Myanmar morning news for June 11

Few foreign fuel investments, but more Yangon Petrol stations planned: Chief Minister
The Yangon Region Government will increase efforts to allow more Yangon Petrol Co (YP) fuel stations to open in response to high demand, regional government officials said at its annual press conference last week.
— Myanmar Times

Better implementation of the law needed to draw foreign investors
Lack of coordination between the Union and regional governments on development policies, red tape and weak implementation of new laws has hampered the flow of foreign direct investments (FDI) into Myanmar, said U Aung Naing Oo, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar Soldiers Surround Monastery in Rakhine, Demanding Entry to Search for Rebel Troops
Myanmar government soldiers on Monday surrounded a Buddhist monastery in Rakhine state, demanding entry to search for members of ethnic armies they say are hiding among the thousands of displaced civilians sheltering there, sources say.
— Radio Free Asia

Accelerating climate change calls for better disaster preparedness
Myanmar is once again entering monsoon season and while the majority of the country is having its share of pouring rain and blowing winds, the nation’s dry zone has still not seen a drop.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Going global: Yangon’s tricky transformation
During the final years of its five-decade rule, Myanmar’s military junta moved the nation’s capital some 400 kilometers north, from the historical hub of Yangon to the newly established Naypyidaw — a purpose-built political epicenter in the mold of Brasília, Canberra, Islamabad and Washington DC.
— Arab News

Thai trafficker and 21 undocumented Myanmar migrants arrested in Songkhla
A Thai man was arrested on Monday for allegedly trying to smuggle 21 undocumented Myanmar migrants from Thailand’s south into Malaysia.
— The Nation

‘Influencer’ Dear Alyne goes 60 seconds on Yangon’s world of umbrella snogging (VIDEO)
Rain or shine, umbrellas are a fixture on the streets of Yangon. They have at least two uses we’re well-acquainted with: 1) downpour preparedness, and 2) sun avoidance.
— Coconuts

KBZ Group, PTT partner to develop oil terminal
The Kanbawza Group (KBZ) and Thai state-owned PTT Public Company (PTT) will enter into a joint-venture agreement through their subsidiaries for oil-terminal development and retail business expansion, the companies’ said in a press release.
— Myanmar times

No takers for gem-trading licences
No one has applied for licences to trade raw and finished gems at Mandalay’s Kyauk Wine gem market, where thousands of people trade daily, said U Maung Maung Shein, deputy general manager of Myanmar Gems Enterprise (Mandalay).
— Myanmar times

All fuel vessels, trailers and bowsers get GPS devices installed
Ministry of Electricity and Energy plans to install the GPS devices at all fuel vessels, trailers and bowsers across the country.
— Eleven Myanmar

Paletwa Township in urgent need of teachers
A total of 118 schools in Paletwa Township, Chin State have been closed as there is no teachers. The township is in urgent need of more than 300 teachers, said Chin State Minister Soe Htet, the spokesperson of the Chin State government.
— Eleven Myanmar

ASEAN’s clean chit to Myanmar
A leaked report prepared by the regional body’s Emergency Response and Assessment Team (ASEAN-ERAT) on the Rohingya issue exposes a preposterous attempt to hide the facts about the brutality committed by the Myanmar army in Rakhine.
— The Daily Star

Demonstration calls for action against two MPs in Palaw
Local people staged a demonstration against MP Ohn Khin from House of Representatives and MP Kin Shein from House of Nationalities on June 9 over not transparently spending development funds allotted by parliament for Palaw, Myeik District.
— Mizzima

Myanmar Doesn’t Want to Repatriate Rohingya, Bangladeshi PM Says
Refugees in Cox’s Bazar criticize UN, ASEAN for not including them in discussions on return process.
— Irrawaddy

Meeting clears way for Wa to attend peace conference
A meeting between the Peace Commission and the United Wa State Party (UWSP) in Kunming will pave the way for the Wa to participate in the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar seizes heroin, stimulants in northernmost state
Myanmar authorities have seized heroin and stimulants worth of a total of 130 million kyats (86,600 U.S. dollars) in Kachin state, according to the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Monday.
— Xinhua

Myanmar workers’ rights still being violated in Mae Sot
Labour rights in Mae Sot, Thailand where more than 250,000 Myanmar nationals work in, are still being violated.
— Eleven Myanmar

Myanmar Competition Commission promises to level playing field for businesses
The Myanmar Competition Commission will work with businesspersons to remove hindrances to fair competition, said Union Minister for Commerce Dr. Than Myint, urging businesses to abide by the Competition Law. The Union Minister, in his capacity as the chairman of the commission, made the remarks.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Zone for agriculture, manufacturing to be built in Thabeikkyin
A special zone will be built in Mandalay Region’s Thabeikkyin township to produce value-added products from agricultural goods and livestock, according to Pentagon Group (Myanmar) Co Ltd.
— Myanmar Times

Union Minister for NREC receives World Bank Myanmar ENR Manager
Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (NREC) U Ohn Win received the World Bank Myanmar Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) Manager Mr. Christophe Crepin and party at the ministry in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Two Myanmar participants selected for Open Doors Lab of Locarno Film Festival
A director and a producer from Myanmar have been selected as participants of Open Doors Lab organized by the Locarno Film Festival.
— Eleven Myanmar

Yangon to conduct six-day traffic safety campaign
Yangon Region will conduct a traffic safety campaign for six days beginning June 10, according to a press conference held at Orchid Hotel in Yangon on June 8.
— Eleven Myanmar

