CNI News

23 August 2023

When India has limited its rice export, foreign countries may increase their order of Myanmar rice, which rice exporters are reviewing. 

Moreover, because the rice prices of Thailand and Vietnam have risen, buyers are turning to Myanmar, according to the Myanmar Rice Federation. 

Currently, Myanmar rice is being exported to the Philippine and African countries are increasingly buying Myanmar rice, said an official from Myanmar Rice Traders Association to CNI News.

"A lot of rice is bought both locally and by foreign countries. A lot of rice is bought because India has limited its rice export as well. Rice is being exported to the Philippines. African countries buy  Myanmar rice regularly. Rice here can be sold more than before." he said.

A farmer plowing the field

India, which is the largest exporter of rice in the world, has limited its rice export, aiming to prevent domestic rice prices from rising before its general election that will be held early next year. 

If the purchase of Myanmar rice increased due to India's limitation of its rice export, it would be beneficial to rice farmers, said U Thein Aung, chairman of the Farmers Development Association to CNI News.

" India's rice export is not less. But as it has limited its rice export, if a lot of rice here can be sold, it can be beneficial to the farmers here. The farmers can produce more than the current amount. Because the production cost is high, they can't produce to the full. If they can make a profit from rice, they can produce another one third. When some other sanctions are imposed on Myanmar, if the number of countries which buys Myanmar rice and crops has increased, it is a good news." he said.  

A rice mill

Although international rice prices are going up, the government will reduce the rice export licenses next month so as not to make domestic rice prices rise, said the Myanmar Rice Federation. 

Buyers of rice for export buy very little at the Bayint Naung commodity depot and traders go to the areas where rice is produced and buy rice directly. 

So, rice entering the commodity depot has been less, said U Than Oo, secretary of the Bayint Naung Rice Commodity Depot to CNI News.

" It is said that rice export licenses will be reduced so as not to make the domestic rice prices rise. But exporters are still buying rice. But the amount has been less. They don't buy rice as much as they bought before. But they have to buy rice. They go to the areas where rice is produced and buy rice directly. Rice doesn't enter the commodity depot so much." he said.

Current rice prices are trending upwards and if the government reduce the rice export licenses, domestic rice prices will decrease.

According the Myanmar Rice Federation, the government will suspend issuance of rice export license in September. But it has not yet been confirmed because it is being inspected whether it is consistent with the policies from the ministry or not reportedly.

CNI News

23 August 2023

Government staffs from the office that issues passports for Myanmar citizens who will leave for foreign countries for many reasons are needed not to be brokers, said the people who are carrying out for the labor affairs, to CNI News.

When the people apply for passports, the staffs for the office have worked as brokers since before and the staffs are often paid some money when filling out the form. 

Moreover, currently-used online booking system are more encouraging the staffs to work as brokers, said Ko Thar Gyi, one of the people helping Myanmar migrant workers to CNI News.

“In the office that issues passport in Myawady, there are government staffs who have connected with agents. The agents who have paid the staffs 100,000 or 150,000 kyats for each can draw passports or get token numbers for 100 to 200 people. It goes without saying that staffs from every passport office are working as brokers. Some retired staffs who are related to senior officials still are allowed to work as brokers for 50 or 100 passport books. So, the cost of a passport rises many times than official price.

Those who apply for passports in front of the passport office

So, what I want to say as a whole, there are few staffs who take exact and right responsibility in all the passport offices in Myanmar. When they become passport office staffs, they are exploiting Myanmar people as their business." he said.

Myanmar Passport Office is verifying issuance of passports by Green Channel for MoU workers, religious organizations, those who will go abroad on government duty and the students who will go abroad for further studies. 

Moreover, the office has been verifying issuance of passports as soon as possible by Green Channel for the people who need to travel abroad on time due to health and education issues since a few days ago, that the office released.

There are fraudulent activities with brokers asking more money on social media and the people need to watch out not to be cheated, said in the statement released by the office. 

Although processing to get passport fast is good, relevant department has to take action against the brokers who are cheating instead of informing the people to watch out, suggested those who are carrying out for the labor affairs.

"A person or a worker cannot fill out the form with necessary facts and does not dare to go into the office. Moreover, if the system has been created to be difficult, they essentially need brokers. At a time like that, the brokers earn income by collaborating with relevant department. Online system is not convenient not only in Myanmar but also here. A worker must get a token from the embassy online after which he has to go to the appointment. He has to fill out the form. In practice, ordinary workers or people do not dare to do that or cannot do that. Then, they need brokers." said U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from FED.  

There are prices starting from 250,000 kyats to get a passport at present reportedly. Moreover, if a person lost his passport in Myanmar, he must announce in the state-owned newspaper that he lost his passport. 

Six months later, he must be allowed to apply for a new passport, said in a statement released by the passport office.

