CNI News

14 July 2023

New trips were being planned to attract Russian tourists in order that they would come to Myanmar, said U Zeyar Myo Aung, deputy director general, the ministry of hotel and tourism to CNI News. 
New tours - existing trips are created anymore, are intended to make Russian tourists like, he said.

"Package tours have been arranged for Russian tourists. Among existing trips, the trips that Russian tourists like are beach areas. There are existing trips such as Yangon-Mandalay-Bagan-Innlay-Ngapali. These trips are put together as a package tour. And then, there are Naypyidaw-Bagan-Mandalay-Innlay, Ngapali trip or Ngwe Saung - Chaungtha.trip. We have matched existing trips with beaches that Russians like. We mean it is created as a new package. Russian tourists very much like beaches. Because it's always cold in their country, they find it difficult to go to beaches. But  it's hot in Myanmar. so, it's convenient for them." he said

tourists at the Ngapali Beach

If direct airlines are arranged, Russian tourists will be able to come to Myanmar more conveniently. Relevant departments are arranging to keep direct flights reportedly. The Ministry of Hotel and Tourism has expected that more Russian tourists will come if direct flights are implemented in the open season this year.

As the new trips are created for Russian tourists, the new trips for other tourists should be arranged as well, said U Zaw Zaw, chairman of Northern Shan State Hotel Owners Association.

Moreover, if prices are designated by the ministry for tourists depending on their trips and hotels which they would stay, it will be uniform for all, he said.

The ministry hotel and tourism should designate which hotel how much must ask foreigners, he added.

tourists that visited the Shwedagon Pagoda

When the trips are arranged for tourists, Their security should be mainly arranged, some people suggested. 0.233 million tourists, including Russian tourists entered Myanmar in 2022. 
In comparison with 2021, it increased by 78 percent, according to the Union Minister for hotel and tourism In 2023, over 400,000 tourists entered Myanmar during the first five months and many tourists from China, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, India, Vietnam, USA, Malaysia,Singapore and Taiwan entered reportedly.

CNI News

14 July 2023

Local onion price increased with one viss at 2,300 Kyat in May and June when a lot of onions were bought from abroad, but currenet price is just 1,500 Kyat to 1,800 a viss, according to the onion wholesale markets from Pakokku and Myingyan. 
Because the traders who will export bought onion reducing 100 Kyat for a viss than before, onion price has decreased a little reportedly. 
Moreover, because Monywa peasants came and sold their onions that they had stored for long according to their regional instability, onion price has decreased, said U Aung Myint, an onion trader from Myingyan Township to CNI News.  

" 100 to 120 Kyat a viss has decreased because are their roads not good or don't they make much profit in the market there, I'm not sure. And traders who export also reduce price a little. Exporters are buying onions now as well. When they reduce, we have to reduce. They regularly bought a viss at 2,100 Kyat to 2150 before. But now they only pay 1,9500 Kyat to 2,000 Kyat. May be it's because Monywa peasants are selling a lot. Sellers from Monywa didn't use to sell their onions at the time of the year. They are forced to sell by their regional instability."said U Aung Myint.

 bags of onions coming to a commodity depot

Onion price has decreased a little in the wholesale market, but has not decreased in the retail market because retailers had bought onions when the price was going up.   Onion price is just 1,500 to 1,800 Kyat a viss in the Bayintnaung Wholesale Market in Yangon. 
However, onion price may go up again because buyers from abroad tend to buy onions a  lot from July on. Traders have not stored a lot of onion this year and a lot of onions are only in the hands of peasants. So, if peasants regulate their selling, it may benefit them, said an onion trader to CNI News.

"Normally, July, August and September are the months that the onion price tend to go up. Last year, the price was going up in August, September and October. In these months, traders from Vietnam came and bought onions. They bought a viss at over 2,000 Kyat to over 3,000 Kyat. But the price is related to exporting and export channels. Moreover, it depends on the financial markets a lot. This year, when urban traders would buy and store in their warehouses, onion prices were 1,500,1,600, 1,700, 1,800 to 2,000 Kyat. So, there are not onions in the urban warehouses. That's why if peasants cleverly sell their onions, they'll get paid much more money" he said.

Among the rest of onions, there are almost no more onions from Myitthar and Taungdwin Gyi and there are only onions from Monywa, Pakokku and Myingyan. 
Traders have only one third of onions and two third are in the hands of peasants, said traders.

CNI News

14 July 2023

As violence becomes involved in the armed conflicts taking place in Myanmar, the people in the political circle are reviewing and discussing in relation to how the violence should be stopped.

The current armed conflicts have been widely spreading through out the country, resulting in civilian deaths, house fire and more internally displaced persons.

