CNI News

9 Feb 2023

As martial law has been imposed in Kawkareik in Kayin State, security of workers who are going to work in Thailand under the MOU between the two countries, Thailand-based labour activists told the CNI.

Most MOU workers are sent to Thailand via Myawady-Mae Sot Bridge (2) on Myawady-Kawkareik Asian Highway.

As a result, security of workers is worrisome, Labour activist Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI.

He said,"Imposing martial law along the route to send migrant workers to Thailand poses risks on innocent migrant workers and local residents. It amounts to creating fear among local residents. It places burden to agencies. Frankly speaking, there is no rule of law in the country. Individual workers should take care of their security and agencies that send worker are responsible. Hundreds of thousands of worker are being sent to Thailand by express bus. It is very dangerous for them."

An archway to Kawkareik.

Although it is convenient for local residents and workers to travel when there is no fighting, they are forced to take care of themselves when armed conflicts erupt, labour activist added.

Lack of job opportunities at home, low wages and high commodity prices have forced Myanmar nationals to work in neighbouring countries legally or illegally.

It is necessary for MOU workers as well as illegal migrants to be more cautious to go to Thailand during the martial law, labour activists warned.

Labour Activist U Ba Yi from the Migrant Workers Rights Network said, "They are worried as martial law has been imposed. They are worried about travelling. If fighting erupts, it is very dangerous for them. Sending MOU workers to Thailand is likely to be suspended or it is difficult for then to go to Thailand legally or illegally. There is no special arrangement for travelers or MOU workers to go to Thailand. It is important for the to take care of themselves."

Workers sent to Thailand under the MOU between the two countries.

As martial law has been imposed in Kawkareik. the Ministry of Labour is responsible for the safety of MOU workers, Labour Activist Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI.

He said, "It is the responsibility of the labour ministry. They should make arrangements to send workers. As the route has been declared as war zone, everyone can be shot to death. As a labour organization, we are worried about workers. No one will know who kill them."

Currently, martial law has been imposed in 37 townships in eight states and regions by the SAC including 11 townships in Sagaing Region, seven townships in Chin State, five township each in Magway and Bago regions, four townships in Kayah State, two townships each in Kayin State and Tanintharyi Region and one township in Mon State.

CNI News

8 Feb 2023

The general crisis can be resolved when the Panglong Agreement can be implemented, the Shan State Restoration Council/Shan State Army issued a statement.

The statement was issued on the 76th Anniversary of the Shan National Day.

The RCSS said, "The current political crisis can be overcome by collectively implementing the essence of the Panglong Agreement, the Panglong Spirit and its provisions."

The celebration of the Shan National Day at the RCSS headquarters

The Panglong Agreement stipulates the building of the federal union by peaceful coexistence of all national races, according to the statement.

The people of the Shan State contributed to establishing the union due to the agreement, which must be borne in the mind of the national races, the statement said.

The RCSS/SSA is a signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement.

CNI News

8 Feb 2023

People of Myanmar will have to find their own exit from the current crisis, Chairman Dr Aye Maung of the Arakan Front Army told the CNI.

Some political observers said that the general election scheduled in 2023 might serve as an exit from the crisis while others said the general election would do nothing to resolve the crisis.

The ASEAN has recently failed to engage with the SAC, which will hold the general election, and the ASEAN is trying to resolve the Myanmar crisis, Dr Aye Maung added.

An empty chair for the Myanmar representative at an ASEAN summit.

He said, "It is just an opinion of ASEAN whether it accepts the general election or not. However, the regional body has not had engagement with the junta, which will hold the general election, recently. ASEAN approved the five-point consensus. How it will approach the issue depends on its stand and situation. As far as I understand, ASEAN has adopted a principle of non-interference. Whether it will abide by the principle depends on its stand. ASEAN will have to decide how to address the issue. Myanmar people will have to find their own exit from the crisis."

Currently, ASEAN has been divided into two camps, one sympathizing China and the other supporting the West, Political Observer U Than Soe Naing told the CNI.

A demonstration calling for democracy in Myanmar.

He said, "Some members support the general election while others do not. ASEAN is divided into two factions of pro-China and pro-West. The pro-West group does not support the general election. The pro-China camp is likely to support the general election. So, they are divided."

The junta is compiling voters' lists and enacted the political parties registration law and its rules.

