CNI News

11 October 2024

Farmers have demanded sugar mills to pay 170,000 kyats per ton of sugarcane because the agricultural cost becomes higher. 

Farmers got only 130,000 kyats per ton of sugarcane last year and it was necessary to get more this year; because this labor cost and the prices of fuel oil became higher, agricultural cost for one ton of sugarcane increased until 15 lakh kyats although the cost was about 800,000 kyats only, so they demanded to pay more, U Maung Swe, a sugarcane farmer from Sagaing Region, told CNI News.

" Farmers and sugar mills met the other day. They didn't tell the price. They will designate the price later. Farmers are demanding to raise the price. They want 170,000 or 180,000 kyats per ton. The agricultural cost has increased a lot. Last year, diesel was paid around 800,000 kyats per barrel (50 gallons) and but this year, 140,000 kyats per barrel. Last year, farmers asked sugar mills to pay 150,000 kyats per ton of sugarcane and the price was designated 130,000 kyats. Last year, the agricultural cost for one ton of sugarcane was about 800,000 kyats. But this year, labor cost and the price of diesel have been higher. So, agricultural cost for one ton of sugarcane has been about 15 lakh kyats." he said.

While sugarcanes were being reaped

At present, sugar mills are issuing 20,000 kyats per ton as advanced money to farmers in order to chop sugarcane. 

According to the current price of sugar, the price farmers were demanding could be paid by sugar mills; besides as there has been an increase in the number of sugar mills in Sagaing Region and there has been demand for sugar cane, sugar mills could pay the price farmers have demanded, U Win Htay, vice chairman of the Myanmar Sugar and Cane-related Products Entrepreneurs Association, told CNI News.

While seeing sugarcanes

" According to the current price of sugar, 170,000 kyats per ton of sugarcane could be paid. The cultural cost becomes very higher. The price of diesel is just over 600,000 kyats per barrel here in Yangon, but in the upcountry, 10 lakh kyats and above. There has been an increase in the number of sugar mills in Sagaing Region. The demand for sugarcane becomes higher as well. Even though it is unlikely to be 180,000 kyats, it is likely to be 170,000 kyats." he said.

The yield of sugarcane this year could be reduced because the sugarcane chopping season and regrowing were late. 

In Myanmar, sugarcane is grown in upper Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, Yangon, Bago Regions and northern Shan State and its cultivation area is over 500,000 acres.

CNI News

11 October 2024

Although China was putting pressure on EAOs in northern Shan State to stop their military activities, whether they would comply with the China's pressure would be watched, said military and political analysts. 

China send the TNLA that is waging battles against the Tatmadaw in northern Shan State and Mandalay Region a letter in which China warmed the TNLA to stop battles immediately or would punish the TNLA.

Moreover, China has warned the MNDAA that has captured Lashio City to retreat from Lashio and so as not to disintegrate the Tatmadaw and if the MNDAA didn't accept the China's attitude, China would take action against the MNDAA. 

If China put pressure on the EAOs, some rebounds could emerge and if China imposed sanctions on the EAOs, it could close the border areas on the Chinese side, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a China-Myanmar affairs commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing Mr. Deng Xijun

" In any case, if there is a pressure, there will be a rebound. When Operation-1027 was launched, because of China's pressure, Wa and Myla groups announced that they would not participated in the operation and wouldn't take with any side. But there seemed to be understanding among them. They said that they would help IDPs. China can sanction only one side, border areas on its side." she said.

Chinese Special Envoy Mr. Deng Xijun met with the delegation led by vice chairman of the UWSA and asked situations regarding battles in northern Shan State and the Naypyidaw government on 27th August, 2024.

During his meeting with the UWSA delegation, Chinese Special Envoy told the UWSA to stop helping the MNDAA. Although China has sanctioned against the MNDAA, because the MNDAA had received the sources such as rice, oil, medicine, arms and ammunition from the UWSA's territory, the MNDAA went on waging battles. So, the UWSA must block so as not to make the sources reach the MNDAA, he said.

Moreover, China did not want Myanmar Tatmadaw to be disintegrated and China would not accept at all that the NUG/PDFs that were close to western group would win, he said.

While seeing leaders from the UWSA, the NDAA and the MNDAA

If the peace of Myanmar was damaged, the interests of the two countries would be damaged. So, China seemed to worry that they could not carry out for their interests, U Thein Tun Oo, director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategic Studies, told CNI News.

