CNI News

27 June 2023

Over 500 trucks of corn have not been able to be exported to Thailand as yet because there was a wrong export license name in applying for a license of corn export and  an export permit has not been issued, said corn traders.

Although ministry of commerse has agreed orally to re-export over 500 trucks of corn, because there are some delays in procedure, the corn traders have not been able to export the corn to Thailand as yet, said a corn trader from Myawady, to CNI News.

" At present, although the policy is relaxed, there are delays due to the procedure. over 500 trucks of corn are stranded in Myawady. The corn had to be dropped off in the warehouses in Myawady. There are about 16,000 tons of corn totally and the current market price is about 5.3 million US dollars" he said. Because the government has not issued the corn export permits, corn export has been reportedly stopped since 16th June.

While seeing Burmese corn

According to Myanmar's policy on export license, a trader or buyer from abroad must pay 100 percent of the value of the goods in advance. Thai traders do not transfer the money in advance for the goods that has not been licensed to be exported, said traders.

So, Myanmar exporters transferred the money needed on behalf of buyer so that they can get the license. But the company that transferred the money to buy the goods was not the same as the name described in the license, said U Thant Zin Tun, vice chairperson of Myanmar Corn Industrial Association to CNI.

" According to export policy, a buyer from the other country has to pay in advance for the goods that he will buy after which the goods has to be exported from this side. But few practsies like that on the ground. Buyers from other countries hardly buy the goods from Myanmar after paying in advance.

While buying corn

That's why, the trader who want to sell his goods exchanges his money into State-designated currency such as dollar or yuan or baht and asked a company from the other country to transfer that money to the account here so that he can get the license. Afetr getting the license, the goods are exported. When our goods arrive at the other count, we sell our goods to another company really buying corn that will be convenient for us. But when the other side designate that we will sell the company that transferred the money only, we find it difficult a little. But we've heard that they would relax. I wonder if they might issue an official statement." he said.

For the company that transferred the money in advance will have to be sold, that company has reduced the corn price. So,it is next to impossible to raise the corn price, said corn traders.

Because the deadline for exporting corn to Thailand with tax exemption is August 31, they need to get the corn export licenses before the deadline, said corn traders.

CNI News

26 June 2023

No conflict is needed between AA and Chin forces while they are fighting against common enemies, said U Pe Than, a Rakhine politician, to CNI. Moreover,  Now is a period of war and there must be collaboration between Rakhine forces and Chin forces at a time like that, he said.

" They have nothing to worry about it ( There AA forces in Paletwa Township). This is a period of war. Only when ULA/AA is trying to capture Paletwa or to pull Paletwa into Rakhine State, Chin should ask this question. No matter Chin forces are in Rakhine or Rakhine forces are in Chin, it's no problem.What it is important is that there will be no conflict between the two sides." he said.
Because Paletwa Township in Chin State is militarily important to AA, AA has taken a foothold in the township since they started armed movement”he added.

It is said that AA takes advantage of battles currently taking place between Chin armed forces and the Tatmadaw and is taking a foothold in the middle of Chin State.

Paletwa Town

The CNI could not independently confirm this statement.AA leaders have said that they have temporarily taken a foothold before they build Arakan State and so there will be no problem, said a Cbin ethnic from Paletwa Township to CNI.

At present, there are no Chin armed forces in Paletwa Township and there are only teritories controlled by AA and the Tatmadaw, he added. ULA/AA was formed in April 2009 and when it started revolution, it took a foothold in Paletwa and penetrated into Rakhine State.

After two years of cceasefire between AA and the Tatmadaw, battles took place again in August 2022. After that, the two sides agreed to cease battles on 26th November 2022, having much sympathy for the loss of local community.

CNI News

26 June  2023

The entry and exit routes of Moreh Town in India have been closed since early May due to the ongoing communal riots in Moreh, India. So, traders from Tamu Town are trading by using other routes, said the traders.