The SAC chairman has promised to hold a general election in 2023 and transfer power to the winning party.

CNI News

8 Feb 2023

Cooperation of Investors and technologies are essential for the development of rice cultivation, agricultural and economic experts told the CNI.

Although investors are essential, they are required to take mutual interests, Chairman U Thein Aung of the Farmers' Development Association told the CNI.

He said, "No businessman has supported agriculture in the successive eras. They just trade and store crops for their own profits. So, it is difficult to achieve agricultural development. So, we need technicians who understand the situation on the ground. We have had agricultural technicians but they do not understand the situation on the ground. If they cooperate with farmers depending on their abilities to invest, it will be beneficial for all.

Farms.

Investors are required to take not only their profits but also development of the agriculture sector, agriculture and economic observers told the CNI.

Farmers are suffering losses from high input prices caused by political and exchange rate instability and profiteering of businessmen, they added.

It will take time to achieve development of the agriculture sector even if businessmen and technicians cooperate with farmers, agriculture and economic consultant Ko Zaw Min Naing told the CNI.

He said, "When a business is started, it is difficult to expect profits during the first five years and it has to try to reduce losses. Then, it tries to gain profits gradually. In the same way, farmers and businessmen must take their own shares of work. The source of credit and support must be provided by the government and the government must change necessary policies. The trilateral cooperation can turn Myanmar into a rice bowl of the world."

Farmers working in a paddy field.

As farmers lack agricultural knowledge, they rely mainly on fertilizers to boost yields.

Government agencies can launch awareness-campaigns to expand the agricultural knowledge of farmers, Agricultural and Economic Observer Ko Zaw Min Naing told the CNI.

He said, "Farmers has a concept that using fertilizers can boost crop yields. However, the practice can damage the soil and the environment in the long term. This is because awareness-raising campaigns are weak. As inputs are expensive after the pandemic and the coup, farmers are not able to spend as much as before. If they could use two bags of fertilizers per acre they can use only one bag per acre at present. Crop yields will drop significantly."

As farmers faced high prices of inputs and fuel oil during the last cultivation season, crop yields have dropped and paddy prices have risen.

As costs for inputs are impossible to drop, farmers are of the opinion that authorities and businessmen should intervene and control the prices.

CNI News

7 Feb 2023

The Russia-Myanmar Friendship Association and local companies have signed an MOU on implementation of Russia-Myanmar Ngapali Beach Resort Housing Complex Project in Ngapali Beach area in Thandwe Township in Rakhine State.

The two sides also signed agreements on cooperation in the tourism but local residents prefer constructing hotels and upgrading Thandwe airport to implementing the housing complex, Town Elder U Tun Thant Kyaw told the CNI.

He said, "We prefer constructing hotels to implementing the housing complex. We can't understand why they are implementing the housing complex. If we can offer visas on arrival at Thandwe Airport, we will need a lot more hotels. Tourists from Thailand want to visit Ngapali beach directly because their visits are delayed due to transit in Yangon. The airport should be upgraded. We have aircraft, natural beauties of the beach and fresh seafood. If we can offer visas on arrival at Thandwe Airport, tourists will visit Thandwe. The requirement to make transits in Yangon incurs more costs for them. Ngapali beach is peaceful and tourists do not want to make transits in Yangon."

As the runway of the airport is short, it is necessary to lengthen the runway seaward to host large aircraft and direct flights, a tourism entrepreneur told the CNI.

Scenes of Ngapali beach

As housing complexes are constructed on beach resorts in other countries, it would be beneficial if the government can construct electricity and transportation infrastructures for the housing complex, he added.

Another tourism entrepreneur said, "Not every tourist visits Ngapali beach because air ticket fares and hotel fees are high. Most locals go to Chaungtha and Ngwehsaung beaches. When the airport is expanded, we can host MICE tourism. When projects like the housing complex are completed, it will be beneficial for all whoever invest in them. Ngapali area depends not only on tourism but also on fishery and other businesses. If new projects have an impact on such businesses, it will not be beneficial for all. We need to prevent negative impacts. Ngapali has a fine tradition and is a rare beach in Southeast Asia."

Ngalapi is one of the most beautiful and intact beaches in Myanmar and was a famous destination among travelers including foreign tourists before the outbreak of COVID-19.

Implementing a resort housing project in Ngapali should not have an impact on the environment, Director U Tin Tun Aung of the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism told the CNI.

