CNI News

26 November 2024

The flow of goods to northern Shan State has been cut out, according to locals. 

The flow of goods to northern Shan State from southern Shan State has been banned since 12th November and buses and trucks have been banned indefinitely. 

Moreover, trucks carrying foodstuffs, rice and fuel oil have been forbidden to pass on 18th November, said locals. 

The flow of goods to northern Shan State often is banned, U Tin Maung Thein, a resident of Kyaukme, told CNI News.

"Because open or close takes place at any time, we can't expect anything in the long run. For the time being, any commodity which will enter northern Shan State is banned. If there are four people in the car, they are allowed to carry four bottles of drinking water and gasoline is not allowed as well" he said. 

Due to the ban, locals are suffering from higher prices.

While seeing trucks

Because of banning the flow of goods, the black market will emerge. 

Moreover, goods produced in northern Shan State could stop flowing to other regions and states. 

So,  it would be worrying for the people in northern Shan State, a person taking part in social assistance told CNI News.

"Now goods produced in northern Shan State such as corn and tea are going down to the lower regions through the jungle routes while any goods are not allowed to northern Shan State.  Corn and tea could be banned to be sent soon. There is no rule of law in our country. So, it's worrying for the people in northern Shan State in the long run." he said.

The flow of goods mainly to Momeik, Nawnghkio, Lashio and Mong Yel in northern Shan State has been cut out and selling fuel oil on quota has been suspended since 18th November.

CNI News

November 20, 2024

Indonesia becomes the country that imports the Myanmar rice most, according to the Myanmar Rice Federation. 

Although Myanmar rice was exported to Europe and China most before, Indonesia has become the most importer of Myanmar rice since 2022.

There has been in high demand for rice in Indonesia because it is highly populated and to hold elections. 

Although Indonesia bought broken rice from Myanmar in the past, it is buying Myanmar rice as well now, chairman of the MRF U Ye Min Aung told CNI News.

" We are always exporting rice to European countries an China as well as Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Indonesia has bought Myanmar rice more since 2023. There are so many people living in Indonesia and elections will be held soon. So, its import of rice has increased. About four or five years ago, it imported few Myanmar rice. It bought only broken rice from Myanmar. Now it has been buying both rice and broken rice from Myanmar about four million tons within three years from 2022 to 2024. Indonesia import rice or broken rice from Thailand and Vietnam as well as India and Pakistan." he said.

Indonesia has imported over 360,000 tons of Myanmar rice in the 2024-2025 fiscal year during the first 7 months and overtook China that bought Myanmar rice most in the past. 

In the current fiscal year, China is second most buyer of Myanmar rice by importing 276,400 tons, and Belgium, third most by importing 219,400 tons and the Philippines has bought 147, 700 tons of Myanmar rice, according to the MRF.

Although China was the country that imported Myanmar rice most when the border trade gates were opened, at present China has closed down its border trade gates with Myanmar. 

So, Indonesia became the most importer of Myanmar rice, an official from the MRF told CNI News.

" When the border trade gates were opened, a lot of Myanmar rice were exported to China by road and by sea. China imported Myanmar rice most. But now border trade posts have been closed. As Indonesia is not far from Myanmar, Myanmar rice is exported there most." he said.

During the first seven months of the current fiscal year, Myanmar has exported 1.46 tons of rice and broken rice for 647 US dollars, according to the MRF. 

The MRF has intended to export 2.5 million tons of rice.

CNI News

November 21, 2024

Because global price of rice was falling, local price of rice also could fall, the Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) told CNI News. 

The global price of rice, in comparison with last week, has declined by over one percent this week. 

There have been changes in the global price of rice since the last week of October 2024 while the changes in the price of rice has taken place in Myanmar as well.

So, when rainfed paddy appears abundantly, because new rice will come into the local market, the price of rice might go down, U Ye Min Aung, chairman of the MRF, told CNI News. 

" In December, rainfed paddy will have appeared abundantly. Now that paddy has appeared, new rice has started entering the market. So, the price of rice is stable. The rice is sufficient for the local consumption. As the global price of rice is declining, local price of rice also can go down fairly." he said.

