CNI News

28 September 2023

As there are attempts to arise a crop insurance system for Myanmar farmers, whether the system can protect them or not should be carefully carried out, said farmers to CNI News. 

Because the crop insurance system was the weather index insurance based on rainfall, it was unlikely that the system would protect farmers, pointed out farmers.

In order to properly manage and protect losses due to climate change with an insurance system, after forming a joint task force which contains government and private led by the Myanmar Insurance Enterprise, they are carrying out to arise a crop insurance system, said in a statement released by the Myanmar Rice Federation.

As there was not much variation in annual rainfall inches in Myanmar, if the crop insurance was based on rainfall inches during a year, it would not convenient for farmers, said U Thein Aung, chairman of the Farmers Development Association, to CNI News.

" For example, this year, in a total of 80 inches for a year, in the four months of rainy season, if there are 20 inches in a month, it is no problem. But if there were 40 rainfall inches in July and 10 inches only in the rest months each. In the end of the year, there might be 80 or 90 inches for a year round. But if it rained heavily in a month to reach up to many inches, plantations would be damaged by flood. There is not a very wide gap of rainfall inches between last year and this year or between this year and next year. The difference is 10 inches at most. If you are going to measure and set with that rainfall, this insurance business will have problems. There is a possibility of an argument," he said.

While the relevant parties were meeting and discussing to implement the crop insurance system

The insurance system should contain the percentage of damage per acre that will get insurance compensation if there are plantations that are damaged by heavy rain and if only half an acre was damaged, insurance compensation would be paid, which should not be, pointed out farmers.

As there are various rainfall inches depending on regions, it should be taken into account and insurance system should change, depending on regions, suggested some people. 

Because Myanmar people are weak in knowledge about insurance system, it is necessary to make awareness processes for farmers, said Ko Zaw Min Naing, an agricultural and economic advisor, to CNI News.

“If the insurance was designated consistently on all regions, it would not convenient because the crops are different depending on regions. I've heard that insurance companies don't take risk so much in this insurance system.  If there were organizations that measure rainfall regularly, the insurance might be okay. But there's one thing is that farmers in Myanmar don't know about the crop insurance pretty well.  So, firstly campaigns and awareness processes need to be performed to make farmers know about the insurance. After that, if the insurance system is implemented, there is a possibility. Farmers and insurance companies like this system in other countries. It is not a conventional insurance based on crop damage due to climate change and is based on rainfall. So, farmers can choose the plants based on rainfall." he said.

As this insurance is already widely implemented in other countries, under the direction of the Head of State, this insurance will be started, said the Myanmar Rice Federation. 

Discussions are underway to introduce this crop insurance system in the cold season based on Farmer Participatory Approach reportedly.

CNI News

28 September 2023

US is using Myanmar as a proxy war and interfering in the affairs of Myanmar, said Dr.Aung Myo, a Myanmar political analyst, to CNI News. 

US gives money directly to the opposition elements and providing them with other types of aids, he said.

" US government is directly providing the opposition elements with financial support including money from private donors. As a government, according to the law, US can't provide weapons. All the money they support reaches into the hands of the National Unity Government, not towards the government that is officially working. These money reached towards the end users. After buying weapons through arms smugglers in Thailand with these money, opposition forces will fight back against the government. The US government has already known that these money will be spent for the proxy war." said Dr. Aung Myo.

People protesting against the Tatmadaw in February 2021

The US became to interfere more in the affairs of Myanmar after the US National Defense Authority Act (NDAA) in which Burma Act is included was approved in December 2022. 

The Act contains the program to help Myanmar and according to the program, the US can provide technical and non-arms assistance to the pro-democracy activists and the EAOs that are fighting against the Tatmadaw.

People protesting against the Tatmadaw in February 2021

The US was providing assistance to some EAOs to control China, said U Li Paw Reh, chairman of the Lisu National Development Party (Dulei Party), to CNI News.

" The US helped and help some EAOs but not like helping Ukraine obviously. In my opinion, the US probably will not help opposition forces like Ukraine." said U Li Paw Reh.

To control China, which has become a powerful country, the US is performing to destabilize Myanmar that is a Chinese neighboring country, pointed out Myanmar political analysts.

At present the battles between the Tatmadaw and some EAOs/PDF joint forces are taking place in Kayin, Kayah, Chin States, Sagaing and Magway Regions.

CNI News

26 September  2023

After Lt-Gen Moe Myint Tun who had been the Chief of Staff of the Tatmadaw (Army) was removed because of bribery, rumor has that Lt-Gen Kyaw Swar Lin has been appointed to replace him.

Lt-Gen Moe Myint Tun was the fourth highest official in the Tatmadaw (army) and the fifth in the State Administration Council. So, he was known as a powerful super general.

