CNI News

20 Nov 2022

Highway freight transportation services are still struggling to resume their operations even in the dry season, when businesses usually thrive, according to the Myanmar Highway Freight Transportation Services Association.

About 70 percent of the operations halted during the rainy season due to road conditions, shortages of commodities and higher costs.

Currently, only about 40 percent of services have resumed their operations because of the higher costs, an official from the association told the CNI.

He said, "Although the dry season has started, we cannot transport corn to Myawady. We expected that freight transportation services would recover in the dry season. However, we are still struggling to resume our operations. Some services have not resumed their operations as it is not profitable for them due to higher costs. Some freight transportation services have reduced their fleets. Normally, a truck can travel four trips a month. They are now running only two trips a month. Only about 40 to 50 percent of the services have resumed their operations because it is not profitable for them due to the shortages of goods to be transported.``

Yadana Bridge linking Mandalay and Sagaing.

Highway freight services rely on transportation of goods between states and regions and to and fro border trade camps for export and import businesses.

Currently, export and import businesses have not resumed their operations yet while there are shortages of goods to be transported between states and regions.

There are shortages of goods to be transported from Yangon to Taunggyi while the services do not get much profit from their return trip due to low service fees, U Kyin Thein from Bayintnaung Commodity Exchange, who transport goods between Yangon and Taunggyi, told the CNI.

A road-sign on PyinOoLwin-Mogok-Lashil road.

He said, "There are only a few commodities to be transported from Yangon to Taunggyi because factories cannot resume their operations amid shortages of raw materials. Merchants who usually transport at least one truckload of goods now do not have enough even for a truck. We can get only about MMK 200,000 service fees for transportation goods from Yangon to Taunggyi.  That does not cover the costs and we lose about MMK 100,000 for the trip. When we return from Taunggyi, we have goods to be transported but we get MMK 300,000 service fees. As we lose MMK 100,000 on the trip from Yangon to Taunggyi, we get only MMK 200,000 for the round trip. Even then, we are not taking the costs for engine oil, tires and repair charges into consideration."

In transporting goods between states and regions, there were delays due to restrictions on travel hours.

Freight transportation services usually thrive in November and December when new crops are harvested but the businesses have not recovered yet. Transportation services  are likely to fully revive in December, according to freight transportation services.

CNI News

20 Nov 2022

The efforts of the Arakan Army to establish a sovereign state would not be accepted by the Bamar people, Political Observer and Advocate U Kyee Myint told the CNI.

The United League of Arakan/AA views the political crisis caused after 1st February, 2021, as the conflict between Bamar people, he added.

He told the CNI, "The AA is trying to establish a sovereign state. They have clearly expressed their view that the current political crisis in Myanmar is the conflict between Bamar people and they have nothing to do with it. If the junta continues to press them, they will not be able to establish an independent country. It will not be easy. And Bamar people would not support them. The civil war in Myanmar is likely to be perpetuated."

AA leader Maj-Gen Tun Myat Naing announced that their political objective is to seek a political status similar to that of the WA Self-administered Region in Shan State.

A road junction in Rakhine State.

During a press conference on 19th September, 2022, AA Spokesperson Kahing Thukha said that the ULA/AA is trying to establish an Arakha Country Government recognized by the international community.

Rakhine Politician U Pe Than told the CNI that such views reflect the ways of thinking that Rakhine State was owned by Bamar people because Bamar kings subjected Rakhine. Wasn't it an invasion? Rakhine people lived under the rule of their own kings as an independent kingdom for centuries. Don't they understand that?"

The ULA/AA is enjoying increasing support in Rakhine State and fighting against the military.

Fighting resumed between the AA and the military in August after almost two years of hiatus.

CNI News

19 Nov 2022

Myanmar nationals in Thailand have faced difficulty renewing their passports and visas, labour activists told the CNI.

Visas for migrant workers were extended until 13th February, 2023 due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and it is difficult for them to renew their visas, which are going to expire soon, labour activists told the CNI.

Consultant U Aung Kyaw of the Migrant Workers Rights Network told the CNI, "It is very complicated. Some workers have moved to provinces where authorities issue pink cards, which allow them to work temporarily in Thailand. Some factories are planning to repatriate their workers and employ them again under the official MoU. However, some workers do not want to return home because fighting has broken out in their areas and they have no place to return. We don't know how to help them."

