CNI News 

3 August 2022

 To hold peace talks with the State Administration Council, an SSPP delegation led by Vice Chairman and Chief of Staff Sao Khay Tai arrived in Nay Pyi Taw today. 

The delegation includes the vice chairman and chief of staff, Vice Chairman (2) Sao Khun Sai, Central Committee Members Sai Naw Leik and Sai Phone Han. 

The delegation is scheduled to meet SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on 4th August. 

    Delegations of the SSPP and the Tatmadaw hold talks on 14th July, 2022.

After the meeting with the SAC chairman, the delegation will hold discussions with a peace team comprising Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, Lt-Gen Moe Myint Tun and Lt-Gen Win Bo Shein. 

Recently, tensions have arisen between the Tatmadaw and the SSPP after the former asked the latter to withdraw troops from three camps in Monghsu Township, Shan State (South).

After the tensions, the delegation arrived at Nay Pyi Taw to hold talks.

  RCSS Chairman Gen Ywet Seik and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing hold talks on 20th May, 2022.

The SSPP is one of the EAOs that replied to the invitation of SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on 22 April 2022. 

Other EAOs including the RCSS, the UWSA, the NDAA (Mongla), the NMSP, the PNLO, the ALP, the KNU/KNLA (Peace Council), the DKBA and the LDU held talks with the SAC between 20th May and 7th July, 2022.

#SSPP #EAO #armed group #SAC #Senior General Min Aung Hlaing #CNImyanmar #cninews

 CNI News 

3 August 2022 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held discussions with SAC Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin this morning.

 The Russian foreign minister arrived in Myanmar this morning.

 Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on 2nd August that the Russian foreign minister would discuss international and regional affairs with his Myanmar counterpart. 

The two foreign ministers planned to discuss cooperation in the economic,  hotels and tourism and foreign investment sectors as well as current domestic politics, according to sources close to the SAC

 #Lavrov #Russia #SAC #Russian #CNImyanmar #cninews

CNI News

3 August 2022

A bank officer from the Central Bank of Myanmar told CNI that the ministries under the Foreign Exchange Supervisory Committee are working to control the dollar price hike which is up even to 2,500 MMK per dollar.

Due to the dollar price increase outside in foreign currency exchange counters at the moment, they will handle in this way, he said.

“Therefore, the current situation shows that the price in the market is higher than that set by the Central Bank. There are a lot of reasons why the foreign currency rises. Based on these factors, the review is analyzed, the necessary policies are prepared and only then, it can be implemented. Not just the Central Bank, there is also the Foreign Exchange Supervisory Committee where the related ministries integrate. The in-charge ministers from this committee coordinate with the other ministries and are trying to resolve and control this issue,” he said.

The surge of the dollar price like this depends on the foreign currency flows. It is reported that the influx of the foreign currency through the sources of foreign currency inflow to the country will be performed.

Currently, the dollar exchange rate in external means is nearly 2,500 while the rate set by the Central Bank is 1,850. If this situation cannot be controlled well, it will lead to trouble, U Win (name changed) who is a businessman, told CNI.

 While seeing the Containers

“If it takes too long, it will definitely be a huge problem. Now, some sailors open bank accounts abroad like Singapore and Thailand. They no longer send the money back to Myanmar, will just deposit in foreign accounts. And after that, they will either sell those there or bring cash. So, I think the foreign currency inflow to the banks here will go down gradually,” he said.

As the Foreign Exchange Supervisory Committee, it is reportedly known that it is being supervised to ensure that there is no unnecessary outflow of the foreign currency from the country and to just allow the required outflow.

U Win (name changed) who is a businessman said that in order to control the current situation, it will just be possible with the use of the Export Fact Policy which the previous military regime used and that policy should be applied for this situation.

“That policy is like it is only allowed to apply for the import based on the export earnings. And there is so-called export earning exchange rate. It is the highest in the past. And that export earning will be sold. Then, the importer buys that export earning and has to import. That way, dollar flow can be controlled. There, it is not like it allows importing for the whole percentage if the export is 100 percent. It just gives only 80 percent back out of 100 and permits to import. The Central Bank wants the remaining 20 percent to leave for the import of the important goods such as gasoline, diesel and palm oil. With this method, there will also be an incentive for the exporter and dollar flow can also be controlled,” he said.

Because of that policy during the previous military regime, as more dollars came into the bank, it didn’t cause trouble. As the dollars coming in were valued with 1,850 MMK from the Central Bank now, exporters also do not want to export anymore, according to the businessmen.

CNI News

3 August 2022

NUG Japan Office published a statement that the representative office of the National Unity Government (NUG) in Japan has opened operations on July 31, 2022.

U Moe Zaw Oo, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the NUG and Daw Susanna Hla Hla Soe, Minister of Women, Youths and Children Affairs Ministry, delivered an online speech in that representative office opening ceremony.

