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CNI News
28 Feb 2023
Lakes in some wards in Dala, which faces water shortages in summer every year, in Yangon Region, have dried up, according to local residents, who have to rely on the lakes for water supply.
As water is still available in only one-third of the lakes and no donors have popped up, local residents are being forced to buy drinking water, Local Resident Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI.
He said, "Some have already dried up and others are about to run dry. Two-thirds of the lakes have already dried up. Some wards have already faced shortages of drinking water and difficulties. They are being forced to buy drinking water. When donors come, they will not be forced to buy it. Some residents who cannot afford to buy drinking water have to fetch it from lakes where water is still available. Donors come to us to donate water every year, but they have not come yet this year."
A pipeline is being installed in Dala.
As six wards in the town have faced water shortages, residents have reported the issue to the township administrator and the development affairs committee, according to local residents.
Even when donors come, residents do not have facilities to store water.
Well-wishers usually come to donate water for a week but residents have facilities to store water for only three days.
As lakes in some wards have begun to dry up, authorities have to limit time for fetching water from lakes, Administrator U Aye Win of Yarzathingyan Ward told the CNI.
Dala Township faces water shortages.
He said, "Donors have not popped up yet because there is water in some lakes. I think they will come to us in March. We are trying to save water by limiting water-fetching time. We allow residents to fetch water for one hour in the morning from 7 to 8 am and another one hour in the afternoon from 4 to 5 pm. It is more difficult to get drinking water. As our ward has fewer lakes than others, residents have to fetch water at lakes in other wards. We face shortages of drinking water every year."
Residents have dug tube wells to solve the problem but water from tube well in the township is salty and has rusty colour. Therefore, the water is not suitable for cooking and drinking and has to be used for cleaning alone, according to residents.
At present, water from Twantay has been supplied to Dala through pipes by the development affairs committee but the water is not suitable for drinking and the poor cannot afford it.
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CNI News
27 Feb 2023
As rice exporters from border trade have stopped buying rice and broken rice, the prices of them have dropped, according to the Bayintnaung Commodity Exchange.
Rice exporters from border trade are required to exchange 65 percent of their earnings at the rate set by the Central Bank of Myanmar, they have stopped buying rice while their counterparts from mercantile trade follow suit as rice exports are not profitable for them due to high domestic prices.
As a result, prices of export rice and broken rice have fallen in the domestic market, Secretary U Than Oo of the Bayintnaung Rice Commodity Exchange told the CNI.
Loading rice bags.
He said, "Summer paddy is going to be harvested soon and the market has cooled down. Exporters from border trade are required to exchange 65 percent of their earnings at the rate set by the CBM. It is not profitable for them and thus they have stopped buying rice. The price of broken rice has fallen by MMK 1,000 per bag while that of rice has decreased by MMK 2,000 per bag. Merchants who transport rice to Mandalay, Muse and Myawady have stopped buying rice. Merchants from normal trade have long stopped buying rice because it is nor profitable for them. Prices are likely to fall further.
If the volume of rice exports can be reduced below the level in previous months, domestic rice prices are likely to fall, according to rice merchants.
As paddy yields have dropped at present, negotiations are being held to decide the amount of rice for local self-sufficiency and exports, an official from the Myanmar Rice Merchants Association told the CNI.
A rice shop.
He said, "To export 2 million tons of rice in this fiscal year, we need to export 300,000 tons of rice before the end of March. We planned to export 150,000 tons of rice in February and another 150,000 of rice in March. However, we were not able to export 150,000 tons of rice in February because it is not profitable for exporters at current rice prices. Rice exports have dropped during recent months. However, we exported a regular volume of rice during previous months. Paddy yields have dropped this year in Sagaing and Ayeyarwady regions. So, we are holding negotiations to decide how much rice we should export to maintain local rice sufficiency.
At present, the prices of Emata variety 25 marks rice, which is mainly exported, have dropped to MMK 53,000 per bag and its prices are likely to fall further when summer paddy is harvested, according to rice merchants.
