Weekly
Eleven News 2006
Weekly Eleven Vol. 2, No. 12 (December 27)
Burma earned about US$1,000million from export of more than 335,524.5million cubic-foot of natural gas in 2004-05 fiscal year, Reuters reported. Similar amount of earning was expected to achieve in this fiscal year, the report said.
Electricity quota to Rangoonites will be increased between six to 18 hours per day as a result of increased natural gas supply to gas turbine power plants in Rangoon.
Local experts will collaborate with the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Centre's researchers in order to conduct a survey on aquatic resources in Burmese waters. The survey will be done from February 1 to March 4 with the centre's MV SEAFDEC2 research vessel.
A ceremony to mark 50th anniversary of Burma-China friendship is held in Yunan on December 16.
Sales of electrical and electronic appliances are lower even though prices are still in down trend.
Nearly 0.2million students including novices and nuns are studying at the 1,291 monastic education schools throughout the country.
Freight forwarding charges drop again after cargo weights restriction for highway trucks is relaxed.
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 2, No. 11 (December 20)
About 42 per cent of construction work on 3.022 million kilowatts Shwe Li hydropower project is completed so far. The Department of Hydro Electric Power and Chinese Yunan United Power Co., Ltd jointly conduct the project.
Power supply to public is reduced to six hours from 15 hours a day while electricity supply to industrial zones remains at nine hours per day.
Asia Development Bank predicts the Burma's economy to have between 2 and 4 per cent growth rates in 2007. The GDP growth rate is also estimated to have the maximum 4 per cent in 2006. Gas export is the major support to the country's economic growth and the fluctuating fuel prices would impact Burma's economy, ADB said.
More than K326.4million worth contrabands are confiscated in November at the border checkpoints, the Ministry of Commerce said.
A Department of Forestry's magazine reports that about 0.55million acres forest areas disappear annually in Burma due to excess wood producing and expansion of cultivation areas. However plants are afforested in about 14.79 per cent of such deforested areas annually.
Thirteen Swiss and two German made a series of cycling tours in central Burma's towns on November 21.
More than 7million children who are between nine-month and five-year old will receive measles vaccinations in 2007.
Nine monastic education schools in Pakokku Township are accommodating about 2,500 students in this academic year. According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs more than 160,000 students attended at 1,291 monastic education schools throughout the country in last academic year.
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 2, No. 10 (December 13)
The Traffic Rules Enforcement Supervisory Committee is compiling the list of automobiles with old models and registered serial numbers that do not match with the city characteristics. The listed automobiles will no longer be allowed to register in Rangoon Division.
Electricity will be supplied to public and industrial zones alternatively due to insufficient power production, said an unnamed official from the Yangon Electricity Distribution Group. Temporarily, public will enable to utilise the electricity from 17:00pm to 8:00am daily and the industrial zone 8:00am to 17:00pm. The electricity will be supplied on 24-hour basis to downtown townships, hospitals, schools, CNG refill stations, banks and embassies.
South Korea provided technical assistance to the Myanma Cotton and Sericulture Enterprise for development of silk yarn production sector, KOICA announced. Sericulture expert Dr Lee Yung-Keun spent three-month with the enterprise for providing the assistance.
Enacting of the Myanmar Special Economic Zones Law would assist ongoing Thilawa special industrial zone and Yadanabon ICT city projects to belong into the Myanmar special economic zones, industrialists said. China, India, Singapore, Russia and Japan show their interests in investing in emerging special economic zones.
Variety of beans and pulses prices drop after some new harvest crops enter the market in early December. The stronger local currency also accounts for the price drop.
More than 17million paddy is estimated to produce from Naypyidaw areas - Pyinmana, Lewe and Tatkon - during 2006-07 cultivation season.
Authorities burnt the contrabands confiscated during early this year to October 26 at Muse 105th mile trade zone. The destroyed commodities include candies, toys, canned fruits, DVD discs and medicines.
Ambassadors and diplomats from the UNICEF's executive board member countries make a tour in December to Sagaing Division's Kalay Township and Falam, Hakha and Tiddim townships in Chin State to study the agency's projects to be introduced in those areas.
Plan is underway to construct an airport in Ngwe Saung Beach, which is claimed attracted the higher number of tourists during this year.
Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) drugs are distributed in the country's 13 major hospitals and it is expected to distribute to hospitals in all states and divisions, said national AIDS program manager Dr Min Thwe.
Under
the grassroots grant assistance scheme, the Japanese government
donated US$79,501 for construction of a four-storey monastic
education school in Thaketa Township.
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 2, No. 9 (December 6)
The Ministry of Health, UN agencies and local and international NGOs are collaborating for the first time in introducing five-year project to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and some other diseases. The first activity of the project began on November 27 in Mandalay.
The increased numbers of condom distributed in 2005 showed that the public awareness on protecting sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS had increased, said Dr Min Thwal from the Department of Health. About 40million condoms were distributed last year.
Local entrepreneurs would likely to be more beneficial as government allows to export commodities including fishery products from Myeik Port in Tanintharyi Division to Malaysia and China directly.
Officials from India and Burma will meet on December 8 and 9 in Morah town to conduct joint inspection on border demarcation and posts.
The world GSM Association estimated that there would be nearly 0.2million GSM mobile phones users in Burma by 2006.
A group of wild elephants killed two villagers and destroyed more than 42 houses early November in villages in Taikkyi Township in Rangoon Division.
Nearly 120 out of more than 150 approved-to-publish periodicals are in operation and the numbers of news journal readers increase significantly. News journals dominate 38 per cent of periodicals published regularly.
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 2, No. 7 (November 22)
Burma is ranked as the second leading world exporter of beans and pulses, according to the FAO's statistic. It has earned more than US$400million from beans export during this fiscal year till October. However its beans and pulses production is still lower compare to that of other leading exporting countries such as Canada and Australia.
Agriculture farms in Naypyidaw and nearby areas are facing labour shortage because farm workers move to the mushrooming construction sites in Naypyidaw where they earn much more wages.
South Korea's business association will assist establishing e-government system that will let the 38 ministries to communicate electronically. The establishing of the US$12million system is targeted to complete within a couple of years.
The Australian Danford Equites Corporation signed an oil and gas exploration deal with MOGE on November 10. Major foreign companies working in the country's energy sector are from Australia, Britain, Canada, China, Indonesia, India, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand.
Fee for temporary Burma-Thailand border pass for one-time pass within a week is raised to K1,000 from K500 since later September. Previously a temporary pass allows multiple border-cross within a week.
South Korea plans to collaborate with Burma in forestry sector in addition to agriculture and energy sectors to accelerate bilateral trade. South Korean forestry collaboration committee met with Burmese officials in early November to provide technical assistance for the development of forestry sector
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 2, No. 5 (November 8)
The Japanese government provided more than US$89,800 for upgrading the facilities of the Mandalay regional veterinary diagnostic laboratory under its grassroots grant assistance scheme. The assistance will help improve undertaking effective disease surveillance and diagnosis on poultry at the lab.
Numbers of locally assembled vehicles reduce because vehicle assemblers are facing supply shortage of required vehicle parts such as engine, axle and wheels. Prices of the assembled vehicle are up as a result.
Deep-sea ports are to be established in Kyaukpyu, Kalagauk, Dawei and Bokpyin, according to the Myanma Port Authority. The ports will enable handling up to 65,000 tonnes vessels.
Commercial-purpose five paddy dryers are being built in major paddy growing areas in Bago and Ayeyarwaddy divisions with the arrangement of the Myanmar Rice and Paddy Traders' Association. The German Embassy in Rangoon funded for dryer building projects.
More than 110 trainees will spend one year in Israel to have on-the-job training on livestock and agriculture subjects.
Nine hotels in Ngapali Beach will be available for tourists in this opening season. Five hotels only were operated during rainy season.
The second Burma-China meeting on combating human trafficking will be held in Kummin on November 6. Establishing of a border listing office will also be highlighted in the meeting.
Six CNG filling stations will be open in Rangoon in December. Additional 15 stations will also be open next year.
Petrol and diesel consumption decreases in Rangoon after the majority of passenger buses and taxies are converted to be operated on CNG. The fuel stations distributed an average of petrol 1.01million gallons and diesel 2.34million gallons per month during 2001 and 2005 respectively. After the introduction of CNG an average of petrol 705807gallons and diesel 1.34million gallons per month are sold from January to June this year.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao pledged during ASEAN-China summit to grant Yuan300million loan with low-interest to Burma for establishing GMS super highway network in its area while other Yuan50million loan without interest.
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 2, No. 4 (November 1)
Gold price reaches to K431,000 per tical in October last week. The price was stable at about K400,000 per tical in October second week and is up again within two weeks due to slight increased of trade.
Burma's population is estimated to have more than 70million in 2030 while the average life expectancy of its people is estimated to have above 65 years in 2025.
Number of commuters who use the passenger buses that operate from Rangoon's satellite towns to downtown area increase yearly as a result of rising numbers of people who move in to such satellite towns - Hlaingthaya, New Dagon townships (South and North) and New Dagon Seitkan Township - within three/four years.