Then, it also mentions in the statement that the interim parliamentarians, police officers who have been assisting the Myanmar democracy activists and media attended.

It is known that NUG representative offices are opened in South Korea, Australia, the Czech Republic, etc.

CNI News

3August 2022

Prices of Pawsanhmway paddy recently hit MMK 1.4 million per 100 baskets in the market, according to merchants in Ayeyarwady Region.

Prices of fine grain Pawsanhmay variety reached as high as MMK 1.4 million while its rough counterpart was traded between MMK 900,000 and MMK 1 million per 100 baskets, Chairman U Thein Aung of Myanmar Farmers Development Association told the CNI.

U Thein Aung said, “Paddy prices have hit MMK 1.4 million per 100 baskets for fine grain varieties like Shwebo Pawsan and Pawsan Baygyar in the lower parts of the country. Their rough grain is traded between MMK 900,000 and MMK 1 million per 100 baskets. For example, the Thukha variety is traded at MMK 1 million per 100 baskets while the DW11 variety is available at MMK 900,000 per 100 baskets.”

It was learnt that paddy traded currently in the market was harvested in December and purchased by merchants at MMK 900,000. Now, the stock is running low and prices have hit their current levels.

 Harvest of Pawsanhmway paddy

On the other hand, farmers have faced high cultivation and input costs while fuel oil prices are rising.

Traders who stored paddy raised the prices after adding higher transportation charges, storage costs and returns from their financial investment.

As new Pawsanhmway paddy cannot be harvested until December, paddy prices are likely to rise further, added U Thein Aung.

U Thein Aung told the CNI, “Prices of fine grain paddy are likely to rise further until October and November because new paddy cannot be harvested. Although rough grain paddy consumed by lower social classes and farmers can be harvested in the next two months, it will take another four months to harvest Pawsanhmway.”

Prices of Pasanhmway paddy were likely to fall from MMK 1.4 million currently to about MMK 1 million per 100 baskets during the upcoming harvesting season, U Aye Naing, a farmer from Bogalay Region, told the CNI.

  Farmers thresh paddy

U Aye Naing said, “Prices of the Pawsan Baygyar variety in Bogalay are as high as MMK 1.5 million per 100 baskets but when new paddy is harvested and available in hube volumes in the market, prices tend to fall considerably.

However, farmers expect to sell their new paddy at about MMK 1 million per 100 baskets. and have grown paddy. As farming is their livelihood, farmers will have to grow rice, whether it is profitable or not. They have no other jobs.”
Farmers had to reduce the use of inputs like fertilizers last year due to higher cultivation costs and paddy yields dropped.

As input costs this year were three times as high as last year and farmers had to reduce the use of fertilizers, this year’s paddy yields are likely to fall, according to farmers.

CNI News

3 August 2022

Dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi could not solve the current Myanmar political crisis, Political Analyst U Than Soe Naing told the CNI.

The SAC agreed to allow the ASEAN special envoy to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. On the other hand, the National Unity Government and democracy activists had abolished the 2008 Constitution, he said.

He told the CNI, “The SAC is hinting that it would allow the ASEAN special envoy to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. However, overcoming the political crisis requires more than dialogues with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. It is questionable whether Daw Aung San Suu Kyi can still move forward with her national reconciliation approach. Another factor is that the NUG and democratic forces have already abolished the 2008 constitution. So, it is important for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to review whether it is possible to overcome the current issues based on the 2008 constitution.”

The SAC was condemned by local and foregin organizations after its executions of four democracy activists including Ko Jimmy and Ko Phyo Zeyar Thaw and democratic forces in the Spring Revolution closed the door for dialogues, he added.

Security forces warn protestors not to cross the second line. (AFP)

Political Analyst U Ye Tun told the CNI that he did not think executions of the activists would not change the ASEAN special envoy’s policy to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

U Ye Tun said, “If the special envoy refuses to visit Myanmar and does not meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, it is an indication that the policy has changed. If he visits the country as usual, he will meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. So, I don't think the executions will have an effect on his original intention, objective and tasks.”

There are concerns about further violence after the announcement of the executions of Ko Jimmy, Ko Phyo Zeyar Thaw, Ko Hla Myo Aung and Ko Aung Thura Zaw on 25th July.

ASEAN Special Envoy Prak Sokhonn said in his interview with Channel News Asia that he wanted to use the influence to end violence in Myanmar.

CNI News

2 August 2022

The property sales in Myanmar was brisk and the prices in Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay rose by 30 to 50 percent.

Property demand was growing in cities like Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay and real estate prices increased, a senior real estate agent told the CNI.

He said, “ Property prices have risen in hot spots, where many people are moving to. Property prices in such places have risen by at least 30 to 50 percent. Prices of property worth MMK 10 million previously have increased to MMK 15 million at present.”

Buyers in Yangon Region preferred land plots to apartments and condominiums, according to property agents.

