CNI News

2 Feb 2023

The gross domestic product (GDP) of Myanmar is expected to rise by 3 percent in 2023, according to a report released on 30th January by the World Bank.

The expected growth is attributed to restoration of stability in some areas to resume farming, focus on the manufacturing sector and reopening of border gates, an economic observer told the CNI.

He said, "I think the projection is based on trade and exports. Another factor is the GDP is calculated on data from the previous year, which were desperately bad for the economy. The economy has become a little more stable than the previous year. As the stability has been restored in some areas, they think the government will be able to give more emphasis on agriculture and manufacturing. So, they estimated the growth at 3 percent. China has almost fully reopened its borders. Last year, the border trade with China fell to its lowest level. China is the largest importer of Myanmar products but Thailand surpassed it last year."

Two women waiting for a ship

The Department of Agriculture sold fertilizers to farmers on credit for the current summer paddy cultivation season, according to farmers.

If the government supplies enough fertilizers, cultivation of monsoon paddy will increase and yields will be boosted, Chairman U Thein Aung of the Farmers Development Association told the CNI.

He said, "The government could not provide enough support. It offered MMK 200,000 for inputs for one acre of farm. As a bag of fertilizer cost MMK 100,000, farmers could buy 2 bags of fertilizers. I have 23 acres of farmland and I received 70 bags of fertilizer. In the past, I had to borrow MMK 7 million from private lenders. If I could not borrow the money, I could not feed sufficient fertilizers to my crops. Now, I have received enough fertilizer and I don't need to worry about it. If we receive enough fertilizer, yields could be boosted."

However, the GDP is expected to increase, the GDP shrank by 18 percent during the year of political changes, the economy has still shrunk 13 percent compared with the GDP of the year 2020, an economic observer told the CNI.

Transporting bananas

He said, "It is necessary to take the GDPs for each year from the year 2020. Compared with 2020, the GDP dropped by 18 percent in 2021 and rose by 2 percent in 2022. So, the GDP still dropped by 13 percent."

Moreover, economic uncertainty, conflicts and power outages will hamper the short term economic revival and uncertainties in 2023 make it difficult to predict the economy precisely.

World food production in 2023 is likely to fall and commodity prices are likely to rise, economic observers said.

Higher prices for exports of Myanmar due to rising commodity prices are likely to raise the GDP of Myanmar further, economic observers said.

CNI News

2 Feb 2023

To defend the rights of Myanmar migrants who are working abroad through agencies, the Ministry of Labour will hold talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs to issue passports for them, Permanent Secretary U Nyunt Win of the Labour Ministry told the CNI.

He added that the ministry was exerting efforts to defend the rights of workers at its best.

He said, "The ministry is reviewing the overseas employment agencies which have been blacklisted in cooperation with the Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies Federation. If they are found to have committed minor offences, we will appeal for them to the Ministry of Home Affairs so that Myanmar migrants who were trying to go abroad with the help of them do not lose their rights and costs they incurred. We are working as much as we can so that workers will not lose their rights."

Currently, the ministry has submitted to the home ministry the list of workers who will apply for passports to work abroad through agencies except 133 agencies which were blacklisted by the home ministry.

Among the workers are those who go abroad to work under the MOU between the two countries as well as those who are trying to work abroad through agencies.

Although it is still difficult to say when the passports will be issued, the home ministry will issue passports for them after processing the application forms, the labour ministry said.

 People waiting to apply for passports.

The issuance of passports in all passport offices in the entire country has been suspended for an unlimited period since the end of 2022.

Suspension of passport issuance could force workers who intended to work legally to choose illegal means to go abroad, Executive Director U Htoo Chit of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI.

He added that suspension of passport issuance for an unlimited period is something that no country should do.

U Htoo Chit said, "No government should suspend passport issuance for an unlimited period because it amounts to forcing workers to go abroad illegally. No government should take such measures. Instead of helping workers who are trying to go abroad, authorities are causing delays and forcing them to incur high costs to get passports, which is a right of citizens. They are doing what they should not do by controlling passports of citizens and causing delays. They will not be able to do that for a long time and will have to issue passports one day."

He added that a government should take proper measures to help workers to go abroad, U Htoo Chit added.

Social media posts said that passport issuance would resume at the end of January but passport offices have not reopened so far.

Some observers suggested that closing the passport offices for an unlimited period was due to introducing new systems, political and security issues and brain drain problems.