Anyone who is exporting fishery products either with normal or border trade systems is to submit country of origin certificates that are issued at the Myanmar Fishery Federation.
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 2, No. 3 (October 25)
Assistance from the international financial organisations such as IMF, World Bank and ADB are likely to flow in again to Burma because it was removed from the list of non-cooperative countries and territories for combating money laundering, Police Colonel Sitt Aye said. The Financial Action Taskforce - the world's top money laundering watchdog - and Burma side had held talks ten times within five years and the taskforce announced the removal of Burma from the list at a meeting held in Canada in October after the taskforce's onsite visit mission inspected the country in late September, he said.
The SPDC's 2/2006 announcement that stated the reformation of the administrative system from state/division to village level is issued on September 18. Under the reformation the military commanders of respective regional commands will hold the chair position of state/division peace and development councils while the secretary state/division administrator from the Ministry of Home Affair's General Administration Department. In district level a military officer will hold the chairman post and a district administrator from the department as secretary. The state/division and district administrators are also ordered to prepare for taking the chair positions in future.
The United Nations Children's Fund is conducting a series of social assistance training since August to protect children from any abuse. It spends between US$5million to $6million per year for child protection in the country.
Export earning from the country's cooperative sector hits the highest in 2006-07 fiscal year. The cooperative sector earned US$18.804million as of September in this fiscal year from export while it has earned $14.444million in last fiscal year.
Farmers in upper Burma begin growing variety of beans and pulses one week ago as raining gradually cease in the region. Meanwhile farmers in other areas are still facing difficulties for growing crops because of continuous rainfalls till October.
The Ministry of Cooperative is distributing 700tonnes of palm oil per month for sale in its cooperative associations in nine states and divisions. It also distributes kerosene 30,000 gallons per months to nine states and divisions.
Special fowl breeding zones are been established in Shwebo and Monywa districts and land plots in those zones are available with K0.5million per plot.
About 9 tonnes of under-100g eels that are to be exported to China are confiscated within 15 days in border checkpoints. Such under-100g eels are restricted to export.
A
river cruise ship, MS. Explorer, carrying 667 tourists of whom the
majorities are American arrived in Thilawa Port on October 7 and
left on October 12. It is the first cruise ship that visited to
Burma in this opening season.
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 2, No. 2 (October 18)
China agreed in principle to invest more than US$700million in Thilawa Industrial Zone once the special economic industrial zone law is enacted in Burma. The law, which is expected to endorse by the end of this year, will help establish four special economic zones that will in turn provide about 0.2million employment opportunities.
Burma opens 13 checkpoints along the border with China, Thailand, India and Bangladesh. Its border trade volume is up 13 per cent each in 2004-05 and 2005-06 fiscal years and by analysing current situation so far this fiscal year's border trade volume is likely to be higher than that of previous years.
The Ministry of Mining plans for the first time to transfer the operation of its Kyaukpahtoo gold mine in Sagaing Division's Kawling Township to private sectors. The ministry will invite tenders with K100million floor price for ten-year operation of the gold mine.
The completing constitution would allow ethnic races to have more democracy and rights than 1947 and 1974 constitutions, Information Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan said at a press briefing.
Onion retail prices in Rangoon are up very frequently because the majority of onion suppliers sell their stocks mostly to out of Rangoon regions where prices are higher. Meanwhile onion growers said rainy season onion growing was a failure because of continuous rainfalls till October.
Exporters, who have signed sale contracts or MoU with overseas counterparts for massive exports of crops including sesame, beans and pulses, will be allowed to export with supplier/buyer system.
New rainfalls record had been recorded on October 9 in four cities - Magway, Taunggyi, Namgsun and Chauk. Old rainfall records in those cities are registered some 20 to 50 years ago.
The Japanese NGO, Bridge Asia Japan, will build road links and bridges in Rakhine State and the Japanese grassroots grant assistance scheme will fund the building projects. Under the scheme the Japanese government also assisted more than US$35,000 for establishing water and power supply system in Lattpunpin village in Kyaukpadaung Township.
Trade of construction materials is still cool though construction season resumes, and trade is about 50 per cent down compared to the same period last year.
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 2, No. 1 (October 11)
Australia will provide technical assistance training for fighting terrorism and transactional crimes to police officials from ASEAN countries including Burma. Police officials from CID, transactional crimes department and the Myanmar Police Force will join the two-week training to be conducted in November at the Australian-run Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation.
According to the Burmese child law, children have the rights to work and they are named as child helper not as child labour if they work in safe and secure environment, a judge said.
Border pass issuing for Burma-China border passes is computerised since September 18 while registration and border pass fees are also changed.
The installation of total of 154 asymmetric digital subscriber lines (ADSL) in government ministries and hotel zones in Naypyidaw are completed.
Burma now has total of 109 airports of which 13 can handle up to Boeing 737 aeroplanes.
The
resuming national convention would last for three months time, said
the Information Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan at a press conference
held on October 8. The process of national convention would be
neither slow nor fast because of placing the country in UNSC agenda,
he said.
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 1, No 51 (October 4)
The Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development will conduct survey for development of the private industrial sector. The one-month survey will cover all 19 industrial zones in the country. The industrial sector contributes 17.5 per cent of total GDP in last fiscal year.
Individuals and co-operative associations that have less than K30,000 monthly income will be tax-exempted, the Ministry of Finance and Revenue said in its announcement issued dating back to May 5 this year. It also said tax-exemption would include for sale, transfer and exchange of one and more assets that achieve K0.1million income within one year.
Burma and Thailand authorities reopen all border checkpoints along Burma-Thai border on September 24. The checkpoints were closed shortly after a coup in Thailand.
Import from Thailand increases about 20 per cent annually, according to the Thailand customs department's statistic. Thailand has earned Baht19.125billion from export to Burma till August this year and the amount is more than the whole 2003's exports amount to Burma of Baht18.143billion.
There are increased attempts from Chinese merchants to purchase Burmese teaks via official channel, local timber merchants said. The official purchase offers are made after illegal logging in Eastern Kachin and North-Eastern Shan states are stopped by Chinese side, a local merchant said.
Burma's trade volume accounted for US$2,844.28million since the beginning of this fiscal year till August 25. It achieved $2,112.19million export earning in corresponding period and thus resulted in $1,380.1million trade surplus in similar period.
The Social Welfare and Health departments will in collaboration with local and international non-government organisations launch home-visit health care services for elderly persons who are in poverty. YMCA conducted the pilot service project in Insein and Hlaingthaya townships in 2004.
More than 0.1million acres lands out of 22.6million-acre in central Burma's dry zone face deteriorating soil condition because of deforestation, according to the Department of Forestry's statistic.
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 1, No. 50 (September 27)
EU Ambassador Dr. Christian Hauswedell, who is in Rangoon to attend workshop on challenges and prospects for the future of ASEAN-EU relation, met with Information Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan on September 20, state-owned newspapers reported. Other EU delegation members, German Ambassador to Burma, Mr Deithich Andreas, and Professor Dr Robert Taylor who constantly opposes sanctions imposed on Burma, are also presented at the meeting.
Chinese government provided US$62,500 worth malaria vaccines and 500 tonnes of rice to Lau-kaing in Shan special region (1) where poppy-substitute crop plantation projects are conducted. It has already agreed with the government to assist US$625,000 worth basic commodities and 10,000 tonnes of rice to another poppy-substitute crop plantation area in Shan State, Kutkai.
The private banks granted nearly K89billion out of K256.85billion loans to trading sector while K81.05million to production businesses in 2005-06 fiscal year, the annual report of the Myanmar Banks Association said. There are K441.73billion savings by the end of last fiscal year.
Some traders in Rangoon are planning to manipulate the commodity prices by taking advantage of Thailand's political change, and an official from the Yangon Peace and Development Council warned they would be confined if commodities prices are found higher than it should have been in the market.
There is regular supply of electricity during rainy season, and Rangoonites and businesses are hoping to have similar supply in coming opening season. Rangoon consumes 40 per cent of the country's total electricity production, which is about 1000MW. About 39,000MW electricity is estimated to produce from total of 129 completed, ongoing and to-be-built hydropower projects throughout the country.
Swelling water level of three creeks since September 20 had generated the worst flooding in six quarters of Shan State's Tachileik Township. More than 100 households in Wanna quarter, closed to Me-kaun creek that had 10-foot water level increased, lost their properties.
Beans and pulses growers in upper Burma are preparing to grow the crops earlier in anticipation of gaining profits like last year because of crops' higher prices in local and overseas markets.
A Korean advisory group comprised with nine experts from KOTI and Yooshin Engineering Corporation visited Burma from September 19 to 21 to help prepare report for establishing Burma-Thailand rail, which is part of Singapore-Kuming rail link. The Korea International Cooperation Agency is also conducting feasibility study on establishing the Burma-Thailand rail link.
Exporters are collecting more than 0.1million viss of new breed carps to export to Britain.
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 1, No. 49 (September 20)
Burma currently has 14 international airlines that are linking directly to Rangoon and other countries, and the number of foreign visitors using the airlines increases about 40 per cent during two years period.
