Myanmar Morning News For June 22

Statistics for Myanmar labor force released
The Ministry for Labor, Immigration and Population issued a statistic report yesterday which gives detailed information on the scale of labor in Myanmar.
– Global New Light of Myanmar

Over $2bn in foreign investment entered Myanmar since April
Foreign businesses have invested more than US$2 billion in Myanmar between the beginning of April and mid-June this fiscal year, according to the Directorate of Investment and Companies Administration (DICA).
– Eleven Myanmar

Minimum wage war in Myanmar
Factory owners are under pressure to raise worker wages but any dramatic rise could discourage foreign brands from investing in the low-cost nation
– Asia Times

Nearly 600,000 vehicles permitted for import
Dr Than Myint, the Union Minister for Commerce and Chairman of the Motor Vehicle Importing Supervisory Committee, attended the motor vehicle importing supervisory committee meeting 3/2017 at the Ministry of Commerce in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon.
– Global New Light of Myanmar

Living conditions survey seeks data for policy formulation
The Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) will publish the first national survey regarding the living conditions in Myanmar with the latest updates on poverty statistics and other details in each state and region next year.
– The Myanmar Times

Myanmar govt expected to earn Ks 1.8 trillion from natural resources this year
State-owned enterprises extracting natural resources are expected to earn over Ks 1.8 trillion during the 2017-2018 fiscal year, according to this year’s budget statement.
– Eleven Myanmar

Loan period and interest rates unsuitable for local enterprises
Local businesses have difficulties in accessing suitable financial resources. Even though a number of organisations offer loans, their interest rates are too high.
– The Myanmar Times

Myanmar becomes fastest growing aid recipient in the region
Myanmar are one of the two largest recipients of humanitarian aid to Southeast Asia and is the fastest growing aid recipient in the region, speakers at an aid conference said.
– The Myanmar Times

Cargo vessel measurements investigated at Yangon Port
Myanma Port Authority (MPA) is investigating new standards for cargo vessel sizes at the Yangon Port, according to a report in the Myawady Daily yesterday.
– Global New Light of Myanmar

Rice exports to China via Mandalay cease after frozen bank accounts
Since the bank accounts of some Myanmar rice merchants in China were frozen, monetary flow has become stagnant, and rice exported from Mandalay to China has stopped, according to local merchants.
– Eleven Myanmar

Agricultural exports still rely on neighbouring markets
Myanmar has been trying to expand agricultural products to international markets including Europe and the United States after US sanctions were removed and also with EU’s trade privileges but Myanmar still relies on neighbouring markets, said Commerce’s Deputy Minister U Aung Htoo.
– The Myanmar Times

EU-backed forest working committee established in Kayin State
An EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) working committee has been established in Kayin (Karen) State.
– Burma News International

Shwebo Pawsan to be cultivated with SRI in mid July
THE System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method, a low water, labour intensive planting method using young singly space seedlings and hand tools, will be introduced in Shwebo District, Sagaing to grow Shwebo Pawsan premium rice strains by United Nilar Agribusiness Co. Ltd. and the Sagaing Region Agricultural Department.
– Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady Delta sees decline in fish stocks, affecting livelihoods
Nyo Win’s family relied on his small-scale fishing expeditions for more than 20 years.
– Mizzima

Myanmar telecom competition heats up with 4G push
MYANMAR’S three telecommunications operators, buoyed by the burgeoning ranks of smartphone users, have intensified their efforts to provide 4G/Long-Term Evolution (LTE) services with the sales hook of faster data connections.
– The Nation

When will Suu Kyi challenge the military?
More than one year after the pro-democracy icon won a resounding popular mandate, Myanmar’s top brass are still calling the political shots
– Asia Times

Feature photo Jean-Marie Hullot
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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.