Myanmar morning news for September 18

China’s gains in Myanmar divert US attention from human rights
It was China that supported Myanmar once it had been under Western sanctions for roughly twenty years. China helped build power stations and roads across the country and invested in the development of natural resources.
— Industryherald24

Myanmar’s ethnic state leader stresses role of news media
An ethnic state leader of Myanmar has stressed the role of news media and disseminating true news in accordance with media ethics, calling for media contribution as it is the fourth pillar for the emergence of a democratic federal union.
— Xinhua

Japanese firm replaces Chinese as financial partner in railway project
Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation will act as financial partner for the Yangon Central Railway Station Development Project, replacing China’s Sino Great Wall as part of a consortium selected to implement the project, according to U Ba Myint, Managing Director of Myanma Railways.
— Myanmar Times

Resort owner leading the way to a plastic-free future in Myanmar
In 1995, Oliver Esser Soe Thet came to Myanmar. Although he initially dreamed of going back to Thailand, where he had spent a couple of years as a chef at fine-dining establishments in Bangkok, he felt in his heart that Myanmar was the place to be.
— Myanmar Times

China, Myanmar resume joint border inspections
China and Myanmar have agreed to resume joint inspections of their common border for the first time in 24 years, a senior Myanmar official said.
— Myanmar Times

As fishing ban ends, authorities urged to tackle illegal boats
A precipitous decline in fishery resources prompted a three-month ban on all offshore fishing in Myanmar waters, but members of industry and civil society groups say more needs to be done to combat rampant illegal fishing.
— Frontier Myanmar

Myanmar to collaborate with Hong Kong on BRI projects
Myanmar is set to cooperate with Hong Kong in addition to other countries along China’s Belt and Road Initiative, announced Minister of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations U Thaung Tun during the Fourth Belt and Road Summit 2019 in Hong Kong on September 11 and 12.
— Myanmar Times

Pyithu Hluttaw Advisory Team leader receives Facebook Myanmar delegation
The Leader of the Advisory Team to Promote Legislative Capacity-Building of Pyithu Hluttaw, Daw Su Su Lwin, received the delegation of Facebook Myanmar Team led by Mr KhoeReh at Hluttaw Building in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar, EU hold dialogue on Sustainable Development Goals
The EU-Myanmar Sustainable Development Goals Dialogue was held at the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Key legal issues for project finance transactions in Myanmar
This article highlights some of the key legal issues surrounding project finance transactions in Myanmar, including government approvals, financing registration and governing law.
— Lexology

Japanese Firm Joins Consortium for Yangon Station Redevelopment
Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation is replacing an ailing Chinese firm in the giant Yangon Central Railway Station redevelopment.
— Irrawaddy

Myanmar PE&VC Association launches with funding from UK-based CDC
In a bid to boost investment activity in the frontier market, the Myanmar Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (MPE&VCA) has been formed by some of the most active players in the region.
— DealStreetAsia

Govt blocks Myanmar visit and awards by Romanian
The government has rejected two awards offered by Romanian author Anton Caragea to Vice President Henry Van Thio.
— Myanmar Times

Committee formed to address illegal Chinese nationals’ issue
Political parties, civil society organizations, and residents of Myawaddy have decided to form a committee to register and monitor Chinese nationals living illegally in the city amid an increase of criminal activities involving them, RFA reported.
— Mizzima

Japanese company launches first phase of cold-storage facility in Yangon
Japanese company Fukuda & Partners Co Ltd (F&P) has launched what it says is the first logistics facility with refrigerated and cold storage facilities in Yangon City.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar to host 1st int’l rubber conference this month
Myanmar will host the International Rubber Conference-2019 in Nay Pyi Taw for the first time at the end of this month, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Tuesday.
— Xinhua

Celebrating a voice for ordinary Myanmar folk
Being the four-time National Literary Award Winner and the author of more than twenty books, writer Moe Moe (Innya) has left deep impressions on a generation of literature lovers.
— Myanmar Times