The traders from Tamu went to Moreh from Nan Phar Lone Market in trading with India in the past. But at present, traders have to go to Nagaland that is far from Tamu. The tax is paid on Myanmar side to officially use that route and, but not officially on India side, said U Khin Maung Win, a trader from Tamu, to CNI.

" If a trader go into Nagaland, he must his contacts there. Not everybody can go there. And there is an excusive carry for that route in India. Even Indian traders don't dare to carry their goods themself. it's just blackmarket on the India side. But it's not very difficult. The road is a little rough. and it's costly to use the route." he said.

Nan Phar Lone Market

In trading with India, trade was conducted through Moreh-Tamu-Nan Pharlone Market in the past, which didn't cost traders. But as some goods that must be exported are being traded through other routes, expenditures have increased, said traders.

Because some traders trade inly on the Tamu-Moreh route, they have stopped trading, said U Hla Maung, chairman of the Border Traders Association (Kalay-Tamu-Kalaywa}.

The Indian side has closed the trade terminal since March 2020 for the reason that they would be able to control and prevent the Covid-19. Although Myanmar traders pay the tax and export goods, it sort of is illegal on the India side reportedly.

Due to the ongoing communal riots in the state of Manipur There is still no stability in the area.In 2019-2020 fiscal year, Myanmar side exported goods to India side for USD 40.731 million and the value of imports from India was USD 1.443 million through Tamu border before the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the ministry of Commerce, Myanmar.

CNI News
25 June 2023

U Win Myint Aung who was kicked out of the party by Central Working Committee of NLD, saying he was being used by SAC was arrested by some PDFs, according to some people
close to him.

U Win Myint Aung was arrested about two weeks ago by some PDFs at Mucambak in Dabayin Township while he was going with his brother-in-law to meet his younger brother who was in prison in Monywa.

U Win Myint Aung's brother-in-law was released about one week after being arrested and, but U win Myint Aung is still being detained.

In relation to U Win Myint Aung who has been detained, people close to him went and told international embassies and asked them for help U Win Myint Aung,former representative of the Pyithu Hluttaw, Dabayin Township, was former member of NLD's central committee as well.

However, the Central Working Committee which consists of exile NLD members and is collaborating with revolutionary forces has released a statement saying U Win Myint Aung(member of central committee), U Phyo Min Thein (member of central executive committee), U Kyi Toe (member of central committee) and Dqw Sandar Min (member of central committee) who were being used by SAC were seeking self-interest and  they were all kicked out of the party on March 3rd 2023.

CNI New

23 June 2023

Myanmar and Thailand discussed to cut 1,500 Baht from current visa fee 2,000 Baht for Myanmar MoU workers and to re-enter Thailand early when they go back to their country to renew the contract, said in Thai reports. 
Officials from the two countries had discussions about cutting 1,500 Baht from current visa fee 2,000 Baht and to let MoU workers to re-entert Thailand early without having to stay for 30 days in their country when workers with four years of MoU return to their country to renew the contract.

 Although the visa fee is lower for workers, other costs haven't not been lower, said U Min Oo, incharge of labor affairs from FED, to CNI.
There are 1.9 million legal Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand.

" In fact, that 30 days were designated was due to Covid-19. MoU workers who arrived at Thailand were camped and examined their health. It took them much time for quarantine period. It is impossible to finish within one month. Within 15 days after reaching the factory, they had to do things relating to work permit. And they had to learn things relating to jobs. Now that these sectors have been compressed as much as possible, it's back to normal like it was before the Covid era."

Myanmar migrant workers

To take action against the employers who have not been able to send employees to the workplace although emloyer and employee have signed the contract, to renew employment contracts and to carry out in the workplace in accord with MoU system were discussed. But things what were discussed have not been officially issued.

Although Thai authorities have permitted workers with MoU expired to stay till the end of July so that they can go home to renew the contract, Most of MoU workers find it difficult to go home to renew the contract because of some procedures.

