Myanmar Morning News For June 15

EuroCham cites protectionist bent and tax inefficiencies as top investor concerns
A white book published by European businesses has hit out at Myanmar’s protectionist tendencies blocking or stalling liberalisation and cited tax inefficiencies as one of the top concerns among investors.
– The Myanmar Times

Special Economic Zone a test for better governance in 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.
– East Asia Forum

Upgrade underway to improve power in Yangon
The government is upgrading electricity generation, transmission and distribution in Yangon Region, Daw Nilar Kyaw, minister of Electricity, Industry, Transport and Communication, told a news conference to mark the first anniversary of the government.
– The Myanmar Times

KfW provides loans for Rural Electrification, Locomotive Workshop Ywataung
Representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Ministry of Planning and Finance as well as, Dr. Christine Heimburger, Director, East Asia and Pacific of KfW and Mr. Lorenz Gessner, Interim Country Director of KfW Office Yangon signed the Financing, Loan and Separate Agreements for the “Rural Electrification Programme: Off-grid Component” (REP: Off-grid) and the “Locomotive Workshop Ywataung” (LoWoY).
– Global New Light of Myanmar

Initial drilling for Pyi Thit well-1
The British Virgin Island-registered MPRL E&P signed a production sharing contract (PSC) with Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE) in January 2007 for oil and gas exploration in Block A-6.
– The Myanmar Times

Gov’t to loan Ks100 million each to SMEs
The government is planning to grant loans of Ks100 million each to small and medium-sized enterprises, said U Khin Maung Cho, Union Minister for Industry, at the Pyithu Hluttaw yesterday.
– Global New Light of Myanmar

Consumer Union mobile app to encourage ‘habit of complaining’
The Myanmar Consumers Union has launched an online consumer complaint system that allows the public to submit their grievances through either a mobile application or website.
– Frontier Myanmar

Central Bank to penalise unlawful use of foreign currencies
The Central Bank of Myanmar will soon penalise people who are using dollars to pay for local business transactions, U Win Thaw, director general of the Foreign Exchange Management Department told The Myanmar Times.
– The Myanmar Times

Over 5,000 custom staffs to be appointed and assigned across the nation
Over 5,000 employees will be appointed and assigned across the nation to control the illegal trading with the neighboring countries, according to a report in the City News Daily yesterday.
– Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar sends over 10,000 migrant workers abroad in May
Myanmar authorities have sent about 13,768 migrant workers to work abroad in May this year, according to the Ministry of Labor, immigration and population Wednesday.
– Xinhua News Agency

‘The Ones We Named Are All Dead Now’: Dolphins and Fishers Struggle to Survive in Myanmar
Drifting down the moonlit Irrawaddy River in Myanmar, gangs of fishermen drop car batteries into the water.
– The Irrawaddy

Feature photo Paul Arps
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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.