The Ministry of Finance and Revenue said in its June 5 announcement that citizens as well as foreigners who earn with foreign currencies are to pay their income tax with similar currencies for 10 and 15 per cent respectively. The order will be effective since this fiscal year.
Trucks weighing up to 12-tonne are allowed to use since August 25 Burma-Thai Friendship Bridge in Myawaddy border town.
Total of 15,000 GSM mobile phones will be leased with the arrangement of Yangon Peace and Development Council to any Rangoonite who are either government employees or not.
Onion prices reached their highest in mid August as a result of successive heavy rains in last winter onion growing season. Local farmers and companies now accelerate onion growing in Magway, Mandalay and Sagaing divisions to enable selling their new crops with higher price.
Confiscating of logs smuggled from forest reserves near Naypyidaw increases annually because government steps up control of illegal logging since 2005-06 fiscal year as part of greening project in the new capital and its surrounding 30-mile area.
The Korean Air and Asiana Airlines temporarily stopped their charter flights operating to Burma just because of attaining visas, which are available in Seoul only.
Frozen raw muttons are largely exported to Middle East countries and the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries so far provides 20 she-goat and a he-goat each for six locals in Magway Division's Myaing Township who do not afford for investment.
Foreign oil and gas companies operating in Burma are to pay income tax ranging from 40 to 50 per cent if they earn foreign currency from sale, exchange or transfer of their assets, shares, ownership and benefit of companies, the Ministry of Finance and Revenue said in its June 5 announcement. It said the regulation would take effective at a date back from June 15, 2000.
Private co-operative organisations and government enterprises will also have to pay 10 per cent income tax for sale of shares, assets, ownership and benefit, according to the Ministry of Finance and Revenue's announcement.
Nearly US$64million will be required for introducing 2006-2010 five-year TB control project, according to the National Tuberculosis Program's statistic. As part of the project TB treatments called Direct Observed Treatment System will be distributed to 95 per cent of the country's population.
A group of Japanese experts, students and staff - Japanese Youth Goodwill Mission to Myanmar-2006 - studied Burmese culture by home-staying at Thantzinkyai village in Nyaung-Oo from September 7 to 9.
Hotels in Rangoon are to pay four per cent income tax monthly with foreign currency if their income is in that currency. In Rangoon, there are 13 hotels with foreign direct investment and four hotels with joint investment. Citizens own other 119 hotels.
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 1, No. 48 (September 13)
Fishery products export is gradually increasing since early this fiscal year and about US$172million worth fishery products are exported via normal and border trades from April 1 to August 18. The products worth $88.353million are exported via border.
Onion traders heavily rely on local market to clear out their stocks after onion export is disallowed. Meanwhile onion price is stable at set price of K700 per viss even though supply to Bayintnaung wholesale market considerably decreases.
Wheat price did not increase much even though rice prices were unstable a few months ago. Prices of foodstuff made with flour are up because of increased prices of other ingredients.
Myanma Railways uses coaches, which are donated from Chinese government as token of friendship, to operate Rangoon-Mandalay express lines.
Provisional passports are planned to be issued at the centres in three border towns - Tackileik, Myawaddy and Kawthaung - to help Burmese labours work in Thailand legally.
Yangon Traffic Control Supervisory Committee confined 175 vehicles with tinted glass from August 20 to 31. Owners are fined K51500 for using tinted glasses.
Heavy rain has made farmers in Sagaing Division's Myaung and Myinnmu to have difficulties in sesame growing.
Yangon Traffic Police Force fined undisciplined 7000 pedestrians in August for not using zebra-crossings. The police force is tightly controlling the pedestrians to use zebra-crossings in an attempt to reduce traffic accidents.
Weekly
Eleven News Vol. 1, No. 47 (September 6)
All cement factories between Mandalay and Pyin-Oo-Lwin will have to move to Kyaukse industrial zone within 20 months. Construction sector is said to get prepared for cement supply shortage and price rises, which are likely to occur during moving of the factories.
More than 860 out of 1779 students from two monastic education schools in Mandalay's Aungmyaytharzan and Chanmyathazi townships passed matriculation examinations held for 2005-06 academic year.
More than 230 HIV patients in Mandalay receive ART (anti-retroviral therapy) for free since mid 2005 under the Integrated HIV Care and NAP's Anti-retroviral therapy programs.
Burma's literacy rate increases annually and elderly literacy rate rises to 94.1 per cent in 2005-06 fiscal year.
Water consumption of Rangoonites still exceeds Yangon City Development Committee's supply though the committee increased its distribution to 135million gallon per day since early this year. The committee's water supply is expected to be adequate in 10 years for residents a portion of who still get water from tube wells.
Rubber farms are urged to increase their production in order to export more in this fiscal year. About 45,000 tonnes of rubber are exported last fiscal year via border and shipping.
The National Agricultural Co-operative Marketing Federation of India ordered 15,000 tonnes of beans from Burma last week in an attempt to stabilise its market. It plans to import 50,000 tonnes of beans from Burma that becomes a major beans and pulses importer to India.
Establishing rail link from Singapore to Kuminn included as an agenda of the 8th ministerial meeting of ASEAN Mekong Basin Development Cooperation, which is chaired by Burma, held in Kuala Lumpur on August 26.
Rentals of land plots in industrial zones for foreign direct investments are the most inexpensive compares to those in China, Malaysia and Vietnam.
Ten special rice retail shops that will sell rice with discounted K450 per pyi (2.15kilo) are open in Mandalay on August 27.
Travelling between Mandalay and Bamaw is likely to take longer since August 25 because of heavy rains that deteriorate the situation of road and bridges between the link.
Weekly
Eleven News Vol.
1, No. 46 (August 30)
Gold price is stable at about K460,000 in late monsoon season while world gold price falls to US$620 per ounce on August 25.
Thailand and India will rely more on Burma's natural gas than China for their future energy consumption. China's dependency is lesser as it is working to import natural gas from other countries such as Russia, Sudan and Iran also. Thailand is also geographically favoured to import gas from Burma.
There are about 30 embassies that issue their respective countries' visas in Burma and visas will be available within days without much difficulty by submitting the applications that meet required criteria set by the embassies. The applicants are advised to apply the visa applications by themselves rather than doing with the brokers.
Rangoon includes one of hundred world major cities with highest population rate within 15 years, the citymayors website said. Rangoon will have 2.46 per cent population growth rate from 2006 to 2020.
Efforts that hinder Burma's endeavouring for its development are inappropriate, Iran president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said, adding that his country is ready to collaborate with Burma for sharing experience in all economic, agricultural, trade and political fields.
Export and import commodities that are traded with foreign currencies are to be levied with the currency types they are traded, the Ministry of Finance and Revenue announced on June 5.
Prices of raw materials for animal feeds are up due to the higher demand and lesser shortage. The increased prices result in declining fish production. .
Traders who smuggle onion to Thailand via border sell their stocks in Myawaddy and Kawkareik with about half of market price because they cannot illegally export onion to Thai side for various reasons.
Neighbouring and member countries of GMS and ACMES are invited to collaborate with local farmers with contract farming system.
The Ministry of Finance and Revenue announced on June 5 the list of business types that are to be levied for five and ten per cent commercial tax. The businesses that are liable for five per cent commercial tax include travel and tours, insurance, hairdressing and printing. The former announcement said business types such as vehicles, computers and accessories are liable for 25 per cent commercial tax. The government enacted the Law Amending the Commercial Tax Law in March this year.
Five-member health representatives from Maldives visited Burma from August 21 to 25 to study schools health processes done in the state's schools.
Total of 15510 unregistered vehicles throughout the country are confiscated so far and 750 vehicles are seized in Rangoon.
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 1, No. 36 (June 21)
A committee is established last November to administer reallocating of civil servants and the government buildings that are unoccupied because of the move of government ministries to Naypyidaw since November last year.
Burmese gold price drops about K100,000 per tical from April record price of more than K500,000 per tical. The price fell under K400,000 per tical on June 14 and rebounded to K420,000 on June 16.
A major electricity sub-transmission plant that will assist distribute the full requirement of Rangoon's power consumption, which is estimated about 450megawatts, is built in Hlaing Township.
The Greater Mekong Sub-region and China's Pan-Pearl River Delta region have signed an trade collaboration agreement on June 5 and Burma, as a member state of GMS, also included in the agreement. Under the agreement Burma would try to achieve market share in Pan-Pearl River delta region that has more than 400million population.
More than 0.19million tonne palms are estimated to harvest in this fiscal year. Last fiscal year's production was more than 70,000 tonne palms only.
Mango exports via border trade since April this year have earned US$4.124million so far and the total earning from mango export is expected to exceed the last fiscal year's value of US$13.123million.
Bean and pulse prices in India's Deli and Mumbai markets are fluctuating rapidly.
The officials from the Naypyidaw City Development Committee studied functions of the departments under the Yangon City Development Committee. Previously there were YCDC and Mandalay CDC only and the rest states and divisions are administered by the Ministry of Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs.