Battles have been more severely taking place since 2021 and the people are facing with various difficulties. So, political elements and armed organizations should solve the problem, taking the people's difficulties into account, said U Tun Aung Kyaw, a Rakhine politician to CNI News.  

"In my opinion, when the two sides try to solve a problem between them, the ability to solve the problem mainly depends on how generous one can be to the other. Stakeholders have been trying to solve the problem, maintaining weapons since 1948 and these armed conflicts that arose with the independence have been over 70 years. The stakeholders understand that the problem can't be solved in this way, we believe.The public has been in great trouble already.The battles after 2021 have been very severe and the public is suffering the most intense and painful pain throughout history and they are experiencing damage and loss. So, responsible stakeholders, political elements and armed forces all urgently need to solve the problem in the best way, empathizing with the people" he said.

houses were being in flame

The UN Security Council's resolution on Myanmar on 21st December 2022 includes a fact that violence must be stopped.

During the past over two years since 1st February 2021, there were more than 8,600 civilian deaths due to armed conflicts, said ISP Myanmar.

There have been the laws relating to violence and if violence is handled with these laws, violence can be reduced, said U Thein Tun Oo, director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategic Studies.

"There have been the laws relating to violence and there also are methods relating to how to handle it. If violence is systematically handled in this way, violence can be reduced. For the time being, the SAC (State Administrative Council) is dealing with violence in a very soft manner. So, it can't go at a higher speed to eradicate the violence. We need to be able to cut everything that is encouraging and supporting violence. And those who are related to violence must be taken action against in accord with the law. If we can carry out main points, it will be easy to control violence" he said.

ruined Htantalan town

Over 740 civilians were killed during first five months of 2023 and these deaths are the most since 1st February, 2021, according to ISP Myanmar. NUG/PDF and EAOs
are fighting to topple down the Tatmadaw and the Tatmadaw is putting down the armed attacks, saying it is for the stability of the State.

During the armed conflicts, so many civilians were killed, arrested and bullied. Moreover, their houses were set fire as well reportedly.

CNI News

13 July 2023

Although there are a lot of Chinese investments in Rakhine State, they do not benefit the Rakhine public and Rakhine State, said Rakhine politicians and Rakhine public. 

Chinese investment has reached not only regions but also states, but the people have not benefited from the investment, said U Tun Aung Kyaw, a Rakhine politician to CNI News.

" Of all the investment in Rakhine State, the main is Chinese investment, but in relation with the investment, Rakhine people's expectations were not fully met. Although they expected that foreign investment companies would create job opportunities for them, the companies have not benefited them effectively up to now” he said.

beauty of Mrauk U in Rakhine State

Chinese investment projects don't take into account job opportunities for Rakhine People, said U Tun Aung Kyaw.

" Another sad thing is that these companies took their people for main bottom jobs such as gatekeepers, drivers, cooks and so on. So, Rakhine State obviously doesn't benefit from these companies." he said to CNI News.

There are Chinese projects in Rakhine State, but human rights of Rakhine people there are being violated, said Ko Kyaw Min Khaing, a local from Rathedaung to CNI News. 

" Up to now, most Chinese investments haven't benefited Rakhine people at all. Chinese investment is directly related to the Chinese government. And there are human rights violations against the people. If you ask me whether I like investment or not, I like it, but I don't like the way of exploiting the locals after violating human rights." he said.

China is building the Kyauk Phyu deep water port, gas and oil pipeline and special economic zone in Rakhine State.

Kyauk Phyu Deep Water Port Project in Rakhine State

" Locals who make a living by catching fish were prevented. They must be allowed to catch fish. And land lots were seized and landlords whose land lots were seized must be given other land lots. A country needs investment to get on. Due to investment, it's necessary that locals are not victimized" said Ko Kyaw Min Khaing.  

Because Chinese investment doesn't benefit local people, he doesn't believe in Chinese, said U Maung Thar Sein, an elder of the town from Sittwe Township. " When we are trying a state of our own in Rakhine State, we need to protect the rest of our natural resources unitedly so that they won't reach into the hands of the Chinese," he said to CNI News.

The Chinese government will carry out the wind power projects in Ann, Thandwe and Gwa townships in Rakhine State, said in the contract on which Myanmar Ministry of Electricity and Chinese company signed on 1st March, 2023. Moreover, Kaladan River Project, an investment of India is in Rakhine State,too.Mainly, Rakhine State does border trade with Bangladesh.

CNI News

13 July 2023

According to India's demand, 100 tons of avocados will be exported to India in coming November, said Myanmar Avocado Growers and Sellers Association. 
Myanmar avocados were shown at the food and hotel fair held in Singapore in April.
There as India liked Myanmar avocados, it signed a contract to buy the avocados in the coming avocado season, said U Kyaw Thu, vice chairman of Myanmar Fruit, Flower and Vegetable Producer and Exporter Association, to CNI News.  