He said, "If they have technologies and resources to implement the project, they will be able to carry out it in accordance with international standards. The beach is still intact and the project should be implemented at a place which is not adjacent to the beach. Everything depends on their construction site and its environment. If they can carry out development projects, the region will enjoy progress and more tourists will visit the beach. However, the nature of the beach is serene and those who want to spend their time peacefully visit the beach. If they carry out development tasks compatible with the environment, it will be beneficial."

As only a few local and foreign travelers visit the beach, hoteliers expect more tourists will come to the beach during Thingyan holidays.

CNI News

7 Feb 2023

The Russia-Myanmar Friendship Association and local companies have signed an MOU on implementation of Russia-Myanmar Ngapali Beach Resort Housing Complex Project in Ngapali Beach area in Thandwe Township in Rakhine State.

The two sides also signed agreements on cooperation in the tourism but local residents prefer constructing hotels and upgrading Thandwe airport to implementing the housing complex, Town Elder U Tun Thant Kyaw told the CNI.

He said, "We prefer constructing hotels to implementing the housing complex. We can't understand why they are implementing the housing complex. If we can offer visas on arrival at Thandwe Airport, we will need a lot more hotels. Tourists from Thailand want to visit Ngapali beach directly because their visits are delayed due to transit in Yangon. The airport should be upgraded. We have aircraft, natural beauties of the beach and fresh seafood. If we can offer visas on arrival at Thandwe Airport, tourists will visit Thandwe. The requirement to make transits in Yangon incurs more costs for them. Ngapali beach is peaceful and tourists do not want to make transits in Yangon."

As the runway of the airport is short, it is necessary to lengthen the runway seaward to host large aircraft and direct flights, a tourism entrepreneur told the CNI.

Scenes of Ngapali beach

As housing complexes are constructed on beach resorts in other countries, it would be beneficial if the government can construct electricity and transportation infrastructures for the housing complex, he added.

Another tourism entrepreneur said, "Not every tourist visits Ngapali beach because air ticket fares and hotel fees are high. Most locals go to Chaungtha and Ngwehsaung beaches. When the airport is expanded, we can host MICE tourism. When projects like the housing complex are completed, it will be beneficial for all whoever invest in them. Ngapali area depends not only on tourism but also on fishery and other businesses. If new projects have an impact on such businesses, it will not be beneficial for all. We need to prevent negative impacts. Ngapali has a fine tradition and is a rare beach in Southeast Asia."

Ngalapi is one of the most beautiful and intact beaches in Myanmar and was a famous destination among travelers including foreign tourists before the outbreak of COVID-19.

Implementing a resort housing project in Ngapali should not have an impact on the environment, Director U Tin Tun Aung of the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism told the CNI.

He said, "If they have technologies and resources to implement the project, they will be able to carry out it in accordance with international standards. The beach is still intact and the project should be implemented at a place which is not adjacent to the beach. Everything depends on their construction site and its environment. If they can carry out development projects, the region will enjoy progress and more tourists will visit the beach. However, the nature of the beach is serene and those who want to spend their time peacefully visit the beach. If they carry out development tasks compatible with the environment, it will be beneficial."

As only a few local and foreign travelers visit the beach, hoteliers expect more tourists will come to the beach during Thingyan holidays.

CNI News

7 Feb 2023

As onions cannot be stored for a long time and cannot be exported, local onion prices have continued to drop and onion prices at commodity exchanges ranged between MMK 700 and 900 per viss, according to onion merchants.

Onions currently harvested can be stored for only about a week.

Moreover, merchants do not buy onions to export the crop to China, Thailand and Vietnam and prices are likely to fall further to MMK 600 per viss, Onion Merchant U Hla Thaung of the Pakokku Township Merchants and Brokers Association told the CNI.

 Carrying onion bags.

He said, "Onion prices have fallen because there is no export demand and onions in this season cannot be stored for a long time. They start to damage when they are stored for about two weeks. Onion prices are like to fall to MMK 600 per viss because no one can control the situation. If someone stores a viss of onions for two weeks, their weight drops to 60 ticals."

When summer onions are harvested in April, falling onion prices can be arrested, according to onion merchants.

As summer onions can be stored all year round, onion prices can be arrested, U Hla Thaung added.

He said, "Onions harvested in April can be stored until September or October or November".

