Myanmar Morning News For May 24

New UN envoy to travel to Myanmar next month
The new United Nations envoy for Myanmar will pay a first visit to Naypyidaw next month for talks on the Rohingya refugee crisis, UN sources said on Wednesday (May 23).
— Channel NewsAsia

Myanmar’s Atrocities Demand New Sanctions
In response to the systematic campaign of murder and rape leading to the forced displacement of some 700,000 Rohingya people from Myanmar, Democratic Rep. Eliot Engel is offering a bill to reimpose U.S. sanctions on the country’s military leaders.
— Foreign Policy

Myanmar, IFC release draft assessment calling for sustainable hydro development
The International Finance Corporation and government of Myanmar have released a draft strategic environmental assessment intended to help guide sustainability within the southeastern Asia country.
— Hydro World

Thailand – Myanmar agree to boost anti drug efforts
Thailand and Myanmar have agreed on increased border cooperation to crackdown on the narcotics trade.
— NBT World (video)

Broader economic focus advocated for Myanmar
EVEN as international agencies pronounce a favourable outlook for Myanmar, former chief economic presidential adviser U Myint has identified policy areas that can help ensure that an improving economy benefits ordinary people.
— The Nation

As non-member, Myanmar will not accept ICC referrals
Efforts to refer Myanmar to the International Criminal Court (ICC), of which it is not a member, concerning the conflicts in Rakhine State will be rejected, said Director-General U Zaw Htay of the Ministry of the State Counsellor’s Office.
— The Global Newlight of Myanmar

Ministry of Construction commits to four mega projects in 2018
The Department of Urban and Housing Development under the Ministry of Construction yesterday announced its commitment to implementing four mega infrastructure projects in Mandalay and Yangon regions.
— The Myanmar Times

Myanmar agriculture rebounds from a drought-induced contraction
Favourable weather conditions and improved yields have helped drive a return to growth in Myanmar’s agricultural sector, a trend likely to be supported by government efforts to embrace modern farming methods to ensure long-term sustainable development.
— Thailand-Business-News

Starbucks in $6-million Myanmar investment
Social media was ablaze last week with the news Starbucks was coming to Yangon—the first Myanmar store of a US$6-million investment.
— Myanmore

Domestic natural gas to be made available by 2023: MOEE
Larger volumes of natural gas will be available from Myanmar’s onshore and offshore gas fields within the next five years, yielding fresh opportunities for international oil and gas firms to invest in the sector, said U Win Khaing, Union Minister for Electricity and Energy (MOEE).
— The Myanmar Times

Mobile phone usage rate increases in Myanmar
A vendor talks on a mobile phone in Yangon, Myanmar, May 23, 2018. Mobile phone usage rate increased to over 110.43 percent so far in Myanmar, according to the Ministry of Transport and Communications on Tuesday. (Xinhua/U Aung)
— Xinhua Net

Managing Change in Myanmar: Policymaking after Dictatorship
As Myanmar’s fitful democratic transition moves forward, many observers are torn between early, high hopes for the end of military rule and a growing pessimism about wider democratic, economic, and social reforms.
— The Asia Foundation

Investigation into case against finance minister nears completion: ACC
An investigation into allegations made against the Minister of Finance and Planning U Kyaw Win is nearing completion, the head of the Anti-Corruption Commission said in Nay Pyi Taw today.
— Frontier Myanmar

Yangon struggles to stem tide of trash
The Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) collects more than 2300 tonnes of waste a day from the business capital’s 5 million people, and the ever-increasing population of Yangon demands innovative and sustainable ways of handling its refuse.
— The Myanmar Times

New Body to Track Online Instigators Who Harm Govt, Sovereignty
A Communications Ministry official said the government’s new Social Media Monitoring Team (SMMT) will keep track of instigation by foreign elements harmful to Myanmar’s government and to national sovereignty.
— The Irrawaddy

Taxpayers must practice SAS to combat corruption
Taxpayers need not get in touch with authorities to pay tax, as they can carry out the Self-Assessment System (SAS), which can stamp out bribery and corruption, said U Myint Thaung, Yangon Region Minister for Planning and Finance.
— The Global Newlight of Myanmar

Ancient Bagan region sees over 200,000 visitors in four months
More than 200,000 local and foreign visitors entered ancient Bagan region in four months this year, according to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.
— Eleven Myanmar

Military Officers Transferred Over Jade Mine Bribes, Killings in Rakhine
Two high-ranking military officers have been transferred to the military’s auxiliary force for taking bribes from jade mines operating without a license in Kachin State’s Hpakant Township.
— The Irrawaddy

Feasibility study conducted to turn Nyaung-U airport into green one
A feasibility study has been conducted in cooperation with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to upgrade Nyaung-U Airport near Bagan ancient cultural region into a green airport, said Win Khant, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
— Eleven 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.

Myanmar Morning News For May 24 added by Leakhena Khat on May 24, 2018
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Leakhena Khat

Leakhena is a junior journalist at AEC News Today who is also currently studying International Relations, which she finds adds perspective to her work reporting on the Asean Community.

“I love what I am doing so much as it gives me a lot of great experience and provides challenges to my mind.