Myanmar morning news for November 16

Myanmar morning news for November 16
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Myanmar morning news500 villagers flee as Tatmadaw, SSPP/SSA combats in Hsipaw
Over 500 internally displaced people fled and took refuge at a monastery following clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Shan State Progressive Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) in Hsipaw Township on 13 November, according to a local source.
— BNI Multimedia Group

State Counsellor rebuffs US VP Pence on northern Rakhine
Myanmar leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi rebuffed criticism from US Vice President Mike Pence and other leaders yesterday over the treatment of the Muslim minority in northern Rakhine State.
— Myanmar Times

Asean leaders upbraid Suu Kyi in private but stand by Myanmar
THE ASEAN BLOC is standing by Myanmar for repatriation of thousands of Rohingya from Bangladesh despite grave concerns raised by leaders and partners at the summit even as the refugees yesterday continued to resist the return.
— The Nation

Rohingya refuse repatriation to Myanmar
The head of Bangladesh’s refugee commission said plans to begin the repatriation of 700,000 Rohingya Muslims to Myanmar on Thursday were scrapped after officials were unable to find anyone who wanted to return.
— Bangkok Post

End of days for Suu Kyi’s iconography
Few if any Asian leaders have been showered with as many human rights honours and accolades as Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
— Asia Times

Rohingya return to Myanmar: Confusion and fear in refugee camps
No Rohingya refugees voluntarily chose to return to Myanmar from camps in Bangladesh on the first day of a planned repatriation programme. Under a joint deal between the two countries, authorities had wanted to move some 2,000 Rohingya on Thursday.
— BBC News

China, India, and the Russian Federation understand Myanmar’s struggle against Islamist terrorism
China, India, and the Russian Federation continue to express their support for the government of Myanmar. Indeed, given certain animosities between China and India over border issues – and China’s role in Pakistan – then it shows you how Myanmar isn’t isolated despite the Western and Islamic media witch-hunt of this multi-ethnic nation.
— Modern Tokyo Times

Military and SSPP clashes in Thibaw forces 500 locals to abandon their place
More than 500 locals fled their homes when clashes between military forces and Shan State Progressive party SSPP/SSA occurred at a hill at the west of Narlot village in Thibaw, northern Shan State on November 13.
— Eleven Media

Ethnic Pa-O forced to participate in pro-military rally
Hundreds of ethnic Pa-O were forced to join a pro-military rally in Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State on Wednesday according to a number of community leaders.
— The Irrawaddy

Bangladesh confident refugees will be returned
Bangladesh on Wednesday stuck by plans to begin repatriating some of the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya minority who fled Myanmar last year, despite UN warnings and trepidation among the refugees themselves.
— mizzima.com

Bangladesh declines to start repatriation of Rohingya amid protests
Bangladeshi authorities have yet to start repatriation of the first group of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar from Unchiprang camp in Cox’s Bazar amid protests and a lack of willingness among the refugees to leave their camps.
— The Irrawaddy

Door still open to Rohingya repatriation, gov’t says
Myanmar said the repatriation process is still open for displaced Rohingya, although no one opted to return from refugee camps in Bangladesh on Thursday.
— The Irrawaddy

ASEAN will continue to support Myanmar in resolving Rakhine issues
en-member Southeast Asian bloc, ASEAN, has announced that it will continue its support for Myanmar in efforts to ensure “sustainable and equitable” development in Rakhine State, where violence which spurred an exodus of Rohingya Muslims to nearby Bangladesh was labeled by the United Nations as ethnic cleansing.
— The Irrawaddy

US considered denouncing Myanmar for ‘crimes against humanity.’ It didn’t happen.
A memo sent to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last summer gave the greenlight for a tough U.S. response to systematic slayings and mass expulsions against Myanmar’s minority Rohingya Muslim population.
— The Hour

State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi discusses bilateral relations with New Zealand PM
State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi had a discussion with Rt. Hon Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand about bilateral relations at the Suntec Expo Convention Centre in Singapore on November 14.
— Eleven Media

Myanmar’s history of bad deals inspires caution: China
Myanmar’s civilian ruling party is treading carefully when it comes to economic deals with other countries, thanks to the previous military administration’s legacy of problematic deals, National League for Democracy spokesperson U Myo Nyunt told Caixin.
— Caixin

Maternity payments: A Tat Lan success story goes national
An infant feeding initiative that started with cash payments to pregnant women and new mothers in just 30 central Rakhine State villages in 2014 has been influential in encouraging the government to roll out a similar programme across parts of Myanmar.
— Frontier Myanmar

