CNI News

4 Nov 2022

Although Myanmar exports macadamia seed to China every year, the country has not been able to export the seed to its neighbour due to transportation issues, according to the Myanmar Macadamia Association.

China offered to import macadamia seeds from Myanmar but the country has not been able to export macadamia seed due to instabilities along the transportation route, Vice Chairman U Win Aung of the association told the CNI.

 A border gate between China and Myanmar. (CGTN)

He said, “We can’t do anything. China frequently closes its border gates. It was also impossible to export the seeds to Thailand due to instabilities and other problems. When transportation routes to Thailand were reopened, Thai merchants wanted to import ground seeds. We want to export the seeds to China and Chinese merchants want to import the seeds but the route has not been reopened. So, we have started selling the seeds to Thailand.

One ton of macadamia seed fetches as much as MMK 4 million. However, merchants have not been able to export the seeds for three years due to COVID-19 and instabilities.

A border gate between Thailand and Myanmar.

Although Thailand wants to import macadamia seeds from Myanmar, farmers have not been able to do so as they do not have standard mills to grind the seeds, U Tun Lin, a macadamia farmer in Ywargnan told the CNI.

He told the CNI, “They do not want to grind the seeds by themselves and prefer to import the seed endosperms. Endosperms of seeds fetch higher prices but it is difficult for us to grind the seeds. We can get less than 300 Kg endosperms from one ton of the seeds. As we do not have standard grinding machines, the endosperms were broken and we suffered losses. So, no one can export the seeds to Thailand.”

   Myanmar macadamia fruits and farmers. (Myanmar Nuts Macadamia)

Currently, macadamia seeds are being distributed to local markets and it is popular among the public because it is beneficial for skin health.

In October, Myanmar exhibited its macadamia seed at a trade fair in France and was able to attract buyers, according to the Myanmar Fruits and Flowers Producers and Merchants Association.

About 300,000 acres of macadamia is grown in Pyin Oo Lwin in Mandalay Region and Ywarngan, Lawksawk and Nawngkhio in Shan State and farmers are expanding the total acreage. Myanmar produces 10,000 tons of macadamia seed annually.

CNI News

4 Nov 2022

To attract domestic and foreign tourists, an ethnic traditional food fair will be organized in Shan State (North) in November, Chairman U Zaw Zaw of the Shan State (North) Hoteliers Association told the CNI.

The ethnic traditional food fair is the first of its kind to be organized in Shan State (North) and is an effort to attract tourists, whose arrivals to the area have been falling since the outbreak of COVID-19 and the political crisis.

U Zaw Zaw told the CNI, “In the past, the tourism industry focused on foreign tourists. As their arrivals have dropped for some time, the fair is also targeted at domestic tourists while foreign tourists are also welcomed. In 2019, our hoteliers association organized an exhibition of traditional costumes, traditions and utensils of ethnic groups on the Union Day. At that time, most of the visitors were Chinese tourists.

An archway to Lashio.

Myaungzi, Wa, Lahu, Lisu, Kokant, Palaung, Shan and Kachin ethnic groups took part in the exhibition. All these ethnic groups can also be found in Yunnan Province, China. So, the wanted to study the traditions of them in comparison with the traditions of their ethnic groups. The exhibition was very successful. The food fair will also be a success, if foreign tourists visit the fair. I think a lot of domestic tourists will come to the fair.”
Although the date for the fair has not been fixed, the fair will be organized for only one day at the Lashio Townhall, he added.

Ten ethnic groups including Shan, Kachin, Lisu, Bamar, Myaungzi, Wa, Palaung, Lahu, Manwun (Bamar) and Kokant will participate in the fair and each ethnic group will prepare at least three kinds of traditional food for 100 people to serve visitors.

Deputy Director U Sithu Kyaw of Shan State Directorate of Hotels and Tourism told the CNI, “When we travel to ethnic areas, we want to try their local foods. When we travel to Shan State, we want to try traditional Shan foods. We usually ask local people what kind of local food is unique. In Shan State (North), their local traditional foods are unique. So, we need to make them known to people from other regions and states. Although such fairs are not popular in our country, gastronomy travels and tourism are popular in other countries. People travel and try local foods. It is a chance for people who are interested in local traditional foods.”

Tourists in Hsipaw in Shan State.

He added that he had informed tour companies and operators of the fair and will invite domestic and foreign tourists to study local traditional foods.

Prior to the pandemic, Shan State (North), especially Hsipaw, was a popular destination for domestic and foreign tourists.

Plans are underway to arrange package tours to waterfalls in the areas and the tourism industry will be able to make some progress when the political situation has changed positively, according to the hoteliers association.

The Tazaungdaing Festival has been scheduled for 4th to 7th November and entertainment, free meals and hot-air balloon launches have been arranged.

