Myanmar morning news for July 15

Business groups call for Myanmar to end internet shutdown
Five European business groups in Yangon have signed a statement urging the Myanmar authorities to restore internet access in Rakhine and Chin states.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar military on UN ‘list of shame’
An upcoming United Nations (UN) report featuring a blacklist of child rights violators is expected to refrain from toughening criticism of the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen despite a bus bombing last year that killed scores of children, according to diplomats.
— The Asean Post

Rubber export earnings increase by over 61 million USD
During over nine months of this fiscal year, Myanmar earned over 220 million US dollars from the exports of over 0.17 million tons of rubber, according to an official of the Commerce Ministry.
— Eleven Myanmar

Myanmar approves nearly 200 foreign investment projects in FY 2018-19
The Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) has approved 197 foreign investment projects in first nine months of current fiscal year 2018-2019, according to figures from the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA).
— Xinhua

As India builds houses, Myanmar to reach out to Rohingya in Bangladesh
This is one of the key steps being taken by Myanmar, at the prodding of India, so that the displaced families “feel safe” and stay in these newly built houses.
— Indian Express

Solar micro-grids and energy access in Myanmar
Villages in Myanmar are taking electricity generation into their own hands, turning to solar micro-grids to power their homes.
— Smart Energy

Tackling air pollution requires bold action, local commitment
Air pollution’s health impact is immense. Bold, sustainable policies are needed to counter its deadly menace.
— Myanmar Times

Agro exports cross $2.6 bln in current fiscal year
Myanmar’s exports of agricultural products from 1 October to 5 July in the current fiscal year increased to over US$2.6 billion from $2.34 billion registered in the corresponding period of the 2017-2018FY, according to trade figures released by the Ministry of Commerce.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

DCA denies the request from Bangkok Airways to fly Bkk-Bagan direct route
Department for Civil Aviation (DCA) replied to Bangkok Airways that they are not allowed the direct flight between Bangkok and Bagan at the present as Bagan-NyaungU airport is not an international airport, sources said.
— Eleven Myanmar

Myanmar Muslim Business Entrepreneurs’ Association holds Eid Festival Dinner Party
Myanmar Muslim Business Entrepreneurs’ Association held Eid Festival Dinner Party yesterday at the Strand Hotel in Yangon. Firstly, Ambassador (Retd) Dr Hla Maung, the Patron of Myanmar Muslim Business Entrepreneurs’ Association, extended greetings.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Ministry allots Ks 184 billion for medicines and medical equipment this FY
In the current fiscal year, the Ministry of Health and Sports allowed Ks 120 billion for the purchase of medicines and Ks 64 billion for medical equipment at 1,144 public hospitals nationwide, said Dr. Myint Htwe, Union Minister for Health and Sports.
— Eleven Myanmar

5 reasons why Yangon in Myanmar is the new top destination for a summer getaway
With the country’s visa restrictions eased, more travellers can now enjoy Yangon’s luxury hospitality, rich heritage and Buddhist sites like Shwedagon Pagoda.
— South China Morning Post

Foreigners get the green-light for share trading at YSX
Myanmar Securities Exchange Supervisory Commission has started allowing foreigners and local and foreign companies to do the share trading at Yangon Stock Exchange, according to the commission’s statement.
— Eleven Myanmar

Kuwait – Ban on imports lifted from Hungary, Myanmar and Kenya
The assistant undersecretary for Consumer Protection Affairs in the Ministry of Commerce recently issued a decision lifting the ban on importing all types of meat – fresh, frozen and manufactured, along with meat products and derivatives from Hungary and Kenya as these countries are now clear of anthrax and valley fever; in addition to lifting the ban on importing all types of meat and sheep and their products from Myanmar because the anthrax outbreak there has ended as well, reports Al- Seyassah daily quoting sources.
— Menafn

In Myanmar’s conflict-torn Rakhine, fresh allegations of “war crimes”
MRAUK-U, Myanmar: When 35-year-old Ah Hla showed up to a police station in western Myanmar in late April hoping to see her husband among the prisoners, she didn’t know whether he was alive or dead.
— The peninsula qatar.

Myanmar’s $400m stock market to open to foreigners
Myanmar will allow direct foreign ownership of shares at the Yangon Stock Exchange (YSX), a move designed to throw a lifeline to the country’s only bourse.
— Myanmar Times

Tanintharyi calls for tender to supply Dawei with power
In a move to ensure that Tanintharyi Region’s capital Dawei continues to have electricity, the regional government has invited companies to bid for a new tender to supply electricity to the capital and surrounding area, known as Dawei district.
— Myanmar Times

Singapore Entrepreneur Reshaping Rice Farming In Myanmar With Hybrid Seeds
A city boy from Singapore helping rice farmers in Myanmar double their yield? Here’s how David Chen does it, with innovation and patience.
— Channel NewsAsia

UN envoy meets Myanmar interfaith leaders
High on the agenda of faith leaders were educational opportunities, combating poverty and protecting human rights of internally displaced people.
— Vatican News

Myanmar: Minor’s rape shakes national consciousness
Protests continued in at least three major cities of Myanmar, demanding justice for a three-year old girl, sexually assaulted in a private nursery school in the capital Nay Pyi Taw on May 16.
— AA