CNI News

2 Feb 2023

Political parties in Myanmar have been facing uncertainties due to the new political parties registration law issued by the Union Election Commission.

Some provisions of the new law have caused confusion over recruiting new members, opening party offices and registration of ethnic parties.

Similarly, section 15 (h) stipulates that registrations of political parties that have direct or indirect contacts with EAOs or terrorist organizations designated by the government or unlawful organizations shall be revoked.

The provision does not cover EAOs that are signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, Chairman U Sai Aik Paung of the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party told the CNI.

UEC chairman U Thein Soe signed the rule for political parties registration.

He said, "They have already signed the NCA and action cannot be taken against those who have contacts with them under the section 17 (1) of the unlawful association act. The Shan State Progressive Party has also signed the NCA at the state and union levels. The party signed the state-level NCA when I was serving as a state minister. It signed the NCA at the union level and met with the commander-in-chief of defence services together with UWSA and Mongla."

His party has contacts with the KNU, one of the signatories to the NCA but it does not contact other EAOs, Chairman Mahn Aung Pyi Soe of the Karen National Democratic Party told the CNI.

The National League for Democracy Party. (Reuters)

He said, " Ours is not a political party that contacts unlawful organizations. We are not an alliance of the KNU but we exchange views about the current situation. However, it is a signatory to the NCA. Issues between them have nothing to do with us and we have nothing to do with the PDF. So, we are not worried about the new law."

Political parties that have contacts with EAOs that support the PDF like the KNU are likely to have their registration revoked, Political Observer Dr Aung Myo told the CNI.

He said, "Political parties that have contacts with EAOs that are signatories to the NCA but support the PDF like the KNU, which supports PDG activities in areas controlled by all other brigades except brigade 7, PDFs in Pale, Yinmarbin and Magway and Sagaing regions are likely to be revoked their registrations."

The new law required all political parties in Myanmar to re-register again within 60 days and those who fail to do so will have their registrations revoked.

CNI News

1 Feb 2023

China is not in a position to mediate between parties in the Myanmar peace process, Political Observer Dr Aung Myo told the CNI.

Among the armed groups along the Myanmar-China border, some groups are influenced by China while others are pro-US groups, he added.

Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing meets Xi

He told the CNI, "It is difficult for China to mediate between parties in the Myanmar peace process because not all parties are listening to what China says. China can mediate between the government and the UWSA but this is not the case with the KIA. The TNLA may listen to China because its territory is not close to China. However, the KIA will not listen to China."

As armed conflicts have erupted in Myanmar, development of the political, economic, social, health and education sectors has been hampered.

Resolution of the Myanmar political and peace process requires mediation of the international community, Kachin Politician U Kwan Gaung Aung Kham told the CNI.

Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing meets leaders of the UWSA, the NDAA and the SSPP

He said, "During the terms of U Thein Sein and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the international community mediated between stakeholders. It also depends on whether stakeholders accept their mediation or not. All armed conflicts end through political dialogue, in which not only China but also other countries like the EU, the US, Japan, Australia and India can mediate. We need their mediation because our country has a lot of problems as there were no international witnesses when we signed the Panglong Agreement. Therefore, I think we need to resolve our issues whether they are political or military in front of the international community."

China and Myanmar share a 1,300-mile long border, where the RCSS/SSA, the KIA, the SSPP/SSA, the UWSA, the MNDAA, the NDAA and the PSLF/TNLA are active.

CNI News

1 Feb 2023

The Myanmar embassy in Malaysia has suspended passport renewals, causing problems for Myanmar migrants who renew their passports for application of work permits, Myanmar nationals living in Malaysia told the CNI.

The embassy in Kualalumpur announced that passport renewals would be suspended as of 6th February, citing maintenance of computers and other equipment and it would announce the resumption of passport renewals on a later date.

As the embassy did not announce the exact date to resume the renewals of passports, it was difficult for Myanmar migrants to apply for rekalibrasi (RTK) work permits, U Babu Gyi, who has been helping Myanmar migrants in Malaysia, told the CNI.

He said, "They immediately suspended passport renewals without any reason when the Malaysian government has permitted Myanmar migrants to apply for work permits. It poses great difficulties for migrant workers. Some agents here are collecting fees for passport renewals and we cannot prevent them.  We have told everyone to wait and see the situation. Those who have employers who guarantee them can renew their passports through the links of the embassy."

A man waiting to renew his passport.