CNI News

3 Nov 2022

China is wary of dealing with a US-proxy in its backyard, Chairman Dr Aye Maung of the Arakan Front Party told the CNI.

He also added that China seems to prefer economic and military stability in Myanmar and does not want to see it disintegrate into pieces.

He told the CNI, “From the Chinese perspective, the two countries share a very long border and it prefers political, economic and military stability in Myanmar. It does not want to see its neighbour disintegrate into pieces. It is for its interests and it is wary of dealing with a US-proxy in its backyard. So, China supports the stability and non-disintegration of Myanmar. When it tries to reunify Myanmar, it needs to review the root cause of the problem because the SAC is in power at present.”

UWSA leader Bao Youxiang and Sun Guoxiang. (AFP)

Currently, Myanmar is engulfed by armed conflicts and has faced political, economic, social, health and education crises.

Political Analyst Dr Aung Myo told the CNI that he thinks the Kachin Independence Army and the Shan State Restoration Council are closed to the US and China is worried about the issues.

He said, “The KIA has been a US sympathizer since the second world war. I think China has just come to understand that. So, the KIA cannot be allowed to get more powerful. Yawd Serk of the SSRC/SSA is also a US sympathizer. As a result, I think China is wary of them. I hope that the Chinese government can adopt correct policies on these issues.”

    Chinese special envoy Sun Guoxiang and Gen N’ban La of the KIA in Mai Jaryan in July, 2016.

China is worried that Myanmar refugees will spill into its territory and stability in Myanmar is in China’s interests, he added.

The two countries share a 1,300-mile-long border, where the RCSS, the KIA, the Shan State Progressive Party/SSA, the United Wa State Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Palaung People Liberation Front/TNLA are active in the border area.

CNI News

3 Nov 2022

As there are advantages and disadvantages in holding the Overseas Worker Identity Cards, Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand should take the issue seriously, labour activists for Myanmar workers in Thailand told the CNI.

The Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok announced that it will issue OWIC cards for those who renew their passport for jobs as of 7th November.

Labour Activist U Min Oo of the FED told the CNI, “It is a hard choice. If workers face problems like worksite accidents and lawsuits, they need recommendations from the embassy. So, when they hold OWICs, the embassy has their personal data and can help them effectively. On the other hand, their personal security has been breached as the junta embassy has stored all their data. There are advantages as well as disadvantages. So, migrant workers will have to make their own decisions on the matter by taking it seriously. Therefore, we do not urge them to do so. They will have to make their own decisions.”

The TDCC office in Maha Chiang.

The OWIDs will carry the address and phone numbers of the families of workers, who are required to pay the embassy Baht 800 for passports for job and another Baht 250 for OWICs, according to the statement of the embassy.

Moreover, those who have renewed their passports for a job as of September, 2021 are required to submit their passports at the TCDD office in Maha Chiang together with Baht 250 for the OWICs, which will be issued within one day.

Although it is a convenient arrangement for workers nearby, it is difficult for workers from other parts to come to the office, Labour Activist for Myanmar workers in Thailand told the CNI.

He said, “It is convenient for Myanmar workers in Maha Chaing but it would cost a lot of money for Myanmar workers in other parts of Thailand to travel to the office. Another factor is that the government of Thailand does not recognize OWICs. So, migrant workers are required to apply for work permits. So, it is just a system that will cost Myanmar workers a lot of money because they will have to pay more to agents and the embassy.”

As the majority of Myanmar migrant workers have to rely on agents whenever they are required to apply for new documents, they will have to pay much more than the fees collected by the embassy, labour activists told the CNI.

  People applying for passports.

Myanmar migrant workers are required to submit addresses of their families in Myanmar together with their names and phone numbers and the name of their overseas job agencies.

The Ministry of Labour announced in June that Myanmar migrant workers are required to apply for OWICs, which are valid for five years.

CNI News

3 Nov 2022

As the lockdown has been imposed in Ruili and Wanding, Chinese merchant are not able to import monsoon watermelons from Myanmar and the fruit export market has collapsed in Myanmar, according to the fruit commodity exchange in Muse.

The export market for monsoon watermelons has collapsed in Myanmar due to lockdowns in China, Owner U Sai Khin Maung of Khwarnyo Fruit Warehouse told the CNI.

He told the CNI, “It is difficult to predict the situation. If the lockdown is imposed for a long time, Chinese merchants will not be able to come to us and the border trade market will collapse. Only after the lockdown has been lifted, will we be able to trade as usual. The Chinese government is imposing lockdowns repeatedly. So, we will have to rely on the local market.”

Watermelon farmers also said that they have to sell their fruits to local markets like Thiri Mingalar Market and Danyingone Market.

   A China-Myanmar border trade gate.

