Myanmar morning news for February 14, 2020

Myanmar exports only US$0.5 M worth of products to China after covid-19
Myanmar imported about US$20 worth of products to China daily previously before the outbreak of covid-19 and only about 0.5 million worth of products can be exported to China now, said Aung Htoo, Deputy Minister for Commerce.
— Eleven Myanmar

Myanmar: Lift internet restrictions in Rakhine and Chin States
We, the 29 undersigned organizations, call on the Government of Myanmar to immediately lift restrictions on mobile internet communications in eight townships in Rakhine State and one township in Chin State.
— Reliefweb

Individuals’ border trade hits 12 mln USD in 4 months in Myanmar
Myanmar’s total border trade using Individual Trading Cards (ITC) exceeded 18 billion kyats (12 million U.S. dollars) in first four months of current fiscal year (FY) 2019-2020 which started in October, according to figures released by the Ministry of Commerce on Thursday.
— Xinhua

Myanmar takes steps to improve trade strategies
Myanmar will take measures to ensure that overseas demand for locally made goods remains elevated even as cheaper imports from the region are expected to rise now that the country will participate further in the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA).
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar to increase renewable energy sources
Myanmar is trying to increase the content of renewable energy sources by tapping all available energy sources to generate electricity, said Union Minister for Electricity and Energy Win Khaing.
— The Star Online

Number of Civilian Casualties Grows in Armed Conflict in Myanmar’s Northern Rakhine
At least seven civilians, including four Rohingya Muslims, died and 30 residents were injured in the past 11 days in Myanmar’s northern Rakhine state, a local aid worker said Wednesday, as the number of noncombatant deaths grows amid fighting between government forces and the rebel Arakan Army.
— Radio free Asia

Myanmar tourism increases a massive 40% in 2019
Myanmar has ranked highest among the world’s 20 quickest-growing travel destinations over the past 12 months. The report from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation. Vietnam and The Philippines are also regional winners over the past year that made it into the top 10 best performing emerging travel destinations.
— The Thaiger

Mandalay city cracks down on illegal billboards
The Mandalay City Development Committee (MCDC) has launched a crackdown on billboard violations, a senior official said.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar Labor Activists Fined for Factory Protest
Yangon labor activists say they have lost trust in government – with the November election looming – after they were prosecuted for asking the authorities for help.
— Irrawaddy

Myanmar watermelon, muskmelon fair to be held at Myaypadaytha Kyun
By Nyein Nyein A five-day Myanmar Watermelon and Muskmelon Fair will take place between 27 February and 2 March at the Myaypadaytha Kyun in Yangon, according to the Myanmar Fruit, Flower and Vegetable Producers and Exporters Association (MFVP).
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Facebook Removes More Than 20 Accounts, Pages Linked to Myanmar Military-Backed Mytel
Facebook has removed a total of 23 accounts and pages linked to military-backed telecom operator Mytel for ‘coordinated inauthentic behavior’
— Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s Justice System Is Failing Survivors of Sexual Violence
Myanmar’s judiciary is driven by stakeholders more interested in protecting perpetrators than victims.
— The Diplomat

Myanmar Garment Manufacturers, Workers Square Off in Minimum Wage Negotiations
Garment manufacturers in Myanmar have completed a factory survey that they say will help decide on a new national minimum wage for workers. The results will be dispatched to the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA), which will review and tabulate results over the next month.
— Sourcing Journal

Tax break for lucrative mine may cost Myanmar $163m while companies reap huge profits
Myanmar is set to lose out on hundreds of billions of kyat to an Australian-led mining consortium under a tax relief scheme – even though the project in Shan State is expected to be hugely profitable.
— Myanmar-now

Burmese anger grows over pornographic video shot at Buddhist site
Outrage is growing in Myanmar after the emergence of a 12-minute pornographic video shot in Bagan, the country’s best-known tourist spot and Unesco heritage site featuring thousands of revered Buddhist pagodas.
— The Guardian

Myanmar needs to develop traditional sculpture business: veteran sculptor
To produce high-quality sculptures, Myanmar needs to boost traditional sculpture businesses, produce skilled sculptors, and make it easier to apply for a business license and buy better raw materials, such as hardwood, said a veteran sculptor.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Chinese State Firm, HK’s VPower to Implement Three Electricity Projects in Myanmar
A joint venture between a Chinese state-owned company and Hong Kong’s VPower will invest in three power projects in Myanmar with total capacity of 900 megawatts.
— Irrawaddy

MoHS holds its daily meeting for preventing COVID-19
Permanent Secretary Dr Thet Khaing Win of the Ministry of Health and Sports stressed the need for public cooperation in the ‘Isolation’ and ‘Quarantine’ process under way in Myanmar to prevent the spread of respiratory coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at the daily meeting held at the ministry yesterday morning.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

At least 19 children hurt by shelling at school in Myanmar’s Rakhine state
YANGON: At least 19 children were wounded when a primary school was hit by shelling in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, a lawmaker and a military spokesman said on Thursday (Feb 13).
— CNA

Wuhan Man, a Fugitive in Myanmar, Turns Himself in to Chinese Police
Myanmar police told VOA Burmese that one of four Wuhan men believed to have crossed the border into the Muse District has turned himself in to Chinese police.
— VOA

Suu Kyi stirs ethnic pot ahead of Myanmar elections
In Taunggyi, the capital of Myanmar’s ethnically diverse Shan State, students, nurses and marching bands lined the streets to welcome State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on her way to to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of Union Day on February 12.
— Asia Times