CNI News

23 August 2023

There are reviews among the political community regarding how the relation of the National Unity Government (NUG) with Myanmar's neighboring powerful countries-China and India is. 

The two neighboring countries had good relations with Myanmar successive governments and also have built good relations with the State Administration Council (SAC) and They don't have close relations with the NUG, said political analysts.

NUG, which is close to Western countries, is treated less by India and China. But severe battles probably could break out before the end of 2023, said Dr.Aung Myo, a Myanmar political analyst to CNI News.

Sr- Gen Min Aung Hlaing and the Chinese Special Envoy

" If they (NUG/PDF and some EAOs) fight against the Tatmadaw at the same time, they'll never beat the Tatmadaw because strategically India and China will never allow the dominance of the NUG which is supported by the US that I want to say. Especially China won't allow that. In the end, the country might end up in great trouble, The NUG's revolution will not be successful that I want to say firmly. More battles may break out. But it's just to an extent." he said.  

Foreign ministers from China, India, Thailand, Cambodia and Russia, and senior UN officials often come to Myanmar and meet with senior officials of the SAC. On the other hand,the US, Indonesia and some European countries also interact with the National Unity Government.

India well treats revolutionary forces and IDPs and China is closer to the SAC, said Salai Timmy, spokesperson of the Chin National Defense Force (CNDF), to CNI News.

Sr- Gen Min Aung Hlaing and the Indian ambassador

" China has taken side with the SAC since before. India is in a situation that has changed gradually. Mizoram (Province in India) that receives our refugees and IDPs treats us well. Our relations are in a very good situation. We don't know for sure about the relation between the NUG and Mizoram border. We can say about the relation among Mizoram and our CNDF and around Chin State." he said.

There are discussions among the political community that the NUG is closer to the US and not close to China, India and Thailand. 

China, India and Russia have built good relations with the SAC since the Tatmadaw took power on 1st February, 2021 reportedly.

CNI News

22 August 2023

The statement about the overseas workers identification card (OWIC) of Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand was unclear to Myanmar migrant workers, those who are helping migrant workers said to CNI News. 

Myanmar Embassy would not ask 250 bahts for an OWIC card starting from 18th August anymore when migrant workers who are four years full of MoU and are holding passports for job (PJ) renew their passports, said in its statement. 

It is unclear among the Myanmar migrant workers whether the statement means the embassy will no longer issue the OWIC cards or it will issue the OWICs free of charge reportedly.

Front side of the OWIC card

Whenever Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok or military embassy in Chinmai release statements, we don't see anything useful for Myanmar migrant workers. 

“Instead of solving the problems on the ground real-time, it's like only when we recover, they come and give the medicine. when the Myanmar migrant workers went back to their country, on the friendship bridges between the two countries or at the other border areas, they had to pay the brokers 2,500 to 3,000 bahts to get an OWIC card. But at that time, they didn't issue any statements like this. At present, OWIC cards don't apply in Thailand anymore." said Ko Thar Gyi, a person helping migrant workers.

Although Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok doesn't ask money for OWIC cards when it performs passport renewal, migrant workers must apply for OWIC cards at the relevant labor offices when they get back to Myanmar and go abroad again.

Back side of the OWIC card

According to the statement, Myanmar migrant workers whose MoU are about to expire must go back to Myanmar and renew through previous U-turn program, said U Aung Kyaw, an official from the Labor Rights Foundation to CNI News.

"All Myanmar MoU workers who signed the contract in Myanmar must go back to Myanmar to renew, which especially they want to tell. As Thailand has signed that, all MoU workers whose four-year terms are full must go back to their native countries. In the early years, as we all know, because of the outbreak of Kovid-19 pandemic, people were not allowed to cross the border between the two countries. So, workers were allowed to go on staying. Now that there is no more Covid-19, the Thai side has said that the workers must go back to their native countries after four years and sign a new contract according to MoU." he said.

Myanmar Embassy should release its statements clearly so that migrant workers can understand and beware of not to make the brokers 'role bigger, said the people helping Myanmar migrant workers.

CNI News

22 August 2023

It is still maintaining the essence of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), said the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) in its statement released on 21st August. 

Although the NCA intended to change the ruling system through dialogue, implementation could not move forward because it was unable to compromise between the members and the government, mentioned in the statement.

 They can't say that the NCA has been void, said Lt-Col Ohm Khay of the RCSS to CNI News.

RCSS's statement

"Although the implementation of the NCA generally doesn't move forward, you can't say that the NCA has been void." he said. 
Because the Tatmadaw has taken power, the NCA has been void, said Pado Sawta Do Hmu, general secretary of the Karen National Union (KNU) on 10th August.

That the NCA was void or not depended on the observer's own assessment of the NCA, said Col. Saw Kyaw Nyunt, spokesperson of the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) that is made up of 10 NCA signatories to CNI News. 

