and restaurants, but generations of ordinary folk had grown up without ever tasting its still-secret recipe. Moon, 22, encountered her first swig of Coca Cola just five months ago when she moved from a small village outside Mandalay to work in one of Yangon's most exclusive hotels. (Moon, like many in Myanmar, goes by just one name). "I like it very much. When I was young I had only tried Blue Mountain [a local brand] and I found it too sweet. Also I like the thin cans that Coca-Cola have, not like the thick old-fashioned ones." Outside Yangon's popular Bogyoke Market, soft-drink vendor Win has been selling sodas to customers and stallholders from a cooler for the past 20 years. Such is the demand for Coca-Cola that he has now stopped selling local brands. "I'd say about 80 percent of people prefer Coca-Cola and 20 percent Pepsi or other brands," he said. Coca-Cola usually sells for about 400 kyat (around 40 cents) a can, which is comparable with local brands. One of his customers Yewin, 43, who has a store inside the market, said he remembers paying 1,500 kyat (about $1.50) for an illegal imported Coke in the mid-1980s.
Chinese mining giant prepares for a US$800m project in Myanmar Eleven Myanmar 13 Oct 2013
China Non-ferrous Metal Mining Company (CNMC) and Myanmar's Ministry of Mines are working to prepare for a major operation of the US$800 million joint-venture nickel project in Tagaungtaung area, central Myanmar, according to the Ministry of Mining. The ministry officials and CNMC have formed the central supervisory committee and related sub-committees including that of quality control and that of testing full-blown operation of the mine and refinery plant, the Ministry of Mines said in a press statement. Located in Tagaung area of Mandalay and Sagaing Regions, Tagaungtaung Nickel and Ferro-Nickel Mine is the largest mining project China has cooperated with Myanmar government in the mining industry, and it is also the largest projects China has invested in neighbouring countries, according to CNMC. CNMC and the No. 3 Mining Enterprise, under Myanmar's Ministry of Mines signed the agreements for exploration and feasibility survey of the Tagaungtaung project in 2004. After completion of geological survey and feasibility study, the two sides signed the production sharing agreement of the project with an annual output of 85,000 tonnes of ferro-nickel. Established since 1983, CNMC is one of the large commercial entities under the control of Chinese government.
Myanmar expected to see 5 percent budget deficit for 2013-14 Eleven Myanmar 13 Oct 2013
Myanmar's budget deficit for 2013-14 could be as much as five percent, according to the reports from World Bank's Branch Office in Yangon. Myanmar saw 4.6 percent in budget deficit during 2011-12, and 3.7 percent in 2012-13. This year, it is expected to rise up to 5 percent, according to the World Bank's estimates. "For the government to be able to reduce the budget deficit, international financial organizations like International Monetary Fund, World Bank and Asian Development Bank can provide help. Although we are facing budget deficits, we need to try to avoid them in the future," said Mr. Aung Thaung, chairperson of the Development Committee of Banks and Financial Institutions. "The more we can minimize the amount [of budget deficit], the better it is. The country should therefore boost production sectors while cutting unnecessary costs," Aung Thaung added. Myanmar has run into budget deficits nearly every year. However, it did not use to publicize the budget situations in the past. It is only in these years that Myanmar has become transparent with the budget deficit. "In most developing countries, budget deficits are common to occur. Other countries in the region face similar situations. Even in the United States, budget deficit is becoming a hot issue for discussion," Khwima Nthara, World Bank's economic representative to Myanmar, said at a press conference. In the fiscal year 2013-14, Myanmar's government income is expected to account for 23.4 percent of the country's gross domestic products (GDP), while its expenses may represent 28.4 percent of the GDP, meaning there will be a gap as much as 5 percent.
Myanmar earns US$280m from marine exports in six months Eleven Myanmar 14 Oct 2013
Myanmar earned about US$280 million (Ks 271.88 billion) from exporting more than 160,000 tonnes of marine products during the first half of the 2013-14 fiscal year, according to reports from the Department of Fisheries. Myanmar has set a target of $700 million for marine exports by the end of this fiscal year. The current earnings are still far from hitting the target. The main reason behind the shortfall is an unexpected slump in the amount of overseas marine exports. Through overseas trade routes, Myanmar exported 75,000 tonnes of marine products between April and September. It earned $135 million in half a year, falling behind its target of $440 million by year’s end. In terms of the border trade in marine products, Myanmar earned $144 million from exporting more than 92,000 tonnes. The country is aiming at $260 million for this year. During the same period last year, Myanmar earned $303 million from marine exports. The current earnings of $280 million mean that production and trading marine goods have significantly decreased this year. An official from the Fisheries Department has attributed this to higher costs in production and a decline in fishery resources in the seas.
Thai advertising giant establishes new subsidiaries in Myanmar Eleven Myanmar 16 Oct 2013
A leading Thai advertising company, Chuo Senko (Thailand) Public Co Ltd, has established two new indirect subsidiaries in Myanmar since February of this year. In an effort to expand its operations in the neighbouring country, the company has formed two subsidiaries, Red Bull Co Ltd and Chilli Advertising Co Ltd, in Yangon. The establishment of the new subsidiaries follows a resolution by the firm’s management committee at a meeting held on Tuesday, Chuo Senko said in a filing to the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Both subsidiaries, which aim to provide advertising services in the blooming Southeast Asian country, are planned to start operating in December of this year. The advertising giant will invest US $50,000 (equivalent to Bt 1.58 million, or Ks 48.7 million) in each of the subsidiaries while Ad Asia Singapore Pte Ltd, which is 100-percent owned by Chuo Senko Dynamics Co Ltd (ROH), holds the total shares in these subsidiaries. “The source of funding for the two subsidiaries established in Myanmar derived from the cash flow of Ad Asia Singapore Pte Ltd,” said Kiichi Okuyama, director and chief financial officer of Chuo Senko (Thailand). Myanmar is the latest country to join Chuo Senko’s network, which already includes Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia and Thailand. The Yangon-based units are expected to generate profits next year, according to previous reports.
Japan to reconsider involvement in Dawei SEZ Eleven Myanmar 16 Oct 2013
Officials from the Japanese government told a Myanmar-Japan-Thailand joint meeting that the country is reconsidering its involvement in the Dawei Special Economic Zone. “The Japanese government is interested in investing in the Dawei SEZ, but they are not making any decision yet. If the Japanese government wants to get involved in the SEZ, they have to use public funding. So they will explain the SEZ in Japan to any Japanese company that takes an interest,” said Deputy Minister of Transport Han Sein, who is also chairperson of the Dawei SEZ scrutinizing committee, when reached by Eleven Media yesterday. The purpose of the first joint meeting, held in Yangon on September 26 and 27, was to persuade Japan to get involved as a developer country for the Dawei SEZ. A second meeting will be held in November. At the second meeting, Myanmar and Thailand will form a joint-venture company and plan to give General Power (GP) to the company. The deputy minister said this arrangement was planned at the first joint meeting.
British Investors Interested but Cautious, Ambassador Tells Burma Irrawaddy 17 Oct 2013
British investment in Burma is on the rise, but problems on the ground in the Southeast Asian frontier market have some investors reluctant to commit, UK Ambassador to Burma Andrew Patrick said at a press conference on Thursday. Patrick, who took up his post in September, said that even though Burma’s transition to democracy remained incomplete, UK business interest in Burma was growing. “Many British businessmen are coming here … we’d like to see more,” he said at the Rangoon-based British Embassy. “We’re encouraging investment here,” Patrick continued. “We think that investment is important to create jobs—Western countries bring the technology, skills. They will help improve businesses to an international standard.”
APM Automotive to produce, market parts in Myanmar Sun Daily 17 Oct 2013
APM Automotive Holdings Bhd plans to build a new plant in Bago, Myanmar to manufacture and market automotive parts and modules there. Construction of the plant, sited on a 30-acre leased land, will commence within one year from Aug 23, 2013, with completion expected in three years. The initial outlay of APM Group for the construction of manufacturing plant, purchase of machineries and equipment for the first three years is estimated at US$9 million and will be funded internally and from external borrowings. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday, APM said Myanmar Investment Commission issued a permit dated Aug 23 for the purpose, which is for a period of 50 years and extendable for further periods of two terms of 10 years each. "The permit allows for certain tax exemptions and reliefs applicable upon implementation of the project as provided for under the Myanmar Foreign Investment Law. These include income tax exemptions, exemption and reliefs from customs taxes and internal taxes for machineries and equipment for the construction of the manufacturing plant," said APM. To undertake the project, APM has established a new subsidiary called APM Auto Components Myanmar Co Ltd (APM Myanmar), with an authorised capital of US$10 million.