" This is a problem that tend to emerge between the two neighboring countries. We have to work mainly for the interests. And there is a very long borderline sharing the two countries. It is important to strongly cooperate between the two countries for their interests. If the peace of Myanmar was ruined, Chinese interests all would  be ruined. It goes without saying." he said.

According to the meeting record that was leaked out, China would not lift its sanction against the MNDAA as long as the Kokang troops did not retreat from Lashio City and China would take more severe actions against the MNDAA, said Deng Xijun.

Although China is putting pressure on the TNLA and the MNDAA to stop battles and asking the MNDAA to retreat from Lashio, in cooperation with the PDFs, the TNLA and the MNDAA are fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw in northern Shan State and Mandalay Region up to now.

CNI News

9 October 2024

As the Coastal Guard is a civilian-oriented troop, it must carry out the public security and rule of law, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council. 

He said the above at the third anniversary celebration to mark the establishment of Coastal Guard Command on 6th October 2024.

" As the coastal guard is a civilian-oriented troop that is to help the public, it needs to help or rescue mariners, civilian waterways authorities and agencies, especially, it must solve natural disaster or emergency situations or issues and disputes regarding waterways." he said.

In doing so, because the guard must get in touch with the public closely and enforce the rule of law, it needs to be skillful in public relations, he said. 

While seeing the ships that were firstly deployed

Four  high speed patrol ships whose lengths are 48 meters were firstly deployed at the third anniversary celebration to mark the establishment of the Coastal Guard.

The chairman of the SAC urged the guard to become a qualified coastal guard that is able to protect the areas from the coastal to special economic zone whose waters and air. 

As Myanmar has a coast whose length is about 1,300 water miles and about 1,400 islands, as well as a waters territory of 143, 110.72 square water miles, it would be necessary to expand the military strength of the coastal guard, he added.

The coastal guard is an organization that must carry out non-military operations such as seeking and rescue or preservation of waterways environment and protecting or crushing down pirates, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

CNI News

9 October 2024

There are some discussions between businessmen and analysts regarding whether the Myanmar border trade with China could be easier than other border trades.

At present,  as the transportation still is unsafe to restart the official border trade with China, it would need some time; trade by sea must be relied upon and it would be necessary to keep a close watch on the situation, they pointed out.

If Myanmar could not trade with China, it could trade with other countries; China was mainly relying on Myanmar goods; the border trade with Myanmar was an exit for China, U Aung Pyae Sone, a businessman, told CNI News.

" Rather than putting pressure on the organizations, if an answer was found through a diplomatic negotiation, it could be an exit for Yunnan Province of China. Even though Myanmar cannot sell its goods and products to China, we can find other markets from trading by sea. Our export to China officially or unofficially is more beneficial to China's interests because Yunnan is landlocked and it is quite far from its mainland. It was importing rice, cows and so on from Myanmar. Now, the mainland is exporting goods and products coming from trading by sea to Yunnan. Yunnan is affected as well because the border trade with Myanmar isn't working." he said.

At present, Thailand is making attempts to restart the border trades with Myanmar and so is India. 

While seeing the MNDAA

There is a territorial problem in Lashio, northern Shan State; because it is located on a road where it is important militarily and economically, rival groups would not give it up, commented people.

Because the border trade is more convenient through the G to G system, although it still is unclear how China put pressure on the organizations concerned, it would be okay only if China put a great pressure on them, an economic analyst told CNI News.

" Mainly, it depends on China. The border trade can be reopened if China put a great pressure on the organizations concerned. But it's necessary to build a lot of infrastructure. Next, how will the tax be collected on the exports and imports?  How will it be divided? If the agreement to that was reached, the border trade could be restarted. The border trade with China is being conducted from Kengtung. But it's not as active as Muse." he said.

Almost all the border trades have been suspended at present due to battles, commodity price and prices of foreign currencies are going up.

If the border trades can be restarted, commodity price and prices of foreign currencies can go down. So, it was time to carry out in order to restart the border trades, suggested businessmen and economic analysts.

CNI News

9 October 2024

Kachin State's Kanpaiti and Lweje border trade gates with China cannot be restarted in the current open season, according to truck drivers.

Although now is the time to export tissue culture banana produced in Kachin State to China, as there is no banana to be exported, truck drivers have to be working in other townships. 

