CNI News

19 Nov 2022

Although onion prices usually fall during new harvests, the supply to onion exchange has been low and prices have not fallen, according to onion commodity exchange.

So far, only a few thousand visses of onions arrived at the commodity exchange and it is likely that onions are likely to come into the market at the end of this months and prices are likely to fall, Chairman U Khin Han of the Myanmar Onion, Garlic and Vegetables Producer and Sellers Association told the CNI.

Onions transported for domestic consumption.

He said, " Only a few thousand vissses of onions entered the Yangon market recently. However, the crop entered the market by hundreds of thousands of visses in cultivating regions. The prices of monsoon onions stand between MMK 2,400 and 2,500 and fall to between MMK 2,500 and 1,500 depending to the supply."

Although the prices of the newly harvested onions is estimated to be between MMK 900 and 1,000, current prices stand between MMK 1,500 and 2,500.

Onion bags in the domestic market.

The newly harvested onions are not entering the market as a large number of onion fields had been bought by companies from Myawady to export the crop to Thialand and Vietnam, Onion Merchant U Hla Thaung of Pakokku told the CNI.

He said, "As they have bought fields and fields of onions at MMK 2,500 or 2,700 per viss of onions in Meiktia and Myithhar, the crops did not enter into the local market and onions went to the countries."

Moveocer, onion fields were damaged by storms and draughts and onion yields dropped, according to farmers.

CNI News

19 Nov 2022

As the State Administration Council released some politicial prisoners on the National Day, Chairman U Ko Ko Gyi of the People's Party told the CNI that pardoning some political prisoners raised hopes for dialogue.

On the national day, which falls on 17th November, the SAC released 88 Generation Student Leader U Mya Aye, Central Executive Committee members Dr Myo Nyunt and U Thein Oo of the National League for Democracy, NLD Legal Consultant U Kyaw Hoe, former unioin minister for the office of the state counsellor U Kyaw Tint Swe, writer Maung Thar Cho and Shwenyawar Sayadaw from prison.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing

The SAC pardonned 5774 prisoners including Mr Sean Turnell, an economic advisor to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, former British Ambassador to Myanmar Vickey Bowmen and her husband.

As some politicians have been released, relevant political parties will be able to enhance capabilities, U Ko Ko Gyi told the CNI.

He said, " As an ordinary citizen, I am glad for everyone who were released because they could live together with their families. On the other hand, some politicians were released and their relevant parties will be able to enhance their capabilities. At the same time, we call for the release of other political prisoners as soon as possible. As long as there are political tensions, there will be political prisoners. As it reflects the serious political issues, I mainly hope that the country will be on the track of the political dialogue again."

The political prisoners who have been were those who should not have been arrested during the coup, Rakhine Politician U Pe Than told the CNI.

Prisoners pardoned by the SAC

He said, "They are pretending to show goodwill and magnanimity by releasing prisoners. It is just an attempt to salvage the image of the junta. They are trying to build a conducive environment to hold the general election by releasing some political prisoners. However, the prisoners were released on terms that they would serve remaining prison terms if they continued to oppose the junta. Their hands were tied and their mouths were forced to shut."

U Ko Ko Gyi said that the best way to reduce political tensions is releasing the political prisoners.

The SAC pardoned 5,774 prisoners including 712 political prisoners.

ASEAN Special Envoy Prak Sokhonn welcomed the move, which is conducive to dialogue, on 17th November.

CNI News

17 Nov 2022

As Russia, which has signed an MoU to import fishery products from Myanmar, is likely to import hundreds of tons of shrimps from Myanmar, measures are being taken to do so, the Myanmar Fisheries Federation told the CNI.

However, it is still difficult to say exactly when we will start exporting because some details are still under negotiations, Vice Chairperson Daw Toe Nandar Tin told the CNI.

She told the CNI, "They want to import hundreds of tons of shrimps from Myanmar. It also depends on market prices and trade charges. We need to take trade charges into construction as it is impossible to export shrimps to Russia directly. If it is profitable for us after considering everything, we will export shrimps to Russia. We will have to freeze or boil and dry shrimps according to their market demand."