Leaders agree to intensify efforts towards ASEAN Community by 2015: official Global Times 17 Oct 2013
A senior official of ASEAN Secretariat said here on Wednesday that leaders of 10 member nations of the Southeast Asian bloc agreed to reaffirm their commitment to intensify efforts in materializing ASEAN Community by 2015. ASEAN Deputy Secretary General Lynn Nyan who spoke on the behalf of ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh conveyed the commitment that was made at a recent ASEAN leaders meeting held in Brunei. Lynn said that in general, ASEAN has made progress with regard to the implementation of the ASEAN Community blueprint. He added that the leaders of the 10-nation bloc are encouraged by the enhanced progress in external relations as well as greater solidarity among the member states. The achievements of the plan to establish a regional community, in which the integration of the economies of ASEAN member states is a key milestone, were reviewed at the recent ASEAN Summit, Lynn said in a statement released by the secretariat. An average of 82.5 percent of all action lines towards the ASEAN Community 2015 have been completed or are being implemented. It represents 78 percent for the political security, 79.7 percent of economic and 90 percent of socio-cultural pillars, he added. With little more than two years before 2015, the ASEAN Leaders also adopted the "Bandar Seri Begawan Declaration on the ASEAN Community Post-2015 Vision" where they tasked relevant bodies to further articulate ASEAN's vision of a community that is "not only politically cohesive, economically integrated, socially responsible but also truly people-oriented, people centered, and rules-based." On the political side, Lynn said that ASEAN reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace and maritime security in the South China Sea and to resolve all disputes in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law.
Myanmar Opens Door for US Insurer MetLife WSJ 17 Oct 2013
U.S. insurance giant MetLife has won a license to set up a representative office in Myanmar, as it and other global insurers look to expand their reach across Southeast Asia. The move will give MetLife the opportunity to work with regulators to help shape the industry in Myanmar before foreign insurers are allowed to start operations there in 2015, said Nirmala Menon, senior vice president at MetLife in Asia. “With the opening up of the market we believe there’s going to be a good opportunity there,” she said. MetLife, the largest life insurer in the U.S., has been moving into other markets in Southeast Asia. Late last month, the company signed a joint-venture agreement with the Bank for Investment & Development of Vietnam. It’s also one of three bidders recently short-listed for a majority stake in the life-insurance division of Malaysian banking group AMMB Holdings Bhd., The Wall Street Journal reported previously. “It’s clearly a key component of our strategy to build our presence in emerging markets,” Dr. Menon said. “We will be looking at all of the Southeast Asian markets and when the right opportunity comes up, we will look certainly at going into those markets.”
Govt requests additional Ks 1.39 trillion for budget Eleven Myanmar 18 Oct 2013
The Myanmar government has requested an additional Ks 1.39 trillion (US$1.44bn) for the federal budget, the largest portion of it requested by the Ministry of Cooperatives, said Thurein Zaw, chairperson of Lower House’s Public Accounts Committee yesterday. The government announced the amount after the bill on distribution of additional state budget among Union-level bodies for the fiscal year 2013-14 was submitted to parliament on Tuesday. “The government has asked the parliament for an additional budget of Ks 1.39 trillion. This is because the initially approved budget wasn’t enough. The figure requested this year is smaller than that of last year—some percents have decreased. Generally speaking, [the government] has performed better to keep within budget this year,” said Thurein Zaw. Last year, additional money requested by the government accounted for 13 to 14 percent of the initial State budget. This year’s amount represents just 8 percent of the initial figure, he said. “Among the government bodies that requested additional budgets, the Ministry of Cooperatives has asked for the largest amount. Other ministries did not request that much. Respective committees will examine and approve it only if such an amount is really needed,” Thurein Zaw said. The Ministry of Cooperatives has also been criticized among the public for borrowing $100 million from China at a high interest rate, although the ministry said the loan is aimed at financing micro-credit programmes for the people. The current minister for co-operatives is Kyaw San, the former information minister.
Energy
AAA investment in Myanmar power plant Interactive Investor 8 Oct 2013
All Asia Asset Capital, through a special purpose wholly owned subsidiary, has acquired a minority stake in Andaman Power and Utility Company Limited. APU is a privately held company based in Thailand and Myanmar, which operates in the development of utility plants and the provision of electricity. The consideration of acquisition is to be satisfied by US$1.25m in cash on completion of the acquisition. Chief executive Dr. Sri Hartati Kurniawan said: "The board is delighted to participate in this development of a CCGT power plant in Myanmar. This is an exciting project for the Company to initiate its footprint in the growing south-east Asia region and marks a significant step in the implementation of our investing policy in order to deliver value to our shareholders."
Thailand Plans To Buy More Electricity From Myanmar National News Agency of Malaysia 8 Oct 2013
Thai Energy Minister Pongsak Ruktapongpisal said on Tuesday Thailand plans to buy about 10,000 megawatts more of electricity from Myanmar to curb with rising demand for electricity in the Kingdom, Thai News Agency (TNA) reported. Pongsak said the two countries are discussing drafting a new agreement in which Thailand will purchase 7,000 MWs of electricity from Mai Tong Hydropower Plant Project in southern Shan State. Thailand will also buy between 2,000 and 3,000 MWs of power from Dawei (Tavoy) Coal-power Plant Project, he said. According to the Thai energy minister, the state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand Public Co., Ltd. (EGAT) will be the buyer while its subsidiary plans to jointly invest in the venture. The Thai side will invest about 30 per cent in the Mai Tong venture with major shareholders being Chinese investors, he said, adding that due to its large size, sufficient time needed for environmental study. He said Myanmar needs about 12 years to construct the hydropower plant. On Dawei project, Pongsak added time is also needed because Myanmar has to issue a joint investment law in order to develop and make Dawei a special economic zone.
Myanmar Domestic Energy Demand: Coal Over Oil And Gas To Fuel Electricity Production International Business Times8 Oct 2013
For all the oil and gas resources that Myanmar has the nation’s future electricity needs will likely be fueled by coal as it is cheaper and more readily available. This is by no means unique to Myanmar but is prevalent across the rest of the ASEAN member states – coal is becoming the fuel of choice for companies investing in new power plants across the region. Collectively, energy demand in Southeast Asia will grow at more than double the world average as all nations in the region industrialize and become wealthier. The 10 ASEAN states will need to spend $440 billion on new power plants before 2035 to meet that consumer demand, the International Energy Agency (IEA) predicted and 40 percent of the total will be spent on coal-fueled systems, reported the Irrawaddy on Tuesday. By 2035, natural gas will fuel only 28 percent of all electricity generated in the region, a dramatic drop from the 44 percent today due to the high global cost of gas relative to coal, and also to the declining reserves in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Brunei
PTTEP's gas-processing, living-quarters platform sets sail for Zawtika field in the Gulf of Mottama Eleven Myanmar 8 Oct 2013
PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) has launched the Zawtika Processing and Living Quarters Platform (ZPQ), which it says marks another achievement to secure energy supply for Myanmar and Thailand. PTTEP held a sail-away ceremony for ZPQ on Saturday in Singapore. It will sail from SMOE Pte Ltd's construction yard in Singapore to its destination at the Zawtika field in the Gulf of Mottama, Myanmar. Upon completion, it is expected to produce natural gas for supply to Myanmar and Thailand. Myanmar Energy Minister Zay Yar Aung jointly presided over the ceremony with Norkun Sitthiphong, chairman of the board of PTTEP. Guests of honour were welcomed by Tevin Vongvanich, president and chief executive officer of PTTEP, and other executives from all parties. Zay Yar Aung said the production from this project would fulfil part of his country's requirement for natural gas. Therefore this project is very important for the energy sector and also for the development of Myanmar. The first gas from the Zawtika project is expected by the end of this year with a targeted production rate of 345 million standard cubic feet per day. Norkun said the Zawtika project was very important not just in terms of its scale, as one of the largest developments in Southeast Asia, but also because of the boost it will provide to Myanmar's gas production at a time of economic growth and the increasing energy demand in the two countries.
Myanmar halts bilateral hydro development Business Standard 9 Oct 2013
Six years after the governments of India and Myanmar decided to develop two hydro power projects, of 2,080 Mw capacity in that nation, the latter has put the idea on hold. The 1,200-Mw Tamanthi and 880-Mw Shwezaye plants would have involved a spend of Rs 25,000 crore. “Implementation of (both) has been suspended temporarily by the ministry of electric power (MoEP) as the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) by NHPC (would) have social and environmental impacts. Both are economically unviable,” according to a person close to the development. Confirming this, a senior executive of NHPC said the role to be played by the public sector major was yet to be decided and these projects had been planned to strengthen bilateral economic ties, rather than a commercial venture for NHPC. An official in the Myanmarese embassy in Delhi confirmed the initiative had been “postponed”.
