Myanmar Morning News For September 1

Myanmar interior minister claims Arakan Rohingya militants have “territorial ambitions”
The August 25 attacks on 30 police stations and an army base in Myanmar’s Rakhine state is a clear indication that the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) is attempting to establish an “Islamic State” in Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships, said Lt-Gen Kyaw Swe
— Thai PBS

Myanmar’s manufacturing PMI rises to 49.3 in August
The Nikkei Myanmar Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index, or PMI, rose slightly to 49.3 in August from 49.1 in July.
— Nikkei Asian Review

5,200 tons of marine products exported to Thailand within a week
Fisheries businesses in Myanmar exported 5,232 tons of marine products worth US$4 million to Thailand through Myawady, Kawthoung and Myeik ports of entry between 12 and 18 August.
— The Global New Light Of Myanmar

Rakhine to construct Maungdaw economic zone
Construction of an economic zone dedicated to promoting trade, manufacturing and services in the outskirts of Maungdaw Township in northern Rakhine State is expected to start when the current situation in the area has calmed down, a regional minister said.
— Myanmar Times

Foreign and domestic investments rise during govt’s first fiscal year
In the National League for Democracy (NLD) government’s first fiscal year in power local investors made investments amounting to K1.57 trillion while foreigners made investments worth a total of US$7.44 billion in Myanmar, Deputy Minister of Planning and Finance U Set Aung said at the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw on August 31.
— Myanmar Times

Govt urged to establish Belt and Road taskforce
From tackling illegal border trade to constructing Kyaukphyu SEZ, the to-do list for Belt and Road in Myanmar is very long.
— Myanmar Times

Factbox: Humanitarian crisis hits Bangladesh as thousands of Rohingya flee Myanmar
Nearly 30,000 Rohingya Muslims have crossed into Bangladesh from Myanmar since Friday, straining scarce resources of aid agencies and local communities already helping tens of thousands of refugees from previous spasms of violence in Myanmar.
— Reuters

Rohingya women, children die in desperate boat escape from Myanmar
On a remote beach looking out onto the Bay of Bengal, a baby boy lies swaddled in cloth, his face smeared with wet sand. The bodies of nine more children and eight women lie alongside. Another woman and a child have already been buried.
— Channel NewsAsia

Analysis: How Myanmar’s Rohingya Insurgency Grew
Armed with machetes and rifles, a ragtag band of insurgents comprised of members of Myanmar’s Muslim Rohingya minority launched unprecedented attacks last week, triggering fighting with security forces that has left more than 100 people dead and forced at least 18,000 to flee into neighboring Bangladesh.
— Khaosod English

Investor coalition asks Chevron to press Myanmar government for resolution to Rohingya crisis
Shareholders and other investor organizations delivered a letter to energy giant Chevron Corporation today, asking the company to use its leverage with the Myanmar government to end military violence against its Rohingya population.
— GlobeNewswire

Squid licences to be issued by dry season
The Fishery Department says it will issue licences for squid boats by the coming dry season.
— Eleven Myanmar

Union Minister for Health and Sports visits Rakhine
Dr Myint Htwe, the Union Minster for Health and Sports, together with Rakhine Chief Minister U Nyi Pu, Rakhine Minister for Social Affairs Dr Chan Thar and other officials, arrived at Maungtaw yesterday morning and visited Maungtaw General Hospital and a camp for internally displaced people.
— The Global New Light Of Myanmar

Let’s grow together
Arts and crafts fare brings local artisans together to promote their products.
— Myanmar Times

Rare sarus cranes found in Ayeyawady Delta
Ornithologists from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) who are cooperating with the Forestry Department of Maubin University to protect endangered cranes discovered a large group of sarus cranes, which are considered nearly extinct, in wetlands in the Ayeyawady delta.
— The Global New Light Of Myanmar

Foreign Affairs Ministry Launches Humanitarian Program in Myanmar
Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Thursday (31/08) launched a humanitarian assistance program for Myanmar to provide support for inclusive development in the northern Rakhine State.
— JakartaGlobe

Feature photo Clay Gilliland
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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.