CNI News

10 Dec 2022

Although merchants are ready to export commodities to Bangladesh, there is a shortage of trucks, according to border traders.

After a ceasefire deal has been reached between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army, trade routes have been reopened.

As a result, the border trade has resumed but trucks, which were stuck in Rakhine State, have gone back to Yangon and there is a shortage of trucks, Chairman U Tin Aung Oo of the Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce and Industry told the CNI.

Security forces searching trucks heading to Rakhine State. (CJ)

He said, "The border trade has resumed because roads have been reopened this week. However, trucks that had been stuck in Rakhine State have gone back to Yangon. There is a shortage of trucks. It will take about a week to return to normal. There is a large number of commodities to be transported from Yangon to Sittwe. We will have to wait a certain time."

As rental fees for cold storage trucks have risen, profits for exporters of fishery products have dwindled, U Than Naing, a merchant, told the CNI.

Security forces in Rakhine State.

He said, "Rental fees for cold storage trucks have risen because of high fuel prices and delays. Rental fees for cold storage trucks from Yangon to Maungdaw have risen from MMK 2.8 million previously to 3 million at present. Our profits have dwindled.

When trade routes were closed, trade volumes dropped to only five percent. Merchants are still trying to revitalize trading activities.

In 2021-2022 fiscal year, Maungtaw border trade hit US$ 43 million but commodities worth only about US$ 23 million have been exported from Maungdaw until October, according to RSCCI.

CNI News

9 Dec 2022

What the best means to resolve the current political crisis in Myanmar is hotly debated among political forces in the country.

As some political forces think that the military would defeat the resistance forces while others think that dialogue with the military is the best way to resolve the crisis, different groups of different opinions have led to contested debates.

There is no way to resolve the current armed conflicts, Chairman Khun Myint Tun of the Pa-O National Federal Council told the CNI.

He said, "At present, the potential for dialogue and negotiations is very weak. As the military is suppressing other groups relying on its relatively modern weapons, I don't see any potential for the time being.

A member of the security forces of Myanmar. (STR-GETTY IMAGES)

After the military staged a coup on 1st February, 2021, protests and armed conflicts have erupted in Myanmar, followed by crises in the economic, health, education and social sectors. At the same time, security of civilians has been threatened by a massive flow of weapons and narcotic drugs.

However, peace will prevail in the country as the military and some EAOs have engaged in peace talks, Chairman Sai Aik Paung of the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party told the CNI.

He said, "Let alone eliminating armed groups, the military has reached a ceasefire deal with the AA and other deals are underway with the KNU. I don't want to identify the faction. The situation has improved. The country will be peaceful later."

 A protestor demanding democracy in the Spring Revolution. (GETTY IMAGES)

The current political crisis has been created by the military, which has interfered in politics, Rakhine Politician U Pe Than told the CNI.

He said, "There are oppositions in democratic politics and they will have to abide by the decision of the people to resolve issues. The people will choose the party they like. Political parties do not do anything at will. Ethnic groups will also call for federal rights. They will have to negotiate. However, the military is intervening in the process. The military has stood in the way to prevent any group from reaching them from any deal in accordance with the 2008 constitution drafted by themselves. They have reserved 25 percent of the seats in the parliament. If the military did not intervene in politics, politicians will be able to resolve the issues within a certain time during a certain period through negotiations."

Pro-democracy demonstration. (STR- GETTY IMAGES)

Currently, armed conflicts have erupted in Sagaing and Magway regions and Chin, Karen and Kayah states while tens of thousands of houses and buildings of the public have been displaced.

As a result, debates and negotiations were held by local political forces to overcome the crisis.

The military announced that it would hold a general election in 2023 and transfer power to the winning party.

On the other hand, anti-coup resistance force said the general election is the only exit for the military and urged the people to eliminate it.

However, some democratic forces and the international community still uphold the dialogue of all stakeholders.

CNI News

9 Dec 2022

Although roads and waterways have been reopened after a ceasefire deal was reached between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army, residents in Rakhine State are still running out of medical supplies as truck drivers and freight services have refused to transport them, according to medicine merchants in Rakhine State.