Multi-national companies to build coal-fired power plant in Myanmar Mizzima 9 Oct 2013
A multi-national joint venture involving those from Myanmar, India and Singapore will build a 500- megawatt coal-fired power plant in Kyauktan, Myanmar's Yangon region, official media reported Wednesday. Under a memorandum of understanding signed in Nay Pyi Taw, the power project will be jointly implemented by Myanmar's Ministry of Electric Power, Orange Powergen Pvt Ltd of India, Global Adviser Pte Ltd of Singapore and local-based Diamond Palace Services Co Ltd through build-operate-transfer (BOT) system. Upon completion, the plant will increase electricity supply to Yangon region, the report said. In 2012, the Myanmar ministry launched two gas-fired power projects of 500 megawatts and 120 megawatts in Yangon's Ahlone and Thakayta townships under respective MoUs with multi-national companies involving those from South Korea, Thailand and Singapore. Myanmar produced up to 9.73 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2012-13, but the demand is still not met. Due to the high demand, the government is striving to produce electricity from natural gas, diesel, coal fire, solar power, wind power, biogas and waste fuel in addition to hydropower.
Thai govt urges Burma to speed up Tasang dam project DVB 9 Oct 2013
Thailand’s Energy Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal has urged his Burmese counterpart to speed up the US$12-billion Tasang hydroelectric dam project as part of Thailand’s target to buy 10,000 megawatts of electricity from the neighbouring country. Located on the upper part of the Salween River, the project is expected to have a capacity of 7,000 MW and will take 12 years to construct, he said. “We’re waiting for the Burmese government to make a clear decision on this project. So far, no definite decision has been made about whether to proceed with the Mai Tong or the Tasang dam,” said Mr Pongsak. Related Stories India-backed dam ‘to displace 45,000’ Govt could reconsider Myitsone dam Children become latest victims of conflict in Kachin State If the Burmese government gives the go-ahead, Mr Pongsak will instruct the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) to speed up talks with potential Chinese and Burmese partners to prepare the power purchase agreement for parliament consideration. Thailand expects to hold 30 percent in the Tasang dam in the joint venture with Sinohydro Corporation and the China Three Gorges Corporation, both from China.
Firms Vie to Turn Rangoon’s Waste into Power Irrawaddy 10 Oct 2013
Two international companies made their cases to the Rangoon regional government Thursday, competing to lead a project to turn the city’s garbage into renewable materials. The plan to make productive use of the city’s waste is just one element of the Yangon City Development Committee’s (YCDC) efforts to implement a more sustainable waste management program in the city. According to city officials, Rangoon currently produces 1,600 tons of trash per day. Although residents are known to litter, the waste that does make it onto the city’s garbage trucks heads straight for two landfill sites. Both will be full in five years, according to estimates from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). British company Organics and a consortium led by the Korea Environment Corporation (Keco), a branch of the South Korean Ministry of Environment, are in the final round to win the city’s waste management contract and on Thursday presented their bids to city officials.
10 foreign companies win tender for oil, gas exploration in Myanmar Mizzima 12 Oct 2013
Ten foreign companies have won tender for oil and gas exploration at 16 onshore blocks in Myanmar out of 18 set for the bidding, a release of the Ministry of Energy said Friday. The tender winners are those from Britain, Brunei, Canada, India, Italy, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Pakistan, Russia and Thailand. Of the 16 onshore blocks, 13 are set for exploration by winning companies from nine countries under Production Sharing Contract ( PSC), while the remaining three blocks are operated by two other countries under Improved Petroleum Recovery Contract (IPR). A total of 78 foreign companies bid with the ministry for operating the onshore blocks in January this year. Meanwhile, Myanmar's domestic private companies are seeking joint operation with foreign counterparts in oil and gas exploration and production on mutually beneficial basis. According to official figures, there are 53 onshore and 48 offshore blocks under operation with foreign investment. At present, there are mainly three offshore natural gas projects in Myanmar -- Yadana, Yetagun and Shwe, of which Yadana is the largest yielding gas of 834 million cubic feet (23.6 million cubic meters) per day.
Petronas wins energy blocks in Myanmar Business Times 13 Oct 2013
Italy’s Eni, India’s ONGC Videsh and Malaysia’s Petronas were among the winners of contracts for 16 onshore energy blocks in Myanmar, an energy ministry official said on Friday. Thirteen of the 16 contracts were production sharing deals and the rest were petroleum recovery contracts, said the official, who sought anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media. Eni, Petronas, ONGC, Pakistan’s Petroleum Exploration (PVT) and Canada’s Pacific Hunt Energy Corp each won contracts to operate two blocks, according to a list of the winners seen by Reuters. For the first time in Myanmar, the winners would be required to perform Environment Impact Assessments before final approval from the country’s investment commission, the official added.-- Reuters
Financial Services
Bagan Capital starts microfinance business in Myanmar The Asset 9 Oct 2013
Well-written articles depend on sustained investments. You can purchase individual and corporate subscriptions as well as copyright permissions by contacting us at subscribe@theasset.com or on +852 2165 1627. To read more : http://www.theasset.com/article/25299.html#ixzz2hRWVzhOE Bagan Capital’s investee company , BC Finance, has commenced microfinance operations in Myanmar. Over the first week in October, BC Finance started lending operations from its branch in Bago, a major region situated between Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw. BC Finance aims to be the leading microfinance provider in Myanmar, serving the needs of the many currently without access to financial services. BC Finance is working with partners to provide micro-entrepreneurs with participation in supply chains and access to business models to enable broader participation in the country's economic revival. The company is licensed by the Myanmar Ministry of Finance to provide credit and accept deposits. Founded in 2011, Bagan Capital is the pioneering private equity and advisory group focused on Myanmar. The firm is headquartered in Hong Kong, and operates from offices in Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay.
Myanmar Central Bank to control banking financial institutions only Eleven Myanmar 9 Oct 2013
The newly reformed Myanmar Central Bank will not control financial institutions other than banks, according to a bank official. “The Central Bank will not control non-banking financial institutions. Those institutions will be controlled by the Ministry of Finance,” said Khin Saw Oo, the bank’s vice governor. The independent Central Bank will administer 22 state-owned and private banks in Myanmar to maintain the country’s financial stability, but micro-finance institutions will be kept under the control of the Ministry of Finance. Myanmar took a long time to draw up the new Central Bank Law, as the government and parliament had to negotiate on more than 200 points regarding it. The Myanmar Central Bank, which is facing challenges integrating regional and international practices, continues to reform the country’s fiscal policies. Since the opening up of Myanmar in 2011, the Central Bank has aimed at achieving a single rate for currency exchange. However, discrepancies still occur between the Central Bank’s index rate, the Theinbyu Exchange Counter’s rate, banks’ exchange rates and outside market rates.
MasterCard, Myanmar's CB Bank unveil prepaid travel card The Nation 11 Oct 2013
MasterCard and Co-operative Bank have announced their first payment product in Myanmar - a prepaid travel card called the CB Bank EASI Travel Prepaid MasterCard. The reloadable prepaid card will be made available to Myanmar residents for when they travel outside the country. It is the first such card to be launched in Myanmar and is another stage in the evolution of the electronic-payments ecosystem. MasterCard has been working closely with CB Bank, which it licensed in September last year, to enable it to roll out its first prepaid MasterCard. CB Bank is already certified and has undergone full system testing as part of its efforts to be connected to the global payments network. Kyaw Lynn, executive vice chairman and chief executive of CB Bank, said the bank continued to be first in the electronic-payments sector in Myanmar and was pleased to be able to collaborate with MasterCard to launch this travel prepaid card. "Just as our country is opening up to the world, at the same time, the world is opening up to our countrymen, and we're seeing more and more locals travel abroad. We are so glad to introduce this travel prepaid MasterCard to help make their travels safe and hassle-free without the worries of carrying large amounts of cash."
Shadow of Decade-old Crisis Looms over Credit Card Plans Irrawaddy 16 Oct 2013
In a world where modern banking services are almost universal, few things shout “economic backwater” quite like the absence of ATMs and credit cards. These days, even Myanmar—which was for decades one of the world’s most economically isolated countries—has a handful of ATMs in major urban centers, providing the sort of convenience that most of the rest of the world takes for granted. Credit cards, however, are still virtually unheard of here. Only a few major hotels and shops catering to foreign tourists will even consider accepting your Visa or MasterCard, much less cards issued by the Japan Credit Bureau (JCB) or China Union Pay—all of which got a green light to do business in Myanmar last October. So why has plastic been so slow to make inroads as the payment method of choice in Myanmar? The main reason is that domestic financial institutions have yet to be authorized to issue cards to local consumers; and that, in turn, goes back to events that rattled the country’s Central Bank a decade ago, and continue to cause jitters even now.