Myanmar has planned to export 2 million tons of rice and still needs to export 300,000 tons of rice to meet the target. So, plans are underway to export 150,000 tons of rice in February and another 150,000 tons of rice in March,
according to the Myanmar Rice Federation.
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CNI News
27 Feb 2023
The Issuance of passports for Myanmar nationals in Malaysia will be resumed as of 1st March, according to a statement released by the Myanmar embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
The issuance of passports was temporarily suspended for the maintenance of machines and computers starting from 6th February.
Then, the embassy announced that issuance of passports will resume as of 1st March.
Statement about issuance of passports.
On 1st March, passports will be issued for applicants who have received appointment tokens since 6th February according to their token numbers.
Applicants have been urged to the Myanmar embassy together with required documents in person.
Passports for those who fail to come to the embassy on their appointed date and those whose passports expire in February and March will be issued in the afternoon depending on the number of passports the embassy can process each day, the statement said.
The Myanmar embassy in Malaysia.
Currently, the Malaysian government has allowed foreign workers to apply for Ricarli Brasi (RTK) work permits.
To apply for RTK permits, workers are required to submit their passports and recommendations from their employers. Therefore, Myanmar workers are applying for passports.
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CNI News
27 Feb 2023
The calls for the resignation of the entire central executive committee of the Karen National Union are likely to be rejected by KNU because such calls sounded like an order, Chairman Mahn Aung Pyi Soe of the Karen National Democratic Party told the CNI.
Sixty-eight Karen civil society organizations have called for the resignation of the entire central executive committee to take accountability for failure to overcome the political leadership crisis.
He told the CNI, "It looked as if they were issuing orders. It is difficult for them to order an armed organization. Therefore, people from Duplaya and Kyarinseikkyi made a petition urging KNU leaders to hold negotiations instead of fighting each other. The civil society organization should have taken lessons from such an example. They need to think about whether an armed organization would accept what they said."
The civil society organization sent an open letter to the KNU, urging the entire central executive committee for failure to take action against an executive committee member who was involved in gambling projects in Karen State and to acknowledge the case to the public.
The open letter sent by 68 Karen CSOs.
On 17th January, 2023, Thai PBS reported that Phado Saw Roger Khin had approved the Hwamywa new city project near the Shwe Kokko new city project in Karen State. And KNU leaders failed to take action against the project.
Such issues should be resolved through negotiations between brigades or political organizations, Mahn Aung Pyi Soe said.
He told the CNI, "In my opinion, the best way to resolve such an issue is through negotiations. If the CSOs had met the KNU and discussed the issues, the result might have been different. At the same time, the KTLA faction led by Nerdah Mya is fighting against other KNU factions. I am too disappointed to talk about the issues."
The CNI contacted the KNU over the phone for comments about the open letter of the 68 CSOs but it has not answered the phone.
The KNU is a signatory to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement but it has fought against the military in cooperation with the People's Defence Forces since the coup on 1st February, 2021.
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CNI News
25 Feb 2023
Although border gates between Myanmar and Thailand have been reopened, Thai tourists are likely to visit Myanmar when stability has been restored in Myanmar, Chairman U Naung Naung Han of the Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs told the CNI.
Although Thai-Myanmar border gates have been reopened, it is not possible for Thai tourists to visit Myanmar.
Before the outbreak of COVID-19 , there was a large number of tourists from Thailand but it is still difficult for them to visit Myanmar through the border.
Thai tourists in Tachilek
He said, "It is not possible for Thai tourists to cross the border easily because regional security is important. It is not easy for them mainly due to regional security and stability. It is difficult for them to visit Myanmar from the border in large numbers. However, trade has improved. When security has improved, they will come to Myanmar. Currently, they have to rely on airlines. Before the border gates were closed, they came to Myanmar by car and we went to them by car.
They crossed the border to Myawady and Hpa-an and Kyaiktiyo. Some of them came to the border and we went and fetch them to visit in the country."
