CNI News

23 Nov 2022

As transportation of medicines to Rakhine has been prohibited by Rakhine State Administration Council, some medicines have been in low stock or out of stock, according to local residents, medicine companies and merchants.

Residents have been forced to save medicines and well-to-do people are buying some medicines for chronic diseases from Yangon at high prices, Chairman U Tin Aung Oo of Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce told the CNI.

He said, "A large number of medicines have run out of stock and residents are using the remaining medicines thriftily. There is a serious shortage of medicine in Rakhine State. As some medicines for older people like those for heart diseases, diabetes and high blood pressures are indispensable, well-to-do people place orders for them in Yangon under their own arrangements at high prices."

People buy medicines at a pharmacy.

On 24th October, 2022, medicine companies and distributors called on the Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce to buy medicines and distribute them to companies but the Rakhine State Administration Council has not responded to the request.

Medicine companies and distributors in Rakhine State are running out not only of over-the-counter medicines but also of TB and HIV medicines. Hospitals in Rakhine State are also running out of antibiotics.
The shortage of medicines has almost doubled the prices, Ma Mya Mya Thein, a local resident from Kyauktaw, told the CNI.

She said, "We are running out of medicines because transportation of them has been prohibited. Medicine prices have doubled. We have to pay MMK 1,000 for medicines which were available at MMK 500 in the past. We cannot give Tetanus vaccines to pregnant women. Transportation of all medicines have been prohibited completely including those for tuberculosis.

AA troops.

Authorities should permit transportation of medicines by classifying their groups for the well-being of the public, U Tin Aung Oo told the CNI.

He said, "There are over-the-counter medicines that are needed for everyone. There are medicines for children. So, authorities should classify medicines into groups, some of which can be transported into Rakhine State without restrictions while others may require permissions. Such measures will be convenient for the public as well as medicine companies and distributors.

Clashes are going on in Rakhine State between the Arakan Army and the military.

Therefore, authorities have imposed restrictions on travels between the southern and northern parts of Rakhine State and transportation of medicines.

CNI News

23 Nov 2022

The Ministry of Labour has difficulty taking action against illegal overseas employment agencies if victims fail to make complaints to the ministry, Permanent Secretary U Nyunt Win of the Ministry of Labour told the CNI.

He said, "Our ministry is not a body that investigates and exposes illegal overseas employment agencies. So, victims are required to make complaints to us because we are not responsible for investigating and exposing them. If victims make complaints to us, we can take action against them under the Law relating to Overseas Employments - 1999, which allows the police to make arrests without warrants. If victims settle their cases with illegal agents and fail to make complaints to us, it is difficult for us to take action against them."

As more and more people in Myanmar are trying to work abroad at present, the number of illegal overseas employment agencies has increased. Those who fell victims to illegal agencies got into trouble and were swindled their money out of them.

Applicants at an overseas employment agency.

U Nyunt Win said that recruiting and sending workers abroad without licenses amounts to committing a serious crime punishable with both fines and prison terms.

The Ministry of Labour failed to take effective action against offenders in the past and is likely to do so more under the current circumstances, Labour Activist U Min Oo of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI.

Failure to take effective action against illegal overseas employment agencies has led to mushrooming of them and frauds at present, he added.

U Min Oo said, "If they really wanted to tackle the problem, they could do it. For example, if they had taken effective action against illegal employment agencies, no one would have dare to commit the crimes. The problems will persist. Under the current circumstances, illegal employment agencies will be emboldened and it amounts to a great opportunity for them. Another factor is that those illegal agencies have links with some authorities. I think the situation may have been aggravating. People are trying to working abroad either legally or illegally. They cannot think about what is true and false. They believe what they were told."

Applicants queuing at the passport office.

While illegal employment agencies are sending workers illegally, gangs are also swindling workers out of their money by using the name and data of employment agencies that were officially registered with authorities, according to overseas employment agencies.

Such frauds have negative impacts on overseas employment agencies that have registered with authorities, Managing Director Daw Myat Haymar Lin of Pwintphu Aung Overseas Employment Agency told the CNI.