When he was a member of the SAC, he was assigned as chairman of the foreign currency supervisory committee and of the Myanmar investment commission. And then he was accused that he committed bribery when he dealt with local businessmen and he was inspected after which he was removed from all the positions.

The statement that has mentioned the reshuffle of the State Administration Council

General Mya Tun Oo was appointed as chairman of Foreign Currency Supervisory Committee and of the Myanmar Investment Commission as a replacement and Chief of General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) General Maung Maung Aye was appointed as a member of the SAC as a replacement.

Moreover, after Lt-Gen Moe Myint Tun was removed from the position of the Chief of Staff of the Tatmadaw (Army), Lt- Gen Kyaw Swar Lin has been assigned to replace him reportedly.

Lt-Gen Kyaw Swar Lin is from the batch number-35 of the Defense Service Academy and served as the commander of the Central Command and as the Quartermaster General.

They have heard that Lt-Gen Kyaw Swar Lin has been assigned as the chief of staff of the Tatmadaw (Army) and it was very likely, said some people who are close to the Tatmadaw, to CNI News.

CNI News

27 September 2023

China will buy about 60,000 tons of corn from Myanmar as a substitution crop for poppy this year reportedly. 

China is buying corn grown in Shan and Kachin States yearly and bought over 30,000 tons of corn last year. 

There have been discussions to promote buying corn this year, according to the Myanmar Corn Industrial Association.

However, because the price China pays is lower, to sell corn from Shan and Kachin States will not be convenient and although the corn price is 1,150 kyats per viss in the domestic market, the price China want to pay is around 1,000 kyats only, said U Thant Zin Tun, vice chairman of the Myanmar Corn Industrial Association, to CNI News.

Myanmar corn plantation

" It's not too bad that China will buy 60,000 tons of corn when we can't export corn to Thailand through Myawady. Myanmar corn has started appearing. The corn in Bamaw and Waingmaw has started appearing a bit. And roast corn has started appearing in northern Shan State. In the previous years, about 30,000 or 40,000 tons of Myanmar corn were exported. We are told to export corn through Chinese border gates - Lweje, Kan Pite Tee, Muse and Chin Shwe Haw. But the price is not very convenient. We can't export because the price is low. Corn cannot be bought in Myanmar at the price China gives. China gives about 1,000 kyats a viss. Domestic price is about 1,150 kyats.I haven't heard of much trading." said U Thant Zin Tun.

Although the corn price that China offers is the world corn price, because of current export earnings policy of Myanmar, it is not convenient, said corn traders. If the world corn price go up, the price China offers will increase and if the price doesn't increase, corn will be exported at the price they offer, said a corn trader, to CNI News.

Myanmar corn

" Exporters are planning to export, I think. But it hasn't realized exactly. They are still watching. The price is not convenient for them because of export earning policy. Exporters don't get full money earned from selling at the dollar price. According to 50-50 policy, exporters get half of the money from sale at the rate of 2,100 kyats per dollar and another half at the rate of 2,920 kyats per dollar. They have offered at the world market price. But we don't make a profit. They might raise the price for many reasons. If they don't raise the price, we will sell at this price." he said.

The corn produced in Shan State is exported to China as a substitution crop instead of growing poppy yearly from September to December, said corn traders.

 As substitution crops to replace poppy, tea, sugarcane, avocado and corn including other long-term fruit trees are grown in Shan State and they are being exported.

CNI News

27 September 2023

The 8th anniversary celebration of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement will be held on 15 October 2023 reportedly. 

The National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee convened a meeting in Naypyidaw in order to be able to hold the 8th anniversary celebration of the NCA on 25 September 2023. 

Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, chairman of  the NSPNC and Union Minister for Home Affairs, explained about the policies relating to the 8th anniversary celebration of the NCA and Lt-Gen Min Naing, secretary of the NSPNC explained about the processes for holding the celebration at the meeting.

After that, Lt-Gen Aye Win, chairman of the Coordinating Work Committee explained the issues to be coordinated regarding the invitation and taking record photos and Lt-Gen Win Bo Shein, chairman of the Working Committee explained the procedures that will be systematically carried out for making the celebration a success.

The NSPNC was convening a meeting on 25 September 2023 for holding the 8th anniversary 

The NCA was signed by the Karen National Union (KNU), the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), KNU/KNLA-Peace Council, the Chin National Front (CNF), the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF) and the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) on 15 October 2015.

And then, the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the Lahu Democratic Union signed the NCA on 12 February 2018.

Among the 10 NCA signatories, KNU, CNF and ABSDF are at the battles against the Tatmadaw.