Merchants can get as much as Yuan 60,000 or MMK 18 million for a truckload of watermelons (17 tons) to export watermelons to China, they get only MMK 3 million for a truckload in the local market.
Watermelon farmers are suffering losses, Ko Thitsar, a watermelon farmer from Sagaing Region, told the CNI.

He said, “If we sell watermelons to China, we get two to three Yuan per kilo. If our fruits meet the quality standards set by Chinses authorities, we get high prices. In the domestic market, we have to sell in terms of quantity whether it is small or big. When we sold a truckload of watermelons, we got Yuan 60,000 (MMK 18 million). In the domestic market, we get only MMK 3 to 3.5 million for a truckload of watermelons. We had to invest MMK 4.5 million but we got only MMK 3.5 million for our fruits. So, we are suffering losses.”

   A watermelon plantation.

At present, only one or two truckloads of watermelons could be exported to China and merchants were struggling to cover the transportation charges, according to merchants.

Watermelon exporters suffer losses every year depending on the policies of Chinese authorities.

To solve such issues, Myanmar merchants and farmers want to export watermelons to China under the G-to-G agreements.

   Watermelon truck heading to China.

The total acreage of watermelons in Myanmar dropped this year due to higher costs of inputs and instabilities in some regions.

As the export market of the fruit has collapsed, farmers will further decrease the acreage of watermelons to one-third of the previous year in the upcoming season, according to farmers.

While total acreage has dropped, the yield has fallen by 60 percent, according to them.

CNI News

3 Nov 2022

Whether Daw Aung San Suu Kyi could help overcome the current crisis in Myanmar is a hotly debated issue in the local political circle and in the international community.

Some politicians still believe that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi could help resolve the current political crisis while others think dialogues involving all stakeholders is the only way to overcome it.

The fact that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been in prison reflects the weaknesses in resolving political issues through political means, Chairman U Thar Tun Hla of the Arakan National Party told the CNI.

  Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Gen Mutu Say Poe and Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing. (AFP)

He said, “Whether the crisis could be overcome if Daw Aung San Suu Kyi brokered a deal depends on the how she would do it. It is just wishful thinking because she has been imprisoned. It would be difficult to realize the idea because the current crisis was caused by weaknesses in resolving political issues through political means. Therefore, it mainly depends on whether there is the will to solve political issues through political means.”

At present Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been sentenced to 26 years in prison under the Official Secret Act, the Natural Disaster Management Law, the Election Law and the Anti-corruption Law but she is still facing five more charges on corruption.

There is no chance for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to help resolve the current crisis, Advocate U Kyee Myint told the CNI.

He said, “First of all, she has no chance to help resolve the crisis because the military will accept nothing but appointing its chief as the president of the country. He cares no one including the UN and the ASEAN. He will hold the election in accordance with his policy and will become the president by holding the elections phase by phase, first in Yangon Region and then in Mandalay Region. It doesn’t matter for him whether the elections are internationally recognized or not and he will hold elections to save face and to make himself the president of the country through whatever means he has. If he cannot do that, he will set the entire country on fire and will flee. He will never give a chance to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to take an important role. That is exactly what the military is doing. We have nothing to talk about the military because it has done everything to destroy the country. If the NUG cannot prove their words by their deeds, the country will suffer more.”

Supporters of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

To resolve political issues through political means, it is important to create an environment conducive to inclusive dialogues, Spokesperson Comrade Aye Lwin of the ABSDF told the CNI.

He said, “Based on 34 years’ experience of our organization, we adopted a policy to resolve political issues through political means. So, we took part in political dialogues. Our organization has never had a policy to resolve political issues through an individual leader. I would like to reiterate that our policy is to resolve political issues through inclusive political means.”

The military staged a coup on 1st February, 2021 after ousting the National League for Democracy Government led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi by accusing it of forming a new government without settling voters’ list disputes. Since then, it has detained leaders of the NLD including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint.

As a result, street protests emerged and armed conflicts have erupted, causing political, economic, social, health and education crises in the country.

CNI News

2 Nov 2022

Acting President Duwa La Shila of the National Unity Government has called on the All Burma Student Democratic Front for continued support for the Spring Revolution as a pioneer of the revolutionary generations.

The acting president said in his video address on the 34th Anniversary of the founding of the ABSDF, which falls on 1st November that he was proud that the ABSDF had been able to stand steadfastly on the path of the people’s democracy revolution.

The acting president said, “We must study the past revolutionary experience to draw strength from best examples and learn lessons from mistakes. I am extremely proud that the ABSDF has been able to stand on the path of the people’s democracy revolution. I would like to urge the ABSDF to teach Spring Revolution new generations how to build strong military units with far-sightedness. The ABSDF has been able to offer assistance to and cooperate with the new generations of the Myanmar Spring Revolution in various sectors. I would like to call on the ABSDF for continued support for the Spring Revolution as a pioneer of the revolutionary generations.”