 Myanmar migrant workers

"We accept cutting visa fee. But some procedures are questionable. Because they have no evidence, how will they go to the border? When they go to the border, will their agency come and see them? Will they have to go by themselves? When, their evidence disactivate, will workers or their agencies go and take the embassy's recommendation? When we look at things individually, everything is leading to brokers. Myanmar embassy should carry out for the workers as able as it can without sending workers back to their country. Some workers, in my opinion, 50 percent of them won't go home because of financial difficulties" said Ko Naing Naing Aung, director of Arakan Workers Organization.

In stead of sending workers back to renew, renewal should be performed just in Thailand, said the organizations helping migrant workers.

Because there is a labour demand in Thailand, statements are being released and discussions are underway relating to labour affairs So, something relating to workers without evidence may be released.

CNI News

23 June 2023

USA has imposed sanctions on Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank (MFTB) and Myanma Investment and Commercial Bank (MICB) with a view to restrict foreign currencies that will go to State Administration Council (SAC), which may adversely affact to local entrepreneurs more than SAC, said businessmen and analysts.

Garment industry, airlines, tourism industry,investment activities and trading businesses in Myanmar need to connect with MICB and MFTB banks for payment and tax payments. So, the sanctions may affact local businesses, said U Thiha Paing, founder of Via Logistics & Supply Chain, to CNI.

 Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank

"USA's sanctions have intended to affact MOGE and the Tatmadaw's businesses. But the sanctions impact on business elements more than SAC. If we legally work here, it will be convenient to connect with the government banks. There are still KBZ and AYA. But they are not as strong as the government banks. Moreover.although there are some branches of foreign banks, it may be difficult if they are compared with the government banks" he said.

" Here we have branches opened by foreign countries and also foreign banks. Some are going from project to project. It's a bit difficult for foreign cprporations when they pay the tax. The sanctions adversely affact many sectors such as oil and gas, electricity trading, energy, travel and tour, airline, metal mining, projects that really need to connect with the government, CMP industries, and investments" he said.

Over After USA has imposed on the two banks of Myanmar government, foreign currency exchange services in Myanmar have stopped temporarily due to comments that the value of dollar will probably rise.

"Because MFTB and MICB have been sanctioned, most of businesses in local and abroad must use other banks,said  U Thet Zaw, economy analyst, to CNI.

chairman of SAC meeting businesspeople

MFTB make decissions in trading matters. it needs to designate which banks are official. Ko Zaw Min Tun said that other banks can be used. But the central bank must permit." he said.

There is nothing to worry for Myanmar's banking industries because USA has imposed on MICB and MFTB. Usually, foreign currencies are being transferred, changed and depositted and USA is carrying out to make Myanmar get into economic and political crises, said Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson of SAC.

Although trade and investment activities work in connection with local private banks, only if these baks have a great deal of foreign currencies and at present, because private banks are weak in trade activities, hundi system will probably come back, said businessmen. The system is a verbal or written agreement to pay a stated sum, used as part of an informal system for transferring money.

CNI News

22 June 2023

When paddy is grown the rain rice season this year, workers that plant rice are highly paid more than previous years. Because rice prices are going up and rice planter workers are scarce, when paddy is grown, rice planting workers are earning 12,000 Kyat a day, said Daw Mya Mya Soe, a local of Zinkyaik Town in Mon State to CNI News.

"A day wage labourer who plants paddy earns 12,000 Kyats and if he takes a lunch box with him, he will get 15,000 Kyats. Workers are highly paid with the price of rice going up. A day wage labourer earned 9,000 to 10,000 Kyats before. Labourers are very scarce now.They have gone to Thailand, he said.

some people ploughing in the field

At the time of planting rice, workers not only from Khayan township and Thongwa township but also from Ayeryawady Region and Bago Region come to Mon State to plant rice. "In the past, eight workers worked for an acre of land and but now 15 workers have to be hired, said U Naing Maung Lay, a farmer from Chaung Sone Township, to CNI News.

In the past when a worker was paid 7,000 Kyats, workers arrived at the field at 6a.m and went home at 5p.m. But now, workers reached the field at 7 a.m and went home at 4p.m. Their working hours decrease. They walk around and speak on the phone during working hours. In fact, daily wages are not much. But their net working hours decrease. So, the cost of a farmer has increased. That's why many farmers sow the seeds in the field and then plant rice" he said.