UN watchdog: Myanmar guilty of killings, gang rapes, torture, and displacement against Rohingya minority ethnic group
A United Nations mission established to document possible genocide in Myanmar has determined the country should be held responsible for crimes against the predominantly Muslim Rohingya minority.
— Washington Examiner

A day in the life of a bamboo shoot harvester in Myanmar
Bamboo shoots are a popular dish in Myanmar. The shoots appear with the monsoon rains and are in season throughout the rainy season from early June to late September as the rainfall sees them sprout in abundance.
— Global Voices

China optimistic in solving problems in Rakhine state
Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Li Jiming said in a statement that China is optimistic about resolving the underlying root causes of the problem involving the ethnic muslim minority Rohingya population in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.
— Dhaka Tribune

The Dual Fronts of Myanmar’s Authoritarianism
In the early 21st century, we see that a good part of the world is turning its back on diversity, and this goes beyond Southeast Asia. We see this in Europe, in India, and in the Americas.
— The News Lens

Building applications go online
The Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) is introducing an online building permit system on a trial basis in the Yangon Region. The system, which is designed to make applications more convenient, is estimated to half waiting times for approvals, Mayor U Maung Maung Soe said in a press conference held in August.
— Myanmar Times

Foreign investment issues for project companies in Myanmar
This article highlights some of the primary foreign investment considerations for project companies operating in Myanmar, including key restrictions, fees and taxes, bilateral investment treaties and nationalisation laws.
— Lexology

Myanmar, China to Re-Demarcate Border Next Year, Minister Says
Aerial photography of boundary to begin in January; govt says demarcation must be complete before work can begin on economic cooperation zones in Shan, Kachin states.
— Irrawaddy

Myanmar Military Proposes Charter Change to Ban Ministers with Foreign Spouses, Children
Critics say draft bill seeks to keep Daw Aung San Suu Kyi out of govt if NLD wins another term in next year’s election; proposal covers Union ministers, chief ministers.
— Irrawaddy

NRPC holds peace dialogue with ethnic armed groups in Kengtung
The government’s National Reconciliation and Peace Centre (NRPC) and representatives of the four groups KIO (Kachin Independence Organization), MNTJP (Myanmar National Truth and Justice Party), PSLF (Palaung State Liberation Front) and ULA (United League of Arakan) met at the Amazing Kengtung Resort in Kengtung (Shan State) yesterday morning to discuss .
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Some 65,000 displaced in Myanmar’s Rakhine, Chin states since January: UN expert
Tens of thousands of people have been displaced across Myanmar’s Rakhine and Chin states this year, as the military battles the Arakan Army, a UN rights expert said Monday.
— Frontier Myanmar

YCDC launches stray-dog clearance operations in four townships
The Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) is conducting stray dog clearance operations in four townships as a pilot project once a week, said U Min Aung from the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department.
— Myanmar Times

Government negotiators, Northern Alliance begin talks in Kyaingtong
Representatives of the government and the Northern Alliance of four ethnic armed groups met in Kyaingtong on Tuesday in a bid to find sustainable peace, especially in Shan State, which seen renewed fighting in recent days.
— Myanmar Times

More than 7800 jade lots, 480 gem lots on display at Nay Pyi Taw Gem Emporium
More than 7,800 jade lots and 480 gem lots will be sold through the open tender system, at the Mid-year Myanmar Gems Emporium at Maniyadana Jade Hall in Nay Pyi Taw from September 16 to 25, said Min Thu, Chair of Jade Committee and General Manager of Myanma Gems Enterprises.
— Eleven Myanmar

Union Minister U Thein Swe attends 3rd labour ministerial conference in Cambodia
Union Minister for Labour, Immigration and Population U Thein Swe attended the 3rd Labour Ministerial Conference on labour cooperation among the five CLMTV countries, which was held in Siem Reap, Cambodia, yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Ministry orders halt to sale of ivory souvenirs
The Ministry of Environment has issued a total of 59 notices to souvenir vendors in the capital and Siem Reap and Preah Sihanouk provinces instructing them to halt the selling of sculptures made of elephant ivory or rhinoceros horns and all forms of trade involving wild animals.
— Eleven Myanmar

