CNI News

14 February 2024

As many companies are authorized to import EV cars, many types of EV cars could enter the country and the competition could be fierce, vehicle manufacturers and distributors told CNI News. 

30 companies were allowed to carry out electric vehicles and related activities in 2023 and as an additional 51 companies have been allowed in 2024, there have been 81 companies now.

As there are 81 companies that have been allowed to import EVs, many kinds of EVs could enter Myanmar, causing the competition to be fierce, according to motor vehicle manufacturing and distribution entrepreneurs. 

While seeing EV cars

In the future, more and more people will use EVs and the car market will be stable, U Min Min Naung, chairman of the Yangon Region Motor vehicle Manufacturing and Distribution Entrepreneurs Association, told CNI News.

" Those who have bought EVs at the designated price have nothing to lose because the tax is free. But, those who have bought EVs at a profit paid can make a loss. As many kinds of EVs can enter the country, the competition will be fierce. If the real price of an EV like Toyota is 1,100 or 1,150 thousands kyats, buyers have pay 1,700 or 1,800 thousands kyats. But a lot of EVs enter, the prices will be stable. The prices will be stable next year." he said.

At present, 81 companies have been allowed to carry out EVs and related activities and import licenses will be issued to the companies that consistent with designation, according to the statement released by the National EV and Related Activities Development Committee.

Although it is not known that how many EVs have 30 companies been allowed to import in 2023, new 51 companies have been allowed to import 500 EVs each. If EVs were imported like that, 25,000 EVs would be allowed to import kind of.

While seeing a charging station

At present, chargeable places are sufficient for the number of EVs that has entered Myanmar. But it is necessary to think about the number of additional cars that will enter. Moreover, the Foreign Exchange Management Committee needed to perform to get foreign currency in order to import EVs, U Thet Zaw, an economic commentator, told CNI News.

" When there are an increase in the number of EVs that enter Myanmar, there won't be enough EV charging stations. We should think it over. The committee hasn't designated that a company must import 500 EVs. But as the sale contract is issued only if 500 EVs are imported, the company will have to import 500 EVs. It might not sell all the 500 EVs. For the time being, ICE cars still can be used because their licenses are valid. Frankly speaking, there might be gap between the demand and the supply. And if the management committee don't sell foreign currency, how can we import EVs? So, several criteria can appear." he said.

BYD, Toyota, Honda, MG4, Nissan and so on have entered Myanmar and more than 1,000 EVs entered the country in 2023. The prices are from 600 to over 2,000 lakh kyats depending on type and model reportedly.

CNI News

14 February  2024

The formation of the Chin State government by the Chinland Council was not accepted by some Chin organizations which announced it. 

According to the Chin State Government Constitution, the name lists of chief minister of Chin State and ministers, attorney general, auditor general, Supreme Court of Chin State, Chief Justice and Judges proposed and submitted by the electoral committee could be approved and three pillars including the Chin State Council could be formed and approved, which the Chin State government stated on 1st February, 2024.

Although Chin people and Chin revolutionary organizations local and abroad repeatedly warned not to form a government in haste during the period of building Chin national unity within the Chin State, the Chin State Government was formed in haste, and it could prevent Chin national unity, the Interim Chin National Consultative Council objected on 3rd February 2024.

While seeing the Zomi Revolutionary Army

Forming a government at a time like that could affect the unity, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News. 

" Such a thing shouldn't be done because the government formed can't cover the state and not every Tatmadaw military camp can be cleared. So, forming a government at a time like this can damage the unity and affect the revolutionary movements." he said.

The formation of Chin State Government by the Chinland Council would not apply to the territories of Zomi nationalities and it would not represent Zomi nationalities, the ZPCC stated on 9th February 2024.

Although the Chin State government was formed, it could be difficult to stand without the help of the mainland and there may be differences of opinion within the Chin clan, a politician reviewed.

While seeing the Chinland Council

" Forming a government like this can't work at any rate. It's difficult to stand on its own in a place where they can't even build an airport. It can't stand without the help of the mainland. Will it join Mizoram Province, India? Join the province. It will be governed by Mizoram. The Chin people in Mizoram Province are Lushine Chin people that are a little different from those in Chin State. There are just a few Lushine Chins on this side. After the Panglong Agreement was signed, A state that could stand on its own was the Shan State only. Even so, tax support from the Union cannot be avoided. So, it's out of the question that the Chin government can stand on its own." he said to CNI News.