Under the MoU, migrant workers are allowed to work in Thailand for four years but they are required to renew their visasa every two years. On the expirary of the four years' term, they have to return home before working again in Thailand under new contracts.

Migrants renewing visas in Thailand

Some workers have renewed their viasa through agents but they have not received their renewed visas, according to activists.

Myanmar migrant workers have difficulty renewing their passports for job at the Myanmar Embassy due to its poor management, Ko Thar Gyi, a labour activist for Myanmar workers in Thailand, told the CNI.

He said," It is very difficult for them to buy tokens to apply for the red passports. This process tarnish the image of the country. They have to pay between Baht 4,500 to 6,000 to get tokens and another Baht 1,500 for their passports. The embassy treats them like a source of revenue. They are bearing the brunt of the current crisis in Myanmar and we don't know whom to blame."

Migrants renewing visas during the outbreak of COVID-19

Moreover, some workers have difficulty renewing their passports because of holidays at the embassy.

He said, "The embassy made appointments for workers on holidays. They should know which day is a holiday. Workers have to come from distant towns to the embassy. Their management is very bad."

The embassy announced that workers can renew their passports for job as of 7th November and are required to pay Baht 800 for new passports.

Myanmar workers have renewed their passports through agents and sometimes they were cheated by agents.

CNI News

19 Nov 2022

Although onion prices usually fall during new harvests, the supply to onion exchange has been low and prices have not fallen, according to onion commodity exchange.

So far, only a few thousand visses of onions arrived at the commodity exchange and it is likely that onions are likely to come into the market at the end of this months and prices are likely to fall, Chairman U Khin Han of the Myanmar Onion, Garlic and Vegetables Producer and Sellers Association told the CNI.

Onions transported for domestic consumption.

He said, " Only a few thousand vissses of onions entered the Yangon market recently. However, the crop entered the market by hundreds of thousands of visses in cultivating regions. The prices of monsoon onions stand between MMK 2,400 and 2,500 and fall to between MMK 2,500 and 1,500 depending to the supply."

Although the prices of the newly harvested onions is estimated to be between MMK 900 and 1,000, current prices stand between MMK 1,500 and 2,500.

Onion bags in the domestic market.

The newly harvested onions are not entering the market as a large number of onion fields had been bought by companies from Myawady to export the crop to Thialand and Vietnam, Onion Merchant U Hla Thaung of Pakokku told the CNI.

He said, "As they have bought fields and fields of onions at MMK 2,500 or 2,700 per viss of onions in Meiktia and Myithhar, the crops did not enter into the local market and onions went to the countries."

Moveocer, onion fields were damaged by storms and draughts and onion yields dropped, according to farmers.

CNI News

19 Nov 2022

As the State Administration Council released some politicial prisoners on the National Day, Chairman U Ko Ko Gyi of the People's Party told the CNI that pardoning some political prisoners raised hopes for dialogue.

On the national day, which falls on 17th November, the SAC released 88 Generation Student Leader U Mya Aye, Central Executive Committee members Dr Myo Nyunt and U Thein Oo of the National League for Democracy, NLD Legal Consultant U Kyaw Hoe, former unioin minister for the office of the state counsellor U Kyaw Tint Swe, writer Maung Thar Cho and Shwenyawar Sayadaw from prison.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing

The SAC pardonned 5774 prisoners including Mr Sean Turnell, an economic advisor to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, former British Ambassador to Myanmar Vickey Bowmen and her husband.

As some politicians have been released, relevant political parties will be able to enhance capabilities, U Ko Ko Gyi told the CNI.

He said, " As an ordinary citizen, I am glad for everyone who were released because they could live together with their families. On the other hand, some politicians were released and their relevant parties will be able to enhance their capabilities. At the same time, we call for the release of other political prisoners as soon as possible. As long as there are political tensions, there will be political prisoners. As it reflects the serious political issues, I mainly hope that the country will be on the track of the political dialogue again."

The political prisoners who have been were those who should not have been arrested during the coup, Rakhine Politician U Pe Than told the CNI.