Food and Agriculture
Myanmar and China broker rice paddy agreement Mizzima 15 Oct 2013
A spokesman from the Farmers Development Public Company announced that China and Myanmar will embark on a joint agricultural development venture this coming year. The two nations have agreed to cooperatively cultivate rice paddies on Myanmar land. China will supply the fertilizer for these fields and has arranged to purchase the harvested rice at local prices. “China will purchase all the varieties of rice that this venture will produce,” assured U Kyaw Swar Soe. “It has not put any restraints on the types that should be grown. Food supplies for many countries are becoming an important issue, so this is asignificant deal.” Representatives from the Farmers Development Public Company mentioned that the paddies will likely be cultivated in the Ayeyarwady delta region and the Bago Division and that development will begin in early summer, at the start of the growing season. Chinese agricultural businesses will begin related negotiations with Myanmar farmers during the last week of October and the first few weeks of November.
Foreign Affairs
We will not ignore violence,’ US warns Myanmar Times 7 Oct 2013
United States ambassador to Myanmar Derek Mitchell has warned that the international community “will not ignore” the plight of Muslims affected by communal violence in Myanmar, which he said threatens the country’s economic development and reform efforts. Mr Mitchell told The Myanmar Times in Yangon on October 2 that the unrest is causing instability and damage to the country’s reputation that could deter foreign firms from entering and investing in Myanmar. “I think [the violence] is holding the country back as it is harming the country’s reputation. It is affecting the development of the country and affecting businesses,” he said. He emphasised that the international community will not turn a blind eye to the violence directed at Muslims and called for greater accountability for those responsible. About 250 people have been killed and more than 140,000 left homeless since the first oubreak of violence in June 2012. “We are deeply disturbed by the continuing violence against the Muslim community and we see there needs to be much more [done] in terms of security and in terms of responsiveness by local authorities, by the government, and hope people are held strictly accountable for these actions,” he said.
JICA to provide over US$900 million in aid Mizzima 7 Oct 2013
At a press conference held on 4 October at Yangon Technological University, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) chairman Dr. Akihiko Tanaka told domestic media houses that JICA would contribute approximately US$910 million in aid to Myanmar. According to JICA, the general purpose of this support is to assist the growth of Myanmar’s internal infrastructure, including rural and social development. JICA also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Myanmar’s Ministry of Science and Technology. Under this MoU, US$13.5 million of the aforementioned aid will promote educational cooperation between Japan and Myanmar and support the advancement of educational projects in two technological universities in Yangon and Mandalay, respectively. In terms of JICA aid given to ASEAN countries, Myanmar has received the fourth-largest grant to date. “Myanmar is the fourth biggest recipient country after Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines. Myanmar will get more aid in coming years, maybe more than the Philippines,” Dr. Tanaka expanded. He further cited that JICA assesses the individual needs of all ASEAN countries applying for aid before deciding on an appropriate amount to contribute.
Myanmar visit gives chance for business deals Taipei Times 9 Oct 2013
The first meeting of a joint committee between Taiwan and Myanmar is to be held in Yangon next month, the first platform for Taiwanese businesspeople to explore trade and investment opportunities in the resource-rich nation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials said yesterday. Department of Economic and Trade Affairs Director-General John Lai (賴建中) said Taiwan has established nonofficial communication channels with Myanmar after the country began opening itself up to the world in 2011. The visit to Myanmar by a business delegation led by Wang Chung-yu (王鍾渝), chairman of the Chinese International Economic Cooperation Association, a nonprofit group supported the government, earlier this year laid the foundation for non-governmental exchanges, Lai said. During the visit, the association signed a bilateral cooperative agreement with the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Myanmar’s largest nonprofit business federation, Lai said.
US says Myanmar reforms 'incomplete' Yahoo News 9 Oct 2013
US Secretary of State John Kerry said Wednesday that Myanmar's dramatic political reforms were still "incomplete", a day after the former military-ruled country released dozens more political prisoners. "I think what is happening in Myanmar is very exciting, but it is incomplete," Kerry said during a meeting with students in Brunei, where he was later set to meet Myanmar President Thein Sein at a regional summit. "We have to see that the political transformation continues," he added. "Our hope is that the democracy will continue to evolve," Kerry added. Myanmar on Tuesday freed around 56 political prisoners, following a vow from Thein Sein to release all "prisoners of conscience" by the end of the year. Kerry will meet with the former general in Brunei to discuss the "next steps in ongoing political reforms in Myanmar," a US State Department official said. He was also set to hold bilateral meetings in Brunei with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, and South Korean President Park Geun-Hye, according to the official. Thein Sein, who took power in March 2011, has earned international plaudits and the removal of most western sanctions for reforms that include freeing hundreds of political prisoners detained under the former junta. Relations between the US and Myanmar -- a long-time ally of China -- have improved markedly since the end of decades of harsh military rule.
Despite criticisms, Myanmar assumes leadership of Southeast Asian bloc of nations Washington Post 10 Oct 2013
Myanmar pledged Thursday to remove the remaining obstacles in its democratic transformation as it assumed the high-profile role of leading the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Brunei’s leader, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, this year’s outgoing ASEAN chairman, handed a wooden gavel to Myanmar President Thein Sein in a ceremony in Brunei’s capital marking the formerly military-ruled nation’s assumption of the role. Its duties as ASEAN leader will begin next year. Although Myanmar has embarked on democratic reforms, critics have said rewarding it with such a key role is premature because of remaining problems, including the government’s failure to control deadly sectarian violence. “From a human rights perspective, the chairmanship is an honor the government hasn’t earned,” said Matthew Smith, a Myanmar expert who directs the advocacy group Fortify Rights. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who was in Brunei to meet ASEAN heads of state at the group’s annual summit, said the U.N. supports Myanmar’s new role but urged it to do more to end bloody communal violence.
Myanmar takes long-awaited ASEAN chair, but can it cope? Reuters 10 Oct 2013
In a room festooned with purple and yellow flowers, Myanmar took a long-coveted role on Thursday as chairman of ASEAN, the regional grouping of Southeast Asia. But in a country where three-quarters of the population lack access to electricity and basic telephone services are patchy, the job holds as many problems as promise for a semi-civilian government that emerged from 49 years of oppressive military rule two years ago to surprise the world with sweeping reforms. Myanmar may struggle to cope with the onslaught of meetings — a total of 1,100 — it will host next year when the role of chairing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations formally begins. Many government institutions face shortages of skilled civil servants. And many government buildings lack basic infrastructure, such as computers. "It won't be perfect, but it won't be a disaster," said Tin Maung Maung Than, a Burmese scholar and senior fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore. President Thein Sein's democratic reforms have won praise but he has also been criticized for failing to stem religious violence that has killed at least 240 people and displaced 140,000, most of them Muslims, since June 2012 in the Buddhist-majority country also known as Burma.
China’s Ambassador to Myanmar Is Busy, Busy, Busy WSJ 10 Oct 2013
Political analysts have labeled Yang Houlan, China’s ambassador to Myanmar, as one of the most hardworking diplomats they’ve encountered. Since he arrived in March this year following postings in Kabul and Kathmandu, Mr. Yang has met with opposition leaders, civil society groups, activists and government leaders. He’s also darted across the country to visit sizeable Chinese projects. His embassy has also taken on a more active role in social media, engaging with Myanmar society through Facebook, hoping, he says, to clarify some misunderstandings about China’s activities in Myanmar and help the public to “develop a holistic” of relations between the two nations. These efforts are necessary. Though China once enjoyed an enviable position as Myanmar’s closest ally – one of the few it had when Western leaders slapped down sanctions its former military government – the country now finds its position increasingly precarious, as local communities grow cold towards Chinese projects. Chinese investment, too, has fallen dramatically since Myanmar began its transition away from military rule, just US$407 million in the fiscal year ending this March, compared to approximately US$12 billion between 2008 and 2011. [Related story, subscriber only.] The Wall Street Journal spoke to Mr. Yang about China’s place in Myanmar’s transition towards democracy, falling investment from the economic giant and what he hopes for out of this crucial bilateral relationship. The following interview has been edited.
Ties with Myanmar to stay on track: Li ECNS 10 Oct 2013
China and Myanmar have pledged to improve their future cooperation, as Premier Li Keqiang met Myanmar President U Thein Sein on the sidelines of the 16th China-ASEAN Summit in Brunei on Wednesday. Li said Beijing hopes to set the right direction for future ties with the Southeast Asian country in its new circumstances, given that the country is experiencing reforms of its domestic and foreign policies. "China would like to enhance cooperation in various fields with Myanmar and add new fuel to the good-neighborly cooperation between the two countries," Li said, adding that China supports the country's political reform. Analysts said Li's remarks shows the trend of a stable Beijing-Yangon relationship, adding that Myanmar's reforms do not target China. "Li's words send a positive signal of the future Beijing-Yangon ties. Myanmar's political reforms will not affect that country's ties with China," said Lu Guangsheng, a professor on Southeast Asian studies at Yunnan University. No matter what direction Myanmar's political reform takes in the future, its current and future leaders are expected to implement a China-friendly foreign policy, considering the countries' deep cooperation based on geopolitics and geo-economics, said Lu's colleague Li Chenyang, an expert on Myanmar studies.