There are local PDFs including the Chin National Defense Force (CNDF) that are active in Chin State and there are more than 50 Chin ethnic groups reportedly.

CNI News

14 February 2024

The Chin National Front that participates in the Spring Revolution and is fighting against the Tatmadaw is trying to discuss secretly with the Tatmadaw, that was stated by the Zomi Political Combine Committee (ZPCC)/ Zomi Revolution Army (Eastern Command) on 9th February, 2024.

The Chin National Front (CNF) prevented the ZRA from working hand in hand with brotherhood ethnic armed groups in order to build a federal union under the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) government. In the same way, the CNF prevented the ZRA from becoming a member of the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPJDC) as well as a member of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), said in the statement.

Moreover, during the Spring Revolution, the ZRA was prevented from becoming a member of the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) and the ZRA has been blocked in various ways throughout the ages for the Zomi nationalities self-determination and autonomy, the ZPCC/ZRA stated.

While seeing the Chin National Front

" The ZRA (Eastern Command) was attacked in various ways to make the public think that the ZRA (Eastern Command) was supporting the Tatmadaw. However, the CNF is trying to discuss secretly with the Tatmadaw now like in the past when they got in touch with each other and collaborated." said the ZPCC/ZRA.

The CNF is an EAO that has signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) and participated in the Spring Revolution that arose after 1st February 2021 and is fighting against the Tatmadaw.

Lian Hmung Sakhong, vice chairman of the CNF, has taken the responsibility as minister of the National Unity Government and the CNF is training the PDFs. In collaboration with the PDFs, the CNF is fighting against the Tatmadaw, refusing the SAC's invitation for the peace talks.

While seeing the statement by the ZPCC/ZRA

However, the ZPCC/ZRA has accused the CNF is communicating secretly to discuss with the Tatmadaw. Moreover, the ZRA/ZPCC stated that they don't recognize the Chinland Council that was led and formed by the CNF, the Chin State Government and the Chin National Consultative Council as well as the Committee Representing Chin State Hluttaw (CRCH).

So, the Chin State Constitution that was led and drafted by the CNF does not apply at all to the Zogam or Zomi land and Zomi people according to the Zogam Covenant." the ZPCC/ZRA stated.

Although CNI News asked the officials from the CNF about the accusation of the ZPCC/ZRA by phone, there has been no contact with the CNF.

CNI News
10 February 2024

Due to difficult transportation in the current avocado season, it is difficult to export avocado and Myanmar avocado can be exported to Thailand alone, according to the Myanmar Avocado Association.

Although Myanmar avocado was being exported to Thailand through border route, traders made a loss and farmers could not sell at a profitable price, Ko Kyaw Soe Min, secretary of the Myanmar Avocado Exporters Association, told CNI News.

" We must export avocado whether we can sell it at a profitable price or not because it's kind of marketable greens. It can't be kept for long. Coffee can be kept for long. We can't export avocado to other countries except for Thailand. We can use the border route only to export. As the traders make a loss, they can't buy avocado at a higher price from the farmers. We have expected to export about 250 tons of avocado including Hass." he said.

Although Myanmar avocado is exported to China, Thailand, Malaysia, UAE, Singapore, India and Vietnam, this year it can be exported to Thailand alone.

Moreover, India offered to buy 1,000 tons of avocado from Myanmar in July, 2023, Myanmar cannot export because it is not convenient to ship by sea or through border routes.

In exporting avocado to Thailand, because of difficult transportation, when traders are late to buy avocados, the fruits tend to be overripe.

Although one kilogram of avocado could be sold at 8,000 kyats last year, but this one kilogram is paid just 5,000 kyats at most, Khun Arkar, chairman of the Kyauktalone Township Avocado Association in southern Shan State, told CNI News.

" In the early season, avocados of high quality can be sold at 3,000 or 4,000 kyats a kilo. But avocados of low quality, 1,000 or 1,500 kyats a kilo. When the buyer are late to buy because of difficult transportation, many fruits falls this year. In the past, avocados can be sold at from 4,000 to 8,000 kyats a kilo. When avocados are scarce, the price goes up a bit. In the middle of the season, avocados are cheap. The highest price is just 5,000 kyats." he said.

In Myanmar, there are 25,000 acres of avocado plantation and  it is grown in Shan State, Mandalay Region, Chin State, Sagaing Region, Kachin State and Kayah State. In Myanmar, about 3,000 tons of avocados yielded in the 2022-23 fiscal year.