CNI News

27 September 2023

The Pa-O National Federal Council (PNFC) drafted the constitution of the Pa-O State for the emergence of the Pa-O State, said Khun Wai Tun, secretary-2 of the PNFC, to CNI News. 

In the establishment of the federal democratic union, the Pa-O have aimed the Pa-O State to participate as a state of the union, he said.

 " The aim of various ethnic forces taking part in the Spring Revolution is to end the dictatorship and build a federal democratic union. In the establishment of the federal democratic union which will made up of many states, as a member state of the union, according to the federal policies based on political and racial equality, anticipating for the emergence of Pao State, we draft the constitution as a preparation process" said Khun Wai Tun.

The formation of Pa-O State would mainly include the regions in southern Shan State and other regions where Pa-O nationalities live, including Thaton region in Mon state would become national region or a self-administrative area, etc. 

Khun Myint Tun, chairman of the Pa-O National Federal Council

However, they would perform in accordance with the desire of the Pa-O people, he added. 

The ultimate political goal of the Pa-O people is the emergence of Pa-O state which fully guarantees national equality and self-determination, said in the statement released in commemoration of the Pa-O National Martyrdom Day that fell on 24th September. 

Moreover, the PNFC decided to implement the drafting processes of the Pa-O State constitution and the designation of the Pa-O national regions, said in the statement.

The office of the Pao Autonomous Region

Other ethnic groups have also demanded to form a state of their own and it would be carried out in accordance with the constitution, said Sai Ai Pao, chairman of the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), to CNI News.

" Shanni is trying to build Shanni State after gating its regions in Sagaing Region and Kachin State. Wa also is demanding to form Wa State. They will be in accordance with the constitution. According to the constitution, a referendum will be held. So, it's not that easy." he said.

Shanni, Ta'ang and Wa including Pa-O are demanding to form the states of their own. 

Currently, Myanmar is made up of seven regions, seven states, five autonomous regions, one self-administered division and one Naypyidaw union territory

CNI News

26 September 2023

Myanmar vendors in Mae Sot, a Thai city on the Thai-Myanmar border, are being strictly checked and arrests have increased, said Mae Sot residents. 

Many Myanmar vendors have been arrested between August and September reportedly. 

Moreover, more security forces have been deployed at the border gates where could be easily entered and left and more patrols are also seen in the barracks where Myanmar nationals live, said Ko Thar Gyi, one of the people who are helping Myanmar migrant workers in Mae Sot, to CNI News.

While Thai policemen have arrested Myanmar nationals who sell goods

" Since an explosion took place on the Myanmar side about three weeks ago, Thai border security has been tightened up to now. In the past during the period of over eight or nine years that the army that couped took responsibility, Indian, Chinese nationals including Myanmar stood as business people opening KTV, restaurants, stores and other businesses after paying the local authorities for monthly permit fees. But at this border, many goods imported from Myanmar by Myanmar shop owners are included in the goods that have not been allowed to import or do not pay the duty. For example, tobacco that is put in betel nut is not allowed to import officially. The goods like this were being traded after paying monthly fee. But after the election, some departments don't know the monthly fee. These departmental officials came to this territory without knowing that. And then, they seized illegal goods." said Ko Thar Gyi.

Four Myanmar selling goods on the side of Mae Sot of the Mae Sot-Myawady Friendship Bridge No.1 were arrested on 18th September, said Thai immigration department. 

Moreover, the passengers on the buses which will depart from Mae Sot or enter Mae Sot are being checked whether they have passports and other necessary documents reportedly.

While Thai policemen have arrested Myanmar nationals who sell goods

 At present, those who have registered in the name list have been allowed to stay until the end of September and later, checks and arrests could increase, said an official from IBECSWO, a social assistance association, to CNI News.

" After the end of this month, arrests will be everywhere because the Thai authorities are checking whether migrant workers are documented or undocumented. At present, a lot of Myanmar nationals are entering Thailand. Illegal Myanmar migrant workers have increased quite a lot. Those who have registered in the name list have been legal. Another thing they have to do is to apply for CI (certificate of identity) books." said Mizzima Ko Thar Gyi from IBECSWO.

Thai government tends to issue pink cards for work permit for illegal migrant workers. 

Myanmar government is providing service in Myawady and Kawthaung to Myanmar migrant workers whose four year MoU term has been expired with U-Turn system which will take four days only to enable them to re-enter their workplaces.

Moreover, those who want to renew passports and apply for new passports can come and carry out at the embassy in person without making any appointments.  

CNI News

26 September 2023

Gold is currently traded in Myanmar based on the Thai domestic gold price and Thai baht price without calculating the Myanmar domestic gold price by the  US dollar, according to gold entrepreneurs. 

