Myanmar morning news for February 17, 2020

Myanmar Government, NGOs Try to Help Wary Workers Stranded in China’s Wuhan
Thousands of undocumented migrant workers from Myanmar are stuck in and around the Chinese city of Wuhan, under lockdown for weeks because of the highly contagious coronavirus, with travel in and out of the area temporarily halted, according to diplomats and Myanmar labor rights groups.
— Radio Free Asia

Imports up $1 bln as of 7 Feb, MOC reports
The value of Myanmar’s imports between 1 October and 7 February in the 2019-2020 financial year stood at US$7.44 billion, an increase of $1.05 billion from $6.39 billion recorded in the year-ago period, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar approves 12 local and foreign investment enterprises
Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) recently approved 12 investment enterprises from home and abroad, said a release from the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA) late Friday.
— Xinhua

Myanmar to donate 200 tons of rice to coronavirus-hit China
Union Minister for International Cooperation Kyaw Htin met Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai on February 14 in Nay Pyi Taw and discussed Myanmar’s donation of 200 tons of rice to coronavirus-hit China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.
— Eleven Myanmar

Total border trade value exceeds $ 3.9 bln
The total border trade value through 7 February of this fiscal year (FY) exceeded US$3.9 billion, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Over 20 NGOs call to lift internet restriction in Rakhine and Chin States
Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and 27 other non-government organisations have called upon the Government of Myanmar to lift the restrictions on the internet in eight townships in Rakhine State and one in Chin State.
— Tamil Guardian

Myanmar, ASEAN countries to suffer negative economic fallout from the coronavirus
The ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO), a regional macroeconomic surveillance organization has forecasted the economic cost of 2019 Novel Corona Virus (now called COVID-19) will see China’s GDP drop by 0.5 per cent and ASEAN by 0.2 per cent during the current year.
— Mizzima

Myanmar Says it Will Compensate Those Who Lose Land to Chinese Project in Kyaukphyu
The Myanmar government will compensate local residents for more than 1,800 acres they had to forfeit for the building of the China-backed Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone in western Rakhine state, a Myanmar government official said Friday, yielding to demands for money as payment for their losses.
— Radio Free Asia

Myanmar bamboo association: Need to cut red tape to boost exports of value-added furniture
By Nyein Nyein To increase exports of value-added furniture produced from bamboo and rattan in Myanmar, excessive regulations need to be cut down, said U Nay Tun Min, chair of the Myanmar Rattan and Bamboo Entrepreneurs Association.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Despite Xi’s deal-making with Yangon, the CMEC’s risks remain unmitigated
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Myanmar in January this year resulted in the signing of multibillion-dollar infrastructure deals, including the revival of the strategically important port of Kyaukphyu in the Indian Ocean.
— BNI Online

Survey shows inequality a serious problem in Myanmar
Inequality across different sections of people in terms of their wealth and incomes, and their initial resource endowments like education, nutrition, health, and even their collective political power are becoming central to the development policy discourse in recent years.
— Mizzima

Private mini-cruise ships operated in Phekhon Lake, Shan State
A private company operates two mini cruise ships in Pekhon Lake in southern Shan State close to the border of Kayah State. The launch of business by the Lake Pekhon Houseboats Co.,Ltd was attended by Speaker of Kayah State Hluttaw U Hla Htway, Shan State Minister for Kayan Ethnic Affairs U Khun Aye Maung. The …
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Opposition from Thai growers delaying Myanmar-Thailand corn purchase MoU: ministry
Myanmar and Thailand have not yet signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a year-long purchase of corn as growers from Thailand are opposing such an
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Nagaland seals borders with Myanmar
An order prohibiting the movement of people crossing the international border between India and Myanmar has been issued on Saturday, by Mon Deputy Commissioner Thavaseelan K.
— Morung Express

Yangon garment workers demonstrate over handling of dispute
Over 100 workers from Zheng Zhang Popular garment factory from Yangon Region, Hlinetharyar Township, No. 2 industrial zone staged a demonstration Friday in front of Hlinetharyar Township Department of Labour Relations office and called on the government to settle labour rights issues and grievances suffered by the workers.
— Mizzima

TB transmission in Myanmar declines by 4.8 pc annually
Despite around one-per-cent decline in the global TB transmission every year, TB transmission in Myanmar is declining by 4.8 per cent every year, according to the Ministry of Health and Sports.
— Eleven Myanmar

How authorities are navigating language barriers during bushfire, coronavirus emergencies
In an Australian summer of devastation and escalating health emergencies, public warning systems have been vital. But knowing what to do, or where to turn for help, can prove more difficult for some than others.
— SBS

Myanmar’s support amid epidemic solidifies its deep China ties
As China goes all out to contain the novel coronavirus epidemic and some countries had evacuated their citizens, suspended flights and exaggerated the crisis, a launch ceremony for the China-Myanmar 2020 joint scientific survey of Myanmar’s waters was held on Thursday, at Myanmar’s Thilawa port in Yangon.
— Global Times

Surveillance of Rohingya not weak: home minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan yesterday expressed hope that Myanmar will take back their nationals as discussion is still underway regarding Rohingya repatriation.
— The Daily Star

MRTV celebrates its 74th founding anniversary
Myanmar Radio and TV (MRTV) of the Ministry of Information observed its 74th anniversary at its head office in Tatkon, Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, at 4 pm yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

The Day Myanmar Honored an UK MP for His Panglong Efforts
In 1981, dictator Gen. Ne Win awarded the British MP Arthur Bottomley the prestigious Aung San Tagun title in recognition of his work on the 1947 Panglong Agreement.
— Irrawaddy