New Evidence Uncovers War Crimes Committed By Myanmar Military
Military operations in the Rakhine State of Myanmar, have been declared as war crimes after recent investigations.
— The OWP

German store Metro eyes expansion in Myanmar
THOUGH some multinational companies are still hesitant about investing in Myanmar, Germany’s Metro AG’s bold entry into the market has yielded satisfactory returns, said Jens Michel, chief executive of Metro Wholesale Myanmar.
— The Nation

Life Restored to a Heritage Landmark in Yangon
The Tourist Burma Building, sitting on a prominent downtown crossroad, has emerged from decades of abandonment as a heritage treasure–and the public are invited inside.
— Irrawaddy

Myanmar star honored at Asia Model Awards
Korea Times President and Publisher Lee Byeong-eon, left, presents the Asia Special Award to Myanmar’s top actress Wutt Hmone Shweyi during the 2019 Asia Model Awards ceremony at Olympic Park hall in southern Seoul, Sunday.
— Korea Times

Some Big Tech Firms Cut Employees’ Access to Huawei, Muddying 5G Rollout
Three major companies, a chipmaker, a mobile research firm and a cell carrier, have restricted employees from informal conversations with Huawei.
— Irrawaddy

Union Minister U Kyaw Tint Swe attends 23rd St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, meets Russian FM
H.E. U Kyaw Tint Swe, Union Minister for the Office of the State Counsellor, accompanied by H.E. U Set Aung, Deputy Minister for Planning, participated in the 23rd St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, St. Petersburg, Russia, from 6-8 June 2019.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Military Violated NCA by Asking Thailand to Block Meeting of EAOs, Critics Say
KNU chief says aim of Chiang Mai meeting of PPCM was to move peace process forward; Tatmadaw says Bangkok attaché, not commander-in-chief, asked Thai army to intervene.
— Irrawaddy

Union Minister, MRF hold meeting on stabilizing paddy price
Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Dr. Aung Thu, Deputy Minister U Hla Kyaw, Permanent Secretaries, directors general, Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) Chairman and members, private business owners and officials from public companies attended a meeting held in the meeting hall.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Bangladesh PM attacks Myanmar over Rohingya deadlock
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has slammed Myanmar for delays in the repatriation of Rohingya refugees who fled violence in the neighbouring country.
— Channel NewsAsia

Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services receives Ambassador of India
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing received Ambassador of India Mr. Saurabh Kumar at the Bayintnaung guest house in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Yangon Nationalists March in Support of U Wirathu, Against ‘Oppression of Buddhism’
Several hundred Buddhists and monks marched from the Shwedagon to Sule Pagoda, complaining of government oppression and praying for the safety of fugitive monk U Wirathu.
— Irrawaddy

Myanmar, Hungary meeting draws ire of global media
The international media has reacted to a joint statement by Myanmar and Hungary about Muslims in the Southeast Asia and Europe.
— AA

20 Fugitives, Including Judges, Administrators, Wanted on Suspicion of Corruption
Among the Myanmar Police Force’s list, announced on Sunday, 11 suspects have been on the run since 2017 or early 2018.
— Irrawaddy

Why Bangladesh is the next frontier for tech investment
As Bangladesh’s economy opens up, the talent that has left to work overseas are returning. And they are bringing in training, education and different business models that they are exposed to Investors looking for the next rising star in Asia can look to Bangladesh, a market that isn’t quite on.
— e27

UEC Chairman receives USIP Bio Data of Election Security Assessment Team Leader
Union Election Commission (UEC) Chairman U Hla Thein received United States Institute of Peace (USIP) Bio Data of Election Security Assessment Team Leader Ms. Lyndal Barry and party at UEC Office in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Aung San Suu Kyi Announces Plan to Contest in 2020 Election
As the Constitution forbids state leaders from participating in a ruling party’s campaign activities, both Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint are barred from electioneering.
— Irrawaddy

Kepco in Myanmar CDM deal
Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) has signed a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) contract with Worldview International Foundation (WIF) that will see Kepco perform mangrove afforestation in Myanmar.
— The upstream online

Chinese demand pushes up price of fresh chilies
Fresh chilies are commanding a high price in the Bayintnaung market on the back of good demand from China, according to U Hla Han from the Seinpanlan chili commodity depot. The wholesale prices of fresh chilies is currently ranging between K4,700 and K9,000 per viss (1.6kg),
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Inle Lake Hotel Proposal Denied
A controversial proposal by the son of former dictator Than Shwe to build a hotel on 45 acres of what was once a wildlife sanctuary has been rejected.
— Irrawaddy

Ethnic chieftains’ attires displayed in Myanmar
Rare Myanmar ethnic attires, worn by Shan chieftains over a century ago, are being displayed in Yangon, aimed at enhancing the spirit of an ethnic race to cherish its culture and traditions.
— Xinhua

Nationalist Who Lead Closure of Ramadan Prayer Sites Arrested
Michael Kyaw Myint had been in hiding since police issued a warrant for his arrest on May 16.
— Irrawaddy

Myanmar Women Leaders Program 2019 by Audi
Myanmar Women Leaders Program 2019 in collaboration with Myanmore and Drive completed a test drive in Germany hosted by Audi this weekend.
— Myanmore

Feature photo Venngage

This week’s morning news photo features World Day Against Child Labour, June 12.

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.