CNI News

9 Mar 2023

Ethnic armed organizations that are holding peace talks with the State Administration Council should be persuaded to join the revolution together with the National Unity Government, Political Observer U Than Soe Naing told the CNI.

Peace talks are just to prevent some EAOs from joining the NUG, he added.

He told the CNI, "The junta has been holding peace talks as usual. It has become obvious recently. The junta holds peace talks with smaller EAOs whenever armed conflicts intensify. It is just trying to prevent EAOs from working together with the NUG. As this will not contribute to the Spring Revolution and they should be persuaded to join the revolution."

Leaders of the DKBA, the KNU/KNLA-PC, the PNLO, the ALP and the SSPP meet the NSPNC.

Signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement including the RCSS/SSA, the NMSP, the DKBA, the ALP, the KNU/KNLA-PC, the PNLO and the LDU are holding talks with the SAC.
Similarly, EAOs such as the UWSA, the NDAA and the SSPP/SSA, which has not signed the NCA, are also holding peace talks with the SAC.

Political Observer Dr Hla Kyaw Zaw said," The junta will do its job. All the problems in Myanmar are created by the junta. It is sowing the seed of disunity among us. The other day, an ethnic leader said problems among us are created by the junta and we can resolve the issue when the junta has been overthrown. I agree with him."

The NUG and the PDF.

The junta declared a state of emergency on 1st February, 2021 after accusing the NLD government of forming a new government without settling election disputes.

Since then, anti-junta protests and armed struggle by the NUG have emerged.

At present, armed conflicts have erupted between junta forces and joint forces of the PDF and EAOs in Kayin State, Chin State, Kayah (Karenni) State, Sagaing Region and Magway Region.

CNI News

9 Mar 2023

The economic crisis of the people is likely to deepen if elections cannot be held due to various reasons despite the efforts of the SAC, economic observers and economists said.

If elections scheduled by the SAC can be held, the economy of the country will recover and job opportunities and livelihoods of the people will improve, they added.

Economic sanctions are likely to be lifted when an elected government takes office and foreign investment will flow again into the country, Economic Observer U Thet Zaw told the CNI. He added that more sanctions are likely to be imposed and the current economic crisis of the people will exacerbate without holding elections.

He said, "To be frank, when civilian administration is expanded, military involvement is reduced thanks to elections. Moreover, our country has been hit by a large number of sanctions and resolutions. When an elected government is formed, efforts must be made to ease the sanctions. It is expected that we will be able to attract the FDI. Without elections, more sanctions and resolutions will be imposed. So, the economic crisis will deepen."

 A scene in Yangon.

Although some people are looking forward to elections, others are against them.

As a result, the economic prospects of the country depend on holding elections successfully and policies of the new government, entrepreneurs said.

They also expect that FDI will flow again into the country after the elections.

The current political situation of the country does not bode well for the people and is likely to have an impact on the economy, Banking Expert U Htay Aung Kyi told the CNI.

He said, "Elections are political exits for all. It also depends on how they understand it. If they think it is convenient for all, it will be a good exit. It is difficult to assess the common understanding of all. The economy of the country depends much on the political situation. As everything depends on the political situation, there are impacts on the economy. If everyone understands the situation, the economy will improve, I think."

A charity of meals for people in need.

Border trade does not depend much on whether elections can be held or not but there will be delays for a certain period, Vice Chairman U Thant Zin Tun of the Myanmar Corn Industry Association told the CNI.

He said, "Whether elections are held or not, we will have to continue to conduct trade. Barber will have to do their work and so do farmers and merchants. There will be delays for a certain period. However, we will have to do our jobs. In border trade whether it is with Bangladesh or in Myawady or Muse, there were delays due to the closure of gates for sometimes due to policies of relevant countries over the pandemic or unexpected reasons. However, border trade will always resume. So, whether elections are held or not, that will not have so much impact on border trade."

Even if elections can be held, foreign direct investment will not enter into Myanmar immediately and the international community will still watch closely for a certain time and FDI will enter into the country only six months or one year, according to business people.