"We went and showed our avocados at the Food and Hotel Asia. Among those who came and saw there, India liked ours and signed a contract to buy 100 tons. But they said that they would buy anymore if they liked." he said.

Although Myanmar avocados were exported to India through Tamu border trade in the past, they will be exported there through the maritime trade reportedly. 

Myanmar avocados at a fair
100 tons that would be bought by India were few by amount, but it was fruitful to the avocado growers, said Khun Arkar, chairman of Kyauk Talone Township Avocado Association in Southern Shan State, to CNI News.  

"Avocado is so plentiful that the people in local can't eat up them. So, only when they can be exported will be convenient" he said. 
Myanmar avocados are being exported to China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, India, France and Netherland. But because Myanmar avocados are being exported to china and Thailand through illegal routes, they don't make much profit, said U Kyaw Thu to CNI News.

avocados

" If we can directly export our avocados to foreign countries such as India and Singapore, avocado market will be better and income earning from avocado will be much more. Moreover, we can sell avocados at higher price. When we export avocados to Thailand, because we haven't got legal trade permit, we sort of smuggle into there, so we can sell one kilo of avocado at 30 Bahts only. If we can officially trade, we can sell at 60 or 90 Bahts" he said.

Acres of Myanmar avocado cultivation have increased year after year and its yield also has increased yearly. Avocado is mainly grown in Shan State, and Pyin Oo Lwin, Mandalay Region. And it is also grown in Chin and Kayah States. But because there are no stability in Chin and Kayah States, it is not easy to pick avocado, said peasants.

CNI News
13 July 2023

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who is imprisoned told  Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Thai Deputy Prime Minister that she doesn't recognize the National Unity Government (NUG) and the People's Defense Force (PDF)that are being supported by western countries and European countries, which was reported on 11th July by Pan Orient News, a Japanese news agency.

Mr.Don Pramudwinai Thai Foreign Minister arrived in Myanmar on a day trip on 9th July and had the opportunity to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who has been in Naypyidaw Prison.

She doesn't recognize the NUG/PDF that has been designated as terrorist organizations by the State Administration Council and that is being supported by western countries, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi told her attitude when she met with Thai Deputy PM, reported the Pan Orient News.  

the news reported by the Pan Orient News

And then, Thai Deputy Prime Minister read out her message at the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting that is being held in Jakarta, Indonesia, Kyodo News Agency reported on 12th July.

Brunei, Cambodia and Indonesia which were ASEAN rotating chairpersons tried to get a chance to meet DASSK, but they didn't get. Thai Deputy PM is the first foreign diplomat who got a chance to meet DASSK..That Thai Deputy PM got a chance to meet DASSK was unusual because Thailand has good relations with USA which the people in Myanmar political circle have reviewed.

According to resources from Naypyidaw, it is right that DASSK met Deputy Thai Deputy PM on 9th July and that she does not recognize NUG/PDF is likely because she has maintained non-terrorism policy.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Mr. Don Pramudwinai

The Tatmadaw toppled down the NLD government led by DASSK on 1st February 2021 after saying that NLD tried to form a government without a ballot dispute in the 2020 general election and announced a state of emergency.

After that the Tatmadaw arrested the NLD leaders including DASSK and U Win Myint, the President. NLD members of Hluttaw and the people demanding formed the NUG and PDF and are waging an armed revolution to topple down the Tatmadaw.

NUG-PDF has announced that 2023 is the final year for the successful end of the revolution

CNI News

12 July 2023

There are reviews among the political and business circles relating to which border trade route is more stable between Myanmar-China border trade route and Myanmar-Thailand border trade route. 

There are armed conflicts in many parts of the country, which, sometimes, force to close the border trade routes. 
Because roads and bridges are often destroyed and explosions and battles take place on the Thailand-Myanmar border trade route, this trade route is forced to be closed often.

But China-Myanmar border trade route does not experience the situations of Thailand-Myanmar border trade route. 
There are China-owned interests along the border trade route and ethnic armed groups abstain from actions that can affect Chinese interest. Because Thailand has no influence on ethnic armed groups along its border, Thailand-Myanmar border trade route is not stable, said U Ye Tun, Myanmar political analyst to CNI News.

trucks that were set fire somewhere on the toad between Myawady and Kokkreik on 29th March, 2022 (CJ)

" But Thailand doesn't have so much influence on armed organizations along its border. NUG,PDF and KNU seem to want the trade with Thailand to be interrupted  because this trade can pay the tax a lot to the State Administration Council (SAC), so they fight against the SAC troops along the trade route..Thai government had arrested some people who fled to Thailand and handed over to the SAC not long ago. But Thailand doesn't have so much influence on armed groups from here" he said.  