Twenty-one Myanmar workers arrested in Thai crackdown
Thai authorities have detained 21 Myanmar workers who were reportedly told by a broker that they were being sent to work in Thailand under a deal between the two countries, the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok said.
— Myanmar Times

Two badly burned as fireworks fall on crowd at balloon festival
At least two people were seriously injured when a frame carrying fireworks fell from a hot-air balloon onto a crowd of onlookers on the opening day of the annual Fire Balloon Festival in Taunggyi, southern Shan State, on Wednesday.
— The Irrawaddy

Nine people injury in hot air balloon incident
An incident occurred at Taunggyi Tazaungdine hot air balloon festival left nine people injuries on November 14, sources said.
— Eleven Media

Yangon Elevated Expressway Project Phase-1 under way
Plan is under way to implement Yangon Elevated Expressway Project Phase-1 on the east wing under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) system, according to the Construction Ministry.
— Eleven Media

Govt to name finalists for Yangon elevated expressway project this month
Companies shortlisted for a contract to build an elevated expressway in Yangon aimed at alleviating the city’s traffic woes will be named by the end of the month, the Construction Ministry said Thursday.
— The Irrawaddy

34 Myanmar migrant workers return to Myawady
A total of 34 Myanmar migrant workers, who are being exploited by human traffickers, are returned to Myawady on November 14, sources said.
— Eleven Media

Reinstatement of rice tariffs unrelated to politics: Brussels
The European Union will decide whether to restore tariffs on Indica rice imports from Myanmar in a bid to protect its own producers early next year. Brussels has denied the move is related to the country’s alleged human rights violations in northern Rakhine.
— Myanmar Times

Bribery alleged in local Myanmar by-election
The newly elected MP for Yangon’s Seikkan district facilitated loans with suspiciously favorable terms for would-be voters in the months leading up to the Nov. 3 by-election, an explosive new report in local digital outlet Myanmar Now alleges.
— Coconuts Yangon

‘Terror and panic’ among Rohingya who may be forced to return to Myanmar – UN rights chief
Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, underlined that with “complete lack of accountability” and ongoing violations in Myanmar, repatriations effectively means “throwing back” the refugees into the same cycle of human rights violations that they “have been suffering for decades.”
— AEC News Today / PR Newswire (media release)

MNA plans to use only ATR 72-600 planes in its fleet
Myanmar National Airlines (MNA) is planning to use the kind of ATR 72-600 planes in its fleet only, sources said.
— Eleven Media

Development foundation returns 3.3B kyats to Irrawaddy govt
A development foundation led by ministers of the previous Irrawaddy Region government has returned 3.3 billion kyats, which it had held in banks, to the current regional government.
— The Irrawaddy

Top artists showcase their masterpieces at National Museum
Fans of local art have a wonderful opportunity to view artworks by the country’s top visual artists in an exhibition that is taking place at the National Museum on Pyay Road in Yangon’s Dagon Township, today and tomorrow.
— Myanmar Times

Better oil and gas deals needed in the future, say experts
Efforts must be taken to lessen Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise’s (MOGE) tax burden from contracts signed with joint-venture firms to work offshore oil and gas fields, a report states.
— Myanmar Times

Nearly $3 bn earned from foreign trade in one month this FY
Nearly US$3 billion has been earned from foreign trade within one month since 2018-2019 fiscal year but trade deficit is about US$370 million, according to sources from the Ministry of Commerce.
— Eleven Media

Central Bank provides new details on foreign-bank directive
Foreign banks will be allowed to expand their branch networks in Myanmar next year, according to two senior officials of the Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) yesterday.
— Myanmar Times

Laxer rules of foreign banks to spur trade, Central Bank says
The Central Bank of Myanmar said its decision last week to let foreign banks operating in the country lend and provide other services to domestic companies will help exporters limited by local lenders finance their trade with the rest of the world.
— The Irrawaddy

Land owners from May Yu Housing to open protest camp unless they receive compensation by Dec
Original land owners from May Yu Housing Compound in Botahtaung Township, Yangon Region, where Sky Net Head Office is located, have claimed that they will open a protest camp before the regional government office if they do not receive land compensation by the end of December.
— Eleven Media

Growth in mutual trade prioritized at anniversary of Indo-Myanmar relations
70th anniversary of Indo-Myanmar diplomatic relations was held at the Myanmar embassy in New Delhi and attended by governmental organizations and private organizations from both countries.
— mizzima.com