Moreover, battles are breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the KIA/PDF joint forces along the route going to Kanpaiti and Lweje, Ko Sit Naing, a truck driver from Lweje, told CNI News.

While seeing the KIA

" We have stopped the work since April or May because there is no tissue banana. We might restart the work in October or November. But for the time being, we possibly can't start because battles are severely breaking out in all the places where we work." he said.

Because battles often break out on the road between Myitkyina and Mandalay, trucks are blocked and battles are severely breaking out in Waingmaw Township as well.

Moreover, as the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has captured Kanpaiti Town, the border trade could not be opened, said truck drivers. 

The truck drivers who were working at the border gates in Kachin State went to northern and eastern Shan State to work, Ko Thawdar Aung, a truck driver from Kanpaiti, told CNI News.

While seeing the Kanpaiti trade and trucks

" For the time being, Kanpaiti has been closed. The trucks from lower part are not sure to carry banana because the entire Bhamo has been captured. Even if we want to go to northern Shan State, we have to go through Kalaw, Aungban or Pindaya." he said.

The border gates in Kachin State are mainly used to export tissue culture banana that have been grown in Kachin State. Moreover, rice, corn and other crops are also exported. 

And then, construction materials, consumer goods and electric products are imported from China through the border trade gate.

CNI News

9 October 2024

Due to territorial instabilities and floods this year, there are some comments among tourism entrepreneurs regarding how the tourism could be in the open season in comparison with last year. 

There are just a few places where tourists can visit this year and they can mainly go to Bagan, Mandalay, Chaung Thar, Ngwe Saung and Myeik islands only.

So, in comparison with last year, tourism would decrease in Thadingyut. However, in Tazaungdaing and Christmas periods, tourism would increase, U Naung Naung Han, chairman of the Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association, told CNI News.

While seeing a beach

" In comparison with last year, there has been an decrease in the number of places where tourists can go to this year. So, tourists mainly go to Bagan, Chaung Thar and Ngwe Saung. In comparison with the last Thadingyut, local tourists can decrease. But many hotels in Bagan and Mandalay have full bookings and so have most hotels in Chaung Thar and Ngwe Saung. If the flood disaster has been resolved to a great extent in Tazaungdaing, tourism can increase again. And then, in Christmas and new year, tourism can increase as well." he said. 

Local tourists tend to travel of their own than hiring travel agencies and at present, because of higher price of fuel oil and difficulty to earn money, tourism could decrease, estimated tourism entrepreneurs.

Moreover, as unstable regions have increased lately, tourists might take that into account, they said. 

In the same way, travelling abroad was not convenient as well because inspections have been tightened at airports. 

While seeing Bagan region

So, tourism was not satisfactory, U Thet Lwin Toe, the tourism entrepreneur, told CNI News.

" Tourism industry is not very promising because it's hard to earn money as well. Most local tourists travel of their own without hiring travel agencies. Many people go abroad, but inspections have been tightened at airports and especially youths are inspected. Passports are convenient while visas might not. If you go abroad as a tourist, you must report to the authorities when you get back. There isn't much freedom." he said.

Over one million foreign tourists entered Myanmar in 2023 and over 500,000 foreign tourists only entered until September this year. The number of foreign tourists couldn't overtake that of last year, people estimated.

Local tourists travelled to an extent until October last year and later, travelling was reduced.

CNI News

8 October 2025

As the State Administration Council (SAC) has said that it would hold a general election in 2025, political analysts local and abroad are discussing whether the National League for Democracy (NLD) has not registered as a political party could run the election. 

Census-taking would be conducted in the entire nation from 1st to 15th October and vote lists were registered after which a general election would be held in 2025 and the State power would be handed over to the winning party, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

The Union Election Commission (UEC) imposed the Political Parties Registration Law again on 31st January 2023 asked political parties to register within 60 days. 

And then over 50 political parties registered and 50 political parties were allowed to register. 

The commission has refused the Arakan National Party's registration. The Shan and Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) and the NLD that tended to win with most votes in the elections of Myanmar have not registered.

While seeing the SAC, the Union Election Commission and political parties

Every party that wanted democracy would have to pass through the election, director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategic Studies, U Thein Tun Oo told CNI News.