Seven EAOs that have signed the NCA were meeting with the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC)

" We signed the NCA in October, 2015 and it was submitted to the Hluttaw and approved in unison. I talk about its officiality again according to our experience. At a time like this, I can't say exactly when the NCA is void. As it's an abnormal political landscape now, there may be various kinds of views relating to whether the NCA is void or not. It's just related to the observer that I want to conclude." he said.

The NCA has been signed by the RCSS, KNU, the Chin National Front (CNF), the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF), the New Mon State Party (NMSP, the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), KNU/KNLA Peace Council, the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) and the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU).

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

CNI News

22 August 2023

Although the Central Bank of Myanmar has released various policies to control high prices of gold and foreign currencies including dollar, because exact and certain explanations were not included in its statements, they are sort of pushing to make the black market grow, which should be reviewed, pointed out businessmen and economists.

Most of the businessmen and the people who are trading gold and dollar in the black market are doing their business thinking about how they can continue trading in the black market based on the statements of the Central Bank, said U Aung Pyae Sone, a car policy analyst to CNI News.

During the exchange of dollars and Myanmar currency

“ The problem is that those who are trading in the black market are always thinking what they can do from a weak point of a statement released by the government. The government released statements in the hope of ability to control monetary speculation. The government also has many economists. On the other hand, businessmen are always trying to get money from a black market route and speculating dollar. There are many dollar dealers who are speculating dollar only and some of them are about 70 years old. These people always have Plan A and Plan B to do what they should if a statement is released. What I want to say that no matter what the Central Bank releases statements, these statements can make the black market bigger." he said.

A resident inside the country has the rights to hold 10,000 US dollars at most or a certain foreign currency that is equal to 10,000 US dollars that has been earned legally within the six months from the day when it is earned. 

The foreign currencies that are left without being spent until over six months must be sold to authorized dealers at the market price or must be added to the bank account. If anyone holding foreign currency without having a license was found, he or she would be taken action against according to the Foreign Exchange Management Law, released the Central Bank on 20th August. Although the statement intended to control rising prices of US dollar, it could make the black market bigger, said U Thet Zaw, an economic analyst to CNI News.

The Central Bank's statement

"If it becomes too strict, the black market will grow even more. If you control any issue, there is always smuggling. Not only in the financial market, there is also smuggling in the commodity market if there are controls. About 400 or 500 US dollars is not enough for a person who wants to go abroad for further studies or for a person who want to go abroad to receive medical treatment. US dollars must be sold to them sufficiently. They will have to spend over ten thousand US dollars. They need to present strong evident. If not so, the black market will be bigger." he said.

The government should have an effective system to control the market and know whether basic economy of the country is systematically operating or not, said U Htay Aung Kyi, a banking expert to CNI News.

Central Bank Headquarters

“Firstly, when the government intervene, its control needs to be systematic. Is the control made up of effective tools according to the micro economic policy rule? To tell you honestly, the control is not so much qualified, I think. Secondly, it's necessary to know whether the country's economy was operating systematically for quite some time. When the government interprets the market, the tools it uses need to be fully efficient." he said.

Because the government departments had released the statements in which exact explanations were not included, they are making the prices of gold and dollar higher, pointed out businessmen and economists.

Although the authorities have said recently that they would arrest price speculators, whether arrests cam make the black market bigger or smaller should be thoroughly reviewed, they said.

It is necessary not to be policies like a rubber band and the policies should not changed frequently and the government should make solid and practical policies, said economists.

CNI News

21 August 2023

If anyone was found holding foreign currencies without permission or license, he or she would be taken action against in accordance with the Foreign Exchange Management Law, warned the Central Bank of Myanmar on 20th August. 

According to the Section.9 of the Foreign Exchange Management Law, business license holders only has the right to trade foreign currencies and they are allowed to trade only foreign currency cash and traveler's checks, said the Central Bank.

In the notice of order No. 7/2014, Article 15 of Foreign Exchange Management Regulations which was released on 30th September, 2014 by the Central Bank of Myanmar, has mentioned 'a resident inside the country has the rights to hold 10,000 US dollars at most or a certain foreign currency that is equal to 10,000 US dollars that has been earned legally within the six months from the day when it is earned.

'The foreign currencies that are left without being spent until over six months must be sold to authorized dealers at the market price or must be added to the bank account. If anyone holding foreign currency without having a license was found, he or she would be taken action against according to the Foreign Exchange Management Law, released the Central Bank on 20th August.

It is not easy in practice to investigate and take action against those who are holding US dollars which they got from exchanging with Myanmar kyats because the value of Myanmar currency is declining. 

Moreover, because of weak trust in the government, the public cooperation also is weak, said businessmen.