Gold is traded like this because dealing by Thai baht has not been tightened although US dollar dealers and traders are being taken actions against and arrested reportedly.
 
Besides, it is also because the Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) has approved the Thai baht (THB) as a permissible currency for international payments and settlement transactions, said traders.

Thai bahts and US dollars

Although transactions are conducted after calculating Thai baht price, because the Thai baht price is altering, depending on the US dollar price, the dealings have anything to do with US dollar indirectly, said Ko Ne Khant, dollar and gold market analyst, to CNI News.

" For the time being, the right to hold US dollar is as you know. The arrests are rampant in the money transfers. The arrests are more relating to the US dollar. Among the gold, money and dollar, baht is freer from restriction. Another thing is that many diamond traders and gold entrepreneurs have been relating to Thai baht since before. It is also because pf the policy change which has allowed to use baht directly. It's kind of like replacing the dollar. Thai gold price is related to the world gold price. And Thai baht price is connected with the gold price. So, we still have anything to do with the US dollar indirectly. But it can't greatly impact. That its price is related is right. But it also related to our local demand and supply." said Ko Ne Khant.

The Central Bank of Myanmar approved the Thai baht as a permissible currency for international payments and settlement transactions on 14th August. 

Thai bahts and Myanmar Kyat 

Because Myanmar's gold price is calculated based on Thai gold and baht prices, when the Thai baht price changes, the prices of goods imported from Thailand can change. Moreover, Thai currency is not stable and its inflation has increased double, said U Thet Zaw, an economic analyst, to CNI News.

" To tell you frankly, although is calculated on the Thai gold and baht prices, gold is gold and goods are goods. But they both go depending on the exchange rate If the exchange rate changes, there may be a problem. When it is calculated like this because there are many arrests relating to US dollar, if the Thai baht price changed, it could affect both the gold price and commodity prices. Thai baht is not stable as well. Its inflation has double increased." said U Thet Zaw.

That gold entrepreneurs and gold traders use Thai baht instead of dollars was not for the stabilization of the gold price but because there were many arrests relating to US dollar, pointed out businessmen. 

Moreover, whether there will be speculations about the Thai baht or not will need to be watched ,and if the Thai baht price went up, the prices of commodities imported from Thailand would rise, said businessmen and economists.

CNI News

25 September 2023

After the licenses of more than 100 companies which did not comply with the rules and orders issued by the Central Bank were withdrawn, because the prices of foreign currencies have been stable, real estate and car prices have fallen, said economic analysts.

Because the sellers and traders relating to the prices of foreign currencies and US dollars were making extremely speculations, investigative teams have taken actions and at present, there is no one who obviously trades foreign currencies reportedly.

Because of investigation and actions like this, the price of US dollar has been stable and real estate and car prices have fallen. However, it can be effective temporarily, said Ko Ne Khant, US dollar and gold market analyst, to CNI News.

The lis of companies whose licenses have been banned by the Central Bank

" As you know, traders and brokers work for their greed. They won't do anything if there isn't any profit left for them. They performed some excessive actions as well. So, the government intervened. But the control is also a little severe. Arrests were instantly conducted. The Bureau of Special Investigation investigates even top officials. They don't dare to help anyone. Well-known cronies and real bosses don't stay in Myanmar any more. They usually go to Bangkok to avoid being investigated. The traders and brokers were asked to attend the meeting and they were arrested there. Anyone don't dare to trade obviously anymore. Arrests were conducted to make the prices fall. For the time being, real estate prices have fallen a little. Car prices also have fallen obviously. It can be said as a result. But how long will this situation exist? Those who will buy again are waiting for the time when the prices will fall. So, it doesn't make any difference. This modal is a little wrong. But it will work temporarily." said Ko Ne Khant.

The number of companies that exchange and sell foreign currency whose licenses have been suspended has reached 167 this year and one in January, 20 in March, 10 in July, 13 in August, and 123 in September. 

While seeing the dollar exchange

Among the companies suspended, tourism companies, airlines, hotels, construction companies, jewelry companies and trading companies were included, said in the statement. Any more of actions might be conducted, said U Thet Zaw, an economic analyst, to CNI News.

" Some companies probably didn't provide complete information. And the companies that were trading in the black market were closed, I think. There were many companies that couldn't present necessary documents. They would be suspended. There will be anymore of actions, I think." said U Thet Zaw.

Although the Central Bank stated to sell and exchange one US dollar at 2,100 kyats as the reference price in April last year, in practice one US dollar was being traded at 3,300 to 3,500 kyats. 

Because the companies that didn't comply with the reference price of the Central Bank, their licenses were closed reportedly. 

Most companies had suspended trading because there was a wide gap between the reference prices and the market price, so their licenses were closed, said businessmen.