Prisoners pardoned by the SAC

He said, "They are pretending to show goodwill and magnanimity by releasing prisoners. It is just an attempt to salvage the image of the junta. They are trying to build a conducive environment to hold the general election by releasing some political prisoners. However, the prisoners were released on terms that they would serve remaining prison terms if they continued to oppose the junta. Their hands were tied and their mouths were forced to shut."

U Ko Ko Gyi said that the best way to reduce political tensions is releasing the political prisoners.

The SAC pardoned 5,774 prisoners including 712 political prisoners.

ASEAN Special Envoy Prak Sokhonn welcomed the move, which is conducive to dialogue, on 17th November.

CNI News

17 Nov 2022

As Russia, which has signed an MoU to import fishery products from Myanmar, is likely to import hundreds of tons of shrimps from Myanmar, measures are being taken to do so, the Myanmar Fisheries Federation told the CNI.

However, it is still difficult to say exactly when we will start exporting because some details are still under negotiations, Vice Chairperson Daw Toe Nandar Tin told the CNI.

She told the CNI, "They want to import hundreds of tons of shrimps from Myanmar. It also depends on market prices and trade charges. We need to take trade charges into construction as it is impossible to export shrimps to Russia directly. If it is profitable for us after considering everything, we will export shrimps to Russia. We will have to freeze or boil and dry shrimps according to their market demand."

As Russia wants to import shrimps from Myanmar, shrimps from breeding areas including Tanintharyi Region will mainly be exported to Russia, she added.

As Panamei shrimps bred in Tanintharyi Region fetch as much as US$ 6,000 per ton, Myanmar will be able to export the shrimps to Russia only when they fetch higher prices than China, Secretary U Thet Soe of Tanintharyi Region Fisheries Federation told the CNI.

Shrimps from Tanintharyi Region.

He said, "We will have to negotiate the prices based on their bidding. We may also set the prices if they ask us. We will have to set the prices based on our breeding costs. If they pay lower prices than China, we cannot export shrimps to them due to higher transportation charges. Transportation charges must be taken into account when we export our products to Russia."

Myanmar exports between 7,000 and 8,000 tons of the shrimps to China annually but exporters have to rely on brokers. So, efforts are being made to export the shrimps to China officially.

Myanmar will have to use maritime routes to export the shrimps to Russia and shrimp breeding will be expanded in states and regions depending on the market demand, Daw Toe Nandar Tin told the CNI.

Shrimp breeding ponds in Tanintharyi Region.

She said, "We need to have market access first. When we have market access, we can negotiate everything. If market access is uncertain, we will not expand shrimp breeding. We need to expand our shrimp market not only in Russia but also in other countries. Our federation will have to work together with the government to expand the market. If we know the demands of international markets, we will develop master plans to export shrimps to international markets. At present, the market access is still uncertain and we have not expanded shrimp breeding."

Panamei shrimps are currently bred on 2,000 acres of land  in Tanintharyi Region and plans are underway to breed the shrimps on 60,000 acres of land in Dawei, Myeik, Bokepyin and Kawthaung districts.

CNI News

16 Nov 2022

The Association of Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) is unlikely to expel Myanmar from the regional block, Political Observer U Ye Tun told the CNI.

The ASEAN makes decisions based on consensus and it is very difficult for the block to make such a decision, he added.

U Ye Tun told the CNI, "Under the ASEAN Charter, resolutions are made on concensus. At present, there are wide differences over the Myanmar issue among the members. It is difficult to expel Myanmar from the block. Moreover, the charter prohibits interference of the internal affairs of member states and intimidation and coercion. It is impossible for the ASEAN to expel Myanmar from the block."

During the ASEAN summit on 10th November, some members proposed to expel Myanmar from the block and an intense debate broke out among leaders, according to Philippines President Marcos.

Lawyer U Kyee Myint echoed the similar view.

An empty chair for a Myanmar representative at an ASEAN meeting. (Reuters)

He told the CNI, "The ASEAN will never take such measures because it is nothing but a block that is always pretending  to do something or other whenever an issue arises. They will not take such measures. Moreover, there is no provision for expelling a country from the regional body in their charter. If they add a clause to expel a member in their charter, they will be able to do that.  There are other political reasons too. So, they won't expel Myanmar."