The domestic Air Bagan is planning to launch regional flight operation to Thailand and China later this year. It is operating 15 domestic flights and is also planning to operate to Cambodia.
About 2230 candidates are attending at 27 doctorate courses provided at the Yangon University.
A land plot close to the Naypyidaw central market is chosen for housing the Burma's central bank building.
The Myanmar Motion Picture Association's disciplinary group has confiscated about 72400 illegal VCD/CDs within four months till April this year.
Weekly
Eleven News Vol. 1, No. 35 (June 14)
The United Nations Children's Fund's new country representative, Mr Ramesh Shrestha began his duty on June 5 and he promised to fulfil the needs of children in Burma.
The police chief Brigadier General Khin Yi confirmed the one-year extension of Aung San Suu Kyi's detention.
The Minister for Information, Brigadier General Kyaw Hsan said at the press briefing on June 9 that the NLD members were resigning not because of the government's pressure but with their own accord.
Burma-Bangladesh bilateral trade volume reached US$60million in 2005-06 fiscal year, and border trade volume is still higher than that of normal trade.
Rangoon's poultry wholesale market in Mingala Taung Nyunt Township rebounds to its normal operation since early this month and total of chicken 30,000 viss are traded daily.
Diesel 31629 tonnes from Singapore and Indonesia arrived in Rangoon during June first week. Wood 20400 tonnes are exported during that period.
The private-owned Air Bagan plans to operate Rangoon to Siemreap with regular schedule starting in October. Previously it planned to operate charter flights to Siemreap in May.
The National Kandawgyi Garden in Pyin Oo Lwin attracted more than 0.4million tourists in 2005-06 fiscal year.
Jewellery and 500 pearl lots will be auctioned at the special gem emporium to be held from June 20 to July 4 in Gems Museum while jade lots will be auctioned at the Myanmar Convention Centre.
Weekly Eleven
News Vol.
1, No. 34 (June 7)
The police chiefs from ASEAN countries agreed to collaborate in combating transactional crime and terrorist activities at a regional chiefs of police meeting held in May in Malaysia where the director general of Myanmar Police Force, Brigadier-General Khin Yi also participated.
The school officials from the Department of No (1) Basic Education said school entrance and monthly fees did not hinder the enrolment of potential students, adding that parent committees and non government organisations also provided the students stationery and other necessary things who enrolled during the school enrolment week.
The Ministry of Commerce announced that the staff of companies that are applying for the export and import licences only be allowed to deal with the ministry for licence application procedures.
Prices of freshwater fish decline in local market due to fluctuating currency exchange rates and lesser demand from its regular customers, which are mostly from Middle East countries.
The Ministry of Labour's figures showed that the number of registered labours who are working overseas during 1990 to the end of 2005 were 24,217 labours only, and the majority were working in Malaysia.
The United Nations Children's Fund will expand its out-of-school education program in total of 20 townships during 2006-07 academic year.
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 1, No. 33 (May 31)
An American engineering company and Indian company are planning to export more than 1200 CNG conversion kit to Burma where many vehicles are converted to operate on CNG.
The Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary, Mr Hemayetuddin paid two days official visit to Burma to discuss improving bilateral trade, investment and border security issues. While discussing maritime boundary issue Mr Hemayetuddin said Burma, being a good neighbour, would never again encroach on Bangladesh's territorial waters by mistake.
The Ministry of Commerce will begin issuing export and import licences at office in Naypyidaw since May 26. Previously licences are issued at the ministry's head office in Strand Road where the currently introduced one-stop services for licence processing procedures provided by relevant ministries and UMFCCI still exist.
The authorities from Muse 105th mile trade zone are negotiating with Chinese companies for trading Burma's eels and crabs with tender system and under the discussed terms Chinese buyers will be required to put deposit for the trade.
After discussion with the Myanmar Marine Products Producers and Exporters Association an Italian company agreed to import Burmese's fishery products once the Department of Fishery send official letters to Italian side. Meanwhile a South Korean company also showed interests on buying eel and jointly farming eel and freshwater turtles.
The Korean Air's chartered flights between Rangoon and Seoul began on May 24. The airline will run two times a week and it plans to operate total of 45 times till October this year.
The domestic airlines will expand their operation from Naypyidaw to other local destinations since June.
The Myanmar Emperor Co., Ltd won 30-year leasing bid with more than K20million monthly rental fee for the Yangon City Hotel, former headquarters of the military intelligence unit.
More than 900 businesses are operating in Bayintnaung wholesale complex and most of which are trading fishery and basic consumer products while some also are working warehousing and transportation businesses.
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 1, No. 32 (May 24)
The Ministry of Commerce begins providing one-stop service for import and export licence applications since May third week. The service includes providing recommendation for price quotation and application processes will also be done at the same place.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' figure showed that Burma had diplomatic tie with 92 countries and had opened its embassies in 31 countries while hosting 28 countries' embassies.
The Ministry of Education officially announced that it would strictly practise the abolition of private tuition regulation, which is enacted decade ago, in 2006-07 academic year so as to prohibit state schoolteachers giving tuition classes to their students.
Delegates from 28 Asian countries including Burma will participate in the Asia Cooperation Dialogue to be held in Qatar on May 22. The meeting will discuss poverty eradication, transportation problems and other development issues in the region.
Burma's ports have handled about 115.912million metric tonnes of export and import commodities during 2005-06 fiscal year.
The Muse 105th mile border gate authority strictly inspect the in and out commodities since May 12 by checking them only after their taxes are paid. Previously commodities were charged for their taxation after they had passed the inspection process.
The illegal loggings had been reducing because of the tight collaborative effort of the Ministry of Forestry, Myanmar Police Force and the military, the ministry's figure revealed. The seized smuggled logs were mostly from Kachin, Shan, Sagaing and Mandalay where many forests are in good condition.
Parents of two students who set smoke bombs at the International School of Yangon in an attempt to make funs of others had withdrawn their sons, the school's director Mr Thomas P Tunny said.
The International Committee of the Red Cross, Department of health and the Ministry of Home Affairs are jointly providing free prosthetics for those living in border and remote areas.
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 1, No. 31 (May 17)
The basic commodity prices that rose rapidly after official announcement of salary hikes for government staff drop gradually while edible oil and rice are remaining stable at the late April price.
There were no complete extinction of wild animal species in Burma even though there were 139 endangered species in the country, the World Conservation Union said in its this year statement.
The director general of the Internal Revenue Department said the department enabled to collect K400 billions, the targeted tax revenue for 2005-06 fiscal year, and it would continue to work for fulfilling this fiscal year's targeted amount.
Burma and India have signed an agreement during the second meeting of the two countries' joint trade committee to increase the bilateral trade volume to US$1billion.
Russia was willing for sustained economic and political co-operation with Burma as both countries had similar attitude towards international security and major world affairs, the third secretary of the Russian Embassy in Rangoon, Mr Alexey V.Semenikhin said.
The Minister for Finance and Revenue, Maj-Gen Hla Htun told the 39th conference of the Asian Development Bank Burma was facing threats like sanctions and oil price rises, which had generated the budget deficit, and the budget deficit rate was expected to diminish soon.
Bean and pulse prices in Indian market remain stable during this week though the prices have decreased early April.
More than US$2.5million worth seasonal fruits are exported to China's Yunnan Province during April.
The Ministry of Mining will hold a special gem sale in Myanmar Convention Centre from June 20 to July 4.
Russia provides about 500 scholarships annually to Burmese students of which some are allowed to attend in the Institute of Energy. More than 1300 students are attending in 11 Russian universities during this academic year.
A group of French doctors led by Professor Alain Pathl made some surgical operations in Yangon Orthopaedic Hospital with the arrangement of the Ministry of Health and Association Myanmar Framco Asiatique.
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 1, No. 30 (May 10)
India planned to propose eight options for importing offshore natural gas from Burma as Bangladeshi government still was not ready to offer transit of the gas, the IANS news agency reported.
The SPDC enacted the Control of Smoking and Consumption of Tobacco Product Law on May 4 that prohibits smoking in public areas and restricts tobacco products trading.
A senior official from the Ministry of Home Affairs said human trafficking would be eliminated with the establishment of the short, medium and long-term projects. Burma has already enacted an anti-human trafficking law last September and drafting of the procedures to implement the law is also ongoing.
The delegation led by Thai Air Force Air Chief Marshal, Chalit Pukbhasuk paid a two-day goodwill visit to Burma on May 2.
The Myanmar Health Assistant Association held a workshop on Rangoon from April 22 to 26 for effectively spending the remaining US$85,000 fund provided by the Global Fund. The association planned to complete its work plans within six months beginning in February.
Burmese main onion export market is shifting in 2006 and exporters are targeting to ASEAN countries rather than their previous customer country, Bangladesh, as they receive better price because of the tariff-waiver program among member countries.
Mung bean exports to China via border trade increases significantly since last May. Previously those beans are shipped to India due to better opportunity in India market.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation plans to cultivate summer and rainy seasons paddies in total of 20million acres during this cultivating season. Last cultivating season saw plantation of 15million acres rainy season paddy and 3million acres summer season paddy respectively.