As onions are a kind of vegetable, farmers have to sell their crops whether it is profitable or not while input costs for fertilizer and pesticides were higher during the cultivation season.

 Price negotiation for onions.

Farmers are profitable when onion prices stand at MMK 2,000 per viss, an onion farmer from Pakokku told the CNI.

He said, "If we do not get MMK 200,000 per 100 viss, we will suffer losses. Now, we get MMK 100,000 per 100 viss. We are struggling to get what we have invested."

About 50,000 viss of onions enter the market every day but there is no demand for the crops.

Onoin merchants are suffering losses from MMI 10 million to MMK 30 million due to the low demand.

CNI News

7 Feb 2023

What should be done and who or which organizations should participate in the process to resolve the current political crisis in Myanmar have been hotly debated in the political circle.

Such an environment calls for dialogue by all stakeholders, Naing Than Shwe of the Mon Unity Party told the CNI.

He said, "If all stakeholders are permitted to participate in dialogue, we will achieve an outcome. The dialogue might be held between individuals and individual entities and finally dialogue of all stakeholders will take place. It is the best way to overcome the crisis."

Houses torched down in Chin State.

However, he didn't elaborate on individuals and entities that should participate in the dialogue.

At present, armed conflicts have engulfed the country and political, peace, economic and health conditions are deteriorating.

If authorities could implement good governance like the Communist Party of China, they would not need to negotiate with any other organizations, Political Observer Dr Aung Myo told the CNI.

He said, "If any government whether it is the USDP or the Tatmadaw can give attention to the people like the Chinese government and the Communist Party of China and implement better governance, it does not need to hold dialogue with any other organization. If the government take reform measures like addressing the injustices like land acquisition and enact laws that really serve the interest of the people or implement good governance like China, it doesn't need to hold talks either with the NLD or EAOs. I have never supported dialogue with EAOs. Reform I refer to is not the same as the reform measures taken by former president U Thein Sein."

The troops of the Karenni Army.

The ASEAN and some local political forces are trying to address the political crisis in Myanmar.

Meanwhile, fighting has broken out between the Myanmar military and joint forces of the PDF and ethnic armed organization in Kayin State, Chin State, Kayah (Karenni) State, Magway Region and Sagaing Region.

CNI News

6 Feb 2023

Although there were concerns that transportation of commodities would be affected after the State Administration Council imposed martial law in 37 townships in 8 states and regions, commodity flows to the townships has not been hindered by the announcement, according to the Myanmar Highway Freight Transportation Services Association.

No new restrictions have been imposed after the announcement of martial law and as a result, there have been no hindrance in transportation of goods to the townships, an official from the MHFTSA told the CNI.

He said, "We haven't received any reports of inconvenience as it is just the beginning of martial law and it is difficult to predict how it will affect us. We are still transporting commodities to the townships as usual."

Transportation of goods

Martial law has been imposed in 11 townships in Sagaing Region including Indaw, Banmauk, Kawlin, Pinlebu, Myaung, Salingyi, Pale, Yinmarbin, Khin-U and Taze townships, seven townships in Chin State including Teddim, Tong Zhang, Falam, Kanpetlet, Matupi, Thantlang, and Hakha townships, five townships in Magway Region including Gangaw, Htilin, Saw, Pauk and Myaing townships, five townships in Bago Region including Htantabin, Oakpo, Nattalin, Paungde and Paukkhoung townships, Ye Township in Mon State, Kyarinseikkyi and Kawkareik townships in Kayin State, Tanintharyi and Palaw townships in Tanintharyi Region and four townships in Kayah State including Demoso, Hpruso, Shadaw and Bawlakhe townships.

Even before the announcement of martial law, there were restrictions on transportation of goods and drivers had to pay fees at checkpoints.

The amounts of checkpoint fees have risen significantly than previously, according to an anonymous driver who has been transporting goods to Myitkyina.

Hakha scenes in Chin State

He said, "Despite the martial law announcement, as usual, we have to pay checkpoint fees. There are checkpoints in every township along the Myitkyina road. However, security has tightened a little and checkpoint fees have increased. We have to pay as much checkpoint fees as they ask for."
Highway transportation services are looking forwards to smooth transportation of goods as disruptions will lead to higher commodity prices for consumers.

Highway freight transportation services have called for smooth transportation of goods in the interest of the people, according to the association.