The Rakhine State Administration Council has not officially announced that medical supplies have been permitted to transport to Rakhine State and as a result, freight services are still refusing to carry medical supplies to Rakhine State, Chairman U Tin Aung Oo of Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce and Industry told the CNI.

He told CNI, "Freight services have refused to carry medical supplies. They said they would transport medical supplies if we provided permits. Otherwise, they would not carry medical supplies because authorities have not informed them of the permission to do so. They were worried that medical supplies might be seized on the way. So, they have not handled medical supplies to be transported to Rakhine State. Therefore, Rakhine residents are still running out of medical supplies.

After fighting resumed between the military and the AA, the Rakhine State Administration Council prohibited transporting medical supplies to Rakhine and between townships in the state, according to medicine companies.

Due to shortages of medical supplies in Rakhine State, medicine traders and companies called on the Rakhine State Administration Council for transportation of medicines to Rakhine State through the RSCCI but authorities have not responded to the request.

As officials have not officially announced restrictions on medical supplies have been lifted, truck drivers have refused to carry them without the approval of the health department, Ko Maung Maung Tun, a truck driver plying between Muangtaw and Taungpyo Letwe, told the CNI.

He said, "There are many restrictions on transportation of medical supplies. So, no truck driver dares to transport medical supplies. We can transport medicines in Rakhine State, if they provide approvals of the health department.
As there are shortages of medical supplies in Rakhine State, medicine prices in the state have risen three times and there are many puerpera and infants who have not been vaccinated against diseases.

CNI News

9 Dec 2022

Authorities in Thailand have rounded up foreigners who are overstaying their visas in an operation, labour activists based in Thailand told the CNI.

Unlike previous operations, authorities have been arresting illegal migrants by setting up checkpoints, using smart patrol vehicles and applying face scanning technologies.

Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand.

Ko Thar Gyi, who has been helping Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand, told the CNI, "Many Myanmar migrants have been arrested recently. They arrested migrants in places where foreigners are likely to be staying such as apartments, condominiums and labour quarters and security has been tightened at border gates. Overstaying foreigners who could not go back to relevant visa sections were blacklisted. They will be deported to their countries. Those who tried to sneak into Thailand were also arrested."

As employers will also be punished if their workers are found to be illegal or overstaying, they are also trying to get residence permits for their workers through agents.

Although authorities in Thailand issued residence permits for illegal migrants in October and the program has ended at present, the permits are still available through agents, according to labour activists for Myanmar workers in Thailand.

People in Thailand. (PBS)

However, the application of residence permits now is more expensive than it was previously, Executive Director U Htoo Chit of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI.

He said, "It costs between Baht 16,000 and 20,000 to get a residence permit. In the past, it cost only about Baht 12,000 to do so. Authorities collect between Baht 4,000 and 5,000. As the valid period for application of residence permits have expired, authorities have to launch a special program to issue residence permits for them. So, they have to pay as much as Baht 20,000 for a residence permit. Employers never pay the fees. Workers have to pay for them by themselves. The best way is to work officially in Thailand. Workers who have not received residence permits should be careful when they go out. If they go to festivals and events, it is very dangerous for them. If they stay at their worksites, it is safe for them. I would like to urge workers to get official residence permits."

Thai authorities.

There are many Myanmar migrant workers who do not have residence permits because they could not afford the fees.

Labour activists for Myanmar workers in Thailand have urged them to work officially in Thailand as authorities are not likely to ease their operations and it is difficult to predict new policies about illegal migrants.

CNI News

8 Dec 2022

Onion yields have dropped in Myittha and Pakokku townships and Yaw area, major onion cultivation hubs, as farmers had not been able to use sufficient fertilizer during the cultivation season, and onion prices have risen, according to merchants.

Although onion prices stand at MMK 3,000 per viss in warehouses in Pakokku, they hit MMK 5,000 in Yangon and Mandalay regions.

The skyrocketed prices of onions must be attributed to excessively low yields, Merchant U Hla Thaung of the Pakokku Merchants and Brokers Association told the CNI.