Though hotels in Naypyidaw hotel zone are accepting the visitors they just have completed their projects' first phase. The hotels will build ten more bungalows as second phase and five-storey building as third phase in order to meet the five-star hotel standard.
Fifty units each of city bus, sight seeing bus, truck and saloon taxi from South Korea and Japan will arrive in late May to fill in the requirement of transportation sector.
Burma and Nepal agreed to expand new destinations for both countries' recommended airlines during a bilateral aviation meeting held in Rangoon. Both sides also agreed to increase the accepted number of passengers for each flight.
The country's gem market was improving and attracting foreign interest since after private companies were allowed to involve in gem mining business in 1992, the managing director of the Myanma Gems Enterprise, U Thein Swe said. Foreign companies are allowed to work as joint venture companies for gem processing business only.
The Myanma Posts and Telecommunications is providing 3-way calling service that allows three users to have conversation simultaneously. The service with FEC120 annual fee will be available in Rangoon only.
The Lawkattasariya Foundation in Mayangone Township conducted youth development training from April 24 to May 4 with the assistance of Rangoon-based non-government organisations including Swissaid, World Concern and Gender.
Few people are aware of the opening of the special rice retail shops in Rangoon municipal area since March 1 by the Myanmar Rice and Paddy Traders Association even though the association has claimed to have opened 115 shops in 21 townships so far.
The Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise plans to open 20 more CNG filling stations in 2006-07 fiscal year. It enabled to open 15 out of 19 planned stations last fiscal year and the remaining four stations will also be open in this fiscal year.
The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, Rangoon Peace and Development Council and other social welfare associations donated more than K40million and other assistance on April 30 to the tornado victims from Hlaingthaya Township.
Bridge Asia Japan is conducting three-month vehicle engine and motor cycle maintenance training for 20 trainees in Maungdaw Township. It is also opening a range of training in Sittwe to help increase the income of young people and assist to provide them opportunity to learn engineering knowledge
Weekly
Eleven News Vol. 1, No. 29 (May 3)
Observers said public awareness on security issue was higher after one year of three bomb blasts in Rangoon on last May 7.
Burma had seized more than US$20,400 million worth narcotics between 1988 and 2006 March, the police chief Brig-Gen Khin Yi said at 4/2006 press conference, and those drugs were burned at 57 ceremonies held in Rangoon and border areas. Brig-Gen Khin Yi said Burma was also striving to become the narcotic drugs free country in 2014, one year prior to the ASEAN's deadline for establishing drug free ASEAN in 2015.
FAO, JICA, Australia, Thailand, China and Japan had provided Burma more than US$8.7million worth medical equipment, vaccines and laboratory accessories for control of bird flu that has occurred in 13 townships in Sagaing and Mandalay divisions.
The Ministry of Commerce's figure showed that Burma had trade deficit with China as it imported for US$319.08million while enabling exporting for US$99.2million only in 2004-05 financial year. In previous financial year it has earned US$47.78million from export to China while importing for US$298.98million worth commodities.
Rangoon-based Italian non-government organisation, New Humanity, began providing language and technical training with affordable charges at its Hope Centre in Bahan township.
Yangon City Development Committee has earned K641.01million from ad billboard taxation in 2005-06 fiscal year, more than K170million up compared to last fiscal year's billboard advertisement taxation.
Yangon City Development Committee will open four more tax-free markets in Shwepyithar, Hlaingthayar and new Dagon North and South) townships in addition to its existing six tax-free markets in Rangoon municipal area.
Weekly
Eleven News Vol. 1, No. 28 (April 26)
Meeting of the foreign ministers from ten ASEAN member countries held on April 19 and 20 in Indonesia's Bali has sought new ways for supporting Burma positively. Burma's four-member delegate led by U Nyan Win, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, joined the meeting.
Chinese government has approved for establishing oil pipeline since April from Kumin to Burma's Sittwe deep-sea port.
Rangoon Mayor, Brig-Gen Aung Thein Linn urged merchants and business associations to co-operate in commodity prices stabling and controlling processes. Business community said price fluctuations because of sudden demand surges were hard to control.
Vehicle prices had stirred since late March and before water festival prices were up about K0.5million to K1million. Market experts expected that there would be highest vehicle price changes between 2005 and 2006. Owners are still watching the market situation even though low-end vehicle prices were up about K4million and high-end vehicle prices increased about K30million in addition to their market prices currently.
Diamond price changed about ten of thousands Kyats per rati (0.388 carat) during late April even though there were about K0.02million to K0.05million increased per rati during January this year.
Transportation of eggs and chickens will soon be allowed with the birds' health recommendation documents issued by the respective bird flu control committee as government has controlled the outbreaks of bird flu disease in central Burma.
Chicken and egg prices became close to its original pricing soon after the Ministry of Livestock and Fishery's announcement of successfully controlling the bird flu disease.
Rising interest of the investors to invest in Rangoon's real estate market, which trading was cooled down since early last year, has resulted in the increase of property prices.
Burma attracted about 640,000 tourists in 2005-06 fiscal year and the figure is slightly up compared to last year's.
Government had allowed the registration of 17162 businesses during 1988-89 to 2005-06 fiscal years, according to official statistic. The registered numbers of Burmese businesses increased annually even though numbers of branch offices of the foreign companies, joint venture companies and association-owned businesses decreased dramatically since 1996-97 fiscal year. The statistic showed that the joint venture companies and association-owned businesses were unable to operate by registering officially. The numbers of foreign companies' branch offices also were down since 1996-97 fiscal year and there were ten offices only in last fiscal year. 1480 businesses, the highest number allowed to register in one fiscal during 1988-89 to 2005-06 fiscal years, had registered in 1996-97 fiscal year.
According to the latest statistic released by the Myanmar Investment Commission Asian countries group that includes China, India, South Korea and Japan had put in the highest investment in Burma followed by the European countries group led by UK, Germany and France. ASEAN countries group that includes Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia had the third highest investment in the country. The highest investment in Burma was from UK (Britain) with US$1569.52million followed by Singapore with US$1434.21million investment. [See appended list].
Lists of
overseas investors, investment volume and their country of origin (As
of 31/1/06)
|
No |
Country |
No. of Business |
Investment volume (US$ in million) |
|
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 |
Australia Austria Bangladesh Brunei Canada China Cyprus Denmark France Germany Hong Kong India Indonesia Israel Japan Macao Malaysia Panama Philippines South Korea Singapore Sri Lanka Switzerland Thailand Netherlands UK (Britain) USA |
14 2 2 1 17 26 1 1 3 1 31 3 12 1 23 2 33 1 2 34 70 1 1 56 5 40 15
|
82.08 272.50 2.96 2.04 61.23 194.22 5.25 13.37 470.37 15.00 504.22 35.08 241.50 2.40 215.28 4.40 660.75 29.10 146.67 191.31 1434.21 1.00 3.38 1345.62 238.83 1569.52 243.57
|
|
|
Total |
|
7785.86 |
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 1, No. 27 (April 12)
· Vice-chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, vice-senior general Maung Aye paid a goodwill visit to Russia from April 2 to 7 at the invitation of the Russia Federation’s Prime Minister Mr Mikhail Fradkov. Burma and Russia have signed two bilateral agreements and a memorandum of understanding during vice-senior general Maung Aye’s visit.
· Private sector played a vital role in developing the country’s economy, Lieutenant General Myint Swe from the Ministry of Defence said, adding that 90 per cent of the country’s GDP was contributed by private sector.
· Burma, Laos, Thailand and China have agreed to use Mekong River for oil transportation. China will make the 1200 tonnes per month trial oil transportation from May to December.
· Local Matpe price rises significantly because of the higher demand from Indian market.
· About 490 local and 125 overseas companies have invested K31483million and US$1610million respectively in industrial production sector. The total invested volume in that sector is the biggest compared to investments in the country’s top 11 economic sectors that include agriculture, mining, transportation and construction.
· According to the figure released by the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism Kalaw in Southern Shan State is attracting increased number of tourists and more than 8400 tourists have visited the town in 2005-06 fiscal year.
· The Bridge Asia Japan is building a new bridge in addition to its 44 three to 150-foot long bridges constructed for providing better transportation in Southern Maungtaw area. BAJ has already spent US$ 0.6million for bridge construction with the collaboration of UNHCR, WFP and other non-government organisations, and it will spend more $0.42million for building additional 20 bridges.
· The Minister for Information, Brigadier General Kyaw Hsan confirmed on April 9 press conference that Naypyidaw, the new administrative seat of the country, as Burma’s capital while Rangoon as a business city. Pyinmana, Laiwei and Tatkon will become the townships of the new capital.
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 1, No. 26 (April 5)
· Garment industry still needs to struggle seriously even though garment factories, most of which stopped in July 2003 because of various reasons, are back in operation. Most of the garment factories in Rangoon enabled to resume their operations in early last year by receiving garment orders from countries such as China, Japan and Korea.