CNI News

9 Mar 2023

Myanmar tourism reached its heyday during the period from 2012 to 2019 but post-COVID-19 tourism is still struggling to reach its heyday level, tour entrepreneurs and hoteliers told the CNI.

Foreign tourist arrivals to Myanmar rose during the period from 2003 to 2006 and dropped from 2007 to 2011. However, the Myanmar tourism sector recovered in 2012 and reached its peak in 2019, welcoming 4.4 million tourists in that year alone.

The tourism sector is still struggling to survive due to the decreasing number of tourist arrivals, tour operators and hoteliers said.

Foreign tourists on a beach.

Tour Entrepreneur U That Lwin Toe told the CNI, "The number of tourist arrivals has dropped below one million at present to just a few hundred thousand. The tourism sector reached its heyday because of its image. There were investment opportunities and it was safe for tourists to visit tour destinations in our country. During the period from 2003 to 2007, the government introduced the visa-on-arrival system not only for diplomats but also for tourists. As tourists needed assistance from agents, they got service fees. And tour guides got jobs. Then, everything changed when the government offered online and e-visas and the government launched visa-free programs. As a result, the number of FIT tours increased. For example, ten tourists visited Myanmar. Three of them bought package tours. Seven of them visited the country with free visas or as independent travellers. All of them helped increase the tourism revenue of the country. What are barrier fields? Authorities need to understand the situation on the ground rather than saying fine words."

As foreign tourist arrivals contribute to an increase in GDP, tourist arrivals are important for the country, Chairman U Zaw Zaw of the Hoteliers Association (Shan State-North) told the CNI.
Compared with the previous situation, foreign countries think that stability has not been restored in Myanmar and tourist arrivals are still low, he added.

He told the CNI, "Neighbouring Thailand relies heavily on tourism. During the term of president U Thein Sein, Chinese citizens were allowed to enter Myanmar through Ruili-Muse by issuing border passes. Chinese citizens visited Myanmar by hundreds by coaches. Therefore, accommodation and food for them have to be arranged. Transportation services and souvenir shops were very busy. As Chinese citizens spent their money in our country, all people related to tourism businesses earned incomes. It is just an example."

Fourist tourists in Bagan.

Therefore, it is necessary to attract foreign tourists through various ways and means and the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism is required to listen to the advice of related associations and experts, tour entrepreneurs associations and hoteliers said.

U Thet Lwin Toe said, "Who is carrying out research? Only when research is conducted, will authorities know what are barriers. Number (1) barrier is visas. The government has not resumed the visa-on-arrival program. Visas are issued for embassies and online. Number (2) barrier is insurance. Tourists are required to buy insurance policies worth US$ 50, 60 or 70 to get visas without covering medical costs and the term of the insurance expires within two or three weeks. It shows that authorities are US$-thirsty. Some tourists do not like such practices."

Recovery of tourism depends a lot on the image of the country, according to tour entrepreneurs and hoteliers.

In addition, regional stability, rampant checkpoints, transportation delays also pose barriers to tourism. When transportation routes have to be changed, costs increase, according to them.
Relevant departments are required to cooperate for the development of tourism not by words but by studying the situation on the ground to resolve issues, they said.

CNI News

9 Mar 2023

Myanmar tourism reached its heyday during the period from 2012 to 2019 but post-COVID-19 tourism is still struggling to reach its heyday level, tour entrepreneurs and hoteliers told the CNI.

Foreign tourist arrivals to Myanmar rose during the period from 2003 to 2006 and dropped from 2007 to 2011. However, the Myanmar tourism sector recovered in 2012 and reached its peak in 2019, welcoming 4.4 million tourists in that year alone.

The tourism sector is still struggling to survive due to the decreasing number of tourist arrivals, tour operators and hoteliers said.

Foreign tourists on a beach.