" Politically, every party that wants democracy must pass through the election. The reason why the NLD doesn't participate in the election depends on what they have hoped. According to a piece of news that I have heard, the new NLD or the NLD that have been re-built by former members has been allowed. But if they are not interested in walking on the path of election, what have they thought about? As a big party that want democracy hesitates to participate in the election, it is criticized." he said.

The NLD is split into two groups. The one is exiled NLD waging the Spring Revolution to overthrow the SAC and the Tatmadaw and the other - local NLD elements that want to attempt to make the NLD go on existing within the country, pointed out political commentators.

The exiled members of the NLD waging the Spring Revolution has announced that they will surely destroy the election which the SAC will hold. However, whether the NLD would run the election mainly depends on the decision by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who has been detained, pointed out politicians.

Because the election would be led and held by the SAC, the NLD should not run the election, U Than Soe Naing, a political commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and the Chinese FM Wang Yi

" The NLD should not run the election because this election will be led and held. The Tatmadaw staged a coup d'état not because the vote list was wrong, but because they realized the USDP party that represents the Tatmadaw will never win no matter how many times it runs the election. So, if a chief minister of the NLD party uses and run the election, it wouldn't be legitimate. And the organizations that formed legally the NLD party go against the election. It's not promising that the NLD will run the election. I prefer that the NLD won't run the election. It's the best for the NLD if it doesn't run the election, I believe." he said.

The SAC made an offer to EAOs, insurgent organizations and the PDFs that they could contact and carry out in order to solve the political problem with the political means by running the election after abandoning terrorist policy. 

Rather than building the power through arming policy, participating in the election politically would be the most correct, pointed out political analysts.

On the other hand, the Chinese government would provide assistance to the election that would be held by the SAC; it wanted all the stakeholders to participate in the election, said Chinese FM Wang Yi while he was meeting with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing on 14th August 2024 during his trip to Myanmar.

CNI News

8 October 2024

Because the price of dollar has fallen since October, 2024, some people are making comments whether the price of gold might decline. 

Although the price of gold within the country tend to fall while the price of dollar goes down, because the Central Bank of Myanmar is selling its dollars and Thai baht at present and there is somewhat domestic demand for gold, the price of gold has not fallen yet, Ko Nay Khant, a gold market analyst, told CNI News.

" The reason why the price of gold hasn't fallen is because the situation has been a balance for the time being. Traders are also interested to do their business at a time like this. Because the price goes up and go down or fluctuates, now it's convenient for them to make price speculations in the short term. Next, the Central Bank sells dollars, Chinese yuan and Thai baht in an attempt to reduce the price of gold. But on the other hand, because the speculators are doing their business depending the situation, the price hasn't fallen yet." he said.

While seeing dollar and Myanmar kyat

Because the price of pure gold reached until 80 lakh kyats per tical in the domestic market, the current price is 60 lakh kyats when there has been an increased in the number of buyers.

At present, because a war is breaking out between Iran and Israel, global gold price and prices of fuel oil could rise, have commented businessmen. So, the price of gold is less likely to go down, guesstimated some people.

However, although one percent was collected as the trade tax in gold trading in the past, because three percent are currently collected, it could impact on the demand, U Ohn Myaing, secretary of the Myanmar Gold Entrepreneurs, told CNI News.

While seeing a hump of gold

Although the value of Myanmar kyat could rise because the price of dollar falls, as the global gold price rises due to the war between Iran and Israel, the price of gold is less likely to go down, according to gold entrepreneurs and market analysts.

According to foreign exchange rates and gold market price on 7th October, the price of US dollar was 4,550 kyats per dollar while the price of pure gold was 6,350,000 kyats per tical.

CNI News
October 7, 2024

Dr. Zaw Myint Maung, vice chairman of the National League for Democracy (NLD) passed away in the morning on 7th October 2024, Daw Yu Yu May, his wife, wrote on her social network page.

Dr. Zaw Myint Maung was suffering from leukemia and lost consciousness on 5th October and was transferred to the ICU. And then, he passed away at 3:00 am on 7th October when he was at 73.

He had been arrested since 1st February 2021 when the Tatmadaw took power after overthrowing the NLD government, saying that the NLD was trying to form a government without solving the vote list dispute in 2020 general election.

He had been released on amnesty, stated the State Administration Council on 6th October 2024. Dr. Zaw Myint Maung was an important leader of the NLD and he served as the chief minister of the Mandalay Region under the NLD government.