A buyer at an onion shop. (GETTY IMAGES)

He said, "Onion yields dropped because farmers had not been able to use sufficient fertilizer during the cultivation season. Some farmers who sold onions to us could harvest only about 800 visses of onions per acre. Normally, they can harvest as many as 3,000 viss of onions per acre. The yields were very low and the prices have skyrocketed."

The price of onions harvested in Myittha is sold at abut MMK 4,000 per viss in warehouses at Bayintnaung Commodity Exchange in Yangon Region.

As a result, onion pirces have risen to MMK 5,000 per viss in the retail market due to transportation charges, according to onion warehouses.

Onion prices are likely to hover around current prices until January, when summer onions are harvested, U Soe Win from Manaw Thu Kha Brokerage in Bayintnaung Commodity Exchange told the CNI. He added that onion prices are likely to fall to around MMK 1,000 per viss in March.

An onion farmer. (GETTY IMAGES)

He said, "Onion prices will remain at this level until January and new onions will be harvested in March. When summer onions are harvested, the prices will fall to about MMK 900 per viss. Last year, the old summer onions had dropped to MMK 300 and 400 per viss when monsoon onions were harvested in December. So, their prices stood at about MMK 600. Yields and trading were normal last year and prices did not rise. This year, yields and cultivation acreage dropped this year."

Normally, prices drop when new onions are harvested but this did not happen this year due to decreased cultivation acreage, low yields and transportation problems.

CNI News

8 Dec 2022

The military junta has been using weapons purchased for national defence against ethinc peoples, a spokesperson of the Karenni National Defence Force told the CNI.

Recently, armed conflicts have erupted between the Myanmar military and allied forces of the KNDF in Kayah (Karenni) State and the military is using assorted weapons during the fighting.

The KNDF spokesperson told the CNI, "They are using assorted weapons including airstrikes, bombing, howitzers, missiles and landmines, which are mainly and excessively. Landmines were excessively laid in large numbers of villages, where the military had stationed, by junta troops that it was impossible for villagers to return to their villages. The military is using weapons purchased for national defence against ethnic peoples."

KNDF troops fighting against the military. (KNDF)

The military has been relying more on airstrikes in armed conflicts since 1st February, 2021.

The military is using weapons compatible with the current battlefield, Director U Thein Tun Oo of the Strategic Studies told the CNI.

He said, "It can be said that the military is using weapons compatible with the current battlefield. However, the other side, which does not possess airpower, may criticize the military for airstrikes. On the other hand, when a battle is fierce and the other side is using various ways and means to win victory, the military will use all necessary weapons for a limited period of time. The indiscriminate use of the term 'national defence' is inappropriate. I think the military is using weapons compatible with relevant battlegrounds."

A protest against the military rule in Myanmar. (GETTY IMAGES)

Resistance forces said the military was using air support, warships and air-to-surface and surface-to-surface missiles in the ongoing fighting.

Currently, fighting has erupted in Sagaing and Magway regions and Chin, Kayah and Karen state and local residents have been displaced while their properties were burnt down.

CNI News

7 Dec 2022

Replacing the online booking system for appointments in applying for passports with a new one is likely to increase the number of passport agents, labour activists and overseas employment agencies told the CNI News.

As applicants could make bookings for appointments only within office hours under the old system but the new one will allow them to apply for passports 24/7, labour activists and overseas employment agencies predicted that the number of passport agents would increase.

Ko Nay Oo, a director of an overseas employment agency sending workers to Japan, told the CNI, "As the old system allowed applicants to use any QR codes, some people resold the QR codes they had received by bribing responsible officers. We wanted authorities to stop such a practice. It is true that QR codes bear the names, national registration card numbers and dates of birth but as agents had already bribed the officers, the latter permitted any applicants to come to them. If such a practice could be prevented, there would have been no place for agents."

People who have received QR Codes queuing at the passport office. (CNI)

At present, the old online booking system to make appointments at the passport office has been suspended and it will take three weeks to introduce the new system, according to the News Information Team of the SAC.

Moreover, those who have received QR codes for appointments under the old system can still come to the passport office, according to authorities.

The passport office has also urged the public not to buy QR codes nor to use other people's QR codes as the system has been suspended as of 5th December.

There are advantages and disadvantages in both the in-person application process and the online booking process, Labour Activist U Min Oo of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI.