Over than 600 hoping to buy apartments in Myayee Nanda Housing
More than 600 people have obtained application forms to purchase more than 500 apartments at the Myayee Nanda affordable housing project, being carried out by the Mandalay City Development Committee (MCDC) in Myayee Nanda Ward in Chanmyathasi Township, Mandalay, according to MCDC.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar govt seeks resumption of ceasefire meeting in March
The Myanmar government on Sunday proposed the resumption of the regular truce monitoring meeting with the ethnic armed groups that have signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).
— Myanmar Times

Rosewood Yangon soft opens as a center of culture and style
Showcasing a fusion of contemporary Myanmar style and old-world grandeur, Rosewood Yangon has soft opened its doors recently.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Union Minister observes Myitayeik women welfare & vocational training center
Union Minister Dr Win Myat Aye of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement observed the Myitayeik Women Welfare & Vocational Training Center in Shwebo in Sagaing Region yesterday morning.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Drinks giant Kirin reviews Myanmar army ties over genocide funding accusations
Japanese beverages giant Kirin – parent brewer of a suite of Australian beer brands such as XXXX, Tooheys, and James Squire – could pull out of the brewery it co-owns with the Myanmar military, after facing international condemnation for its business partnership with an army accused of genocide.
— The Guardian

Watchtowers, cameras being set up for Rohingya camp surveillance
Watchtowers and CCTV (closed circuit television) cameras are being set up in and around the Rohingya camps for surveillance purposes to ensure security for the forcibly displaced Myanmar citizens.
— The Independent BD

13.5 acres of poppy destroyed in Shan State
A combined team comprising police members of Tangyan Township Police Force in Shan State destroyed two areas of one foot high blooming poppies at Khama ME-548923 one mile west of Weinmaing village in Tangyan Township on 14 February.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Time to prevent possible spread of Coronavirus infection in Mandalay
As Chinese travellers and business persons are staying in Mandalay, the city must brace for the possibility of Coronavirus infections.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Food, goods run out in strife-torn Myanmar township
Food and other basic goods such as cement are fast running out of stock in Paletwa township in Chin State amid unabated clashes between the Tatmadaw (military) and the Arakan Army (AA), a state official said on Sunday.
— Myanmar Times

Vice President U Henry Van Thio inspects Kyerian Mountain national park project in Chin State
Vice President and National Tourism Development Central Committee Chairman U Henry Van Thio arrived at the viewpoint of Tikir Village in Thantlang Township and observed the ongoing works for development of the village and environmental greening yesterday morning.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Overheated brake causes wagon fire in Amarapura
The last car of the No ( 41) Mandalay-Myitkyina passenger/mail train caught fire resulting from overheating brake in Amarapura Township Mandalay Region at 5.30 pm on 14 February, according to Myanmar Police Force.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Shifting of one lakh Rohingyas to Bhasan Char soon
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Saturday said that the process of relocating one lakh Rohingyas to Bhasan Char will start soon after completion of erecting barbed-wire fences around the Cox’s Bazar camps.
— The Daily New Nation

Over 7,800 people participate in MAB Run 2020 in Mandalay
The MAB Sayaungchel Run 2020, jointly organized by Myanma Apex Bank (MAB) and Mandalay Region Government, was held at 6 am yesterday in Chanayethazan Township, Mandalay.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Hteekhee trade down $100 mln in current fiscal
Trade between Thailand and Myanmar via the Hteekhee border gate between 1 October and 7 February in the current financial year plunged to US$668.6 million from $770.39 million registered in the year-ago period, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Rakhine Chief Minister inspects Kinchaung bridge construction
Chief Minister of Rakine State U Nyi Pu inspected construction of Kinchaung bridge in Kyaukpyu Township yesterday afternoon.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Call for an end to violence against children in Myanmar
A children’s rights group expresses concern after 20 children are injured in shelling in Rakhine state.
— Vatican News

Development Should Be ‘Sustainable’
Bangladesh today is a shining example of a development miracle. During the last decade, Bangladesh’s socio-economic condition has changed substantially.
— The Daily New Nation

How Can Myanmar Arrive at a Fair Minimum Wage?
As Parliament debates amendments to the Minimum Wage Law, The Irrawaddy discusses the state of industrial relations with two leading trade unionists.
— Irrawaddy

For the health of people, especially young adults, restrict tobacco products
The number of deaths caused by cancer, hypertension, and respiratory diseases would be higher in the coming years if the current levels of consumption of tobacco products, including betel quid and cigarettes, do not reduce.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Development programmes in progress in Sagaing Region
The Department of Development for Border Areas and National Races is undertaking development programmes in Sagaing Region’s townships Khamti, Pinlebu, Leshi and Nanyun.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Standing Together at Trying Times to Cement China-Myanmar Paukphaw Friendship
By Mr Chen Hai, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Recently, the outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in China has drawn close attention from the public in Myanmar.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

The Forgotten General of Burma’s Army
Born 107 years ago on Monday, ethnic Karen General Smith Dun has been written out of Burmese military history.
— Irrawaddy

Overturned fuel truck catches fire in Mawlamyine
A fire broke out when a road accident occurred in the early morning on 15 February in Mawlamyine Town in Mon State. Firefighters were called to the scene at 3:05 am, and the fire was brought under control at 5:00 am, according to officials.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Feature photo Build a School in Burma

This week’s Myanmar morning news feature photo focus on International Mother Language Day, February 21.

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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