PM suggests talks for India-ASEAN transit transport pact Business Standard 10 Oct 2013
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today suggested discussions between India and ASEAN countries for finalising transit transport agreement by 2015. He also said that India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway could be extended to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. In his address at the 11th India-ASEAN Summit, Singh said that he was looking forward for setting up the Maritime Transport Working Group between the two sides. "I would suggest that our officials begin discussions on an ASEAN-India Transit Transport Agreement with a view to completing it by 2015. I also look forward to the proposed Maritime Transport Working Group being set up soon," the Prime Minister said. The two sides have already decided to establish a Working Group on Soft Infrastructure along their corridors of connectivity.
Myanmar establishes diplomatic ties with Lithuania Mizzima 11 Oct 2013
Myanmar has established diplomatic ties with Lithuania at the ambassadorial level, bringing the total number of foreign countries with such official relations to 115, the New Light of Myanmar reported on Friday. According to the Foreign Ministry, Myanmar has so far set up embassies in 30 countries and two permanent missions in New York and Geneva, in addition to four consulates-general in China's Hong Kong, Kunming and Nanning, and India's Calcutta, respectively. Meanwhile, 28 countries have their embassies in Myanmar. China and India have their consulates-general in Mandalay, the second largest city of the country, with Switzerland and Bangladesh having theirs in Yangon and Sittway, respectively.
Myanmar People Forum prepares for ASEAN conference Mizzima 14 Oct 2013
The Myanmar People Forum Working Group is scheduled to hold their Myanmar People Forum from 28 to 30 December. The group is extending invitations to over 350 civil societies, U Kyaw Lin Oo, a spokesperson from the Forum Organizing Committee’s secretary’s office, told Mizzima. The Myanmar People Forum will include twelve to sixteen workshops that will focus on major issues such as human rights, social development, democratization, and peace. The Myanmar People Forum Working Group was founded in October 2011 as a vehicle to prepare for the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN People’s Forum (ACSC/APF). It has also been used as an organizational beacon for NGOs and civil society groups all over the country. The Myanmar People Forum is specifically designed to focus on provisions for and the advancement of the APF. The results of the Forum will be discussed with the civil societies in attendance at the APF, said U Aung Myo Min, Director General of Equality Myanmar. In October of this year Brunei will officially cede chairmanship of ASEAN to Myanmar for 2014.
With Burma as Asean Leader, Hopes for India’s Stalled ‘Look East’ Highway Irrawaddy 17 Oct 2013
Economic planners in India and Thailand are hoping that Burma’s chairmanship of Asean starting in a few months’ time will reignite interest by the Naypyidaw government in the long-stalled “trilateral highway” to link the three countries. The highway has been on the agenda for 15 years. The Indian government spent US$30 million building 100 miles (160 km) of new road from the India-Burma border at Moreh-Tamu across Sagaing Division in 2001, but it still ends in dust and mud in the middle of nowhere. A new appeal to the Burmese government to get on with the project was made at the Asean summit in Brunei last week, where Burma was formally awarded the 2014 chairmanship of the 10-country bloc. Thailand’s Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra urged Burma’s President Thein Sein to help achieve a 2016 target date proposed by New Delhi and Bangkok for final completion of the trilateral highway. Yingluck made a similar appeal when she and India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met in May to discuss trade links.
Myanmar takes up ASEAN chair Myanmar Times 18 Oct 2013
Taking hold of the ASEAN gavel from Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on October 10, the normally subdued President U Thein Sein sported an uncharacteristic grin. He had good reason to smile. For most of the past two decades Myanmar was the outcast of the 10-nation bloc. In just a few years it has successfully transformed its image to the extent where Myanmar’s partners have agreed to let it take on the leadership of ASEAN at a time of unprecedented change. In 1995, under the rule of former Senior General Than Shwe, Myanmar was an outsider looking in at ASEAN, which was then a seven-nation group. Bolstered by the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest in July of that year, Myanmar managed to talk its way into the bloc. In 1996, Myanmar joined the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). It became an official member in July 1997, along with Laos. Cambodia, delayed by internal political turmoil, would join two years later as the tenth member. Despite its newfound status in the region, Myanmar remained aloof from ASEAN because of perceptions that other member nations were meddling in its domestic affairs. Senior General Than Shwe almost never attended ASEAN meetings, opting instead to send his prime ministers or foreign minister. According to the recently released Soldiers and Diplomacy in Burma, by academic Renaud Egreteau and journalist Larry Jagan, some observers believe Senior General Than Shwe created the prime minister post in 2003 precisely so that he did not need to attend ASEAN meetings.
ICT
Channel NewsAsia opens Myanmar bureau Channel News Asia 8 Oct 2013
Regional broadcaster, Channel NewsAsia, has opened a news bureau in Myanmar. It is one of four foreign news organisations to be given a licence to operate in the country. Channel NewsAsia says the Yangon-based bureau will add to the depth of the channel's coverage of the region. The broadcaster has a network of offices in 14 key cities in Asia. Channel NewsAsia's correspondent May Wong - a broadcast journalist with 17 years of experience - will continue to unravel the stories and provide the perspectives from a country where political and economic reforms are being rolled out. May Wong said: "There are many untold stories on the ground right now and I think I'm very well placed to be in that position to try and cover a variety of stories - so I'm talking about community stories, social impact, politics as well as economics.
Govt Should Change Bill, Privatize State Newspapers: Press Council Irrawaddy 8 Oct 2013
The Interim Press Council of Myanmar has urged the Ministry of Information to abandon a section of the Public Service Media bill that would continue government support for state-run newspapers, saying that these publications should be privatized instead. “Internationally, there are no state-owned newspapers,” said council member Ye Min Oo, adding that private print media freed from government controls would be better suited to provide the public with information. The council held a press conference this weekend to underline its demands regarding the Public Service Media bill, which the Information Ministry has been drafting in recent months. Since taking office in 2011, President Thein Sein’s reformist government has lifted draconian media restrictions that were in place during decades of military rule, such as a pre-publication media censorship.
MP proposes amendments to electronic transactions law Eleven Myanmar 8 Oct 2013
Lower House MP Thein Nyunt submitted amendments to the controversial Electronic Transactions Law to parliament on Monday, in a bid to protect technology users from harsh penalties and prison sentences. The 2004 Electronic Transactions Law has been used by the military in the past to send scores of political activists to prison for up to 15 years. "The reason for amending this law is because it has been used in sending experts with different political views to prison. So I submitted a proposal to revoke this law. As it couldn’t be revoked, the Deputy Minister of Information said we need to amend it to keep up with time. That’s why I have submitted this [amendment] to protect experts and prevent technology for being used for politics," said MP Thein Nyunt. The amendments focus on articles 34 to 37 of the Electronic Transactions Act, replacing prison sentences of up to 15 years with fines ranging between Ks 100,000 to Ks 5 million, depending on the severity of the offence. As Myanmar begins modernising its economy, communication services and technology — from mobile phones to the internet - will become important sectors that can help create jobs, promote personal development as well as provide space for innovation. "I have replaced all the prison terms to fines. The prison terms will only be given if [the offender] cannot pay the fine. For the only Article that has a prison term, I have made it defensible [for the offender]," said Thein Nyunt.
Singapore's SingTel to invest in Myanmar Eleven Myanmar 8 Oct 2013
Singapore's SingTel has been in discussions with officials to invest in Myanmar's telecom sector, according to local sources. Kavin Wu Shiyuan, a representative from Singapore Telecommunications Limited met with Aung Naing Oo, the director general of Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA) in Nay Pyi Taw on October 4. Although SingTel failed to win in Myanmar’s contest for two telecommunications licenses, it will cooperate with Ooredoo and Telenor in network expansion works and help the country to build its own satellite system. Singapore-based SingTel is the largest telecom company in South East Asia, operating in Malaysia, Thailand, India, Philippines, Australia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. SingTel is said to begin its operations in Myanmar soon.