"Some people who wanted to work abroad. The gangs told the workers to send money to them and made appointments to sign contracts. When they called us, we don't know anything about them. Most of the victims were people who wanted to work abroad as soon as possible. We don't have such jobs to offer. The gangs told the workers that they would send the latter abroad within 20 days. There are many agencies that are sending workers to Thailand, which can accept only 850 workers a day. We cannot send workers within such a short period. It will take at least 2 months to send a worker to Thailand."

Those who want to make complaints to the ministry are required to provide full information to the ministry whether they are registered with authorities legally or not. They are taking action against offences if victims provide complete information, the ministry added.

CNI News

22 Nov 2022

To promote tourism between Russia and Myanmar, Russia tour agencies should be invited to Myanmar first, Chairman U Naung Naung Han of the Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "We have given our advice to authorities. We told them that it would be convenient to invite tour agents to learn for themselves. We need government cooperation. Although we are inviting Russian tourists, it is difficult for Russian tour companies to attract their customers if they have never travelled to Myanmar. So, they need familiarization trips to Myanmar. If the government, hotels and tour companies cooperate for FAM trips, Russia tour companies will be able to learn about Myanmar and to attract their customers to visit Myanmar.``

Russian tourists at the parliament building in Myanmar. (Russian)

The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism said on 18th November that it was cooperating with private organizations to promote tourism between the two countries.

Moreover, the ministry is taking measures to advertise tour destinations in Myanmar in the URAL Airline In-flight Magazine.

Myanmar is also planning to take part in a tourism fair in Russia in March 2023 to attract Russian tourists.

If Myanmar can advertise its tourism attractions to the international commumity, tourists not only from Russia but also from other countries will visit Myanmar, Chairman U Zaw Weit of the Myanmar Hoteliers Association (Bagan Zone) told the CNI.

A road sign to the Mingun Bell.

He said, "We should publicize major destinations like Bagan, the Inle Lake, Mandalay and Kyaiktiyo and famous beaches like Chaungthar, Ngwehsaung and Ngapali beaches. We should take measures to advertise such destinations to people in tourism sectors in other countries. There are so many ancient pagodas, mural paintings and glazed bricks in Bagan. Only then, will Bagan be a tour attraction. When foreign tourist visit Bagan, they are sent to the Shwezigon, Arnanda and Thabbenyu pagodas. If we can show them mural paintings at the Payathonzu and Nandarmanya pagodas, they will be able to learn mural paintings that they cannot see in Thailand and Cambodia. We need to take such measures."

Moreover, he said other countries have lifted requirements for COVID-19 RDT tests for tourists and Myanmar has imposed such measures. He added that tourist arrivals will increase if such restrictions are lifted.
Some tour agencies said that it is necessary to launch direct flights between Russia and Myanmar to increase the Russian tourist arrivals.

An archway to Mandalay.

U Naung Naung Han told the CNI, "Private airlines will launch direct flights between the two countries only based on the number of passengers. Russia airlines will launch direct flights if they get enouch passengers. However, the number of passengers between the two countries is still low. It takes about nine hour to fly direct flights from Myanmar to Russia. Myanmar does not have such planes. If tourists have to take transit flights, it costs more money for airlines. So, they are taking everything into consideration. When all requirements are met, Russian tourists will visit Myanmar. Airlines will launch direct flights."

Only a few Russian tourists visited Myanmar in the past. About 5,000 Russian tourists visit Myanmar annually.

Myanmar has offered visa exemption for Russian tourists for one year as of July, 2022 in an attempt to attract more Russian tourists but tourist arrivals from Russia have been low, according to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.

CNI News

22 Nov 2022

The Central Bank of Myanmar has allowed exporters to sell 65 percent of their earnings not only in US dollars but also in Yuan and Baht to the CBM.

Previously, exporters were required to sell US dollars to the CBM even though they exported goods in Yuan and Baht.

Exchange rate gaps between Yuan and Baht against US dollars and MMK against US dollars will be narrowed, Vice Chairman U Thant Zin Tun of Myanmar Corn Entrepreneurs Association told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "We export corn. In the past, we had to sell 65 percent of our earnings and we could keep the rest for one month. However, we were required to sell US dollars to the CBM for out exports. Now, we can sell Yuan and Baht in addition to US dollars to the CBM because we exported corn in Yuan and Baht. In the past, we had to sell US dollars to the CBM. So, we needed to buy US dollars to sell to the CBM because we exported corn in Baht or Yuan. There are exchange rate gaps among currencies. The government has eased restrictions. Now, we can sell Baht or Yuan to CBM if we export corn in those currencies.