· The Chairman of the commodity prices control committee, Rangoon mayor Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin urged the business associations in Burma to help administer for stabilising the commodity prices and establishing the basic commodity price administration committee in each township. The commodity prices are skyrocketed shortly after the report of civil servants’ salary hike on March 24.
· Ground survey for establishing the Burma-China natural gas pipeline was completed and pipeline establishing would proceed as agreed by two countries, the Times of India news agency reported.
· Vehicle prices change slightly during this week and dealings are still low. Some owners and brokers postponed selling their vehicles due to the fluctuation prices even though demand increased since late March.
· Prices of basic commodities and fuel changed noticeably during a couple of days as a result of closer water festival. Some suggested that the hiking prices were due to the salary raise for the government employees while some said it was because of the higher demand from beans and pulses farmers who received promising price for their crops in recent harvest season.
· Gold price that went up few days ago became stable in end of March. The price reached to K0.4million per tical on March 26 and has dropped to K0.38million in late last month.
· Burma has privatised 194 state-owned enterprises of ten ministries during 1995 to 2006. Among the privatised enterprises 123 are from the Ministry of Information.
· The 5th 47-member State Sanga Maha Nayaka Committee urged the monk and novice community to follow the committee’s guideline number 72 that prohibited them involving any gambling, business activities, and requesting donations in the transportation stations, restaurants and tea shops.
· Forty-three city buses will be included as part of the All Round Buses Control Committee’s Rangoon city passenger transportation service which is currently operated with 2226 buses.
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 1, No. 25 (March 29)
· Burma used preventative measure for controlling bird flu and it still was no plan to use bird flu vaccine in order not to generate undesirable outcomes because of using vaccines, an official from the bird flu control central committee said.
· A Malaysian delegation led by the Malaysian FM, Dato’ Seri Syed Hamid Albar, visited Burma on March 23 and 24. The delegation has met with Burmese FM U Nyan Win on March 23 and Prime Minister General Soe Win on March 24.
· Burmese announced amending of its Income and Commercial Tax laws on March 24.
· The commodity price proposals of the importers are to go along with the prices prescribed by the Customs Department’s commodity prices for application of the import licences.
· Burma’s second largest border trade zone, Myawaddy Trade Zone situated in Burma-Thailand border area in Southern Karen, will be open later this year. Thailand is the main trading partner of Burma and bilateral trade volume last year increased about 20 per cent compared to 2004.
· India still has yet to invest in Burma even though it desires increasing bilateral trade. It achieved US$425million out of targeted US$1,000million trading value, and it will strive to gain US$2,000million trading volume within three years.
· Massive volumes of onion are smuggled to Thailand, and onion export will be withheld if illegal exporting impacts local market and price.
· The Myanmar Citizens Bank Limited is listed at the Myanmar Securities Exchange Centre Co., Ltd which is established by Japan and the Myanma Economics Bank.
· Burma became a member of the Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering on March 9. It was the eighth ASEAN countries that became a member of the group and as the member of the group Burma would enable to conduct money laundering activities more effectively, a senior official from the Ministry of Home Affairs said.
· Japan International Cooperation Agency donated US$18,000 worth 465 writing materials for the blind to eight blind schools throughout the country. The blind schools formerly were using only 350 writing materials donated by the United Nations Development Program in 1990.
· The 43rd gem emporium held from March 15 to 24 attracted more than 2,000 gem traders from 16 countries.
· The Department of Forestry is working to establish the Tanintharyi natural forest reserve project in collaboration with Mottama Gas Transportation Company and Tanintharyi Pipeline Company. The 30-year project is to be established between Dawei River and Burma-Thai border in Tanintharyi Division.
· A 13-mile eight-lane road linking Kyatpyae and Ala Airport is expected to complete later this year. The completion of road will enable the passengers to go directly to the airport without passing Pyinmana.
· Six hotels in Pyinmana hotel zone are open to help facilitate the guests from local and international organisations.
· A small amount of Tamiflu bird flu vaccines arrived in Burma with the assistance of the World Health Organisation and more are likely to arrive later.
The Myanmar Rice Traders Association is planning to sell rice with discount prices in 18 townships and six tax-free markets in Rangoon municipal area in an attempt to control the rice prices
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 1, No. 24 (March 22)
The Asian elephants become to be extinct due to hunting and decreased pasture while Burma that has plenty of pasture for elephants is also having declining number in recent years. According to the Myanma Timber Enterprise there are about 4,000 wild elephants and 4,272 domesticated elephants in Burma.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation will provide US$40,000 worth technology and equipment for combating bird flu in Burma.
A 14-member group to combat the bird flu is established in Meiktila District on March 15. The group's responsibility will include monitoring transportation of fowls and poultry farms.
The Department of Forestry and Wildlife Conservation Society are striving for the Hkakabo-Razi national park in northern region of Burma, where Burma's highest mountain is situated, to be included in the world heritage list.
Middle East countries are importing twofold volume of fish from Burma due to anticipation of bird flu that has triggered the increase in fish consumption.
The National Archives Department announced that it would allow researchers and scholars for studying documents from British colonial period (1835-1947) that are kept at the department.
Construction used wood prices become stronger due to the approach to the end of fiscal year when new trade permits for wood normally are not issued.
Ayeyarwaddy Division's Dedaye region is chosen as a place to establish a power plant fuelled with paddy husk. The Japanese New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation will provide ¥721million for the plant that enables to generate 975 kilowatts.
Local gem traders have bought more than K500million worth 187 pearl lots at the 20th pearl fair held from March 7 to 9.
A Burmese private airline, Air Bagan, will begin its maiden international flight to Cambodia on March 25. Air Bagan is one of the private airlines that fly to Ayela (Pyinmana) and though private airlines are operating Rangoon-Pyinmana flight few passengers are using the private airlines.
Mandalay City Development Committee will stop issuing plastic bag production permits since 2006-2007 fiscal year in order to help protect the environment.
While world gold price drops slightly local gold price also falls to K344,000 per tical on March 17. The price has dropped about K10,000 compared to early this month's price.
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 1, No. 23 (March 15)
Onion price, which went down due to the less demand, became stronger again likely because of the decreased supply as well as the hiking transportation charges.
A Japanese diplomat said the Japanese government's attitude towards Burma was unlike to that of the western countries and it would continue to assist Burma via its grassroots grant assistance program.
Depending on the material supply and the market demand the construction material are traded with promising prices, construction material distributors said.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation is planning to establish a forest policy network for the Asia Pacific region including Burma. The establishment is lack of the individual country's enforcement in their own policy that leads to massive deforestation annually in the region.
Five private companies are allowed to import total of 50 city buses and 50 sight seeing buses that are to be operated in existing city bus lines and highway bus lines.
Burma will join the first Asia Conference on Disaster Reduction 2006 to be held in Seoul from March 15 to 17.
Weekly
Eleven News Vol.
1, No. 22 (March 8)
With the invitation of the Senior General Than Shwe Indonesia President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's paid a goodwill visit to Burma on March 1 and 2.
Burma being a member of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations is obliged to utilise the renewable energy sources in 2015 for its 10 per cent of the total energy consumption.
The Burmese government established an anti-human trafficking group headed by the Minister for the Home Affairs on February 11.
The Indian president, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam will pay a goodwill visit to Burma from March 8 to 10. During his visit the Indian president will meet with Burmese professors and university students.
Overseas buyers are offering more for dried shrimps due to the lesser supply, which is because of the impact of 2004 tsunami that has effected the shrimp production.
Burmese exporters are applying more for the export licences of beans and pulses due to the prospect of getting higher price in India beans and pulses market. Total export licences accounted for 30,000 to 40,000 tonnes of beans and pulses a day, and the situation is likely to lead Burma earning more in this fiscal year from beans and pulses export compared to the previous year.
Ten Burmese gems and jewellery companies participated in the 37th Bangkok gems emporium held from March 1 to 5. Those companies are allowed to display for US$10,000 worth gems and jewellery only.
Massive number of commodities from Thailand and China are smuggled into Burma and the number is likely to be the twofold of the legally imported volume. According to the figure released from the Thailand's customs ministry Thailand had exported about US$700 million worth commodities to Burma in 2005 while Burmese Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development's figure showed that Burma had imported US$79million worth commodities from Thailand in 2005.
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development has studied the environmental situation of the Inle Lake in Shan State by using sophisticated methods and it will provide the Burmese government in May the result of the study.
Burma announced at a statement that the Taiwan's decision to end the functions of the National Unification Council would jeopardise the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region and it viewed the decision not acceptable for the region as a whole.
Real estate rentals become more promising than sales in Pyinmana and rental rates are also hiking compared to last six months.
The Myanma Industrial Development Bank will grant loans for the CNG convention of all vehicles that are operating for the transportation of the students in 16 universities in Rangoon.
Weekly
Eleven News Vol. 1, No. 21 (March 1)
The New Delhi government had agreed in principle to reopen the six official border checkpoints with Burma, China, and Bhutan in an attempt to boost business in its northern east region, the New Kerala news agency reported.
An India-Burma rail link was suggested to establish as a first step to build rail link between New Delhi and Vietnam's Hanoi, the Hindu reported.