Because China has influence on most of armed organizations along the Myanmar-China border trade route, armed organizations abstain from doing actions that can affect the Myanmar-China border trade, said political analysts.

However, Myanmar-china trade route was not very different from  Myanmar-Thailand trade route and battles took place, trucks were fired, drivers were killed and cars were set fire on the Myanmar-China trade route, said U Thant Zin Tun, a corn trader to CNI News.

TNLA organization seen on the China-Myanmar border trade route

"When I exported corn to China, cow trucks were very often fired at Nam Fekka between Kutkai and Thibaw and drivers were killed. Battles took place. Cars were set fire during battles..Express cars were set fire. China only said. Battles are taking place on the ground. Armed groups collect money on the way. Not very long ago, an armed group collected money.between Thibaw and Lashio. Armed organizations asked each other which group collected money.When there is a conflict between locals and militia at Jinshan Jiao, trade routes are often closed for about one week or ten days. It's not very different. We have to play by ear" he said.

More armed organizations build checkpoints and ask for money on the two border trade routes on which battles tend to take place since the political change took place two years ago, said traders and drivers.

CNI News

12 July 2023

Prohibited medicine and cosmetics in Myanmar cannot be controlled in the market because of corruption, said consumer rights and food experts to CNI News. 

Prohibited products have become more widespread in the market, so it was difficult to control them, said U Ba Oke Khaing, a consumer rights and food expert.

"In the past, there were food and drug administration (FDA) camps at the border gates. It's not easy to enable the FDA to go and check at the gates in a situation like this. Organizations such as FDA must inspect strictly at the border gates so that prohibited products can't enter. It's not easy to control prohibited products in the market for the time being because there are corruption everywhere.Some prohibited products are being smuggled into Myanmar and other prohibited products are being imported by paying bribes." he said.

 FDA officials were inspecting foodstuff

To educate the people about the use of prohibited products was needed and there are people using those products up to now because there was not adequate awareness , said Ko Than Htike Zaw, a health staff member from Insein Township in Yangon Region.

" First, we must let the people know. There will be sellers as long as there are many users. We must carry out till there are no more users. We want them to know widely why they shouldn't use it. We had read the FDA statements relating to prohibited products in newspapers in the past. And then we have found the statements relating to prohibited products on facebook and social media. But their awareness is still weak. Because there were no uploads on the pages of social media giants, many people don't know that prohibited products cannot be used or sold." he said to CNI News.

prohibited cosmetics

Some cosmetics imported from China and Thailand contain mercury that affects the kidney and steroids that affect skin. Moreover, hair dye and hair straighteners contain ammonia that can damage the nervous system. So, these products are prohibited. In the same way, some roll-ons contain substances that can clog pores and cause breast cancer.
And lipsticks contain lead toxins that can cause stomach cancer. So, prohibited products should not be used, said consumer rights and food experts.

To reduce affecting the public, relevant officials should inspect strictly and perform adequate awareness, said health analysts.

CNI News

12 July 2023

Efforts to be united inside and outside the army were needed and when a region sufferred natural disasters,the Tatmadaw carried out for the benefit of the region in cooperation with the government, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC).

He said as above when he met with departmental staff from Buthidaung and Rathedaung townships, elders of town, officers, other ranks and their families in cantonments.

"local people are our national ethnic people and all local residents live on the same land, drink the same water and breathe the same air. So, if they live in a way of mutual-help, it will support for the regional development. And efforts to be united inside and outside the army are needed. when the natural disaster hit, the Tatmadaw  carried out for the benefit of the region in cooperation with the government" he said. 

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing was observing for the restoration of cyclone-hit regions in Rakhine State

adding that if the government, the Tatmadaw and the people carried out unitedly, the whole State would develop, startin from each region.

As the chairman of the SAC was carrying out military affairs, he didn't want to comment on the SAC chairman's speech, said a Rakhine politician. 

The chairman of the SAC meaned the Tatmadaw needed to overcome the psychological warfares from outside media and other organizations, said U Thein Tun Oo, director of Grand Strategy Studies to CNI News.

a spring revolution campaign

"Throughout history, whenever the army was weak, the country became weak in security and defense. when Myanmar is trying to be a democratic country, the Tatmadaw need to be strong and firm to balance.Here means that ideologies from outside must not penetrate the Tatmadaw's philosophy. Unity is like that, mainly speaking." he said.

The Tatmadaw toppled down the NLD government on 1st February, 2021 and announced a state of emergency after saying that NLD tried to form a government without solving the ballot dispute in the 2020 general election.

After that, democratic elements are launching revolutionary attacks to topple down the Tatmadaw and pereforming to disintegrate the Tatmadaw, said political analysts.