Myanmar morning news for January 21, 2020

Garment firms to conduct survey on minimum wage
Garment makers will conduct a survey to determine if workers are justified in asking for a steep increase in the daily minimum wage, according to the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association.
— Myanmar Times

Xi says China never sells weapons to Myanmar armed groups
President Xi Jinping has rejected accusations the Chinese government has sold and supplied weapons to ethnic armed groups in Myanmar’s northernmost area, some of whom have weapons that can match the country’s armed forces.
— Myanmar Times

Foreign investment inflows to double: Myanmar govt
Approved foreign direct investment (FDI) into Myanmar is expected to grow this year, the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) says.
— Myanmar Times

A new era for China and Myanmar, but old constraints still hold
President Xi Jinping’s visit underscores that his country has regained its dominant position in Myanmar after setbacks under the U Thein Sein government, but China will need to be careful how it exerts its influence in the years ahead.
— Frontier Myanmar

Politics behind opposition to extension of school year: official
Political groups are behind a campaign opposed to the extension of the school year, a senior education official said.
— Myanmar Times

Resettlement begins for Muslims detained off Tanintharyi coast
Maungdaw District administrator U Soe Aung says authorities have accepted 29 out of 155 Muslims at the Hla Poe Kaung repatriation camp under the Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement and Development (UEHRD) program after they were detained in waters off southeastern Myanmar last month and brought to northern Arakan State.
— BNI Online

Mandalay disaster response team to work with other groups in the north
The Mandalay Disaster Response Team has joined forces with other charitable groups in northern Myanmar to strengthen its ability to respond to emergencies in the region and neighbouring areas.
— Myanmar Times

Arakan Army welcomes Chinese president’s visit to Myanmar
The Arakan Army (AA) released a statement ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Myanmar on January 17-18, saying the ethnic armed group heartily welcomed his historic trip.
— BNI Online

China’s 9 Air starts direct flights between Yangon and Haikou city
China’s 9 Air airline began offering three flights a week from Yangon to Haikou, the capital and main transportation hub of Hainan province, on Sunday.
— Myanmar

The abuse behind Myanmar’s fish paste industry
Workers spend eight months without break on fishing rafts moored off the Ayeyarwady Region coast, enduring beatings and deprivation to keep Myanmar supplied with fish paste.
— Frontier Myanmar

Independent Commission of Enquiry hands over final report to President
The Independent Commission of Enquiry (ICOE) submitted its final report to President U Win Myint yesterday morning. ICOE Chairperson Ambassador Rosario Manalo and fellow members were received by the President at the Presidential Palace in Nay Pyi Taw whereupon she handed over the commission’s final report. Also present at the meeting were Union Minister …
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Suu Kyi Economic Adviser: National Interest Must Come First When Deciding Large Chinese Investments in Myanmar
Unlike its predecessors, the NLD govt is ensuring deals with China benefit Myanmar, Sean Turnell, adviser to the State Counselor, tells The Irrawaddy in an interview.
— Irrawaddy

Chinese President’s Claim That Beijing Not Arming EAOs Met With Skepticism in Myanmar
Political observers in Myanmar doubt President Xi Jinping’s claim that China is not arming ethnic armed organizations based near the northern border.
— Irrawaddy

War crimes, not genocide committed against Rohingya: Myanmar probe
A Myanmar-appointed panel concluded on Monday (Jan 20) that some soldiers likely committed war crimes against its Rohingya Muslim community but the military was not guilty of genocide, findings swiftly condemned by rights groups.
— CNA

Myanmar’s National Dialogue Must Be for All NCA Signatories Ahead of Peace Summit, EAOs Say
Nationwide ceasefire signatories continue talks to include other groups in the peace process, especially ahead of the next 21st-Century Panglong summit.
— Irrawaddy

Five Myanmar women detained with 3 lakh US dollar at Gaya airport
Five women from Myanmar were detained with 3 lakh US dollars at Gaya airport on Sunday, police said.
— Yahoo news

Facebook sorry for Myanmar translation blunder
Facebook has apologised after translating Chinese President Xi Jinping’s name as “Mr Shithole” during the high-profile visit to Myanmar by the all-powerful leader of the dominant regional power.
— Asean Economist

Xi reminds Myanmar where its priorities should lie
President Xi Jinping of China visited Myanmar at the weekend, marking 70 years of close relations between the two countries. Indeed, Myanmar (then known as Burma) was one of the first countries with which the communist People’s Republic developed close formal ties.
— Arab News