As Russia wants to import shrimps from Myanmar, shrimps from breeding areas including Tanintharyi Region will mainly be exported to Russia, she added.

As Panamei shrimps bred in Tanintharyi Region fetch as much as US$ 6,000 per ton, Myanmar will be able to export the shrimps to Russia only when they fetch higher prices than China, Secretary U Thet Soe of Tanintharyi Region Fisheries Federation told the CNI.

Shrimps from Tanintharyi Region.

He said, "We will have to negotiate the prices based on their bidding. We may also set the prices if they ask us. We will have to set the prices based on our breeding costs. If they pay lower prices than China, we cannot export shrimps to them due to higher transportation charges. Transportation charges must be taken into account when we export our products to Russia."

Myanmar exports between 7,000 and 8,000 tons of the shrimps to China annually but exporters have to rely on brokers. So, efforts are being made to export the shrimps to China officially.

Myanmar will have to use maritime routes to export the shrimps to Russia and shrimp breeding will be expanded in states and regions depending on the market demand, Daw Toe Nandar Tin told the CNI.

Shrimp breeding ponds in Tanintharyi Region.

She said, "We need to have market access first. When we have market access, we can negotiate everything. If market access is uncertain, we will not expand shrimp breeding. We need to expand our shrimp market not only in Russia but also in other countries. Our federation will have to work together with the government to expand the market. If we know the demands of international markets, we will develop master plans to export shrimps to international markets. At present, the market access is still uncertain and we have not expanded shrimp breeding."

Panamei shrimps are currently bred on 2,000 acres of land  in Tanintharyi Region and plans are underway to breed the shrimps on 60,000 acres of land in Dawei, Myeik, Bokepyin and Kawthaung districts.

CNI News

16 Nov 2022

The Association of Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) is unlikely to expel Myanmar from the regional block, Political Observer U Ye Tun told the CNI.

The ASEAN makes decisions based on consensus and it is very difficult for the block to make such a decision, he added.

U Ye Tun told the CNI, "Under the ASEAN Charter, resolutions are made on concensus. At present, there are wide differences over the Myanmar issue among the members. It is difficult to expel Myanmar from the block. Moreover, the charter prohibits interference of the internal affairs of member states and intimidation and coercion. It is impossible for the ASEAN to expel Myanmar from the block."

During the ASEAN summit on 10th November, some members proposed to expel Myanmar from the block and an intense debate broke out among leaders, according to Philippines President Marcos.

Lawyer U Kyee Myint echoed the similar view.

An empty chair for a Myanmar representative at an ASEAN meeting. (Reuters)

He told the CNI, "The ASEAN will never take such measures because it is nothing but a block that is always pretending  to do something or other whenever an issue arises. They will not take such measures. Moreover, there is no provision for expelling a country from the regional body in their charter. If they add a clause to expel a member in their charter, they will be able to do that.  There are other political reasons too. So, they won't expel Myanmar."

The ASEAN cannot be expected to resolve the Myanmar cirisis and the block had been divided into the Chinese camp and the US camp, he added.

The SAC foreign ministry announced that Myanmar would not respect the decisions made at the ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting in Jakarta in Indonesia on 27th October, 2022, as it was not invited.

U Ye Tun told the CNI, "Some advisors to the SAC are also suggesting that Myanmar should leave the regional body because it is insulting Myanmar by not inviting the SAC chairman and the foreign minister to their meetings. However, elected governments in the future will have to try to rejoin the body. So, I don't think they should leave the ASEAN because it will further isolate itself and there are some countries that support the junta. So, they won't leave the block if they are farsighted."

ASEAN members have agreed to invite non-political officials to their meeting as long as the SAC fails to make progress on the five-point consensus of the block.

CNI News

16 Nov 2022

Plans are underway to establish administrative, legislative and judicial mechanisms in Chinland (Chin State), Spokesperson Salai Tun Tun Oo of the Chinland Joint Defence Committee told the CNI.

The CJDC has urged the public not to take part in the elections to be held by the State Administration Council.

If the SAC fails to hold elections, the international community will acknowledge that the people do not accept the SAC, he added.