Tour Entrepreneur U That Lwin Toe told the CNI, "The number of tourist arrivals has dropped below one million at present to just a few hundred thousand. The tourism sector reached its heyday because of its image. There were investment opportunities and it was safe for tourists to visit tour destinations in our country. During the period from 2003 to 2007, the government introduced the visa-on-arrival system not only for diplomats but also for tourists. As tourists needed assistance from agents, they got service fees. And tour guides got jobs. Then, everything changed when the government offered online and e-visas and the government launched visa-free programs. As a result, the number of FIT tours increased. For example, ten tourists visited Myanmar. Three of them bought package tours. Seven of them visited the country with free visas or as independent travellers. All of them helped increase the tourism revenue of the country. What are barrier fields? Authorities need to understand the situation on the ground rather than saying fine words."

As foreign tourist arrivals contribute to an increase in GDP, tourist arrivals are important for the country, Chairman U Zaw Zaw of the Hoteliers Association (Shan State-North) told the CNI.
Compared with the previous situation, foreign countries think that stability has not been restored in Myanmar and tourist arrivals are still low, he added.

He told the CNI, "Neighbouring Thailand relies heavily on tourism. During the term of president U Thein Sein, Chinese citizens were allowed to enter Myanmar through Ruili-Muse by issuing border passes. Chinese citizens visited Myanmar by hundreds by coaches. Therefore, accommodation and food for them have to be arranged. Transportation services and souvenir shops were very busy. As Chinese citizens spent their money in our country, all people related to tourism businesses earned incomes. It is just an example."

Fourist tourists in Bagan.

Therefore, it is necessary to attract foreign tourists through various ways and means and the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism is required to listen to the advice of related associations and experts, tour entrepreneurs associations and hoteliers said.

U Thet Lwin Toe said, "Who is carrying out research? Only when research is conducted, will authorities know what are barriers. Number (1) barrier is visas. The government has not resumed the visa-on-arrival program. Visas are issued for embassies and online. Number (2) barrier is insurance. Tourists are required to buy insurance policies worth US$ 50, 60 or 70 to get visas without covering medical costs and the term of the insurance expires within two or three weeks. It shows that authorities are US$-thirsty. Some tourists do not like such practices."

Recovery of tourism depends a lot on the image of the country, according to tour entrepreneurs and hoteliers.

In addition, regional stability, rampant checkpoints, transportation delays also pose barriers to tourism. When transportation routes have to be changed, costs increase, according to them.
Relevant departments are required to cooperate for the development of tourism not by words but by studying the situation on the ground to resolve issues, they said.

CNI News

9 Mar 2023

The Myanmar political crisis must be resolved through elections, Political Observer U Ye Tun told the CNI.

A stable community can only be restored through elections and it is an indisputable means to resolve political issues, he added.

He told the CNI, "The crisis must be resolved through elections. We are building a democratic multi-party state. What I mean is that the majority of the people will decide who will rule the country or a democracy. Only through such a system, will we be able to build a relatively stable political environment. It is not disputable that we will have to go through the democratic system. The problem is how the system will be adopted and who will participate. If there are undemocratic restrictions like who can be run for election, such elections will not be a true exit. The country will not be peaceful and stable."

Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing casts his vote in the 2020 general election. (Reuters)

However, he added that it was important not to restrict some individuals and organizations from running for elections and the country must be built through the democracy system.

Another way to resolve the crisis is through negotiations, Spokesperson Naing Than Shwe of the Mon Unity Party told the CNI.

He said, "Another means is dialogue. If there are restrictions in dialogue, there are problems. The political exit is the dialogue of all stakeholders without restrictions. Otherwise, we will have to look upon elections. If elections can be held, there will be parliaments and a so-called elected civilian government. The parliament could pressure the government to resolve issues. So, there are two ways to resolve the crisis, one being elections and the other, dialogue of all stakeholders."

Supporters of the NLD. (AFP)

The SAC chairman said the general election would be held in 2023 and power would be transferred to the winning party.

However, the NUG has vowed to disrupt the elections held by the SAC.