CNI News
10 February 2024

Due to rising fuel prices, travel expenses of domestic and foreign tourists have increased from 10 to 20 percent, U Naung Naung Han, chairman of Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association, told CNI News.

When the fuel prices increased again after the tours had been sold, because tourism industries could no longer ask for more money from tourists, the tourism industries were finding it difficult, he said.

" We have to calculate the prices in advance. Prices have to be calculated 6 months or one year in advance. But As the fuel prices have risen. Car rental prices have also gone up a lot. So, prices have been high in tourism. Especially in the rural areas, the availability of fuel is not certain in some places. Car rental prices have to be estimated." said U Naung Naung Han to CNI News.

At present, due to not only high prices of fuel but also unavailability of the fuel in some places, prices of hotel rooms have gone up because generators have to be used for electricity and a hotel room whose price was 50,000 kyats in the past has been 70,000 kyats now reportedly.

While seeing tourists at the beach

As few tourists enter the regions where battles are breaking out, salaries are reduced to half on the basis of working 10 days and taking 10 days off, according to hotel operators.

So, as there are more and more people traveling in groups with their own plans, the development of tourism has declined, tourism and hotel entrepreneurs review.

Because of the Chinese New Year when there are few tourists who come back home, hotel industries in northern Shan State where battles are taking place are allowing tourists to stay, reducing prices, U Zaw Zaw, Northern Shan State Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, told CNI News.

While seeing tourists on the U Bein Bridge

" In our northern Shan State, we can buy fuel, but it's more expensive. the price is 3,000 kyats a liter. A high price like that can damage the tourism to an extent. In fact, if the fuel prices decline, car rental fees will decrease and then more and more tourists will travel. At present, tourism has dropped quite a bit. It can damage a lot in the long run." he said.

If the relevant ministry designates a quota of fuel for tourism, the tourism sector is likely to rise again, tourism and hotel operators review.

Although local tourists are going to Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake and beach areas at present, there has been a decline in the number of tourists.

However, domestic tourism may rise slightly in the end of February and in March, according to Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association.

CNI News

9 February 2024

While the preparations were made to hold the Kachin National Revolution Day in Kutkai, northern Shan State, the Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF/TNLA) prevented  the celebration and the Kutkai Kachin Messenger Association objected the TNLA's prevention, the association stated on 6th February, 2024.

In commemoration of 63rd anniversary of the Kachin National Revolution Day that fell on 5rh February, while Kachin people in Kutkai were hoisting Kachin national flags in the courtyards of their home, some TNLA troops entered and prevented the celebration, broke the flagpoles, tore off the flags, took the flags away and kicked the flagpoles, saying according to the above order, said in the statement.

After saying that the TNLA attacked and captured Kutkai, the TNLA troops ordered and treated Kachin people like a dictator. Moreover, the troops threatened aiming guns at the unarmed people, said in the statement.

The issue should be resolved by the responsible leaders of both sides as soon as possible, a former member of the Hluttaw told the CNI news agency.

" If the superiors coordinate with each other quickly, it will be convenient, I think. We have to worry even if there will be racial issues. Now, villagers don't dare to go home. 25 percent only of the villagers went home, I think. We don't want racial issues. We don't want to comment about the military affairs. It will better if the TNLA and the KIA negotiate." he said.

While seeing the TNLA force

After the KIA had raised flags in the Ta'ang monasteries in Namphekka in the past, there were tensions between the two ethnic groups, he added.

The TNLA troops despised the three-fingered sign that is a symbol of the Spring Revolution and said even though the people raise three fingers, they would have to live under the TNLA and these actions were protested on behalf of Kachin people in Kutkai, said in the statement released by the Kutkai Kachin Messenger Association.

As armed organizations should exercise restraint, considering for the public, a Kachin ethnic told CNI News.

 " It's very important to armed organizations to exercise restraint. Rather than arguing who is right or who is wrong, it is very important to bring the public the truth after thinking it over." he said.

The Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP/SSA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS/SSA), the People Defense Force (PDF), the Tatmadaw and militia including the KIA and the TNLA are active in norther Shan State.

CNI News

9 February 2027

2024 was a landmark year that the Tatmadaw would be completely annihilated, said Mahn Win Khaing Than, Prime Minister of the National Unity Government (NUG) at the Union Hluttaw meeting. 