The workers who are skilful in planting rice have been scarce especially men are more scarce, said Daw Htay Yi, a farmer from Paung Township in Mon State, to CNI News.

some workers planting rice

" We have to pay a worker 12,000 Kyats a day including unskilful ones. Men pull out rice seedling and replant. We have to pay them 15,000 each. Girls and women are paid 12,000 Kyats a day." she said.

Most of the farmers in Mon State don't work pulling out seedlings and replanting anymore and they work sowing seeds in the fields only because the workers have been scarce and cost for workers has become high. Planting by sowing seeds normally reduce the rate of yield. But if fertilizer is more used, the yield can be better. However, rice plants will be damaged after getting much rain which farmers are worried.

CNI News

22 June 2023

Ta'ang Land University will be open in 2024, said in a statement issued by Ta'ang National Education Committee on 20th Jun.

The university will be open so that the students who have joined the CDM (Civil Disobedience Movement) due to current political situation can go on learning, said in the statement.

The committee have intended to upgrade higher education of the Ta'ang region in accord with the time and to arise a qualified higher education system that is accessible for every student, said the committee in its statement.

TNEC learners

Due to the covid-19 pandemic and political changes a few years ago, young people were late in education and he hailed opening a university like this, said Maing Ohn Khaing, a Ta'ang politician to CNI News.

"We must welcome that they promote education. I'm very glad to know that they are carrying out to make youths continue learning further. Because of not only Covid-19 but also political changes, youths fall behind in education" he said.
Students for the first year course of that university will be accepted in December 2024 for the first time, intensionally for those who completed basic education before the Tatmadaw took power in 2021 and those who passed Basic Education Completion Assessment (BECA) 2023 conducted by NUG's ministry of education, said in the statement.

teachers for Ta'ang education

Arts, science, political science and agricultural subjects will be taught in that university and students must pay the cost, it said. Most of Ta'ang youths leave for China to work after giving up education and if the university is open, Ta'ang youths will probably attend, said U Aik Char, vice chairman of Lashio Township Taang Traditional Literature and Culture Department.

"At a time like this, some youths can't go to school. when the university like this can be open, Ta'ang youths should attend than others. Youths should go on learning with interest and actively. There are many youths who have gone out of school.I'd like to tell youths to give priority to education again" he said.

Diplomas and bachelors will be awarded to those who successfully complete courses or pass exams, said in the statement.

CNI News

22 June 2023

Farming cost is still rising although the price of fertilizer is falling at present in Myanmar, said farmers to CNI. Although the price of fertilizer is falling, because the prices of agricultural equipments are still rising, there may still be difficulties for basic farmers and peasants, said U Thein Aung, chairman of Farmers Development Association in Ayeyarwady Region.

"The prices of all equipment used in machine go up and so do service charges.This year the price of fertilizer is about 25 thousand Kyats less than last year. It's not very difficult for the farmers who have a little debt to pay. But those who have been in debt for years for example used to spend about four lakh Kyats before reaping. But now if they have to spend three lakh before reaping, they will have to spend five to six lakh all together. So they have to look for extra money. It's very difficult to look for the money like that. If the government helps them about two years in a row, many farmers will be convenient, he said.

 farmers are ploughing with machines

Of inputs, the price of fertilizer decreases at present, but the price can go up again in the agricultural season, said U Kyaw Zan, chairman of Rakhine State Peasant and Farmer Association, to CNI News.

Although the price of fertilizer decreases at present, only farmers who have enough money can buy fertilizer in advance. But when farmers must buy, its price can go up, he said.
Because the price of fertilizer just drop a little under ten thousand in Rakhine State, farmers make a litt profit like before, said U Maung Kyaw Hlaing who grows vegetables from Phayabaung Village in Kyauktaw Township, to CNI News.   
 
The government need to issue loans and support agricultural machines to farmers to save the cost of agriculture, said farmers.

The State Administration Council is reportedly issueing loans to farmers so that they can buy inputs and machines.