CNI News

8 Mar 2023

The number of domestic travellers to Bagan ancient cultural zone has increased and hotels in Bagan are receiving bookings for the Thingyan festival, according to Bagan-Nyaung-U tourism services.

As Bagan is relatively stable compared to other townships, domestic travellers will visit Bagan during the Thingyan festival but the number of domestic travellers to Bagan will not will not hit the level before the outbreak of COVID-19, Ko Kyaw Swar Lin from Bagan tourism service told the CNI.

He said, "We have received bookings for the Thingyan festival as usual. If domestic travellers do not book ahead, it is difficult for them to get rooms. So, they are making bookings for the festival. However, we cannot expect the number of travellers to Bagan to reach the level before the outbreak of COVID-19. As Bagan is relatively stable compared to nearby towns, domestic travellers are interested in visiting Bagan. It is expected that nearly the same number of pilgrims will visit Bagan during the festival."

A scene in Bagan

Recently, the number of pilgrims to Bagan has increased and about 10,000 pilgrims visit Bagan every day, according to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism (Bagan Branch).

Domestic travellers are making arrangements to visit Bagan during the Thingyan festival but they will travel to Bagan with their own families under their own arrangements without buying packages from tour agencies. More people will visit Bagan than other destinations, Chairman U Naung Naung Han of the Myanmar Tour Entrepreneurs Association told the CNI.

He said, "I think the number of travellers to Bagan will increase during the Thingyan festival because people are making arrangements to visit Bagan. However, I don't know how many bookings have been made. Some travellers will go to beaches but others don't want to go to beaches again and again. So, they are preparing to go to Bagan with their families without buying packages from tour agencies. I am not sure whether the number of travellers to Bagan will be higher than recent years. Compared with other destinations, more travellers will visit Bagan."

A scene in Bagan

Normally, about 10,000 pilgrims visit Bagan every day and the number of pilgrims will increase during the Thingyan festival. During the 9-day Thingyan festival in 2022, about 200,000 pilgrims visited Bagan, according to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism (Bagan Branch).

There are 154 hotels in Bagan but only 74 hotels have been reopened in accordance with COVID-19 rules and regulations, according to the ministry.

CNI News

8 Mar 2022

Effective action will be taken against those who hack into the online website of the Myanmar Passport Office for online appointments to change data or to commit fraud, according to an announcement.

The new online appointment system aims to reduce the number of agents and frauds but it is still necessary to closely watch the system, Ko Nay Oo, a director from an overseas employment agency that sends workers to Japan, told the CNI.

He said, "The system aims to reduce the number of agents and frauds but applicants are required to apply for passports in person. I think there will be no agents in the future. However, there are a few agents at the moment. In other towns, applicants will have to rely on agent to get passports with delays. It is difficult to handle the fake document issue. If people can get passports and visas easily, there will be no fake documents. It is convenient for applicants if passport processing is carried out nornally. If the process is halted and resumed again and again, it will be difficult for applicants."

The passport office in Yangon has adopted a new online appointment system recently.

People queuing in front of the passport office.

Under the new system, applicants are required to provide personal data and pay MMK 35,000 passport fee online to make appointments. However, there are too many applicants and problems still persist.

As migrant workers who intend to go abroad are not well versed in technology, it is difficult for them to apply for a passport by themselves and agent fees are likely to increase, Ko Thar Gyi, a labour activist who has been offering assistance to Myanmar workers in Thailand, told the CNI.
He said, "There is a problem. The appointment token number may be issued for the name of the applicant but there will be code numbers for passports. Therefore, his NRC number may not be entered into the computer system and his photo will be taken. Then, the passport will be issued. We need to think about such problems for fake documents. The applicant thinks he has received the passport but it will still be a fake document. It depends on the detailed process on the ground and authorities are required to check problems skilfully. Fraudsters will use new methods for new systems."

People queuing in front of the passport office.

The passport office was closed in December, 2022 to upgrade its processes and reopened on 24th January, 2023.