He said, "The international community will acknowledge that the people obviously reject the SAC and it cannot hold elections. Even if the SAC will be able to hold elections in some places, it is clear that it is supported by only a few people. We cannot hold elections in Chin State during the revolutionary period. We will reject the government formed for Chin State by the SAC. We will set up our own administrative, legislative and judicial mechanisms in our Chinland."

Action will be taken against those who take part in elections held by the SAC, the CJDC announced.

Voters' lists issued by election commissions.

The SAC will hold elections without fail but the people will disrupt them, Political Observer U Than Soe Naing told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "The SAC will hold elections in areas under their control and force people to cast votes. The people will reject their elections, which are not free and fair. However, the SAC will forcefully announce election results so that Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing can become president. The people will reject the elections."

The Karenni National Progressive Party has asked political parties in Kayah State (Karenni) not to contest elections to be held by the SAC.

Acting President Duwa Lashi La has vowed to disrupt elections to be held by the junta.

However, the SAC announced that elections will be held in August, 2023 and said efforts are being exerted to hold elections in all states and regions.

CNI News

16 Nov 2022

Hong Kong, Dubai, India and Thailand have placed orders to import avocados from Myanmar, according to the Myanmar Avocados Producers and Exporters Association.

Currently, some countries are ordering a  40-foot container of avocados as a trial basis  to assess the damage and quality of the fruit while other countries are importing one ton of the fruit, Secretary U Kyaw Soe Min of the MAPEO told the CNI.

He said," We have received a lot of orders after negotiations. We are trying to export avocados on a trial basis to every country that has contacted us. Even if we cannot export the fruit this year, we are making it ready for next year. Recently, importers from Hongkong ordered a container of the fruit while those from Dubai ordered 15 tons of the fruit every week. We have not decided the matter because we are still discussing it. We will export at least one ton of the fruit to every country that are interested in importing the fruit from our country to study damage, quality and standards.``

Avocados from Myanmar were on display at fruit fairs in France and Thailand in October and.

Importers from Hong Kong, Dubai, Thailand and India are interested in buying the fruit from Myanmar, according to Vice Chairman U Kyaw Thu of the Myanmar Fruits, Flowers and Vegetables Producers and Exporters Association.

He said, "Recently, Myanmar has grown avocados on a commercial scale. We haven't received GACC from China. We are exporting the fruit to India and Thailand through informal trade but we cannot penetrate into their markets. However, we were able to penetrate the EU market at fruit fairs in France and Thailand. Many importers are interested in our fruits but we don't have enough fruit to export to them all."

Currently, Myanmar exports the fruit to Thailand, China and India through the border trade and produces 1,000 tons of the fruit every year.

Myanmar will be able to produce enough avocados to export in 2025.

Avocados are grown in Taunggyi, Hopone, Nyaungshwe, Hsehsi, Kalaw, Pindaya, Ngyarngan, Lausksauk, Pinlaung, Pekhon,  Lwelin, Lashio, Kutkai, Kyaukme, Hsipaw and Naungkhio in Shan State (North) and (South) and PyinOoLwin in Mandalay Region.

CNI News

16 Nov 2022

Myanmar migrants have been warned of protests and travel to other districts they are not allowed to go to, labour activists for Myanmar migrant workers told the CNI.

The summit is scheduled from 16 to 19 November and Thai democracy activists, oppositions, labour and feminist activists are planning to stage protests.

As a result, security has been tightened in the venue of the APEC and related areas in Bangkok.

Preparations for the APEC Summit. (GETTY IMAGES)

Ko Thar Gyi, who has been offering assistance to Myanmar migrant workers, told the CNI, " Thai authorities have announced this officially, the oppositions can secure the release of their citizens who are involved in illegal protests on bail. However, if Myanmar migrants involve in the protest of the opposition, legal action will be taken against them because they are not Thai citizens. The summit is an important one for Thailand, security has been tightened in border areas. Even if labour activists want to stage protests for their rights, they are required to seek permission from authorities."

Thai authorites have announced that legal action will be taken against protestors who come to Bangkok from other provinces during the summit.