While bags of rice are being carriedWhile bags of rice are being carried

Although local price of rice often went down, as the yield of rainfed paddy this year decreased due to irregular weather. 

If the price of rice decreased, the price of paddy would decrease. 

As a result, profit that farmers would earn could be lower. 

So, efforts should be made to make the price of rice reasonable, former chairman of the Farmers Development Association, U Thein Aung told CNI news.

" This year rainfed paddy appears in November and December. The yield this year might not be half of the last year. The paddy was sunk this year. When the paddy is ripe now, as the paddy is sunk,  it's necessary to consider to become a reasonable price. Otherwise, the profit farmers will earn will be fewer." he said.

At present, in the local market, the price of Pawsan rice from Pyapon, Myaungmya and Dedaye is from 115,000 to 125,000 per bag while the price of Shwebo Pawsan rice is from 140,000 to 150,000 kyats per bag.

The prices of Aemahta rice and Ngasein rice are from 3,000 to 5,000 kyats per pyi.

CNI News

20 November, 2024

Peace talks could surely emerge to find ways so as not to hurt the people in Rakhine State, military and political analysts told CNI News. 

Peace talks could surely emerge sometime and as long as battles were taking place, the people would be hurt, chairperson of the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin told CNI News.

" According to the situation of battles, people think that the AA has upper hands in military. Depending on the people's comment and report by troops on the ground, the AA might discuss with (the Myanmar Tatmadaw) in the near future. In my opinion, the AA will surely arrive at the roundtable on day or another. When it can control the whole state, it will surely arrived at the political roundtable, I think. The longer battles break out, the more the people are hurt."

While seeing the entrance signboard to Sittwe

Battles have been breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the AA since 13th November 20223 and it would go on carrying out to make Rakhine State free from the Myanmar Tatmadaw, reported the AA on 13th November 2024. 

At present, the SAC has boozed the security in Kyauk Phyu where the Chinese Projects are located.

As the two organizations, if they appreciated the people's interests, peace talks could arise, U Myo Kyaw from the Arakan League for Democracy (ALD) told CNI News.

When you see the battle avoiders

" If they don't want to affect the people and buildings in the state, in other words if they give priority to the interests of the people, the discussion might arise one day or another. The AA has announced that apart from the AA, other armed organizations must not exist in Rakhine State, but it hasn't been able to capture the whole state. Especially, it hasn't been able to capture Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State and Kyauk Phyu where Chinese investments are located. Without being able to capture these places, if negotiations and discussions are conducted, complications could arise in the future. How to tackle these things depends on the leaders of the AA." he said.

It was necessary to take into account of the country and the public and make attempts in a peaceful manner, considered political analysts. 

There are 17 townships in Rakhine State and of them, 10 townships have been captured by the AA. 

Among the remaining seven townships, Gwa, Maungdaw and Ann Townships are being attacked by the AA while the AA has blocked Kyauk Phyu, Taung Goat, Manaung and Sittwe.

CNI News

November 19, 2024

As armed conflicts have been taking place widely in Myanmar and the military framework is expanding, it is necessary to hold discussions to expand the political framework according to military and political analysts. 

It was necessary to hold political peace talks continuously and patiently to make the military framework narrow, chairperson of the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin told CNI News.

" If the military conflict takes too long, more casualties will take place. There have been lots of casualties just now. So, we'll arrive at the roundtable one day or another. Military framework is wide while the political framework is narrow. We need to be patient to make the military framework narrow. We'll have to hold political talks continuously. And then, it's necessary to consider the results from the political talks. After that, participants at the roundtable need to attempt in order to reduce battles more than now, I think." she said.

While seeing the TNLA

Armed conflicts have been taking place in Myanmar since 1948. Although discussions were held again and again to end armed conflicts, they were void and battles resumed. 

Armed conflicts have broken out across the country as a result of political disagreements that started on 1st February 2021 and the number of IDPs has been over 6 millions, according to the ISP-Myanmar.

As the two organizations, only if they gave priority to the public, would the political framework be wider, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), Dr. Aye Maung told CNI News.