Most buyers in Yangon purchased land plots not for reselling but for investment, according to CEO Ko Zeya of Thhiri Yadana Real Estate and General Services.

Scenes in Yangon.

Ko Zeyar told the CNI, “Low-end land plots in South Dagaon, Dagon Seikkan, North Dagon and East Dagon are in demand. Many buyers invested in land. The number of people who buy land for investment is increasing.”

He added that the demand for land plots was higher than that for apartments in the Myanmar real estate market because of the gaps in US$ exchange rates.

He told the CNI, “Buyers purchased apartments but they could not gain profits when their real profits were calculated in US$. Most apartment buyers faced the problem. So, they stopped investing in apartments.”

Property prices in Myanmar were the consequences of rising US$ exchange rates, depreciation of MMK and inflation and the property market was likely to follow the same trend until March next year, according to real estate agents.

People in Myanmar invested in land due to rising US$ exchange rates and difficulty in withdrawing deposits at banks.

CNI News

2 August 2022

Concerning the current political situation, the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) released the statement today (July 31) that they will mainly focus on the discussion and will make efforts to find a way to build a federal democratic union.

RCSS held its six-monthly meeting from July 28^th to 31^st and that statement was published after that.

In that statement, it describes that the review on the six-month business reports presented by the respective departments was made and political scene, military situations, internal and external conditions of the organization were openly discussed and the upcoming procedures had been established grounded on those factors.

RCSS said, “Concerning the current political situation, RCSS will mainly focus on the discussion and meetings, and will try hard to find a way to build a federal democratic union.”

Then, RCSS issued the statement that due to the political instability and weakness in law enforcement in rural areas, cities and villages, the number of robberies becomes on the rise, therefore, they urge that the troops and the public should take collaborative responsibility to protect their communities and cities.

In the same way, it announces in RCSS’s today statement that they will liaise with all the relevant organizations and will make collaborations with them in order to achieve long-lasting peace and build the federal democracy.

RCSS/SSA is Shan armed group that had signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).

RCSS also met with SAC’s chairperson Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and discussed about peace and development related matters.

On the other hand, there are some cooperations with the Spring Revolution forces and the attempts to the revolution against military dictatorship.

CNI News

2 August 2022

The Migrant Workers Rights Network (MWRN) told CNI that raising the basic wages of migrant workers including Myanmar in Thailand, from the current specified amount 320 Baht to 492 Baht, is being requested.

In that regard, it is known that MWRN cooperated with Thai Labour Solidarity Committee (TLSC), the National Labour Union League and the case has been submitted to the Thai Ministry of Labour.

U Bri from MWRN said, “The wage rise to 492 Baht has been demanded, with the intention that it would still be beneficial to the workers, even if only 10 Baht or 20 Baht is increased. In Thailand, as the prices of goods are on the rise, it becomes quite hard to stand with the daily wage of only 325 Baht. In addition to the wages not being excessive, it even becomes insufficient for a living. The reason why I say insufficient is that now it even costs 250 Baht for a kilo of pork and 280 Baht if it is meat only. In the past, the pork price is just around 130-140 Baht per kg. Here in Thailand, the rice price has increased, the oil price also becomes higher and everything regarding goods’ prices has gone up. As the prices surge day by day, it becomes difficult for the livelihood with the current daily wages.”

Although it is set that the basic wage of a worker in Thailand is about 320 Baht per day, there are still some workplaces where the workers cannot get the full pay of 320 Baht. And it is said that in some workplaces, there are also days that they do not have to work when the employers cannot afford to pay the wages to them due to the economic conditions.

Seeing a female worker from a seafood supply chain in Thailand

Ko Lay Nhyin who is working in Thailand said, “a person’s daily wage is 320 Baht, but it is not like we have to work every day, there are also days we do not have work, and that leads to the financial struggles. Besides, the accommodation costs, electricity charges, water costs are expensive. If we, Burmese people are not here in Thailand, it won’t have been easy for them in their works. If it is not 492 Baht, over 400 Baht for example, should be given as the basic daily wage. That is what we want to make a request to Thai authorities.”

Last June, the basic wage to the skilled workers from 16 jobs nationwide in Thailand was increased, but migrant workers including Myanmar did not include in it.

“The basic wage currently set might be enough for a worker’s expenditure, but there is no surplus,” U Bri from MWRN told CNI.

“Most of the migrant workers who come to Thailand have financial difficulties for the families while in their home country. Thus, when they come here, they have their parents, children, relatives who depend on them and they need to send the money, at least 2 lakhs to 3 lakhs per month to them for the sake of their children’s education and family’s livelihoods. So, in that case, it might be convenient for him for the living, but not for his children and family who stand with his income,” he said.

Temporary labor card (BAT-pink card) will be issued to illegal migrant workers working in Thailand starting from August 1 and it is said that workers will be recruited to solve the problem of the demand for labor and the illegal entry of the workers.