Thai authorities are closely monitoring Myanmar migrant workers associations, Consultant U Aung Kyaw of the Migrant Workers Rights Network told the CNI.

He said, "As we are one of the entities which have been pressured by Thai authorities, we can't do anything. They have been pressuring us repeatedly. Don't go to the protests. They will accuse us of tarnishing the image of the country in such an important occasion. As we have been at the forefront of the public movement, they are pressuring us. Those who live in Bangkok may do something else. However, we do not encourage people from other provinces to go to Bangkok as they can be deported to Myanmar. Individuals and organizations are urged to take the issue seriously."

Myanmar migrant workers. (GETTY IMAGES)

U Min Oo of the FED echoed the similar view.

He told the CNI, "Migrant workers are required to bring all official documents if they have to go to other provinces. They should prepare for contacts with their employers and friends. They are now searching not only Myanmar migrants but also for other nationals. It is more important for them to take extra care than before."

Thai authorities have tightened security since October for the summit and been launching stop and check operations.

CNI News

14 Nov 2022

The Peace Process Steering Team announced that it supported the claims of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi that she would make a statement after meeting with the central executive committee.

The announcement of the the PPST.

The PPST announced that it supported the announcement that Joe Biden recommended the cooperation of the SAC in implementation of the five consensus.

Currently, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is detained and some CEC members of the NLD have been detained.

CNI News

15 Nov 2022

Many of the Myanmar nationals who were detained for various charges and have served their terms in prisons and camps in Malaysia are facing difficulty returning home, Myanmar communities in Malaysia told the CNI.

They have remained in camps and detention centres as they have lost contacts with families in Myanmar or their friends in Malaysia and they cannot afford air tickets while the Myanmar embassy in Malaysia have been able to send only a few of them back, the communities told the CNI.

U Babu Gyi, who has been offering assistance to Myanmar nationals in Malaysia, told the CNI, "There is a large number of them in crowded camps and detention centres in Malaysia. They have lost contact with their relatives and friends and no one pays for their air tickets. They have faced difficulty returning h and some of them have been stranded there for months. I can help only a few of them because I cannot afford air tickets for all of them because it costs me Ringgit 900 to buy a ticket. I am just an ordinary worker here. If they had passports and NRCs, it would be easier to contact their families."

Hundreds of them are stranded in each camp and detention centre in Malaysia.

Their personal data are required to submit to the Myanmar Embassy in Malaysia, which will issue a certificate of identity after the data have proved to be true and correct.

A prison in Malaysia and a police van.

As they are required to pay Ringgit 900 for air tickets after their data have proved to be true and correct, the process takes a long time and their returns have been delayed, Myanmar communities in Malaysia told the CNI.

As a result, camps and detention centres in Malaysia are crowded with Myanmar nationals.

U Babu Gyi said, "Those who afford ticket fares can return home after they have contacted their families. Moreover, there are many people with the same names. Recently, I went to see a Myanmar woman in a prison but she was not the woman I wanted to see. She has the same name with the woman I wanted to see.
Now, I am looking for a man but there were three people who has the same name as him in the prison. I didn't know which of them was the person I will have to recommend. We have a lot of difficulties offering assistance to them.

Migrants detained in a detention centre in Malaysia.

Daily arrests in Malaysia make prisons and camps there more crowded with illegal migrants, many of whom are suffering from health issues including diarrhea and depression.

Therefore, it is necessary for the Myanmar Embassy in Malaysia to carry out the identification process faster, General Secretary U Chit Kaung of the Association for Assistance of Myanmar Migrant Workers in Malaysia told the CNI.

He said, "In embassies of other countries, they set up teams composed of lawyers, one or two embassy officials to help their citizens who were detained and to reduce their penalties and to return home as soon as possible. If Myanmar authorities set up such teams to help Myanmar migrants as soon as they were arrested, it will be faster and easier for Myanmar migrants to get home without delays."

In the past, the Myanmar Embassy in Malaysia often arranged free flights for those who cannot afford air tickets to bring them back home but it has not been able to do so recently, according to Myanmar communities in Malaysia.