Vice President U Henry Van Thio inspects Biluchaung Hydropower Plant 2 in Kayah State
Vice President U Henry Van Thio visited the Biluchaung Hydropower Plant 2 in Kayah State yesterday, and inspected the operations of generators and turbines, the power transmission infrastructure, the control room, Switch Yard, and the waterfall at the plant.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Missing girl found dead after boat capsizing in central Myanmar
One missing school girl out of four has been found dead after a boat capsized in central Myanmar’s Magway region, local township police said on Sunday.
— Xinhua

Indo-Myanmar Friendship Tour flagged off
Imphal, July 13 2019: Indo-Myanmar Friendship Tour organized by the Patriotic Writers Forum (PAWF), Manipur and IPAK Tours & Travel kick start today around 6: 30 am .
— e-pao

Rohingya urge UN rights expert to intercede with Thai officials
The Rohingya community in Thailand on Saturday urged visiting United Nations human rights expert Yanghee Lee to help improve their lot, as thousands of them in Myanmar have no legal status while many are still under detention.
— Thai Visa

Minister links lower birth rate to more unmarried women
An increase of unmarried women is one of the causes of the country’s falling birth rate, according to U Thein Swe, minister of Labour, Immigration and Population.
— Myanmar Times

Union Minister inspects preparation for broadcasting Hluttaw meetings live
Union Minister for Information Dr. Pe Myint inspected the preparation for broadcasting Hluttaw meetings live through Hluttaw channels at the Pyidaungsu, Pyithu, and Amyotha Hluttaws yesterday. The Union Minister along with Deputy Minister U Aung Hla Tun and officials arrived at the broadcast control room at the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw at 2 p.m.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Informer forced into hiding after tip-off led to drug haul
Despite some public reporting on drug deals, there have not been many tip-offs about large transactions, President U Win Myint told a ceremony marking the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26.
— Myanmar Times

Pyithu Hluttaw committees meet with Asian Development Bank delegation
Pyithu Hluttaw Bill Committee Chairman U Khin Maung Win, Banking and Financial Development Committee head Daw Khin San Hlaing, and Judicial and Legal Affairs Committee Chairman U Tin Htwe received Asian Development Bank-ADB delegation yesterday at the Hluttaw Building (I-2) in Nay Pyi Taw.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Floods hit Kachin, Rakhine
Over 8,000 locals were evacuated to the safer places in Myikyina, Kachin State as the water level of Ayeyawady River exceeded its danger level, according to the government source.
— Eleven Myanmar

Surbung Airport in Falam sees over 50 percent complete
About 53 per cent of the Surbung Airport in Falam has been completed, according to the Aviation Department. The project was started in 2016, and out of 6,000 ft of runway, 4,000 ft have been constructed.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Cases of Illegal Migrants from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal Seeking Passports on Rise in Hyderabad: Authorities
The Regional Passport Office in Hyderabad is closely coordinating with central and state agencies to take immediate action against cases of illegal migrants from countries like Myanmar, Bangladesh and Nepal, who have settled in Hyderabad.
— News18

Two Loikaw children develop mild case of H1N1
Two people have contracted the H1N1 seasonal flu in Loikaw, according to the state’s Medical Services and Health Department. Speaking at the department meeting hall, Department Head Dr Htay Lwin explained of the discovery at Loikaw General Hospital.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar border force picks up 3 Bangladeshis
Three Bangladeshis, including a class-IV student, were picked up allegedly by Myanmar’s Border Guard Police (BGP) from the Naf river near Teknaf Upazila on Friday.
— The Daily Star

One rescued alive, four fear dead after jade mine collapse in Phakant
Four people are missing after a suspended jade mine collapsed near Ba La Kha Village in Phakant Towmship, Kachin State on Saturday, according to Phakant Township police force. One has been rescued alive, and a search for the missing – Tan Gun, 25, Tu Rain, 28, Tan Gun, 24, and Sangan Tan Gun, 32.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

The angel investor’s cheat sheet to successful portfolio building
Before you evaluate and assess startups for your potential portfolio, keep these in mind Through my personal experience in AngelCentral over the past couple of months, I observed that the amount of interest in angel investing has been increasing steadily.
— e27

National Day of France celebrated in Yangon
A celebration to mark the National Day of France or Bastille Day was held at the Novotel Yangon Max in Yangon yesterday, with Union Minister for Hotels and Tourism U Ohn Maung and wife in attendance. The event began with the national anthems of Myanmar and France.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Over 500 residents evacuated due to flooding in Katha
The breach danger mark of Ayeyawady river in Katha township, Saging Region is 1,040 cm. As it surpassed its breach danger mark and rose to 1,044cm yesterday evening, people from the local blocks and villages in low lying areas were evacuated.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Over ten villages including Sinbawgaing refugee camp submerged by floods
More than ten villages including Sinbawgaing refugee camp have been submerged by flood water from Laymyo River in which water level is above its danger level, said locals.
— Eleven Myanmar

Feature photo Holidify

This week’s Myanmar morning news feature photo focuses on Asalha Puja, July 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.