The ASEAN cannot be expected to resolve the Myanmar cirisis and the block had been divided into the Chinese camp and the US camp, he added.

The SAC foreign ministry announced that Myanmar would not respect the decisions made at the ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting in Jakarta in Indonesia on 27th October, 2022, as it was not invited.

U Ye Tun told the CNI, "Some advisors to the SAC are also suggesting that Myanmar should leave the regional body because it is insulting Myanmar by not inviting the SAC chairman and the foreign minister to their meetings. However, elected governments in the future will have to try to rejoin the body. So, I don't think they should leave the ASEAN because it will further isolate itself and there are some countries that support the junta. So, they won't leave the block if they are farsighted."

ASEAN members have agreed to invite non-political officials to their meeting as long as the SAC fails to make progress on the five-point consensus of the block.

CNI News

16 Nov 2022

Plans are underway to establish administrative, legislative and judicial mechanisms in Chinland (Chin State), Spokesperson Salai Tun Tun Oo of the Chinland Joint Defence Committee told the CNI.

The CJDC has urged the public not to take part in the elections to be held by the State Administration Council.

If the SAC fails to hold elections, the international community will acknowledge that the people do not accept the SAC, he added.

He said, "The international community will acknowledge that the people obviously reject the SAC and it cannot hold elections. Even if the SAC will be able to hold elections in some places, it is clear that it is supported by only a few people. We cannot hold elections in Chin State during the revolutionary period. We will reject the government formed for Chin State by the SAC. We will set up our own administrative, legislative and judicial mechanisms in our Chinland."

Action will be taken against those who take part in elections held by the SAC, the CJDC announced.

Voters' lists issued by election commissions.

The SAC will hold elections without fail but the people will disrupt them, Political Observer U Than Soe Naing told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "The SAC will hold elections in areas under their control and force people to cast votes. The people will reject their elections, which are not free and fair. However, the SAC will forcefully announce election results so that Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing can become president. The people will reject the elections."

The Karenni National Progressive Party has asked political parties in Kayah State (Karenni) not to contest elections to be held by the SAC.

Acting President Duwa Lashi La has vowed to disrupt elections to be held by the junta.

However, the SAC announced that elections will be held in August, 2023 and said efforts are being exerted to hold elections in all states and regions.

CNI News

16 Nov 2022

Hong Kong, Dubai, India and Thailand have placed orders to import avocados from Myanmar, according to the Myanmar Avocados Producers and Exporters Association.

Currently, some countries are ordering a  40-foot container of avocados as a trial basis  to assess the damage and quality of the fruit while other countries are importing one ton of the fruit, Secretary U Kyaw Soe Min of the MAPEO told the CNI.

He said," We have received a lot of orders after negotiations. We are trying to export avocados on a trial basis to every country that has contacted us. Even if we cannot export the fruit this year, we are making it ready for next year. Recently, importers from Hongkong ordered a container of the fruit while those from Dubai ordered 15 tons of the fruit every week. We have not decided the matter because we are still discussing it. We will export at least one ton of the fruit to every country that are interested in importing the fruit from our country to study damage, quality and standards.``

Avocados from Myanmar were on display at fruit fairs in France and Thailand in October and.

Importers from Hong Kong, Dubai, Thailand and India are interested in buying the fruit from Myanmar, according to Vice Chairman U Kyaw Thu of the Myanmar Fruits, Flowers and Vegetables Producers and Exporters Association.

He said, "Recently, Myanmar has grown avocados on a commercial scale. We haven't received GACC from China. We are exporting the fruit to India and Thailand through informal trade but we cannot penetrate into their markets. However, we were able to penetrate the EU market at fruit fairs in France and Thailand. Many importers are interested in our fruits but we don't have enough fruit to export to them all."

Currently, Myanmar exports the fruit to Thailand, China and India through the border trade and produces 1,000 tons of the fruit every year.

Myanmar will be able to produce enough avocados to export in 2025.

Avocados are grown in Taunggyi, Hopone, Nyaungshwe, Hsehsi, Kalaw, Pindaya, Ngyarngan, Lausksauk, Pinlaung, Pekhon,  Lwelin, Lashio, Kutkai, Kyaukme, Hsipaw and Naungkhio in Shan State (North) and (South) and PyinOoLwin in Mandalay Region.