President rallies people to protect budding democracy
President U Win Myint has urged the public to protect and nurture Myanmar’s budding democracy, which is slowly taking root after decades of authoritarian rule.
— Myanmar Times

E&E Minister receives US Ambassador
Union Minister for Electricity and Energy U Win Khaing received Ambassador of the United States to Myanmar Mr Scot Marciel at the ministry in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar Organic Poultry Farm Boss Named UN Sustainability Pioneer
A Yangon-based poultry farmer has been picked out by the United Nations as one of 10 entrepreneurs offering a model for sustainable development.
— Irrawaddy

Sandalwood plants grown near Shwedagon Pagoda to mark Mahatama Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary
Sandalwood plants were grown near Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatama Gandhi, nonviolent resistance leader of India.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

UEC Chairman receives US, EU, Canadian Ambassadors
Union Election Commission Chairman U Hla Thein received Mr Scot Marciel, the Ambassador of the United States of America to Myanmar, Mr Kristian Schmidt, the EU Ambassador to Myanmar, and Ms Karen MacAuthur, the Canadian Ambassador to Myanmar, at his office in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Constitution amendment bill sent to Pyidaungsu Hluttaw for second time
At the 24th meeting of the Second Pyidaungsu Hluttaw’s 13th regular session yesterday, the Speaker informed the Hluttaw about the receipt of the bill to amend the Constitution for the second time and the formation of a joint committee to study the bill.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

In New Charm Offensive, Myanmar’s Military Chief Shows Political Skills
Is Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing’s display of religious tolerance pre-election maneuvering, or should the military’s calls for national unity be cause for optimism?
— Irrawaddy

Pickup truck u-turn leaves Myanmar mother dead, partner and son in ICU
A Thai man has been charged with reckless driving causing death after he made u-turn in his pickup truck on Chao Fa West Rd last night (Sept 15), leaving a Myanmar man on his motorbike with his partner and child unable to avoid slamming into the side of the pickup.
— Thai Visa

Arsa: Myanmar’s new propaganda front to delay Rohingya repatriation
Myanmar claims Arsa is stopping Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar from returning home; Bangladesh says Arsa doesn’t exist in Rohingya refugee camps.
— Dhaka Tribune

Myanmar’s Karen Activists Challenge ‘Martyr’ Protest Charges
Three Karen activists say they will fight illegal gathering charges after unregistered Karen Martyrs’ Day commemoration in Yangon.
— Irrawaddy

Presence of Myanmar Military Officials Raises Hopes of Progress at Peace Talks
The Northern Alliance members meeting with government peace negotiators in Kengtung had requested that officials with military decision-making authority attend the talks.
— Irrawaddy

UN experts urge probe of Rohingya killings in Bangladesh
UN human rights experts have raised new concerns about the treatment of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh following a deadly backlash over the killing of a ruling party official.
— CNA

Wild Elephants Destroy Crops, Home in Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Region
A herd of wild elephants trampled crops and homes in Ngapudaw Township, Irrawaddy Region Monday. Experts say incidents like this are linked to declining elephant habitats.
— Irrawaddy

Feature photo Zaw

This week’s Myanmar morning news feature photo focus on regional parliament houses.

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).

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About Myanmar morning news.

Myanmar morning news roundup is the most comprehensive hand-curated selection of Myanmar English language news headlines published. Each weekday we scour hundreds of local and international news sites and websites to find the freshest Myanmar English language news today.

We filter our the dull, the boring, the repetitive, and the click-bait and package all of the Myanmar daily news that you need to know to start your day into an easy to read, time saving format of Myanmar news headlines and first paragraphs before 7.00am Naypyitaw time.

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