Gates at Thailand and Myanmar were closed for almost three years due to COVID-19 and now major gates including Myawady-Mae Sot No (1) Friendship Bridge, Kawthaung-Ranong gate and Tachilek-Mae Sai No (1) Friendship bridge have been reopened.
Thai tourists at the Botahtaung Pagoda
Reopening of the gate and bridges is beneficial for border trade, according to businessmen and labour activists.
However, Thai tourists and Myanmar workers are not likely to cross the border in large numbers due to security reasons, Labour Activist Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI.
He said, "Karen State is a war zone and fighting has erupted in Karen State almost daily. Gunfire and explosions are heard every day. Both Thai citizens and Myanmar workers are required to take security into consideration when they go to the border. The Myanmar government has reopened the border gates for Thai tourists, Thai authorities are worried about the security situation in Myanmar. Thai merchants and tourists are worried about their security."
Thai tourists at the ShweDagon Pagoda
At present, small groups of Thai tourists comprising about 10 members visit Yangon and nearby destinations, according to the Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association.
After international flights have resumed, Thai tourists make up the largest number of travellers to Myanmar and they mainly visit pagodas like the Shwe Dagon, Botahtaung and Kyaiktiyo.
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CNI News
25 Feb 2023
SAC Chairman Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing said that the public has made three demands after the extension of the state of emergency.
The chairman made the comment at the SAC meeting 2/2023 on 23rd February.
The senior general said,"Studying the criticism, responses and wishes after the six-month extension of the state of emergency, it was found that the three major demands of the public are to hold elections, to restore stability and to decrease commodity prices."
Then, he added that martial law has been imposed in some townships to restore stability and the military is taking measures in accordance with the law based on past experience to restore stability and currently is exerting efforts to adopt and cement genuine democracy.
Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing said, "It is a wrong method for so called democracy and human right defenders to choose violence means without settling voters' list disputes. It is necessary to take measures not to repeat such incidents. Elections reflect the image of the country and efforts are being made to hold respectable elections. It is important to take time to compile correct voters' lists."
He added that production are being boosted to increase the revenue of the country and only then, commodity prices will fall. The government is implementing measures to decrease commodity prices.
The military declared a state of emergency on 1st February, 2021 after accusing the NLD of forming a new government without settling election disputes.
Then, protests and armed conflicts have erupted to topple the military.
Under such circumstances, the political, economic, social, education, health, security situations have deteriorated and commodity prices have risen.
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CNI News
25 Feb 2023
The Chinese special envoy has urged all stakeholders to exercise utmost constraints along the border, Spokesperson Col Naw Bu told the CNI.
The special envoy for Asian Affairs of the Chinese Ministry HE Mr. Deng Xijun made the comment during the meeting with EAOs.
Col Naw Bu told the CNI, "As far as I know, the special envoy told them to maintain stability at the border."
As China is worried about the stability of the border, it has been urging the EAOs and the military to exercise restraints, according to Chinese expert Dr Hla Kyaw Zaw.
Chinese special envoy and the NDAA representative.
He said, " Of course, he asked not only the KIA but also the Myanmar military not to spill fighting into their territory. They are also worried about refugees crossing the border. He told both sides."
It was reported that the Chinese special envoy met with the KIA, the UWSA and the NDAA.
The special envoy discussed the infection of COVID-19, the welfare of IDPs and so on, he said.
Chinese special envoy in Monglar.
He said,"As an acquaintance, he visited us. He discussed the outbreak of COVID-19, whether it is possible to close the border and stability. Then he sought information for healthcare for COVID victims, healthcare and wellbeing of IDPs near Laiza."
China and Myanmar border share 1,300 miles of border and the KIA, the UWSA, the NDAA, the RCSS/SSA, the SSPP/SSA, the MNDAA and the PSLF/TNLA are active at the border.