New corporate governance notification set to take effect October
The Advisory Committee for Corporate Governance Reform in Myanmar has announced its endorsement of a new corporate governance notification.
— Myanmar Times

Agency to issue daily rating of Yangon air
Yangon’s air quality is still within safe limits despite the growing number of vehicles in the city, according to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, which began issuing daily updates on the city’s air pollution on Tuesday.
— Myanmar Times

Average worker spends over K7000 daily: Yangon govt
Workers in Myanmar’s economic capital spend over K7000 (US$4.83) a day, according to a survey by Yangon Region’s Minimum Wage Committee.
— Myanmar Times

Villagers flee fighting in Rakhine State
Fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and Tatmadaw (military) has forced thousands of villagers to flee their homes in four townships in Rakhine and Chin states over the past 11 days, a civil society group said on Monday.
— Myanmar Times

President U Win Myint attends Bogyoke Aung San Statue unveiling ceremony
President U Win Myint attended and spoke on the occasion to unveil the Bogyoke Aung San Statue at the Thabyaygon Roundabout in Nay Pyi Taw at 8 am yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Facebook stops schemers in Russia, Iran, Vietnam & Myanmar
Facebook on February 12 removed three unconnected networks of accounts, pages, and groups “engaging in foreign or government interference,” originating with alleged ties to intelligence services in Russia, Iran, plus Vietnam and Myanmar.
— NJ Today

Myanmar president stresses on need for unity
Myanmar President U Win Myint on Wednesday stressed the importance for all nationals to preserve independence with the united efforts of all nationals.
— Khmer Times

French investors take interest to invest in Myanmar
French investors are interested in investing in the retail and wholesale sector, finance sector, loan sector and banking sector and cold-storage facilities sector, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
— Eleven Myanmar

Myanmar applies for listing of Mrauk-U as World Heritage Site
Myanmar has applied for UNESCO to recognise Mrauk-U in Rakhine State as a World Heritage Site despite continuing clashes between the Tatmadaw (military) and Arakan Army (AA).
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar heightens health screenings on Chinese research vessel
A Chinese research vessel which has arrived at Thilawa Port in Yangon Region for cooperation between Myanmar and China in marine science research needed special health monitoring, said Professor Dr Thet Khaing Win, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health and Sports.
— The Star Online

State Counsellor meets with Shan State officials, celebrates birthday of Bogyoke Aung San with children
The 105th birthday of Bogyoke Aung San was celebrated with a breakfast feast for the children at the city hall of Taunggyi in southern Shan State, yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Drugs seized in Mandalay
Myanmar authorities seized a large haul of narcotic drugs including 22 kilograms of heroin and 549,000 stimulant tablets in Mandalay region, according to a Xinhua report.
— Mizzima

Pyidaungsu Hluttaw debates Union Auditor-General report, national tax revenue
During the eighth-day meeting of the Second Pyidaungsu Hluttaw’s 15th regular session yesterday, MPs debated a second report (1/2020) from the Joint Public Accounts Committee on the 6-month report from the Union Auditor-General (UAG) Office for April to September 2018.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Businesses lament bank rules on transfers
The practice by local banks of only allowing foreign exchange transfers after showing bills of lading is an obstacle for businesses in making trade transactions, say some business owners.
— Myanmar Times

Competitions commemorate Myanmar Children’s Day (Bogyoke’s Birthday)
A commemorative ceremony to unveil the Bogyoke Statue, to hold the essays writing, drawings, poems, songs, impromptu talks and Bogyoke’s Speeches contests, and to give prizes was convened on Myanmar Children’s Day (Bogyoke’s Birthday) yesterday at the Myanmar International Convention Centre II in Nay Pyi Taw.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Good life in a ‘magical’ project
Many newly-weds might be interested in a high-end condominium at a fair price, giving them plenty of money to enjoy the occasional romantic weekend away but enough money to save for a future together.
— Myanmar Times

The House That Shaped Myanmar’s History
The Aung San Museum in Yangon is where the independence leader wrote his speeches and prepared the Panglong Agreement. Decisions made there continue to shape Myanmar.
— Irrawaddy

Myanmar Military Chief Expected to Appoint Loyalists as Reshuffle Looms
The recent appointment of an officer seen as loyal to Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing as Home Affairs chief is expected to be followed by a shake-up of the Tatmadaw’s top brass.
— Irrawaddy

New pre-primary school building opened in Amyotha Hluttaw Housing compound
The Department of Social Welfare under the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement opened a new building for the pre-primary school in the Amyotha Hluttaw housing complex in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Free entrance for locals at museum on Bogyoke Aung San’s birthday
The Bogyoke Aung San Museum in Yangon will not charge local citizens entrance fees on Thursday as part of the celebration of the independence hero’s birthday, museum officials said.
— Myanmar Times

Elephant Museum to open at Wingabaw camp in March
A museum dedicated to pachyderms will open in March at the Wingabaw Elephant Conservation Camp in Bago Township. Officials expect more tourists to visit the camp this year once the museum is inaugurated.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Bangladesh Police Arrest Eight in Trafficking Crackdown After Boat Tragedy
Bangladesh police have arrested eight suspected traffickers in Cox’s Bazar over Tuesday’s boat sinking in the Bay of Bengal that killed 15 Rohingya women and children.
— Irrawaddy

Feature photo Nor Khay

This week’s Myanmar morning news feature photo focus on the signing of the Panglong Agreement, February 12, 1947.

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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