Although the embassy announced that it would suspend passport renewals, it would accept appointments for passport renewals and issue identity recommandations on office days.

Migrant workers who apply for RTK permits are required to have at least one year valid period of their passports and recommendations from their employers.

Therefore, they would call for the embassy to resume passport renewals after monitoring the situation for a certain period, Mhwar Michael, who has been living in Malaysia, told the CNI.

He said, "It poses great difficulty for overstaying Myanmar migrants, hundreds of whom are renewing their passports every day. As the embassy did not say when it would resume passport renewals exactly, we cannot complain about it currently. However, it does not resume passport renewals within a certain period, we will have to call for resumption of passport renewals on behalf of migrant workers.

Malaysian authorities have permitted migrant workers to apply for RTK permits but those who have overstayed their work permits or worked for employers other than permitted, illegal migrants and those who are included in the 6P program and violated laws are not permitted to apply for the work permits.

An immigration centre in Malaysia.

Employers are required to apply for work permits online for their workers and they will receive appointments within three days to meet authorities together with their workers.

After authorities have interviewed them, authorities will inform them within one day whether the workers are permitted to work in Malaysia or not. If authorities reject their applications, they can make appeals with the authorities.

Those who are permitted to apply for work permits are required to undergo medical check-ups. Those who have passed medical check-ups are required to pay Ringgit 1,500 for permit fees and other fees for visa, sticker, levy and services.

CNI News

1 Feb 2023

The China-Myanmar border trade has boomed after the Chinese New Year, approaching to the pre-pandemic level, according to merchants in Muse.

All border gates along the China-Myanmar border have been reopened including immigration checkpoints.

As COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, China-Myanmar border trade will boom in 2023, Vice Chairman U Min Thein of Muse Rice Exchange told the CNI.

Trucks being sprayed with disinfectant.

He said, "The Chinese New Year has ended. Border trade will grow much more than previous years in 2023. Trade was hindered by COVID-19 last year. Now, the restrictions have been lifted. People are coming to Muse to go to work in China. However, border passes are issued only for residents of Muse. So, people from other towns have to wait. I think border trade with China will improve in 2023."

However, Man Wain Gate, one of the main gates for border trade, is being opened only for six-wheel trucks due to traffic jams in Muse, according to merchants in Muse.

Container trucks are allowed to pass through Kyin San Kyawk gate, which is usually used for fruit exports, but there will be no difficulties for fruit trucks, U Sai Khin Maung of Khwar Nyo Fruit Exchange told the CNI.

A truck carrying fruits.

He told the CNI, "As China has opened all the gates, about 200 or 300 trucks can enter China every day. However, the border trade has not increased significantly. Trade is normal and there are no traffic jams. Fruit trade has not been hampered. However, there are unforeseeable risks on both sides of the border. Now, China has opened all gates and lifted all restrictions. I think the situation will improve gradually.

After the Chinese New Year, the border trade have returned to normal and about 100 watermelon trucks pass into China, which imports other commodities like pulses and beans, corn and sesame as usual.

As China has issued licenses to import large volumes of rice from Myanmar, rice exports will boom this year, according to merchants in Muse.

Up to 50 tons of avocados to be exported to Europe

CNI News

31 Jan 2023

A total of 50 tons of Hass variety avocados will be exported from Myanmar to Europe this year, according to the Myanmar Avocado Exporters Association.

After participating in the food, vegetable and fruit fairs in Thailand and France in October and November, 2022, European countries expressed their interest in Myanmar avocados and signed agreements to import up to 50 tons of avocados from Myanmar.

Plans are underway to export 10 tons of avocados to Europe on 5th February, Secretary U Kyaw Soe Min of the MAEA told the CNI.

He said, "Two companies exported about 500 kg of avocados on a trial basis and European countries agreed to import up to 50 tons of the fruit from us. We exported three tons of the fruit at a time. We will export from five to 10 tons of avocados on 5th February to meet their demand. They have agreed to accept less than 50 tons of avocados if we cannot export up to 50 tons by the end of the harvesting season."
Hass varieties of avocados harvested from Taunggyi, Nwangkhio, Pekhon and Hopone in Shan State (South) and Pyin Oo Lwin are being exported to Europe.

Storing harvested avocados in baskets.

The permission to export avocados to Malaysia has been received and a container of avocados has been exported to Thailand on a trial basis to get permission to export the fruits officially, U Kyaw Soe Min said. Thailand is one of the major countries that mainly import avocados from Myanmar.