The 34th Anniversary Ceremony of the ABSDF in progress.

He added that the ABSDF has matured by its experience and ideology of armed struggle.

Spokesperson Comrade Aye Lwin of the ABSDF told the CNI, “The Spring Revolution plays an important role in in the fight against the military dictatorship. So, I would like to reiterate that we will join hands with all who have been participating in the Spring Revolution in the fight. We need to build unity among all revolutionary forces including the forces of the Spring Revolution to uproot the military dictatorship. We need support of the international community and necessary resources.”

Comrades from the ABSDF.

The ABSDF has built the bridge between the Bamar ethnic group and non-Bamar ethnic groups, said Chairman U Aung Moe Zaw of the Democratic Party for New Society.

He said, “With the entire country calling for federal democracy in the streets, I think comrades from the ABSDF paved the way for federal democracy more than 30 years ago.”

The ABSDF was founded on 1st November, 1988 by students, workers and youth who took part in the 8888 movement and left for border areas.

The ABSDF is a signatory to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement but supports the forces of the Spring Revolution to topple the military.

CNI News

1 Nov 2022

As Malaysia is preparing to hold the general election soon, documented or undocumented Myanmar migrants were asked to be more cautious wherever they go and not to talk Malaysian politics, Myanmar organizations in Malaysia told the CNI.

The organizations told the CNI that they had to ask Myanmar migrants to be more cautious because the general election will be held in Malaysia on 19th November and fighting may erupt between some rival political parties in some places.

An official from the Alliance of Chin Refugees told the CNI, “We should not express our opinions on Malaysian political parties wherever we go because different people support different political parties. We are not Malaysia citizens and we should not talk about Malaysian politics. If someone dislikes our opinions, they may hold grudges against us. It is important not to say who is a better minister for refugees or Myanmar migrants. At worksites, there are people from different countries.”

 Detained migrant workers in Malaysia.

“Malaysian citizens will choose the party they support. We must not create undesirable grudges against us. So, we must do our work. This is the election of Malaysian citizens, not ours,” he added.

Myanmar migrants were also asked to leave the place where brawls erupt between supporters of different political parties as soon as possible.

If they fail to leave the place in time, it is dangerous for undocumented migrants, the official told the CNI.

Arrests of migrants have been made on a daily basis since the parliament was dissolved and a fresh election was announced. More arrests of migrants are likely to be made when the elections are closer, Labour Activist U Babu Gyi, who has been helping Myanmar migrants, told the CNI.

Among migrants from different countries, Myanmar migrants make up the largest number of detainees in Malaysian detention centres and prisons. The second largest groups of detainees are Indonesians.

 Detained migrant workers in Malaysia.

U Babu Gyi told the CNI, “The Malaysian immigration chief announced that they would arrest illegal migrants every day. Arrests are made every day. The largest migrant group in detention centres are from Myanmar because they sneaked into Malaysia. I visited some prisons and detention centres at Thai-Malaysia border yesterday. They are full of Myanmar detainees. Some detainees were have to be moved to other states because prisons and detention centres there are very crowded. I think about 10,000 Myanmar migrants have been detained. It was a sorrowful scene. They need help. Some of them were crying.
It was announced that security will be tightened until the election is over.

As a result, Myanmar organizations in Malaysia are urging illegal Myanmar migrants to be more cautious.

CNI News

2 Nov 2022

India has raised the maximum support price for pigeon pea imported from Myanmar and other countries from more than US$ 800 to US$ 965 per ton.

Raising the MSPs of pulses and beans in India tends to increase prices in the Myanmar pulses and beans market, In-charge U Nay Win Soe of Aya Trade Centre told the CNI.

He said, “They set the maximum support price yearly. They have raised the MSP for pigeon pea this year. Normally, pulses and beans prices in Myanmar rise when the MSPs are raised. It will be beneficial for farmers in Myanmar.”

However, prices of pulses and beans in Myanmar have dropped and the market has been sluggish due to an instruction issued by the Department of Trade, which requires merchants to export value-added products from pulses and beans.

  Inspection of pulses and beans.

He told the CNI, “Pulses and beans prices have dropped recently. The Department of Trade issued an instruction to export value-added products from pulses and bean and prohibit the exports of raw pulses and beans. At least, we will need to process pulses and beans. So, the market has been sluggish. We haven’t discussed the matter with our Indian counterparts yet.”

As pulses and beans harvested in India have entered the market at present, the demand for Myanmar pulses and beans has shrunk. Therefore, the exports of pulses and beans from Myanmar dropped in October.

When pulses and beans stocks in India are low, prices in the Myanmar pulses and beans market are likely to rise. Currently, merchants are watching the situation due to the requirement to export value-added products.