HTC Sets Out Stall in Burma’s Telecoms Market Irrawaddy 9 Oct 2013
Electronics firm HTC, which was co-founded by Burmese-born entrepreneur Peter Chou, is confident that Burma’s the telecoms sector will begin to grow at a rapid pace next year. The Mandalay-born Chou co-founded the company in Taiwan in 1997 and is now CEO of HTC, one of the world’s leading makers of smartphones and tablets. He has taken in interest in his country of birth in recent years. In January, HTC launched a smartphone that can use Burmese script. On Wednesday, at an event to launch the HTC Desire 600c dual-SIM phone to the Burmese market, HTC’s head of marketing in Burma, Richard See told the Irrawaddy that he is optimistic about the country’s nascent telecoms market. “Burma’s telecom sector will grow relatively fast next year. We can see big potential next year because now there are very limited SIM cards here. We can possibly get a bigger market share next year,” See said.
MRTV Begins Digital TV Broadcasts, Expects to Reach Nationwide Coverage by 2020 Irrawaddy 14 Oct 2013
Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV), the national TV and radio broadcaster, is implementing a major upgrade of its broadcasting system and will start digital TV broadcasts in the country’s three major cities this week, MRTV director general Tint Swe said. MRTV plans to switch from an analogue to digital broadcasting system that provides nationwide coverage, Tint Swe said, adding that digital TV broadcasts will begin in Rangoon, Naypyidaw and Mandalay on Tuesday. “We’re expecting such a digital system to provide coverage in the whole nation by 2020,” he said, adding that MRTV plans to build 77 digital TV broadcasting stations by 2015 and increase this number to 253 stations by 2017. MRTV will use the Asean-standard Digital Video Broadcasting Terrestrial-2 (DVBT-2), according to Tint Swe, who headed the Press Scrutiny and Registration Department, Burma’s censorship department, until August 2012.
Tangled lines Bangkok Post 14 Oct 2013
While Myanmar’s two international telecom companies have yet to receive their operating licences from the government, experts say the real — and possibly crippling — challenges as they move into the virgin market of 60 million consumers will be site acquisition and navigating state regulations. On Oct 4, the draft Telecommunications Bill was sent back to parliament’s lower house. Until it is revised and signed by President Thein Sein, Norway’s Telenor and Qatar’s Ooredoo cannot receive licences to operate. However, this has done little to hold back their aggressive plans to begin network rollouts. “We all know what’s going to be in the law anyway,” Edwin Vanderbruggen, a partner at the Yangon office of VDB Loi told Asia Focus. “The discussion is on two or three conflicts, not the other 97% [of the . I don’t think any of these points are alarming for the operators.” Vanderbruggen said that the struggle to secure infrastructure in a country where connectivity is woeful — mobile penetration is about 9% and internet access about 1% — will be the telecom companies’ biggest hurdle.
Infrastructure
Commercial buildings to be constructed on military-owned land Eleven Myanmar 9 Oct 2013
Myanmar and Singapore companies are planning to construct commercial buildings on land owned by the Ministry of Defence in Yangon Region. Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) granted permission on October 2 for Nature Link from Myanmar and Singapore-based Uni Global Power Pte. Ltd. to build under a Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) agreement in accord with the foreign investment law. The tender winning company has submitted a proposal to MIC through the Ministry of Defence. MIC has also allowed the joint venture of Shwe Taung Development Co. Ltd. and a Singapore company to construct office buildings in Yangon region during August. Foreign investment in the construction sector amounted to over US$ 37 million by August 2013. In hotels and tourism, foreign investment is over US$ 1.5 million, according to statistics.
Regional Competitors Set to Challenge Domestic Airlines Irrawaddy 10 Oct 2013
Myanmar’s domestic airlines face challenges in coming years as foreign players are expected to take a larger slice of the aviation market as the country opens up. Alongside Myanmar Airways International (MAI)—which is majority owned by Kanbawza Bank chairman U Aung Ko Win, with the government holding a minority stake—and domestic counterpart Myanma Airways, there are six other domestic carriers. Ownership of the domestic industry is concentrated in the hands of the well-connected businesspeople who thrived under the country’s crony-favoring military junta. U Aung Ko Win also owns Air KBZ and Golden Myanmar Airline is owned by KMA Group’s U Khin Maung Aye. Yangon Air has been linked to the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and is blacklisted by the US Treasury Department. U Tay Za, chairman of Htoo Group, owns Air Bagan—which is also on the blacklist—and reportedly at some time held a stake in another local carrier, Asian Wings Airways. The sixth local airline, Air Mandalay, is a joint venture involving the government and Singapore and Malaysian companies. Industry sources say these carries should prepare for disruption, since they are currently seen to be offering a service below the level of regional competitors. There are also safety concerns, with the possibility that Air Bagan’s crash in Heho, Shan State, which killed two people in December, will turn tourists off local carriers.
National Affairs
Waiting for the dividend Economist 5 Oct 2013
BY THE Salween river in the city of Hpa-an, on a patch of ground the size of a football pitch, the foundations are being dug out for a posh new hotel. This would not get much attention anywhere else in Myanmar. Scores of new hotels are going up in Yangon and Mandalay, the two biggest cities, to cater for an influx of tourists drawn by the country’s recent opening-up. In Hpa-an, however, it is big news. For this is the capital of Kayin state, one of the poorest of the country’s dismally underdeveloped regions and home to the Karen people, the country’s second-largest ethnic group. For decades they have been fighting an insurgency against the majority Burmans, and Hpa-an has suffered commensurate damage and isolation. Many young Karen have simply left, often for work in neighbouring Thailand. A local doctor estimates that four-fifths of those remaining are killing time on methamphetamines, known locally as yaba. So the new hotel and its promise of hundreds of relatively well-paid jobs stands out as one of the first signs of economic revival.
Abolishing 2008 Constitution is ‘very dangerous’ for the people - USDP Eleven Myanmar 7 Oct 2013
Myanmar’s ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has warned of great danger for the people and unpredictable chaos if a new constitution is to be drawn and the current 2008 Constitution completely abolished. In a statement released on Saturday, the USDP said that the party’s stance is to review and amend the 2008 Constitution depending on time and circumstances. The party is now studying the 2008 Constitution in detail and will focus on clauses that need to be amended. The party will submit its suggestions on necessary amendments to the respective parliamentary committee. It will also be transparent in sharing these recommendations with its members and the general public, the USDP said in its statement. On September 28, the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) and ethnic political parties in Myanmar issued a joint statement saying that the issue of whether to amend the 2008 Constitution or draft a new one would be raised in Parliament depending on the will of the people. According to the joint statement, the 2008 Constitution carries provisions that are undemocratic and inconsistent. It says the current draft prevents rights and guarantees for national races, deters the establishment of a true democratic state and multi-party democracy system, lacks proper checks and balances for executive, judicial and legislative powers, does not provide equal rights for all citizens, and provides no guarantees of a free and fair election in 2015.
Myanmar must respect minorities New Straits Times 7 Oct 2013
NATION-BUILDING: It must ensure the rights of all communities, including the Rohingya, are protected ONCE again, violence is flaring in the state of Rakhine, Myanmar. Once again, the headlines are full of stories about the violence meted out to the Rohingya minority. That the issue exceeds the compartmentalised borders of Myanmar is evident for all to see, as it has contributed to a mass exodus across the frontier and now impacts on other countries like Bangla-desh, and even the rest of Southeast Asia, as a result of the movement of boat people. Yet, the root of the problem can be traced back to a singular issue that is not unique to Myanmar, or to the Rohingya themselves. It is, in fact, the result of a culmination of historical and contemporary variable factors, that include the role played by the colonial administration of the past in dividing of Burmese society along ethnic lines; the distortions made to Burmese society as a result of migration during colonial rule; the manner in which some communities (such as the Karens) were seen as being treated favourably at the expense of other communities, etc.
Govt to hold peace talk with KIO in Myitkyina Eleven Myanmar 7 Oct 2013
The Myanmar government will hold three days of peace talks with the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) in Myitkyina Township, capital of Kachin State, starting on Tuesday. Government negotiators met with the KIO on Wednesday and Thursday last week to discuss the possibility of inviting observers as witnesses for the talks. UN Special Envoy Vijay Nambia, along with political parties officially registered in Kachin State, will attend the peace discussions. "Those who have attended previous peace talks will participate in the talks," said San Aung of the Peace Creation Group. "In the past, a Chinese representative attended the peace talks. This time, five Chinese representatives and two from the UN will attend. The KIO has invited the UK and the U.S, but they can’t attend the talks because the government didn’t invite them. The embassies have said that they would come if both sides invite them," he added. The peace negotiators include Aung Min, vice-chair of the Union peacemaking committee and also a Union Minister, on behalf of the government; Lt-Gen Myit Soe from the Office of Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, on behalf of the Army; and Kachin Independence Army vice chief of staff Maj-General Guan Maw, on behalf of the KIO. Union-level peace talks between the government and the KIO were last held in late May.