The Jakata Post reported that Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would not likely to raise political affairs but for bilateral relations during his visit to Burma.
The Myanmar Board of Examination said the matriculation examination's entrance cards would be withdrawn at the designated places since March 6.
The State Peace and Development Council held 2/2006 press conference on February 21 in Lashio.
The Germany-based Ostasiatischer Verein eV, German Asia-Pacific Business Association arrived on February 15 to seek economic cooperation and investment opportunities in Burma. The visit is the first being made by an association from European countries after 2000.
The Export Import Supervisory Committee will temporarily be in command of issuing export and import licences in order to facilitate the exporters and importers while Trade Council is settling in Pyinmana.
A 17-member business representative from China's Guangxi Province met with officials from UMFCCI in a bid to promote bilateral trade.
Prices of the freshwater dried fish increase while saltwater dried fish prices are stable. The increase is due to the higher demand on freshwater dried fish and less supply on saltwater dried fish.
Burmese tours agencies, hotels and airlines will participate in the Internationale Tourismus Borse (ITB) to be held in Berlin from March 8 to 12.
The vehicles that are operated on compressed natural gas will be confined when found installing extra CNG container, and not showing CNG Marks in their vehicles.
A local Internet Café offers wireless Internet service for those who have laptop computers.
The Ministry of Commerce in Pyinmana is issuing export and import licences to exporters and importers from upper Burma.
The number of Burmese youngsters who are taking GCE (general certificate of education) examinations offered from Edexcel International in London University increases annually and 390 young people took the exam in 2005-06 fiscal year. The GCE examinations are held in January and March in an academic year and an official from the exam section of the British Council in Rangoon said students could take the exam subjects either one or two times.
The Japanese government will build US$93,000 one-storey school building in Shwepyithar Township's War-ta-yar where Hlaing fire victims received lands in lieu of their fire-destroyed lands.
Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise will stop providing liquid gas to the vehicles that are operating on liquid petroleum gas (LPG) since early March and those vehicles are required to convert to be operated on CNG. There are about 540 vehicles that are being operated on LPG of which 337 vehicles are already converted to be operated on CNG.
The railway extension from Toe-kyaung-gala station to Dagon University station is completed and the trains will be operated beginning from March this year.
A foreign company is operating for oil drilling in Hnaw-bin village between Pakokku and Myaing in Magwe Division where oil is found three years ago.
With the approval of the Myanmar Info-Tech that is issuing licences for operating the public access centre (Internet centre), a centre is open in Pyinmana's No (1) Myotma market.
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 1, No. 20 (February 22)
The Indian Hindu news agency quoted the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma, Mr Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro as saying that megaphone diplomacy and sanctions were not the best diplomacy and Burma needed more collaboration of the international community.
China would not interfere in Burma's internal affairs but both countries were required to solve together for the narcotic trafficking problems, the Xinhua news agency quoted the Chinese premier Wen Jiabao as saying.
Prices of the variety of beans and pulses are fluctuating rapidly due to the lesser production in India where the majority of Burmese beans and pulses are exported. Demand of the India market becomes higher due to the reduction in its beans and pulses production and Matpe price goes up to K0.54million from K0.5million while mung bean price reaches to K0.56million from K0.52million.
Diamond price fluctuates slightly till the end of January and the price becomes somewhat higher than that of last November.
Japanese investors in China keen to move to Burma due to increasing production cost and value of Chinese currency, as well as penetrating India market via Burma, a vice-President of the UMFCCI said quoting the Japanese ambassador.
Rice prices become slightly stronger because of the approach of the paddy and new harvest rice warehousing season.
The SME Development Committee under the Myanma Industrial Development Committee has granted K127millions loans to the small and medium enterprises.
Under the grassroot grant program the Japanese government will provide more than US$80,000 worth medical equipment to the Kokant hospital in Shan State's special region (1).
The Ngapali Beach, the most popular one in Burma, still is the most favourite beach of the tourists.
The Nation news agency reported that Thailand was building a highway that would link its Chiang Mai and Burma's Mae Hong Son in an attempt to boost the border trade, tourism and investment.
More than 50 per cent of the city buses in Rangoon have already been converted to be operated on compressed natural gas. Meanwhile a seminar is said Burma was consuming about 5.8million cubic-foot of CNG daily.
The first passenger cruise for 2006 carrying three British and 11 crews arrived Rangoon on February 12.
The Japanese Okazaki-Jhohan Rotary Club donated a library building, books, furniture, stationery and clothes to the No (1) basic education high school in Magwe on February 12.
Privates companies are constructing hotels in Pyinmana with the approval of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, and the Max Myanmar Company's Shwetaung Hotel, which construction work is completed, is likely to become the first to be opened in that area.
In addition to the state-run orphanages there are five orphanages in Myitkyina established by the well wishers. The regional authorities, non-government organisations and other well wishers are used to donating to those private orphanages, which each are to spend about K3million to K4million a month for accommodating the orphans.
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 1, No. 19 (February 15)
The New Light of Myanmar and Daily Time reported the upcoming visit of Prime Minister General Soe Win to China.
The international community was required to have positive approach for assisting Burma's national reconciliation process, Chinese foreign ministry was quoted as saying by PTT news agency.
While world gold price fluctuated slightly in February local gold price increased to K0.34 million on February 11.
Work on the extension of the Yangon International Airport that will enable handling four Boeing 747 aeroplanes is completed about 50 per cent.
Farmers in Bago Division's Waw Township complaint that the companies were cheating in selling pesticide and disqualified seeds. The companies are using different labels for selling only one kind of pesticide.
Though sales of the inverters and batteries increased since last November sales of the generators became higher than that of inverters and batteries recently because generators can use anytime by fuelling the petrol while inverters are recharged when there is current supply only.
Fire outbreak was the main reason for banning the utilisation of private generators in the markets, the Department of Fire Service said.
The Japanese Suita Rotary Club donated K3 million for drilling tube wells in areas in Mandalay Division where there is scarcity of water.
The Hotel Nikko will organise a golf tournament to raise funds for orphans.
Weekly
Eleven News Vol. 1, No. 18 (February 8)
Poppy cultivation in Burma had dropped 59 per cent within four years, Police Colonel Khan Aung said. There are 81,400 hectors of poppy cultivation in 2002 and the number is dropped to 32,770 hectors in 2005. The estimated production of heroin four years ago was about 823 tonnes and about 319 tonnes was estimated in 2005.
Three-wheel motor cycles, produced in the local industrial zones, become involved in passenger transportation sector in rural areas and they are also likely to replace the trishaws in Rangoon's outskirts areas.
A ceremony to mark the World Cancer Day is held for the first time in Rangoon on February 4.
The national convention that has resumed on December 5 is adjourned again on January 31.
Burma offered China, India and Thailand at five countries meeting held in New Delhi to collaborate in chemical drugs control, poppy-substitute crop cultivation and marketing sectors.
Burma accepted the United States' offer to transfer technology on examining the fake passports that helps prevent the transactional crimes. As part of technology transfer two workshops, in which about 50 officials from relevant organisations attended, are already held in Rangoon.
Six former ASEAN member countries allow tariff reduction for four new member countries' some fisheries products as part of the grouping's integration system of preferential. South Korea and Japan also tax-exempted a number of fishery products while China tax-exempted 48 fisheries products.
A Malaysian telephone company offers the Myanma Posts and Telecommunications to collaborate in providing card-phone services with reasonable prices.
Burma targeted to improve 25 per cent in industrial sector within five years.
Japan donated more than US$90,000 worth eye operation equipment to the North Okkalapa Hospital. Under the Japan's grassroot grant assistance scheme the Helen Keller International in Japan donated the equipment via Japanese government, the Japanese Embassy announced.
The real estate market, which normally has regular trading in this opening season, would cool than the normal situation till April due to the last year's less investment of the public in the market.
Even though Yangon Division Wireless and Traffic Police Force is working for the accident free weeks the number of accidents do not reduce noticeably and most of the accidents happened are because of the undisciplined drivers and pedestrians.
The number of taxis operating in late nights decrease noticeably and a taxi driver claimed that there hardly were people on the street after 9:30pm.
The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism estimated that the number of tourists entering into the country from the Tachileik border checkpoint would exceed the previous years. About 12,021 tourists are recorded using the Tachileik checkpoint till last December and only 16,942 tourists were recorded in 2004-05 fiscal year.
Weekly
Eleven News Vol.1, No.
17 (February 1)
Under the ADB-ASEAN road safety program ASEAN countries including Burma will receive US$3.5million for road safety projects. The grouping's member countries are working to implement the road safety program as road accidents are rising annually in the region.
The United Nations Children's Fund will spend US$106 million for conducting five-year project on children protection activities. The project from 2006 to 2010 will include health, nutrition, water and environmental sanitation, and education for children.
The FMI Company established the stock share-trading centre, the second in its kind in Burma, early this year. The centre will trade the company's stock shares. The first stock share-trading centre opened by Myanmar Securities Exchange Centre Co., Ltd in 1996 is trading shares of the Forest Products Joint Venture Company.