Besides, those who make speculations on the prices of gold and dollar and raise the prices tend to speculate whenever the Central Bank releases a new statement and the more the SAC restricts, the bigger the black market is, which should be beware of, said businessmen 

CNI News

21 August 2023

Tax would be exempted from five years to seven years for agricultural investment in Shan State and the agricultural sector of the state would be promoted as a priority, according to the Directorate of Companies and Investment of Shan State. 

Investments in corn purification business, metal sector and electricity production sector in Shan State are to be allowed well. 

As Shan State is in a good position to do business of agriculture, investment in manufacturing agro-based value-added products was the best, said U Thet Zaw, an economic analyst to CNI News.

" There are various kinds of tax. For example, there are import tax reductions for items applied in the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) and also different kinds of tax exemption such as income tax exemption. Tax is exempted depending on the business invested. As Shan State is good for agriculture, manufacturing agro-based foodstuff is the best, I think. Another thing is mining and the next is producing electricity. And there are many places that can produce hydro-power electricity in Shan State." he said.

There are fifteen investment businesses relating to agro-based manufacturing industries in Shan State and of them, there are 8 foreign investment businesses, said the Directorate of Companies and Investment of Shan State.

Upland plantations in Shan State

Investments entering Kyaing Tong (Keng Tung) and Tachileik in the eastern part of Shan State this year have decreased.

Entrepreneurs are losing the benefits provided by the MIC because they don't know the steps of the process relating to the investment, said U Htin Aung Naing, director of the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism of Shan State, to CNI News.

“ Local investors are still weak in understanding the matters relating to submission to the MIC. In fact, they should submit to the MIC before building. Only after they built with the MIC's approval, if they apply for the license, they can enjoy the benefits provided by the MIC. Most of them build in their own way. After they started building, they say they build under the permission from nearby municipality. When building is almost finished, they apply for a license at the hotel and tourism department saying they want to do the business of hotel service. At that time, the building has been built already and the hotel license has been got. So, it is difficult for the MIC to pass. So, there are negotiations among the municipality, hotel and tourism, and the MIC.  Some of them apply for pre-construction permits. They have time to go in accordance with the steps of the MIC process. Largely, 

those who have got the license are not given the benefits by the MIC. But those who do new investments are largely given the benefits." he said. 

There are more domestic investments than foreign investments.

The investment in hotel business is about 20 to 30 per year, according to the Directorate of Companies and Investment of Shan State Hotel businesses are invested most in Lashio, Muse, Kutkhaing in northern Shan State, in Taunggyi, Kalaw, Pindaya, Ywangan and Pinlaung in southern Shan State and in Kyaing Tong and Tachileik in the eastern Shan State.

CNI News

21 August 2023

While the State Administration Council (SAC) and the National Unity Government (NUG) are competing in the international diplomatic affairs, as Mr.Martin Griffiths, head of the  United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and party met with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC, there are reviews among the political community relating to how the diplomatic change will become. 

Head of the UNOCHA met with chairman of the SAC and discussed about settling the refugee problems in Myanmar in Naypyidaw on 15the August that the SAC reported.

It was possible that head of the UNOCHA came to Myanmar so as to be able to help natural disaster victims and IDPs, said U Li Paw Reh, chairman of the Lisu National Development Party ( Dulei Party) to CNI News.

Mr. Martin Griffiths, head of the UNOCHA, was meeting with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing on 15th August 2023

" If there are refugees in the territories that can be controlled by the government, UN will collaborate with the government. In the same way, if there are refugees in the territories that can be controlled by the NUG, UN will collaborate with the NUG. UN came here just to help cyclone victims and all the rest refugees, without having anything to do with political affairs. (the) NUG and (the) SAC may talk politically about whether they are recognized or not. But UN came here just to help, that I conclude like that." he said.  

Due to the vote fraud during the 2020 general election, it has taken power in accordance with the 2008 constitution and is carrying out to enable the country to continue going on the road to multi-party democracy, said in a statement released by the SAC Refugee problems have not been able to be solved since the Tatmadaw took power, so it was possible that UN came and met with the SAC, said U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political analyst.

 Mr. Martin Griffiths, head of the UNOCHA, was meeting with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing on 15th August 2023

" According to the official statistics, there are over three million refugees. UN is demanding to solve the problem of these people. Because the military council did not allow the UN aid plans, UN aid operations are being disrupted. It shows that how much merciless the military leader towards the people. That is why Rakhine, which has been affected by the Mocha storm to this day, has not yet recovered. So, there are reportedly requirements to provide assistance to the people affected by the cyclone Mocha that hit on May 14 in Rakhine.”he Said.

According to the latest figures that was released by the UN, there are over 1.9 million IDPs as of 31st July 2023 throughout the country. 

1.6 million people had to displace due to armed conflicts and insecurity that arose after the Tatmadaw took power on 1st February 2021, said in a statement released by the UN.