" When the war breaks out between the two sides, the public is hurt. Politics has retreated. To make the politics come to the fore, all the stakeholders need to see the real landscape. It's necessary to take a historical lesson. The Myanmar Tatmadaw should take the lesson and so should the State Administration Council (SAC) that is currently leading the country. In the same way, only if all the armed revolutionary elements give priority to the Myanmar public, will politics be strong. Only if all the stakeholders negotiate and solve the problem politically, military tension will be reduced. Independence will be given to Myanmar for the second time." he said.

While seeing leaders from the government, the Tatmadaw and EAOs

Over 20 delegates from 11 political parties, six EAOs, the NSPNC and the CPR were invited to India and constitution and federalism were discussed there on 5th and 6th November. 

Thailand is to lead and hold an informal meeting on the issue of Myanmar among the members of the ASEAN in December 2024.

Currently, battles are severely breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and EAOs/PDFs in Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, Bago, Tanintharyi Regions, Shan, Karen, Kayah, Chin, Kachin, Mon and Rakhine States.

CNI News

November 20, 2024

They were making attempts in order to be able to hold the election as able as they could and must implement a dignified election and Hluttaw said chairman of the State Administration Council. 

He said the above at the meeting of the SAC on 19th November 2024.

" The SAC will hold a free and fair multi-party democratic general election and go on carrying out in order to hand over the State responsibilities to the winning party; they are making attempts as able as they can in order to be able to hold the election and they must implement to make a dignified Hluttaw arise." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

The SAC mainly must carry out so as not to make mistakes in the vote list and members of the SAC must perform by division of labor to make the vote list correct; Myanmar Electronic Voting Machine would be used in the coming election, he added. And then, the election would be held step by step, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

Chairman of the SAC separately met with PMs from Laos, Thailand and Cambodia, and explained and discussed the matters relating to the election when he went to China from 5th to 10th November.

The SAC would invite international analyst delegates to make the election transparent, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

The election would be elected in 2025 and the State power would be handed over to the winning party, he said.

CNI News

19 November, 2024

Local price of pure gold has fallen to 59.3 lakh kyats per tical on 19th November from over 60 lakh kyats, according to the gold market. 

As the Central Bank is selling the US dollars to the financial market, the price of dollars has decreased and the global price of gold has fallen and so has the local price of gold.

According to the current situation, there has been no prospect that could make the price of gold rise, chairman of the Yangon Gold Entrepreneurs Association, U Myo Myint told CNI news. 

" The price of the dollar has fallen. It's partly possible because the Central Bank sells dollars and the global price of gold has decreased as well. And the demand for gold has declined. The price of gold might fall any more. There is no prospect that can make the price of gold rise." he said.

Local price of pure gold was 61 lakh kyats on 13th November and 59.8 lakh kyats on 14th November and 59.3 lakh kyats on 19th November.

The global price of gold was 2,754 dollars in early November and then the price gradually fell and the current price is only 2,618 dollars. 

While seeing gold jewelries

In the same way, the local price of dollars is 4,400 kyats per dollar because the Central Bank sells dollars. 

Because the local price of gold had declined, although transaction of gold bars had stopped, gold was regularly being sold or bought as jewelry, added U Myo Myint.

" Gold is regularly being sold and bought in the local market. Although the trade of gold bars can be stopped, gold shops are regularly selling jewelry partly because  now is the donation ceremony season. Those who have bought gold at 85 lakh kyats due to rumors don't want to sell their gold when the price is low at a time like this." he said.

Local price of gold rose until 85 lakh kyats per tical, record breaking price and then it fell to 65 lakh kyats. 

After that, the price fell to 61 lakh kyats from 65 lakh kyats. 

It was stable for about two months. However, the price fell to less than 60 lakh kyats.

The gold market has been stagnant for the time being because traders are waiting to buy gold as the price could decline again.

CNI News

20 November, 2024

Although the census-taking was able to be conducted only in the three townships, Rakhine State where armed conflicts were although it had been starting since 1st October, according to locals. 