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CNI News
24 Feb 2023
It is diffiuclt to export onions to the Philippines through the government-to-government system due to trade policies adopted by the country, according to the Myanmar Onion, Garlic and Vegetable Growers and Exporters Association.
At present, the Ministry of Commerce of the SAC and the government of the Philippines are holding negotiations to export onions from Myanmar to the country.
Although negotiations are being held to export onions to the Philippines through the emabassy, Myanmar has never had a chance to export onions to the country, Chairman U Khin Han of the MOGVGEA told the CNI.
He said, "The Philippines has permitted only four or five people to import onions and vegetables and they have to apply for import permits to buy onions from a Myanmar company again. They are also required to submit so many documents for species and pests. We have held negotiations with the embass but have never succeeded. I have already talked about this during a recent meeting. However, authorities think that it would be easier to export onions to the country through the G-to-G system."
Onion farmers.
Although most of Myanmar export onions are consumed by Indonesia, the country has to illegally import onions from Myanmar through Malaysia due to its policies, according to its onion merchants.
Myanmar exports onions to Bangladesh, China, India, Thailand and Malaysia through border trade.
However, farmers will be able to enjoy benefits only when border trade thrive, Onion Merchant U Hla Thaung of Pakokku Township Merchant Association told the CNI.
He said, "In my opinion, China and Myawady (Thai) are the main importers. Exporters do not rely much on Bangladesh because the country imports onions from Myanmar when it faces severe shortages. Bangladesh imports onions from Myanmar only for its domestic consumption. China and Thialand reexport Myanmar onions to other countries. Border trade is the main export route for merchants in small towns. Farmers will be able to enjoy benefits only when border trade thrives."
Transport of onions.
Although Myanmar onions are high in quality, other countries import onions from India, which are twice as cheap as Myanmar counterparts.
As onion harvests in Myanmar exceed its consumption every year and farmers have to rely on export markets, it is necessary to promote the export market, an onion merchant from Myingyan Township told the CNI.
He told the CNI, "Onion yields in Myanmar exceed its consumption every year. So, farmers are relying on the export market. So, it is necessary for departments concerned, companies and merchants to facilitate exports of onions."
Onions are mainly grown in Mandalay, Magway and Sagaing regions in Myanmar and Myanmar exports 50,000 tons of onions to other countries.
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CNI News
24 Feb 2023
Peace talks have lacked progress in the current political climate, Spokesperson Col Saw Kyaw Nyunt of the Peace Process Steering Team told the CNI.
He added that there were issues and challenges to create an environment conducive to inclusive dialogue.
He said, "We have been making efforts to create an environment conducive to inclusive dialogue of all stakeholders including federal forces and democratic forces that can represent the people to build a federal union based on democracy. However, no progressive has been achieved so far."
Members of the NSPNC and the PPST.
He continued to say that each EAO engaged in talks with the State Administration Council and efforts were being exerted to hold talks with all stakeholders simultaneously to end armed conflicts.
Since the military took over power on 1st February, 2021, protests and armed resistance have erupted and union-level peace talks have come to a halt.
The SAC has been holding separate peace talks with signatories to the NCA including the RCSS/SSA (Shan), the DKBA (Kayin), the KNU/KNLA-PC (Kayin), the PNLO (Pa-O), the ALP (Rakhine), the LDU (Lahu) and the NMSP (Mon) and non-signatories to the CNA including the UWSA (Wa), the NDAA (Mongla), the SSPP/SSA (Shan).
The NSPNC and leaders of the DKBA and the KNU/KNLA-PC.
Col Saw Kyaw Nyunt told the CNI, "Before the coup on 1st February, 2023, we held peace talks in accordance with the NCA and achieved success to a certain extent but since then, the political climate has changed and there are changes in the stakeholders. As a result, there are many more challenges in peace talks. This is the reality, as far as I know."
The PPST was formed with signatories to the NCA including the RCSS, the KNU, the PNLO, the DKBA, the KNU/KNLA-PC, the CNF, the ALP, the ABSDF, the NMSP and the LDU.