Myanmar Morning News For July 13

Return migration no impact on Thai-Myanmar trade
Despite the decline in import flow from Thailand at the Myawaddy border trade camp, the return of Myanmar workers from Thailand last month has no significant impact on bilateral trade, assistant secretary of the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) U Khin Maung Lwin told The Myanmar Times.
– The Myanmar Times

Gas, garment, agricultural produce major export items in first three months this FY
Myanmar’s major export items in the first three months of this 2017-2018 fiscal year were gas, CMP(cutting, making and packaging) garments and agricultural produce, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
– Eleven Myanmar

Government to repay debt of US$600 million in 2017-18
Debts accumulated under Myanmar’s previous Union Solidarity and Development Party are now due, 2 years after the current National League for Democracy government came into power.
– The Myanmar Times

Private Sector Development Committee meeting
Vice President U Myint Swe, who is also Chairman of the Private Sector Development Committee, said yesterday at the 4th regular meeting that development of the private sector was vital because it made up 90 per cent of the nation’s economy.
– Global New Light of Myanmar

AccorHotels, LP to launch two hotels this year
French group AccorHotels and Thailand-based LP Holding will open two hotels this year and one more in 2020.
– The Myanmar Times

Myanmar melons favoured by Chinese Market
Watermelon and muskmelon export to China this financial year is projected to comprise 600,000 tonnes, according to the Myanmar Fruit, Flower and Vegetable Producers and Exporters Association.
– Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar and Japan discuss to newly draw up Master Plan for Dawei SEZ
Dr Than Myint, Minister for Commerce, met the Japanese delegation led by Tateshi Higuchi, Japanese ambassador to Myanmar, at the office of the ministry in Nay Pyi Taw on July 7.
– Eleven Myanmar

Land seizure ‘may deter progress of Thilawa’
ALTHOUGH foreign investors continue to show interest in Thilawa, Myanmar’s leading special economic zone, land confiscation may deter them from splashing the cash, Thilawa residents warn.
– The Nation

Yangon New City project to be remodelled with tower blocks included
The current New City project in Myanmar’s commercial capital will be remodelled to accommodate the city’s projected population growth and tower blocks will be part of the new plan, according to a Yangon Region minister.
– The Myanmar Times

Regional govt to build bridges, underground road system
The regional government plans to build bridges and an underground road system to connect Yangon’s older and newer sections, announced Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein on July 11.
– Eleven Myanmar

Waterways, sewage drains to be installed in Magway
A proposal has been submitted for the construction of various waterways and roads in Magway Region, an area where many roads are not paved, according to U Hla Kyaw, Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation.
– Global New Light of Myanmar

Petrolimex, Myanmar’s HTOO sign cooperation deal
The Vietnam National Petroleum Group (Petrolimex) and Myanmar’s HTOO Group of Companies have recently signed a deal in Hanoi, under which they will explore the possibility of jointly doing business in Myanmar.
– VietnamPlus

Myanmar eyes ratifying Paris climate agreement
Myanmar’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, along with other Union-level agencies, submitted a proposal to parliament yesterday recommending the ratification of the Paris Agreement – an international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
– Coconuts Yangon

Myanmar Escorts Media to Conflict-Torn Region, Vows ‘No Restrictions’
Myanmar pledged on Wednesday “no restrictions” on journalists visiting the troubled state of Rakhine this week, in the first official trip to include foreign reporters to mostly Rohingya Muslim villages affected by violence since October.
– VOA

As a city, Yangon is still searching for its mojo
Uneven development leaves Myanmar’s largest city in a state of flux.
– Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

Will Special Economic Zones Work for Myanmar?
Since its inception as one of Myanmar’s new Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in 2013, the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone (KPSEZ) in Rakhine State has faced major challenges attempting to meet the interests of the local community while achieving genuine accountability and business probity.
– The News Lens

‘The ministry needs to move fast to keep the lights on’
Delphos International, a Washington DC-based company focused on project financing in emerging markets, recently completed the first phase of a study on Myanmar’s energy sector under a project financed by the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).
– Frontier Myanmar

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Myanmar morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Myanmar news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.