The NUG would carry out to ensure that political, economic and social sectors are stable and transitional period beyond the rule of the Tatmadaw arrives smoothly and to bring the culprits to trial, he said.

" In the year of 2024 that we will completely annihilate the military council, I'd like to make a promise in front of the people's representatives that we'll work hard to make our alliances stronger, to have the ability to connect with all forces with the same purpose, to be able to build foundations for a genuine federal democracy, to make the politic, economic, social sectors stable beyond the rule of the military council, to ensure the transitional period to arrive smoothly, to bring the culprits to court. In 2021, we started opposing the military dictatorship. In 2022, our resistance began to strengthen. In 2023, we gathered our revolutionary forces. 2024 has been designated as milestone year to completely overthrow the terrorist military dictatorship. For that, our government is ready to cooperate with all allies to the best of our ability." said Mahn Win Khaing Than.

While seeing the NUG

To make the military dictatorship die out and to establish a federal democratic union were included in the consensus announced by the NUG on 31st January, 2023.

The consensus was agreed among the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), the Karen National Union (KNU), the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) and the Chin National Front (CNF) and they must continue to try to reach consensus with ethnic alliance organizations, said Duwa Lashila, Acting President of the NUG.

Democratic elements waged armed resistance with protesting against the Tatmadaw after it has taken the power on 1st February 2021.

He wanted the stakeholders to find an answer in sympathy with the people who are suffering various crises, U Kyi Myint, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing Myanmar Tatmadaw

“There must be a slogan like that. But the slogan might not be realized. It might be implemented as well. As the opinion of people who don't take side with any organization like us, we want all the stakeholders to get an answer in sympathy with the people who are suffering. The people are facing death and famine in various forms. We are sorry for them." he said.

At present, the battles are breaking out between the Tatmadaw and some EAO/PDF joint forces across the country and due to these battles, the people are suffering from economic crisis, travel difficulties and daily insecurity.

CNI Article

Written by Chit Min Tun

9 February 2024

As soon as you talk about the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA), most of the people tend to mix up with the Shanni militia. The SNA is different from the Shanni militia and so are their positions.  

The Shanni armed group that is active in Karmine-Tarlawgyi region is the Shanni militia. However, it is not named as the Shanni militia and is called Tarlawgyi militia or indigenous militia. 

There are three kinds of militia. The first is an armed group that has changed from a revolutionary ethnic armed group after making peace with the Tatmadaw. 

The second is an armed group that is formed in order to protect thieves and robbers and the third, an armed group that is formed by the Tatmadaw in order to protect some ethnic armed groups and other elements that destabilize with various objectives. 

Without including in these three kind of groups, ethnic armed groups that are fighting against the Tatmadaw are called EAOs. Among the EAOs is the SNA and an independent organization without being under any organization.

So, all the Shanni armed groups are different from one another and some are EAOs and others, militias.

While seeing the joint KIA-PDF force

The above-mentioned particulars are explained based on the facts and information collected from my research in relation to regarding the SNA as the Shanni militia.

I'd like to present based on the facts I have collected about the emergence of the SNA, where it' been active,  what its aim is and how it's important in Sagaing Region whose stability is weak.

The SNA was built on 5th July, 1989. Although it was not strong when it was built, but now it's been able to be active in several territories. At present, the SNA has been made up of four brigades.

Its Brigade-753 has been active in Homalin, Phaung Byin, Pinlebu, Shwe Pyi Aye Townships as well as along the Chindwin River near to the border of Mingin Township in Sagaing Region. 

Its Brigade-972 has been active from Namdaw Sanpya Village in Homalin Township to the region along Uru Creek, Sezin-Hparkant region, the region along the Indawgyi Lake and Karmine region.

Its Brigade-891 has been active in Thaungthut, Mawlike Towbship, Thanan Myothit on the other side of Chindwin River, Tamu, Kalay Townships and the area bordering with India. Its Brigade-614 has been active in Banmauk, Indaw Township, the area bordering with Wuntho Township and along the railway to Kachin State.

While seeing Shanni ethnic people

The battles are breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the KIA/PDF joint forces, causing damage to the regional stability. So, the SNA also became responsible not only for the peace and stability of the Shanni region but also for protecting the various ethnic groups in the region.