After Thandwe Violence, Suu Kyi Reiterates Need for Rule of Law Irrawaddy 8 Oct 2013
Democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and women political activists have called for better law enforcement after communal violence in west Burma last week left five people dead and hundreds more homeless. At a forum of women lawmakers in Naypyidaw last Friday, just a couple days after fighting died down near Thandwe in Arakan State, Suu Kyi echoed earlier statements on the need for rule of law. “If you ask why violence has erupted in the country, I think it is because of fear—our people are insecure,” the 68-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate and lawmaker said. “We need to have rule of law for our society. Our people need to feel safe and secure through rule of law. This is the only way we can do it.” Clashes between Buddhists and Muslims last week near Thandwe destroyed more than 100 homes, according to state media.
Myanmar Steps Up Efforts For Stability, Development In Riot-Hit Western State National News Agency of Malaysia 8 Oct 2013
Myanmar is stepping up efforts for stability and development in riot-hit western Rakhine state in accordance with set roadmap, China's Xinhua news agency said quoting official media's report Tuesday. As part of the efforts, the government is trying to complete the citizenship scrutinising process in the state involving both the communities of ethnic Rakhine and Kaman peoples as early as possible, Vice President Sai Mauk Kham was quoted as saying. "Only when the scrutinisation task is completed, will the mistrust between the two communities in Rakhine state be removed," Sai told a coordination meeting of the Central Committee for Restoring Community Peace and Stability in Rakhine State. Sai tasked the work committee to draw plan for providing food to the internally-displaced people in the state next year.
Myanmar president pardons political prisoners ahead of international summit Washington Post 8 Oct 2013
Myanmar’s president pardoned 56 political prisoners Tuesday, an amnesty apparently timed to highlight the government’s reforms ahead of a regional summit as well as important negotiations with a rebel group at home. President Thein Sein ordered the prisoners’ release just ahead of a forum in Brunei to be attended by leaders from across Southeast Asia and the Pacific. At the Associated of Southeast Asian Nations summit, Myanmar is expected to face tough questions about ongoing sectarian violence that has targeted Muslims. It has become a pattern for prisoner amnesties in Myanmar to coincide with high-profile international meetings as a way of highlighting the nominally civilian government’s reforms since taking office after years of absolute military rule. A member of the government’s political prisoner scrutiny committee, Ye Aung, said those released Tuesday included several ethnic minorities.
NLD to launch public education programme about constitution Eleven Myanmar 9 Oct 2013
Myanmar’s opposition leader has said her party will issue directives as quickly as possible to educate the public about constitutional amendments. National League for Democracy (NLD) chairperson Aung San Suu Kyi was speaking to party members during their study visit to the Lower House of Parliament in Nay Pyi Taw on Monday. “I will urge the committee to issue the instructions as quickly as possible,” said Suu Kyi. Seven MPs from the NLD belong to a parliamentary committee reviewing the 2008 Constitution, while the party itself has formed a committee to do the same task. The NLD and ethnic political parties issued a joint statement on September 28 saying the issue of amending the 2008 Constitution or drafting a new one would be raised in Parliament depending on the desire of the public. According to the statement, the NLD will visit villages this month for a public awareness campaign on the constitution and to gauge the public’s wishes on how to proceed. The three-point policy the NLD adopted when it competed in the last year’s by-election includes ensuring that the constitution is amended.
President Thein Sein calls for educational reforms Eleven Myanmar 9 Oct 2013
President Thein Sein announced on Monday that a body to promote education standards will be formed immediately to draft action plans for educational reforms. The president told a forum for pragmatic educational reforms that the current educational system has many weaknesses and flaws. Immediate and long-term action plans must be drafted with the advice of educational experts, he added. "We need to make reforms to have both good and principled people. Former educational experts have been invited to this forum for pragmatic educational reforms to seek advice to develop the education," said Thein Sein. He called for experts to discuss their views openly and pay close attention to the results obtained from the forum as education is important for the future development of all citizens.
Myanmar hails new Kachin rebel peace agreement Global Post 10 Oct 2013
Myanmar and Kachin rebels signed a fresh peace deal Thursday, government mediators said, the latest step in efforts to end the country's last major active civil war. The deal, which follows three days of negotiations, was aimed at laying the "foundation for political dialogue" and working towards ending the conflict in Kachin that broke out two years ago when a 17-year ceasefire crumbled. "We're working not just towards a just and sustainable peace but towards a new political culture, one built on compromise, mutual respect and understanding," said Aung Min, the minister leading the government's peace efforts, in a statement. "The challenges are complex and are rooted in more than half a century of violence, but I'm confident that we are turning the corner," he added after the talks in the Kachin state capital Myitkyina -- the second round of negotiations on home soil.
Myanmar opposition spokesman fined over election claim MY Sinchew 10 Oct 2013
Myanmar's opposition spokesman said Thursday he had been fined for a statement he made claiming that ballot sheets were tampered with in landmark by-elections that saw Aung San Suu Kyi's party enter parliament last year. Nyan Win, who is also the lawyer for democracy champion Suu Kyi, said a court in the capital Naypyidaw had given him a choice of paying 1,000 kyats (about a dollar) or spending a month in prison after the verdict. He added that he had chosen the fine. "I am not guilty so I am going to appeal," the 70-year-old told AFP. Last year Nyan Win complained that a thin layer of wax had been put over check boxes for candidates of his National League for Democracy (NLD) party, meaning that marks made on the wax could later be rubbed off to cancel the vote. The claim was roundly denied by the country's Election Commission, which submitted a complaint about the allegation to the Naypyidaw court.
Myanmar's Parliament Told to Make Quick Decision on Electoral System Radio Free Asia 11 Oct 2013
The head of Myanmar's election body asked parliament Friday to decide by the end of the year whether the country's electoral system should be changed to one of proportional representation as proposed by some groups, saying an early decision would enable authorities to prepare ahead of the 2015 polls. Election Commission Chairman Tin Aye said basic rules for the upcoming general elections would be written by December, assuring that the polls would be "free and fair" unlike the 2010 elections, which were held under military rule and were criticized by various groups. “I don’t want to have the bitter experience like that of the 2010 elections. I will make my commission members skillful and will educate the people ahead of the 2015 elections,” he said at a meeting with leaders of 36 political parties in Myanmar's commercial capital Yangon.
Myanmar legal system yet to reach global standards: expert Australia News Network 11 Oct 2013
Myanmar's legal system is rapidly changing, but it still has a long way to go to reach international standards. That's according to Dr Melissa Crouch, a researcher from the National University of Singapore's Centre for Asian Legal Studies. A recent report by the International Bar Association identified a number of areas Myanmar didn't reach international legal standards. Dr Crouch is one of the co-editors of a handbook which aims to address the legal challenges the country is facing as it transitions towards democracy. The 20-chapter publication, which will be out next year, is drawing on expertise from around the region to provide guidance. "[It is] trying to capture some of the... legislative reforms that are currently taking place as well as putting those in their historical and social context," Dr Crouch told Radio Australia's Asia Pacific program.
Myanmar farmers find little relief from land grabs Miami Herald 11 Oct 2013
Just after dawn, plainclothes Myanmar naval officers entered a wooden shack and roused a young rice farmer from his sleep. They marched him to their nearby barracks and locked him up without explanation. By the time The Khaw Lu Maw was released, the shack that had been his lifelong home was gone, his belongings scattered amid the debris. One by one, other homes in the riverside community of Dala were bulldozed. Residents had farmed the land for generations, but the navy took it over this year to expand a base. "They want to show us they're the ones with the power," he said, his eyes welling with tears. "That they can do what they want." Recent political reforms have won Myanmar widespread praise and the lifting of international sanctions, but for farmers who happen to be in the way of military or business plans, land rights have improved little since a half-century era of military rule ended in 2011. It is a recipe for strife in a country where 70 percent of the labor force depends on agriculture, and where foreign investors, often working with current or former military officials, are scrambling to build roads, factories, power plants, bridges and industrial-sized plantations.
Election Commission guarantees a free and fair election in 2015 Eleven Myanmar 12 Oct 2013
Myanmar's Union Election Commission has assured political parties that the next election in 2015 will be free and fair. The commission chairman, Tin Aye, made the promise during a meeting with the leaders of political parties at the Yangon Region Government's office on Friday. Asked about the international community's observance, Tin Aye said the commission would make sure that the election is free and fair and in accordance with the law. Any breach of law could be reported, he added. "We are taking steps to ensure that the next election is free and fair. But the issue is not concerned with the commission alone. We need help from political parties. Moreover, civil society organisations (CSOs) and media must educate the public in cooperation with the political parties. Only then, can we see a successful election. We will launch a voter education programme in 2014 and hold a free and fair election in 2015. At present, workshops are being held while groups have been formed to study the election law and rules, he said.