Surrounding areas of the passport office. (CNI)

He told the CNI, "If people apply for passports by themselves, no one cannot cheat them. However, when some applicants complete forms, they lack basic knowledge and education. They don't want to go through red tape. So, they hire passport agents, who take advantage of the situation. As most of our workers lack IT knowledge, passport agents take advantage of the situation in one way or another. If authorities can create an environment in which workers can apply for passports easily, the number of passport agents will decrease. I think the number of passport agents will swell under the new system."
Therefore, labour activists and overseas employment agencies have urged authorities to adopt a new simple online booking system to apply for passports.

Recently, workers had to pay as much as MMK 500,000 to agents and some of them were even cheated through fake QR codes, according to labour activists and overseas employment agencies.

CNI News

7 Dec 2022

The National Unity Government issued a statement on 5th December, vowing to investigate the murder of a woman in a street in Tamu in Sagaing Region and take action against those who committed the crime.

Instructions have been given to military officers to investigate the details as to whether the PDFs were involved in the crime or not, according to the statement.

The NUG statement said, "As the incident is completely unacceptable under military ethics and rules, an investigation will be launched into the incident and action will be taken effectively against whoever involved in it."

The NUG.

People Defence Forces are required to abide by military laws and instructions in launching anti-terrorist and people's resistance war, the statement stated.

Such incidents took place only in Sagaing Region but the NUG has been unable to take action against them effectively, Political Observer U Than Soe Naing told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "The NUG said that such problems must be prevented from happening. However, the NUG does not have such a mechanism but it is impossible for the NUG not to take action against the murder. It said it will take necessary action against such incidents to prevent division and differences among the NUG. Such incidents had happened in Sagaing but effective action could not be taken against them because the NUG lacks investigation mechanism and detention centres. However, the NUG said it was unacceptable and must be prevented. I understand that the NUG will take action against the murder appropriately."

An archway to Tamu.

The NUG said it had investigated the violation of the military ethic and taken action against them but it was difficult to reveal the details, he added.

The NUG said it would monitor the situation not to repeat such incidents in an accountable manner with the aim of building the future federal democracy union, according to the statement.

Physically abusing and killing a woman in the street in Tamu showed the threat against women rights, according to women rights activists.

CNI News

7 Dec 2022

There is no reason to worry about the closure of border gates due to COVID-19 restrictions, according to border traders.

As COVID-19 infection rates are very low in Myanmar, China is unlikely to close border gates and Myanmar has regularly exported rice, pulses and beans and corn to the neighbouring country on a daily basis, Vice Chairman of the Muse Commodity Exchange U Min Thein told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "China has imposed lockdowns in cities due to positive cases found there. However, this doesn't have an impact on the border trade. Rice, broken rice, corn and pulses and beans are entering the border market on a daily basis. If the outbreak of COVID-19 in China is very severe, they may close the Kyin San Kyawt gate. However, it is very unlikely. Chinese authorities closed the gate during the third wave in July, 2021 because the outbreak of COVID-19 in Myanmar was very severe. At present, COVID-19 outbreak in Myanmar is very low and almost no COVID-19 cases have been detected recently. So, they have opened the border gate."

A freight truck heading to China.

Kyin San Kyawt, Wan Dein and Chin Shwe Haw gates are currently but Nandaw, Sin Phyu and Manwain gates have been closed.

The currently opened gates were opened and closed frequently due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in China. As a result, border traders have become used to trading at the currently opening border gates, Vice Chairman U Thant Zin Tun of Myanmar Corn Entrepreneurs Association told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "They will close the Kyin Sam Kyawt border gate when the positive rate is high in Muse but they will leave open border gates at Chin Shwe Haw and Laukkai. because there was no outbreak. So, we don't need to worry about dry foodstuffs. We need to worry about seasonal crops which can easily be damaged."

Trucks carrying crops.

Recently, a large number of COVID-19 cases were discovered in China and lockdowns were imposed in many parts of the country and as a result, many merchants in the country were not unable to come to the border.

As a result, there are only a few traders who import watermelons and muskmelons from Myanmar and their prices have dropped.

Some watermelon trucks had to turn back to the local market.