The seventh draft of the Securities Exchange Law, which will protect the rights of the share investors, is completed and the draft is submitted to the Ministry of Finance and Revenue for the approval.
About 600 local traders and more than 900 traders from countries such as Britain, US, Germany, China, India and Thailand joined the Union of Myanmar Economic Holding Limited's 20th gems emporium held from January 16 to 19.
The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism's figure showed that the number of tourists visited Burma last year had increased 0.5 per cent compared to 2004 that attracted about 656,910 tourists. Some experts suggested that the country's tourism industry would not likely to change noticeably.
Tilapia will be bred in about 20 per cent of the 0.2million acres of the freshwater fishery breeding ponds in order to cater local consumption and export demand.
The remaining locomotives and coaches purchased from India will arrive in Rangoon in March. The Myanma Railway procures 11 locomotives, 36 coaches and spare parts for the locomotives with loans from India, and four locomotives and 20 coaches have already arrived in Rangoon.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation will provide experts and technological assistance to the Department of Forestry to conduct survey for protecting the deforestation. FAO will provide US$203,000 assistance during one year and two sides signed an agreement for the assistance on January 23.
Eld's deer, which previously were found in Burma, Thailand, India, China, Laos and Cambodia, could be found in Burma only and they were required to protect from extinction, an expert said.
Last year's coal production increased to 367025 tonnes from 212949 tonnes in 2004. There are 82 coal mines in Burma.
About 130 years old two locomotives run on steam carrying 16 tourists arrived in Mandalay Railway Station on January 23.
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 1, No. 15 (January 18)
The Greater Mekong Sub-region member countries including Burma agreed for tourism promoting co-operation that will attract 52 millions tourists in the region in 2015, a Thailand's news agency reported.
It is learnt that the numbers of readers were still smaller compared to the country's population even though there were many periodicals in the market.
Thailand's PTTEP and South Korean's Daewoo Corporation announced their discovering of natural gas in Burma's offshore, foreign news agencies were quoted.
The Hedhindu news agency said Burma has signed a contract with PetroChina for sale of 6.5 trillion cubit feet of natural gas from A-1 Block in Rakhine offshore.
China relieved zero per cent tax on Burma's 87 commodities since January this year. The tax relief from China is for the second time and the first reduction on tariff rates on commodities exported from Laos, Cambodia and Burma was in 2004.
The Department of Health will distribute polio vaccinations to under five years olds children in Kawthong and Myeik districts in an attempt to protect infection of the disease, which is spreading in some countries situated in Southern direction of Burma.
A local construction and trading company and businesses from China's Yunnan Province agreed to invest in the country's fisheries, agriculture and trading sectors.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and the Myanma Agriculture Bank will grant K0.2million loan for each one successful acre of palm oil plantation to the palm oil plants cultivators to help establish them oil-grinding mills.
The numbers of air flight passengers did not decrease compared to last year even though there were twofold increase of domestic airfares.
Matpe price in India's Delhi and Mombi is up again and export from Burma has increased during December.
Burma and China have signed memorandum of understanding during border trade fair held last December and according to the MoUs Burma side will export US$ 170.98millions and import $4.98millions worth commodities.
Local gold price is still stable even though international gold price is increasing gradually since late last year.
The Xinhua news agency reported Burma would collaborate with China in controlling diseases infected from the animals. Two laboratories will be established in Burma side near border areas and China will provide technologies and equipment for the labs.
Conservation works are required for the Inle Lake, which is deteriorating because of the undisciplined visitors and lack of protection to the area.
Five cruiseships carrying total of 751 tourists visited Burma in 2005 and more are likely to visit during this year. About 600 cargo ships also harboured Rangoon Port from last year's April to December. The port has handled 13,711 containers.
Six-member Burmese delegation will participate in the ASEAN youth meeting to be held in Brunei from January 10 to 22.
A new resort, Myanmar Andaman Resort that intends to attract tourists who are interested in eco-tourism will soon be open in Myeik archipelago's Katyin Kwa Island by the collaboration of hoteliers and travel agencies.
Burma's higher education sector is transformed since 1988 and there are total of 156 colleges and universities by the end of 2005. Last year about 10,255 teachers have also taught more than 705,700 students in the country's higher education sector.
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 1, No. 14 (January 11)
The Nation newspaper quoted the following, which is an abstract from the article of the founder of the Free Burma Coalition, Dr Zarni, being published in Independent newspaper. "West over-emphasize democratization above other important aspects of nation building, and seek to effect regime change through pressure and sanctions which are in many ways doing more harm than good. After a decade and a half of failed world - need to rethink our approach." Dr Zarni also demanded stopping sanctions describing them as the hindrances of the social and economical development.
India oil and gas ministry was conducting a feasibility study for establishing gas pipeline from Burma via Bangladesh to India, the Financial Express newspaper was quoted.
Burma will participate in ASEAN Tourism Forum 2006 to be held in Philippines' Davao City from January 13 to 21. Though Burma is supposed to hold the forum because of many reasons the plan is cancelled.
Inle, Inndawgyi and Moeyingyi wildlife sanctuaries had received regular visitors from local and abroad during 2005 even though those places were warned to keep an eye on for the bird flu because of the migratory birds.
Public Works will continue constructing taxiway in the Yangon International Airport after completion of extension of existing runway late this year.
Four private companies are allowed to import 200 city buses, and 100 buses are already imported so far.
Burma began using a new ASEAN customs declaration form since December 19 on trial basis. The grouping's member countries agreed last year to apply a uniform customs declaration form in the region.
Burma participated in the 13th ASEAN conference on Civil Service Matters held late December in Cambodia, and it will host the 17th conference in 2013. Meanwhile it also participated in a reviewing meeting for disease free project for the world children held from December 12 to 14 in London. The meeting attracted representatives from more than 190 countries and 10 international organisations including UNICEF and WHO.
Myanmar SPA Business Group planned to register in Singapore, Mr Serge Pun, chairman of the FMI Company that owns the SPA was quoted as saying by the Business Times.
About 395 overseas companies had invested total of more than US$7760million till last December, according to the figures released by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The companies from ASEAN countries ranked first with total of $3964.91millions investment followed by the companies from US and European countries with total of $2668.08millions investment. There were 38 companies from Britain with the total investment of $1431.01millions.
Industrialists welcomed the extension of the drafting of IP laws till 2013 saying that it would allow local experts enough preparation periods for the laws.
There were little potential of earthquake along Burma's coastal areas, and those areas would not damage seriously even when the intensified earthquakes generate Tsunamis, a senior official from the Meteorology and Hydrology Department said.
UNICEF will distribute educational guidebooks early this year that will help develop the children's interest in education.
International red cross society is collaborating with Myanmar Red Cross Society, and ministries of Health and Defence since 1986 to provide prosthesis to the amputees for free. MRCS is also planning to conduct training to its members during this year for free distribution of prosthesis to the amputees.
Weekly Eleven News Vol. 1, No. 13 (January 4)
Experts involved in drafting the country's new Patent Law said Burma was permitted not to implement the law during this year in accord with the decision of the World Trade Organisation made late last November that permitted the least-developed countries an extension until 1 July 2013 to provide protection for trademarks, copyright, patents and other intellectual property under the WTO's agreement.
The trial drilling ceremony at the Ramree oil and gas field in Rakhine State's Ramree Township was held by the Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise in collaboration with China's CNOOC Myanmar Ltd.
India's GAIL was discussing with Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise to buy MOGE's A1 Block shares, the Indian Business Standard newspaper was quoted as saying. The deal was already agreed by both sides, and GAIL and India's ONGC owned 30 per cent shares of A1 Block.
Burma aimed to produce 5,000 megawatts electricity in order to fulfil the increasing electricity requirement, Lieutenant General Myint Swe said at a meeting. So far there were about 845 megawatts electricity consumption throughout the country, he said.
Paddy would be grown in 1.2millions acre land in Rakhine State during this year, an official from the Myanma Agriculture Service said.
Japanese Embassy in Burma said in its website that Japan highly expected to have a success in buckwheat cultivation in the country. Local companies are also producing soba shochu (liquor produced from buckwheat) in an attempt to export to Japan market.
The UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation has distributed bridal paddy seeds in Rathedaung, Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships in Rakhine State to produce commercial paddy seeds and it will buy those commercial paddy seeds in order to redistribute again to farmers in other region.
European Commission provided agricultural techniques and crop seeds to Rakhine State via FAO, said U Maung Maung Yi, the FAO's program communication officer. The assistance would be provided to Rathedaung, Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships, which were least developed areas in the region. EC spent Euro 1 million for the assistance in order to reduce poverty in the region.
Myanmar Police Force will conduct crime free week project for the second time from January 1 to 5 in South Dagon, Mayangone, Dala and Insein townships.
Myanma Posts and Telecommunications will lease 2000 GSM mobile phones in Bago Division.
Naga New Year festival is planned to be held in Layshi, Sagaing on January 15. Tourists became interested in the festival since 2001 event where it attracted 36 tourists. The 2003 festival attracted 174 tourists while following event received 126 tourists.