Burma too busy for by-elections, says Election chief DVB 12 Oct 2013
The chairman of Burma’s Union Election Commission (UEC) has stated that the state is too busy—and the seats in question too few—to consider holding by-elections ahead of the 2015 general election. He pointed to Burma’s chairmanship of the ASEAN bloc next year, the country’s preparations for the SEA Games in December, and the logistics involved in conducting a census in 2014 as major responsibilities that Burma must undertake in the meantime. Speaking at a meeting involving representatives of 32 political parties at the Rangoon regional government office on Friday, UEC Chairman Tin Aye said that only 3.07 percent of seats in the Lower House remained vacant while just 2.38 percent of seats in the Upper House had no constituents. During a parliamentary session in June, Tin Aye said there were 15 vacant seats in total: six in the lower house; four in the upper house; and five in state and regional assemblies.
Myanmar's new Communications Law published Mizzima 14 Oct 2013
Myanmar's state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper on Saturday published new Communications Law. Under the Communications Law, signed by President U Thein Sein on Tuesday, foreign telecom companies are granted to operate in the country with the license duration from five years in minimum to 20 years in maximum. In August, Myanmar Parliament has approved the Communications Bill. Mobile phone users in the country increased to 5.55 million this month, accounting for 10 percent of total population. Myanmar government is making efforts to increase the mobile phone users to 80 percent by 2015. In June, Norway's Telenor and Qatar's Ooredoo became the first foreign companies awarded mobile operating licenses in Myanmar.
Court monitoring bill to be submitted to parliament this week Eleven Myanmar 16 Oct 2013
Myanmar’s MPs will submit a draft law on media monitoring of court trials to parliament this week, the chairman of a parliamentary committee told reporters on Monday. The bill is designed to ensure that videos and cameras can be used during court trials. It was drafted to set up a court monitoring body as advised by legal experts, said Thura Aung Ko, chairman of Lower House’s Legislative and Judicial Affairs Committee. “When this bill goes to parliament, all concerned departments and organizations—such as parliament’s joint bill committee, our committee, the courts and the Union Attorney General’s Office—will have to discuss and coordinate the provisions,” said Aung Ko, adding that the law will also include the media as members of the court monitoring body.
Myanmar bombings kill at least one, injure six Global Post 17 Oct 2013
More bombings rocked Myanmar on Thursday, killing at least one and injuring six. A first explosion hit late Wednesday night, causing no injuries, and was followed by Thursday's twin bombs in Namkham, a town in Shan state that borders China. More from GlobalPost: Bomb explodes meters from Myanmar's radical Buddhist monk Wirathu The US Embassy in Yangon on Thursday said the bombings "have no place in civilized society." A police officer, on condition of anonymity, said the explosive devices found by security officials were considered crude. "I don't know if there's any connection between these latest blasts and the incidents in Yangon and Mandalay," another police official in the capital, Naypyitaw, told Reuters on condition of anonymity. Thursday's explosions were the latest in a series of bombings in Myanmar. The luxury Traders Hotel was the target of a homemade explosive device in Yangon late on Monday. The bomb injured an American woman, leading the US Embassy in Yangon to issue a travel advisory on Tuesday. Police arrested a 27-year-old suspect early Tuesday who had previously stayed in the room at Traders where the explosion originated. A further suspect is still being sought in connection with another blast that hit a guesthouse in the town of Taunggu last Friday. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the string of explosions and police have not said whether they are connected.
KNU Condemns Burma Bombers – Reaffirms Its Commitment to Peace Karen News 17 Oct 2013
A Karen National Union District Office in a statement received by Karen News has lashed out at the perpetrators of the recent series of bomb blasts in Burma that have injured innocent civilians. The KNU Muthraw District underlined in its statement called the bomb blasts ‘disturbing’ and criticized the Burma’s government for suggesting that those responsible for the explosions had links to the Karen political organization. The KNU said the government’s statements were provocative and “completely uncalled for and entirely unfounded.” A statement released in Burmese by the Karen National Union’s Mutraw [Pa-pun] District, reaffirmed its commitment to a genuine peace and rejected all violent acts that target civilians and that attempted to derail current peace efforts. “We categorically condemn all acts that attempt to disrupt the peace building efforts and reject all kinds of violence aimed at harming or threatening innocent civilians.”
Wirathu circumvents 969 ban Myanmar Times 17 Oct 2013
At a meeting earlier this month at Mandalay’s Masoeyein Monastery, U Wirathu announced his plan to form the Mandalay branch of what he called the Organisation for the Protection of Nationalism and Religion. He outlined a vision for a nationwide organisation of religious leaders and laypeople, including politicians, historians, lawyers, artists, journalists and civil society leaders. The organisation aims to protect Buddhism, avoid conflict based on religion or race, and to provide religion-based education, U Wirathu said. It will carry out social activities in cooperation with civil society groups, government officials and the Sangha, or clergy; lobby for the introduction of laws to protect Buddhists; and to open
Bomb blasts won’t affect ceasefire agreement—president’s office Eleven Myanmar 17 Oct 2013
Recent bomb blasts in a few Myanmar cities will not affect the nationwide ceasefire agreement to be signed in November between the government and ethnic armed groups, the president’s spokesperson told journalists on Tuesday. Ye Htut, who is also deputy minister for Information, was responding to a reporter’s question as to whether the recent bombings could damage the nationwide ceasefire agreement. He said the president hopes a peace agreement will be signed with the ethnic armed groups in November, and that the occurrence of bomb blasts will not affect the peace process. If a delay occurred because of the bombings, then those desiring to disrupt the peace effort would achieve their goal. Therefore, the government will not accept any delay of the peace agreement, said Ye Htut. “Our plans will not be affected, because both sides are determined to build peace in any way. Regarding peace, we are trying to reach an agreement in November as the president has expected. They [bomb blasts and peace agreement] are separate matters, and so no damage is possible,” said the president’s spokesperson.
Burma Police Say Karen Businessmen Plotted Bombings Irrawaddy 18 Oct 2013
Rangoon Division’s police chief says a group of ethnic Karen businessmen allegedly planned the recent string of bomb blasts in Burma to scare off foreign investors from their resource-rich Karen State. The police have detained eight suspects following bomb blasts in several states and divisions over the past week, the police chief said on Friday. “They [the eight suspects] were from a group of mining businessmen. We will also arrest more suspects,” Zaw Win told reporters at a press conference in Rangoon. “They intended to ward off foreign investors.” Burma is emerging as an untapped market for foreign investment as it emerges from nearly half a century of military dictatorship. Ethnic states have attracted particular attention because they are rich in natural resources. The police chief identified one detained bombing suspect as Nay Toe, who manages a mining project in Karen State. A group of Karen businessmen allegedly offered Nay Toe a permit for a gold mine if he successfully planted bombs at hotels and restaurants, the police chief said.
Preparing for success The Economist 18 Oct 2013
SQUATTING on the bare floor of a sparsely furnished flat in central Yangon, a handful of 20-somethings tap furiously on battered old laptops, occasionally glancing at pieces of paper scattered around them. They could easily pass for a group of teenagers trawling Facebook. In fact, this is the research unit of the National League for Democracy (NLD), Myanmar’s main opposition party, led by Aung San Suu Kyi. They are racing to meet a deadline to produce a weekly media-monitoring report, providing links to all the main references to the NLD and Myanmar in the international press. It is sent to NLD MPs and party leaders. If it all looks fairly amateurish, that is because it is. They have no office, so the unit has to meet at the flat of Nay Chi Win, the founder and granddaddy of the group at the age of 32. The only obvious office accessory is a whiteboard, and his main worry is whether he can afford the rent. Nonetheless, the founding of the research unit earlier this year is one of several signs that the NLD is starting to grasp the urgent need for its own transformation.
Retail & Manufacturing
Manufacturing Myanmar 2014 Marks Singapore Exhibition Services' Strategic Foray into Asia's Newest Rising Star MENA FN 8 Oct 2013
Singapore Exhibition Services (SES), Asia's leading trade event organiser, has made a move to pave the way for international companies looking to harness the vast opportunities of Myanmar's budding economy, with the launch of a brand new event for the manufacturing sector. As the country opens its doors to the world with economic reform, Myanmar is primed to follow the footsteps of neighbouring Vietnam. Myanmar is witnessing an influx of foreign direct investments especially in the manufacturing sector, an outcome of having a strong low-cost workforce and strategic geographical location. They serve as strong incentives for manufacturers with labour-intensive needs to shift their attention to this emerging nation. Coming off the heels of SES's successful series of manufacturing technology trade shows that are staged in Singapore and Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, the inaugural edition of Manufacturing Myanmar, held from 2 - 4 October 2014 at the Myanmar Convention Centre (MCC) in Yangon, presents a premier platform for international suppliers to meet locally based manufacturers, forge relationships and build a sector that will play a central role in driving economic development and stability.