The five political objectives of the SNA are (1) the SNA will protect the local people from armed groups who bully and dominate, (2) the SNA will protect against the dangers of drugs, (3) All-round development of the people in the region including health, education, economy, agriculture and livestock, and the promotion of social life will be carried out, (4) natural environment in the region will be protected and preserved, and (5) the SNA will work together with other nationalities in building a federal union based on equal rights and self-determination. 

So, the SNA will have to consider in order to protect the regional stability and local people.

So, is the SNA going to be on the Tatmadaw's side in the battles between the Tatmadaw and the KIA/PDF joint forces? Is it going to be on the the KIA?PDF's side. Or is it going to be without any side. 

It will have to seriously consider about it because there will be good and bad in any one of two choices. The Tatmadaw will control the movement of the KIA/PDF forces because it wants to control Sagaing Region. 

So, who is the enemy? Who can be an ally? Who will be the temporary partner?  After thinking it over, the Tatmadaw can also make approaches to the SNA.

HPDF-124 While seeing comrades

In the same way, the KIA/PDF also want to control Sagaing Region. So, the KIA/PDF can choose the path of eliminating other forces that may hindering so that they can strongly attack the Tatmadaw or the path of forming an alliance and joining their side.

So, the SNA that has been active in the middle and upper parts of Sagaing Region is important to both the Tatmadaw and the KIA/PDF. In a situation like this, the organization that can mobilize SNA probably will be stronger.

If any organization could not persuade the SNA or the SNA will protect regional stability in its own way without joining any side, it is impossible for any organization to have the upper hand in Sagaing Region.

But there are accusations that the SNA is collaborating with the Tatmadaw. On the other hand, whether the accusations are true is something to think about because the battles broke out between the Tatmadaw and the SNA in Khamti and Homalin Townships.

In any case, the SNA is playing an important role in Sagaing Region. However, if its strategy and tactics were wrongly laid down, it could lead to a dangerous situation.

So, we will have to watch the state of peace and stability will be in the territories where the SNA has been active in Sagaing Region.

CNI News

8 February 2024

Officials from the Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies Federation (MOEAF) and leaders of the Thai Business Committee have submitted to the government in order to set the service fee of the overseas employment agencies sending workers to Thailand in Thai Baht instead of Myanmar kyat, according to the Ministry of Labor.

As the service fee of overseas employment agencies sending workers to other countries has been set in respective country's currency or dollar, the service fee of the overseas employment agencies sending workers to Thailand should be set in Thai baht, which has been submitted to the government, U Win Myint, managing director of the Lucky Overseas Employment Agency, told CNI News.

" Due to the instability of the Baht price, the service charge changes from time to time. The service charge of overseas employment agencies sending workers to Malaysia is set in dollar. So, the MOEAF has presented to the government in order to set the service charge of overseas employment agencies sending workers to Thailand  in Thai baht. To set in Thai baht will be confirmed only if the official letter comes out. Service charge have been set in dollar for sending workers to Japan. It was convenient because the price of baht was stable in the past. And because the price of dollar also was stable in the past, there were not so many problems. But lately, the prices of baht and dollar have not been stable. The instabilities like that cause chaos. Agencies and workers make losses. So, agencies request to set in baht." he said.

While seeing an overseas employment agency

Although the service charge for the agencies was designated 150,000 kyats in the past, because the rate was not convenient, the agencies demanded to raise the service charge after which the service charge has been raised to 300,000 kyats. 

When the agencies have requested to set in Thai baht instead of Myanmar kyat, the agencies have asked 10,000 bahts as the service charge, according to the agencies. However, the ministry has not issued an official letter, Daw Myat Hayman Lin, managing director of Pwint Phoo Aung Overseas Employment Agency, told CNI News.

" In fact, Myanmar kyat only is being used for the service charge in sending workers to Thailand. Now the agencies have asked 10,000 bahts for the service charge to send workers to Thailand. Even though, 8,000 bahts might be designated." she said.

While seeing Myanmar workers

When sending workers to Thailand, Yangon-Myawady-Maesot route has not been conveneint as yet. 

The Ministry of Labor agreed to send workers through Kawthaung-Ranong route and Yangon- Don Mueang flight. But at present, Yangon-Don Mueang flight has been suspended temporarily. So, Kawthaung-Ranong route is being mainly used reportedly.

When sending workers to Thailand, because the Kawthaung flight can hold 50 people only. So, the agencies have to take two days to meet a demand letter offering 50 workers because other passengers will travel on the same flight, according to overseas employment agencies.