Then, the issuance of passports was again suspended on 1st March and it was announced that passport applications would resume later.

Those who fail to come to the office at the appointed time are allowed to make appointments again within seven office days, according to the announcement.

CNI News

8 Mar 2023

Special Envoy for Asian Affairs Mr. Deng Xijun of China and SAC Foreign Minister discussed continued cooperation to boost peace and stability along the China-Myanmar border on 6th March.

They also discussed on-going Pauk Phaw relations and strengthening of cooperation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying, "Continued cooperation to boost peace and stability along the Myanmar-China border and latest developments in the internal peace and national reconciliation process were discussed."

Chinese Special Envoy Deng Xijun meets the SAC chairman on 29th December, 2022.

The statement added that matters related to offering assistance to efforts for development of Myanmar.

After replacing Sun Guoxiang as the special envoy for Asian affairs, Mr. Deng Xijun visited Myanmar for the first time on 29th December, 2022 and met with Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing and Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin.

Chinese Special Envoy Deng Xijun holds talks with NDAA leaders in Mongla on 21st February, 2023.

Then, he visited Myanmar again on 6th March, 2023 and held talks with members of the SAC.

Mr Deng Xijun also held talks with leaders of EAOs which are active along the Myanmar-China border including the UWSA, the NDAA, the SSPP, the KIA, the TNLA and the MNDAA to prevent fighting.

CNI News

7 Mar 2023

Tourist guides in Myanmar have been forced to work as private business owners, company staff and online shopping service providers, tourist guides and tour operators told the CNI.

Tourist guides have been forced to change their carrier since the outbreak of COVID-19 in April, 2020, when tour operations stopped and the current political changes, according to tourist guides.

Ma Theint, who stopped working as tourist guide in April, 2020 and set up a private business, told the CNI that there are differences between the two carriers.

She said, "Private businesses depend on our own abilities to conduct business. As I have set up a food stall, I need to sell products as well as provide services. I have to maintain the quality of food and think about the product line to produce similar products. Another part is service, I have to provide better services. It is quite different from the previous career. The sustainability of our private businesses depends on us. As a tourist guide, my company had to solve all the problems caused by me. I could only be fired from the job."

She added that she is interested in tourism and she aims to resume a tourist guide career when inbound tourism has recovered in Myanmar.

As inbound tourism has halted, not only tour guides but also tour agencies are encountering crises, Chairman U Zaw Zaw of the Shan State (North) Hoteliers Association told the CNI.

 A tourist guide conducting a tour for foreign tourists.

He said, "Some tour agencies have not renewed their licences since the outbreak of COVID-19. The number of such agencies have increased. They are still struggling to resume their operations. Tourist guides have changed careers. The main reason is that tourist arrivals have dropped. Some companies cannot survive. They try to invite foreign tourists but the tourists do not want to visit Myanmar. Those who visit Myanmar at present are business people. Therefore, tourist guides have faced challenges. It is a hard time for them."

Therefore, hoteliers and tour operators are conducting language courses for tour guides.

Loss of human resources in the tourism sector has an impact on the sector, a tour entrepreneur told the CNI.

He said, "This is a huge loss. When foreign tourists resume visiting Myanmar and the market has recovered, we can hire tour guides. However, competent staff at huge hotels have gone to work abroad. Some of them have returned to their native towns and villages. They will not be able to return to work immediately. Tourism depends not only on the ability to learn foreign languages but also on the experience of guides. We trained tourist guides in 1993 and the training programs gained momentum in the 2000s. Then, tourists did not come to Myanmar due to demonstrations from 2007 to 2009 and Cyclone Nargic. When tourists resumed visiting Myanmar in 2012, we faced shortages of tour guides."

Although tourism in neighbouring Thailand has recovered, Myanmar tour agencies are still relying on domestic tourism.

Enormous efforts are needed to make for the development of inbound tourism in Myanmar and there are many challenges, according to tour entrepreneurs.