He told the CNI, "We export avocados mainly to Thailand, which imports as many avocados as we can export. Our association helps farmers find export markets. We are trying to make inroads into Thailand and Malaysia markets. Currently, avocados are exported to Thailand illegally and to Malaysia officially. We are still trying to export avocados to Thailand officially. We have sent a container of avocados to Thailand officially on a trial basis. However, there are risks."

Avocados are mainly grown in Shan State (South), Mandalay and Pyin Oo Lwin in Myanmar. Myanmar has more than 10,000 acres of avocado plantations, which produce 20,000 tons of avocados annually, and the total acreage of avocados has expanded recently.

Myanmar exports Hass variety avocados grown in Shan State (South) from November to January.

During the current harvesting season, about 4,000 tons of Hass variety and 15,000 tons of local varieties either officially or illegally, according to the MAEA.

CNI News

31 Jan 2023

Labour activists told the CNI that they welcomed the move by the Ministry of Labour of Thailand to extend the stay and work permits of more than 100,000 foreign MOU workers including Myanmar nationals whose four-year permits have expired.

About 60,000 migrant workers whose four-year permits expired during the period from 1st November to 31st December, 2022 and about 50,000 migrant workers whose four-year permits are expiring from 1st Jan to 31 July, 2023 were permitted to stay and work in Thailand for six months starting from the expiry of their permits.

As identity document renewals for workers by Myanmar authorities have been delayed, it was a relief for Myanmar workers, Labour Activist U Min Oo of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI.

 Migrant workers.

He told the CNI, "It gives Myanmar workers enough time to renew their identity documents, especially passports. If valid periods of their passports expire, it is impossible for Thai authorities to renew their visas and permits. Now, Thailand has unilaterally extended their visas and permits. The two governments should have cooperated for such programs because they both have known whose passports have already expired and are expiring. Myanmar authorities announced that they will allow to renew passports which expired in 2022 and passports that are expiring in 2023 are required to wait. However, workers are required to have at least a six-month valid period for renewing their visas and permits."

As the Myanmar embassy in Thailand has not been able to renew passports in a timely manner, authorities have requested Thai counterparts to extend the visas and work permits of Myanmar workers until 1st August. As a result, migrant workers have been allowed to stay and work in Thailand until their identity documents have been renewed by extending the process of the CI Centre, according to a statement of the Ministry of Labour.

Migrant workers.

It is impossible to complete the renewals of all passports of Myanmar workers within six months, Labour Activist for Myanmar workers Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "The renewal process cannot be completed within six months because there are millions and millions of Myanmar workers including three groups of pink card holders in Thailand. Under visa regulations, migrants whose passports have expired can be detained. Everything depends on the policies of the Thai government."

Currently, Thai authorities have allowed employers to hire migrant workers without sending them back to their countries, according to the decision of the meeting of the Ministry of Labour.

CNI News

31 Jan 2023

Political parties said provisions of the new registration law for political parties are very confusing.

Under the new law, his party is forced to register four times, Chairman U Thar Tun Hla of the Arakan National Party told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "Our party has offices in Rakhine State, Yangon and Ayeyarwady regions and Paletwa in Chin State. So, we are required to register four parties at four places including Rakhine State, Yangon Region, Ayeyarwady Region and Chin State."

Provisions of the new political party registration law.

He added that the multi-party democracy system required strong political parties that would bring development of the country through stability and the current situation posed a lot of difficulties for political parties.

The new political parties registration law signed by Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing requires regional parties to deposit MMK 10 million at one of the Myanmar Economic Banks and recruit at least 1,000 party members within 90 days of registration.

Meanswhile, national political parties are required to deposit MMK 100 million at one of the MEBs and recruit at least 100,000 party members within 90 days after registration.

It is difficult for his party to register under the new law enacted by the SAC, Spokesperson Naing Than Shwe of the Mon Unity Party told the CNI.

The Union Election Commission meets political parties.

He said, "Under the new law, we will have to register with the Mon State Election Sub-commission. If we want to compete in an election in Kayin State, we will have to register another party in Kayin State. We will have to deposit another MMK 10 million and recruit another 1,000 members in that state. We will have to do the same if we want to compete in other states and regions including Tanintharyi Region, Yangon Region and Bago Region. It is difficult for us because our population is dispersed in all these regions."

Under the new political parties registration law, political parties are required to re-register within 60 days from the enactment of the law by the SAC.