The three townships where census-taking could be conducted are Sittwe, Kyauk Phyu and Manaung. Among the three townships, the census-taking could be fully conducted, U Saw Naing, a resident of Sittwe, told CNI News.

" The townships where census-taking was conducted are Sittwe, Kyauk Phyu and Manaung. But in Sittwe and Kyauk Phyu, census-taking could be conducted only inside the towns. But census-taking could be fully conducted just in Manaung. In other townships, population and facts were not complete." he said.

Many townships in Rakhine State have been controlled by the Arakan Army (AA) and even in a township that has controlled by the SAC, as residents had to flee due to battles, facts and information would not be available, said locals. 

There are 17 townships in Rakhine State and Kyauktaw, Mrauk U, Minbya, Myebon, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Pauktaw, Ranbye and Thandwe have been captured by the AA.  

While that census-taking would be conducted was being informed aloud

Kyauk Phyu, Taung Goat, Manaung, Gwa, Ann and Sittwe still have been controlled by the SAC.

" I heard the census-taking was conducted in Sittwe and it can't be done in other places. They won't dare to come to other places." said U Hla Maung Thein, a resident of Mrauk U.

Although the SAC still has controlled Sittwe where census-taking was being conducted, residents of Sittwe fled to safety since several months ago. 

The AA is waging offensives to Gwa, Maungdaw and Ann Townships where the SAC has controlled while the AA has blocked Kyauk Phyu, Taung Goat, Manaung and Sittwe Townships. 

So, the SAC was able to conduct the census-taking in some wards of the townships only, said locals.

56,000 million kyats would be spent to conduct the census-taking, reported the SAC. The census collected reportedly will be announced on 31st December 2024.

CNI News

20 November 2024

As Donald Trump was elected in the US presidential election and the new US government led by Donald Trump will come to power, Myanmar people who are making preparations to leave for third country might find it difficult, pointed out political commentators and those who are performing the issue of workers. 

Trump had said foreign aids of the US, migration and refugee cases would be strictly tackled since the campaign period.

Moreover, because he promised that about one million undocumented migrant foreigners would be sent back, Myanmar people who will move to third country might find it more difficult, U Than Soe Naing, a political commentator told CNI News.

" Because of Trump's policy that blocks those who enter the US as migrant people, it will be more difficult for those who are making preparations to leave for the US as a third country. Democrats heartily welcomed the cases regarding foreigners who will enter the US while Trump imposed the law that will block the visas for refugees or migrant people. So, it might be more difficult for them who will enter the US, I think." he said.

While the UNHCR was providing aids to Myanmar refugees

However, as Trump had not formed a government yet, what policy would be laid down would be watched, director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategy Studies U Thein Tun Oo told CNI News. 

If Trump carried out his campaign promise, it would be worrisome for Myanmar migrant people, he added.

" According to the facts Trump said, it'll be more difficult for those who have arrived in the US and those who are making preparations to enter the US, I think. As the individuals Trump has selected as cabinet members are hard on migrant people, it will be worrisome a bit for migrants, I think." said U Thein Tun Oo.

Most Myanmar people who are making preparations to take refuge in a third country are in Thailand and Malaysia and Myanmar Muslims in Malaysia, Myanmar ethnic people who fled battles in Thailand. 

They are trying to enable them to migrate in third countries in western countries including the US.

While seeing Myanmar refugees

If the Trump government came to power, although attempts by those who were preparing to take refuge in third countries were unstoppable, they might be delayed, director of the Arakan Workers Organization, Ko Naing Aung Aung told CNI News.

" When he came to power for the first time, he said so. But the process will exist. But it might be delayed. It depends on attempts by those who are preparing to take in refuge or their performance. It is important how much he pays attention to the issue. There are two groups who are trying to take refuge in third countries. One is in Thailand and they fled battles after the coup d'état in Myanmar, staying in the refugee camps. The other is in Malaysia. The grants paid to them might decrease." he said.

The number of refugees who are seeking to enable them to take refuge is 776, 500 in 2025 and 94 percent of them are from Myanmar and Afghanistan, according to a report by the UNHCR.