Growth of ‘zero-dollar tours’ for Chinese worries local operators
Two guards stand watch at the iron gate of Yangon Gems and Jewellery next to Hlaing Tharyar Ocean Shopping Centre in Yangon. The gate of the compound is almost always closed. It only allows visitors who have pre-registered – usually Chinese tourists who arrive by the busload.
— Myanmar Times

More Singapore firms planning to invest in Myanmar in next two years
Singapore companies have big plans to expand in ASEAN over the next two years and Myanmar, with its growth potential and overall investment climate, is on the cards for many, according to a recent survey by the Singapore Business Federation (SBF).
— Myanmar Times

Green building technologies are the new gold for Myanmar
Yangon has seen significant temperature increases compared to the last decade or two. Some have described the recent weather in Yangon as if it’s boiling.
— Myanmar Business Today

Voter turnout in November by-election hits 42.42 pc
There were 902,750 eligible voters in the 2018 by-election and the voter turnout hit 42.42 per cent, according to the statement by Union Election Commission (UEC) on November 14.
— Eleven Media

International Regatta being held at Ngwe Saung beach
An international yachting race organized by Myanmar Yachting Federation is being held at Ngwe Saung beach in Ayeyarwady Region, with 129 athletes from 16 nations participating.
— mizzima.com

6 of the best rooftop bars in Yangon
The rooftop bar that needs no introduction, Atlas has been a stalwart of the Yangon nightlife scene since the beginning of time.
— Myanmore

AustCham Myanmar to highlight female thought-leaders and influencers at Gala Dinner
AustCham Myanmar has announced the thought-leaders that will shape the conversations and challenge conventions at the 2018 Women in Business and Leadership Development Gala Dinner and Conference in Yangon, according to a press release.
— mizzima.com

First Maritime Conference Myanmar to be held in Yangon
Myanmar will hold Maritime Conference Myanmar 2018 for the first time to develop the country’s maritime sector, according to sources from the Department of Marine Administration.
— Eleven Media

FDI has risen under the NLD: U Set Aung
Foreign direct investments (FDI) have increased under the NLD government, said U Set Aung, deputy minister for planning and finance.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar diesel genset market expected to grow at a CAGR of 3%
The “Myanmar Diesel Genset Market (2018-2024): Market Forecast By kVA Rating, By Applications, By Regions and Competitive Landscape” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering.
— Benzinga

Memories expands presence in Myanmar
The 72-room Hotel Suggati officially opens 15 December in Mawlamyaing, the capital of Myanmar’s Mon State. Located next to the Salween River, the waterfront property will be positioned as a three-star hotel for business and leisure travellers heading for the country’s fourth largest city.
— TTR Weekly

Famous singers to join Chatrium Hotel New Year Eve party
Chatrium Hotel brings this New Year with “Mamma Mia Story” with performances by famous singers Chit kaung, Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein, Phyo Pyae Sone and Jewel.
— Eleven Media

Korea passes on endoscopic thyroid surgery know-how to Myanmar
Asan Medical Center (AMC)’s endocrine surgeons Sung Tae-yeon and Kim Won-woong handed down the skills of “underarm endoscopic thyroidectomy” to Myanmar for the first time, the hospital said.
— Korea Biomedical Review

El Nino likely to hit Myanmar during coming cool season
Weather predictions indicate that El Nino might be coming to Myanmar during the winter season, meteorologists said.
— Myanmar Times

Away match against Laos matters to Myanmar to brighten semi hope
An away match against Laos will be crucial for Myanmar national men’s football squad capable of brightening the hope of reaching semifinals.
— Eleven Media

Ei Soe, Soe Min Naing and Kyaw Zin Htet extends contract with Yagon Utd
Yangon United FC, the reigning champions of the MNL and General Aung San Knock-out Shield, agreed to extend contracts with young striker Aee Soe, winger Soe Min Naing and goalie Kyaw Zin Htet within a few days before AFF Suzuki Cup 2018.
— Eleven Media

 

Feature photo Human Rights Watch

This week’s Myanmar morning news feature photo acknowledges International Day for Tolerance, November 16.

 

Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

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.

 

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With a decade of experience as an editor and journalist, Roy has edited mastheads across Australia and Southeast Asia, from the remote island communities of the Torres Strait to Cambodia’s only award-winning newspaper, The Phnom Penh Post.

A a professional photographer since the days of film, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Photomedia and a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism.

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