State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi meets ICOE delegation
State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi received the Independent Commission of Enquiry (ICOE) led by its Chairperson Ambassador Rosario Manalo at the Presidential Palace in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Body of Myanmar national found at beach in Samalaju
The body of a Myanmar national who was feared drowned on Wednesday evening has been found by the search and rescue team at 10.23am today.
— The Borneo Post

Union SWRR Minister meets int’l social welfare organizations
Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye separately received delegations from Community and Family Service International (CFSI) and Help Age International (HAI) at his ministry in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Muse fruit depots to halt trade for 3 days during Chinese New Year Festival
With the closure of China’s customs office during the Chinese New Year Festival, Muse fruit depots will suspend trading between 24 and 26 January, according to the Khwar Nyo fruit depot.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Two Myanmar Constitution Amendment Bills Agreed by NLD, Ethnic Parties
With their refusal to endorse the parliamentary charter change committee’s bills, it remains to be seen how military MPs will respond when they are sent to Parliament.
— Irrawaddy

No ‘Genocidal Intent’ in Security Operations in Rakhine State, Myanmar Commission Says
The Independent Commission of Enquiry has declared that security operations in Rakhine in 2017 did not have ‘genocidal intent’, but admits that ‘war crimes’ took place.
— Irrawaddy

Blaze Burns Mandalay Mall, Myanmar Police Sue Shop Owner
Police are suing the owner of a shoe shop in a Mandalay mall for ‘poor electrical safety’ after a fire burned through the mall and caused over 1 billion kyats in damage.
— Irrawaddy

Union Attorney-General U Tun Tun Oo receives Kuwait Charge d’Affaires
Union Attorney-General U Tun Tun Oo held a meeting with Charge d’ Affaires a.i. of Embassy of Kuwait Mr. Adel Al Adgham at the former’s office in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Qatar- QRCS distributes food aid to Myanmar refugees in Bangladesh
Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), in co-operation with Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), has delivered food parcels for 3,220 families displaced from Myanmar to Bangladesh.
— Menafn

Republic of the Union of Myanmar Office of the President Press Release
Republic of the Union of Myanmar Office of the President Press Release 12th Waning of Pyatho 1381 ME (21 January 2020) 1. President U Win Myint has received the final report of the Independent Commission of Enquiry (ICOE).
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Politics behind opposition to extension of Myanmar school year: official
Political groups are behind a campaign opposed to the extension of the school year, a senior education official said.
— Myanmar Times

Chinese tourists see Myanmar as destination for Spring Festival holiday
Booking records of travel agencies in China showed that the Chinese tourists had Myanmar as a favourite tourism destination for the nearing Spring Festival holiday, according to MENAFN.
— Mizzima

UBD marks Myanmar Week
Several activities were lined up to mark Myanmar Week launched yesterday in conjunction with Myanmar’s National Day.
— Borneo Bulletin

Myanmar Construction and Infrastructure Market, Size, Share, Outlook and Growth Opportunities 2020-2026
Increasing government expenditure towards sustainable infrastructure development with continued investment in energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable assets is promoting the market demand for Myanmar Construction and Infrastructure companies.
— dagorettinews

Confusion over taxes for Yangon jewellery fair
The amount of taxes on sales transactions during the recently concluded Third Yangon International Gems and Jewellery Fair have yet to be determined, officials said.
— Myanmar Times

Vice President U Henry Van Thio meets Universal Peace Federation delegation
Vice President U Henry Van Thio received a delegation from the Universal Peace Federation led by its Chairman Dr Thomas G Walsh at the Presidential Palace in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday evening.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Thousands of Myanmar Workers Demand Higher Minimum Wage
Over 5,000 factory workers marched in protest near a Yangon industrial zone Sunday to demand higher wages as the government prepares to set the new minimum wage.
— Irrawaddy

Joint Committee on Amending 2008 Constitution holds meeting 3/2020
THE Joint Committee on Amending the 2008 Constitution held its 3/2020 meeting at Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Building D in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

4th Cherry Trees Planting Ceremony held in Loikaw
The 4th Cherry Trees Planting Ceremony was held at the Buddha Park in Loikaw, the capital city of Kayah State, on 19 January, marking the 68th Anniversary of the State.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Union Minister Thura U Aung Ko receives Universal Peace Federation Chairman
Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture Thura U Aung Ko welcomed the Chairman of Universal Peace Federation, Dr Thomas G.Walsh, at former’s office in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Feature photo Karen Unity Hope

This week’s Myanmar morning news feature photo focus on International Day of Education, January 24.

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.

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