Myanmar morning news for February 21, 2019

State Counselor Vows Proper Scrutiny of all BRI Projects in Myanmar
Thorough scrutiny of the projects under Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is needed to assess their likely short- and long-term impacts on the country and the public, State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said on Monday at the first meeting of a committee tasked with overseeing implementation of the projects.
— The Irrawaddy

Maritime trade totals $8.59 bln as of 8 February
Myanmar’s trade value by sea from 1 October to 8 February in the current fiscal year (Oct 2018- Sep 2019) was estimated at US$8.59 billion, which is up by over $124.7 million compared to the corresponding period of last fiscal year 2017-2018, according to the data of the Ministry of Commerce.
— Global Newlight of Myanmar

Chin State offers greenfield opportunities for investors
Chin State is looking to attract local and foreign investors to accelerate the development of tourism, agriculture, livestock, and electricity generation in the state, U Aung Naing Oo, the secretary of Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC), said Tuesday.
— Myanmar Times

FAO assists Myanmar to improve food security
The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Myanmar government have signed a multi-year framework agreement to improve nutrition and food security in the country while safeguarding and sustainably managing the use of natural resources.
— VietnamPlus

Frontier Markets Investment Portfolio: A Mining Site in Northern Myanmar
Asia Frontier Capital’s Regional Investment Analyst Scott Osheroff recently traveled to northern Myanmar to visit the mine site of one of its portfolio companies.
— Frontera

Myanmar requires agriculture commodity exchange, India to share knowledge
The country is in need of an agricultural commodity exchange suited to Myanmar, said Ye Min Aung, Vice-President of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) at a knowledge sharing seminar titled “Agri-commodity exchange” Park Royal Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw on February 19.
— Eleven Myanmar

Yangon govt to seek harsh penalties for reckless drivers
The Yangon Government will seek harsher penalties for reckless drivers, especially those engaged in illegal racing, Daw Nilar Kyaw, minister for Electricity, Industrial, Transport and Communication, told parliament on Tuesday.
— Myanmar Times

Snapshots of Myanmar Law Reforms in 2018
Market outlook has been generally positive, despite some setbacks. The Myanmar government is taking steps to create a more conducive business environment and to attract further investments into the country.
— jdsupra

Over 40 companies from seven countries to display products in MIAME 2019
A total of 40 companies from seven countries will display their products in Myanmar International Agricultural Machinery Exhibition 2019, which will be held at the Tatmadaw exhibition hall from March 1 to 3, organized by Myanmar Paddy Producers Association, according to a pre-press conference held at Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) on February 19.
— Eleven Myanmar

Myanmar picks panel to reform army-scripted constitution
MYANMAR set up a committee to discuss reforming the country’s military-drafted constitution on Tuesday, pitting Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government openly against the powerful armed forces for the first time over the incendiary issue.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Dams help in socio-economic development
As civilizations developed, there was a greater need for water supply, irrigation, flood control, navigation, water quality, sediment control and energy.
— Mizzima

Surbung Airport, the high altitude gateway to Chin State
Located in the northwest of Myanmar, the 13907-squaremile Chin State is decorated with rhododendrons, cherries and various species of orchids and bluish mountains and ranges, almost touching the grey and white clouds, floating high in sky.
— Global Newlight of Myanmar

Chinese foreign minister highlights China-Myanmar border security
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi Tuesday highlighted the importance of border security in promoting the economic development of border areas during his visit to the China-Myanmar border in China’s southwest Yunnan Province.
— Ecns

Three major drug suspects arrested, B100m in assets seized
Police arrested three alleged members of a major drug trafficking gang and seized assets — including luxury houses and cars — worth about 100 million baht during raids on six locations in Bangkok early…
— Bangkok Post

Myanmar military denies AA accusation over civilian vehicles use
The Myanmar military on Tuesday denied an accusation by the Arakan Army that it has been using passenger buses and cars to transport its troops in western Myanmar’s Rakhine state, where the two forces are fighting each other, RFA reported.
— Mizzima

Parliament approves constitutional amendment committee by 2-to-1
The committee to amend the constitution was approved by a vote in the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Assembly of the Union) on Tuesday.
— Myanmar Times

Huawei keen to guide 5G in Myanmar
THOUGH only 20 per cent of Myanmar’s population have access to 4G services, the nation would be ready to embrace the fifth generation of wireless technology (5G) with the support of Chinese giant Huawei Technologies Co in two or three years, said Zhu Bo, deputy managing director of Huawei Myanmar.
–– The Nation (very annoying popup)

Ruthless meth networks get ill-prepared Myanmar hooked
Mobs of stick-wielding church-goers in Myanmar’s northeast used to descend on dealers and addicts in a desperate effort to save their communities from a meth-induced health crisis sweeping the country.
— Channel NewsAsia

DFID boss highlights support for garment workers, marginalised groups
A UK cabinet minister highlighted how Myanmar’s garment industry is supporting the livelihood and security of vulnerable women.
— Myanmar Times

Will Myanmar’s Northern Alliance Join the Peace Process?
As of February 2019, Myanmar’s Northern Alliance (NA) is a key player in the country’s armed conflicts.
— Reliefweb

What’s On in Yangon!
The 11th Yangon Photo Festival (YPF) started on Monday with photographers from Myanmar and around the world showcasing more than 200 photos and short photo documentaries under the theme of environmental issues. Half of the works displayed are by artists from Kayah, Chin and Rakhine states.
— Myanmar Times

MoI staff learns skills for gathering public opinion on state-run media
Thirty-eight staff members from the Ministry of Information learnt how to conduct surveys to collect views and opinions from the public about public services provided by the State-run media.
— Global Newlight of Myanmar

Awareness campaign aims to curb wildlife trade in Mandalay
The government will conduct a campaign in Mandalay city markets to try to raise public awareness about the trade in endangered animals, said Forest Security Police Captain Min Htike Kyaw.
— Myanmar Times

High expectations, low confidence at Invest Myanmar Summit
The government evinced high hopes for a rebound in foreign investment at a recent event in Nay Pyi Taw but its expectations are not shared by many in the private sector.
— Frontier Myanmar

Collaborative Efforts of University of Yangon in the Asian Universities Forum (2019)
University of Yangon is a leading academic institution in Myanmar and its leading role is keen to bolster capacity in all areas including regional and international collaboration.
— Global Newlight of Myanmar

Rattan furniture from Myanmar finds growing appeal
The precisely named Furniture Fair event held at Tatmadaw Hall on February 14 to 17, drew the participation of many topnotch furniture makers and interior decoration companies in the country to set up their booths for the 4-day fair.
— Myanmar Times

Mandalay hosts 9th Traditional Medicine Research Congress
The 9th Traditional Medicine Research Congress opened in Mandalay yesterday with an opening address by Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe.
— Global Newlight of Myanmar

Woman heads institute pushing for corporate change in Myanmar
Despite problems, women’s empowerment and corporate governance in Myanmar is set to advance under Ma Cherry Trivedi through the organisation she heads, the Myanmar Institute of Directors.
— Myanmar Times

President U Win Myint, First Lady Daw Cho Cho attend 71st Chin National Day celebrations
President U Win Myint and First Lady Daw Cho Cho attended the ceremony to celebrate the 71st Anniversary of Chin National Day at Vum Thu Maung sports grounds in Haka, Chin State yesterday.
— Global Newlight of Myanmar

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