Yuan and US$ currencies.

The CBM will accept Yuan and Baht for pulses and beans, oil crops, rubber, fishery products, animals and animal products and exporters are required to apply licenses to export their goods in Yuan and Baht.
As exporters no longer need to pay for exchange rate gaps, they will be able to pay higher prices to farmers for their crops, an exporter told the CNI.

He said, "As we can sell Yuan and Baht to the CBM, we will be able to pay higher prices to farmers within one or two days. We have to buy export crops competitively on the ground. I think we will be able to pay MMK 5 to 10 more per viss of crops."

In the past, border trade to Thailand and China was allowed to carry out in only US dollars but Yuan-Kyat payments have been allowed in border trade with China and traders expected a boom in border trade.

CNI News

22 Nov 2022

Amid calls for withdrawal of the military from politics, Myanmar pundits have been debating issues over prior political agreements to be sought from the junta and implemented to pave the way for the withdrawal.

The way can be paved for the military to withdraw from politics by establishing regular civil-military relations but it is unlikely to do so currently as it has been involved in politics since 1962, Chairman U Ko Ko Gyi of the People's Party told the CNI.

Gen Yawd Serk and Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

He told the CNI, "Involvement of the military in politics is inconsistent with democratic norms. To be a genuine democracy, parliament must be formed only with elected representatives. It is our political objective. However, the military has played a dominant role in politics since 1962 due to the unique nature of our country. So, it is unlikely to withdraw from politics at present. I think we will have to pave the way for the military to withdraw from politics by trying to establish regular civil-military relations when political stability has been restored gradually."

Some ethnic armed organizations said that they would join peace talks after the military has withdrawn from politics.

Vice Chairperson Daw Saw Mya Yazar Ling of the Arakan Liberation Party told the CNI, "The constitution is vital. The constitution is just a book, which must be respected by people. It is important to enforce the constitution. It is about the division of power between the union and states. Ethnic revolutionary organizations are fighting for self-governance and development of their regions. So, how to negotiate power sharing is important."

 A protest against the military. (Frontier MYanmar)

Political parties have called on the military for its withdrawal from politics at the National Solidarity and Peace Negotiation Committee and the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee.

Chairman U Thar Tun Hla of Arakan National Party told the CNI, "I don't think the military will agree to withdraw from politics. So, all stakeholders must be firm on building a federal democracy and seek political agreements. After reaching political agreements, they will have to build a federal democracy as soon as possible. Only then, will the political crisis be over. If the view of a particular group is implemented, the political crisis cannot be resolved. So, important stakeholders must try to reach political agreement, which must be implemented as soon as possible to overcome the current crisis."

The military has the right to appoint 25 percent of all parliament representatives.

It is stipulated in the section 6 (f) of constitution that the Union shall enable the defence services to be able to participate in the national political leadership role of the State.

Some political observers view that not only the military but also ethnic armed organizations should withdraw from politics. Otherwise, the military's withdrawal from politics is unlikely.

CNI News

22 Nov 2022

Indian foreign secretary Shri Vinay Mohan Kwatra visited Myanmar on 20th and 21st November and discussed border security issues with Myanmar officials, according to a press release issued by the Embassy of India in Myanmar today.

During his visit, the secretary discussed important bilateral issues such as border management and security, ongoing projects jointly implemented by the two countries and assistance for democratic transition in Myanmar, according to the press release.

Shri Vinay Mohan Kwatra pays a call on Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin.

He met with Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin and Chairman of the National Solidarity and Peace Negotiation Committee and Member of the State Administration Council Lt-Gen Yar Pyae.

In December, 2021, then foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shirngla visited Myanmar and met with SAC officials.

Manipur and Naga rebels, who are fighting against the Indian government, and Spring Revolution armed groups, who are launching armed resistance against the Myanmar military, are active in Indo-Myanmar border areas.

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.