CNI News

25 Oct 2022

The Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce and Industry has sought permissions from authorities to transport medicines to Rakhine State as stocks are very low in pharmacies in most townships in the state.

Currently, Rakhine State is currently short of medicines for chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension, a medicine trader told the CNI.

He said, “In the past, we can transport medicines with the permission of the chief minister. Some companies sought permission from the chief minister and transport medicines for us. Later, this was restricted. Now, medicine stocks are very low. We are now short of medicines for chronic diseases like diabetes. So, we sought help from the Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce and Industry.”

Medicines from Yangon and Mandalay are distributed to Sittwe and merchants from the state capital redistribute them to other towns.

A pharmacy in Yangon. (CNI)

Currently, transportation of medicines to Sittwe as well as to other towns in Rakhine State has been restricted, according to medicine merchants and pharmacies.

He would raise the issue with the Rakhine State Government after studying the situation on the ground, Chairman U Tin Aung Oo of the Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce and Industry told the CNI.

He told the CNI, “Medicine distributing companies and wholesale pharmacies told me last week that their stocks were very low. I will collect their requests and submit them to authorities after studying the situation on the ground. I will seek help from the state government.”
Due to restrictions on medicine transportation, companies that have won tender to supply medicines to hospitals have faced difficulties.

Currently, pharmacies in Rakhine State sell limited quantities of medicines to prevent medicine prices from rising.

CNI News

25 Oct 2022

Searches and arrests have recently been intensified in Mae Sot border town, where a large number of Myanmar nationals live and work, labour activists for Myanmar workers told the CNI.

Authorities are searching for illegal migrants and workers in factories and workshops, Myanmar labour activists told the CNI.

Ko Thar Gyi, a labour activist for Myanmar workers, told the CNI, “A large number of migrants were arrested in Tak Province on 18th October. Authorities searched and arrested illegal migrants in factories, workshops and the living quarters. They detained more than 640 people on 19th October alone. And searches and arrests continued on 2-th, 21st and 22nd October. Arrests have been intensified and security has been tightened along the border with Myawady. They search people walking outside for their documents. Security has been tightened since shootouts at the border town in Myanmar.

 Thai authorities detaining Myanmar migrants.

During the period from 19th to 22nd October, Thai authorities arrested more than 1,000 people, most of whom are Myanmar migrants. Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI that authorities are making arrangements to send them back to Myanmar from No. (2) friendship bridge without taking legal action against them.

Authorities may be arresting Myanmar migrants for some other reasons, labour activist U Min Oo for the FED told the CNI.

He told the CNI, “Four or five days ago, a US lawmaker appealed to neighbouring countries, especially Thailand not to send people who fled from Myanmar to their country because they might face danger in Myanmar. Since then, crackdowns on migrants started. We don’t know why. Usually, they arrest workers when a new law has been enacted. We don’t know why they arrested migrants despite the appeal.

 Thai authorities searching pedestrians.

There are millions of Myanmar workers in Thailand and some of them are illegal migrant workers.

Intensified searches and arrests in the entire Thailand have posed more difficulties for Myanmar migrants, according to labour activists.

Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI, “Authorities released workers with required documents and arrested undocumented ones. Those who are waiting to go to a third country by holding refugee cards issued by the UNHCR, it is necessary for the refugee organization to offer assistance because authorities sometimes detain people with UNHCR cards.”

As the crackdown has been intensified in the entire Thailand, Myanmar workers should be more cautious and those who are trying to sneak into Thailand may be arrested due to the heightened security at the border, the activists have warned.

CNI News

23 Oct 2022

The blacklisting of Myanmar by the Financial Action Task Force should be tackled by the Central Bank of Myanmar and relevant financial institutions, according to Myanmar economic observers.

An anonymous economic observer told the CNI that the regime should rebuild the trust on the banking system and prevent the illegal flow of foreign currencies.

He said, “The central bank alone cannot do anything. There are bodies responsible for illegal flow of illegal money. The body is under the control of the Myanmar police force. Illegal trade must be prevented by the Ministry of Commerce. There are many criteria. First, all money must flow through official channels or through the banking systems.

The FATF blacklisted Myanmar over the concerns about casinos and cross border smuggling, according to official close to the FATF.

Some businessmen and economists said that the restrictions on the businesses and trade were forced companies to turn to illegal trade even though they do not want to violate money laundering laws. Restrictions on foreign currencies force them to turn to illegal trade. They should also need to regulate casinos according to the law, he told the CNI.

The blacklisting may have an impact on the financial sector of the country and hamper foreign investment, according to businessmen.

On the other hand, the SAC will reduce on the reliance on US dollar and will depend more on Russia, Political Analyst U Ye Tun told the CNI.

He said, “As they were frequently taken action for the use of US$, they will decouple from it and try to join other currencies like the Ruble and Yuan. This will make the SAC to think they are right to join to the other currency systems.”

CNI News

23 Oct 2022

The blacklisting of Myanmar by the Financial Action Task Force amounts to an attempt to eliminate the military dictatorship, General Secretary U Sai Leik of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy told the CNI.

He added that the move was just a political pressure on the country and it is necessary to watch the situation whether it is beneficial for the public.

U Sai Leik told the CNI, “It is a political pressure on the junta but also an attempt to eliminate the military dictatorship or to know whether the junta can control the country. We will have to wait and see the impacts and benefits of it.”

While Myanmar is facing political instabilities and economic fall, the FATF listed Myanmar in its blacklist on 21^st October.

The FATK meeting.

The blacklisting will have negative effects not only on the public but also on companies who are engaged in foreign trade, EAO leader Col Khun Okkar told the CNI.

He said, “The entire system is almost collapsing including the economic, education and health and other sectors. Now, they are being punished for the collapse of the financial sector. For the political collapse, it is necessary to impose economic sanctions. What are they doing? Everything is leading to total collapse. When we are blacklicked, it will take a long time to remove it from the list. We need to change everything including the political, administrative and every system. We will have to change the entire system.

Myanmar was blacklisted at the meeting of over 200 countries on 21^st October in Paris by the Chairman of the FATF of Singapore.

The decision placed Myanmar at the same place as North Korea and Iran.

CNI News

22 Oct 2022

Low quality and stock of Vigna mungo in India may increase the demand for the crop, according to pulses and bean merchants.

Although Vigna mungo is currently being harvested in India, the quality of the crop is low due to bad weather conditions. Therefore, India is likely to import high quality Vigna mungo from Myanmar in large volumes, Head of Ayeyar Trade Centre U Nay Win Soe told the CNI.

He said, “Vigna mungo harvested in India is of low quality due to unpredictable rains. Millers do not like their Vigna mungo. They need high quality crop. At the same time, their stock is dwindling. They will have to turn to Vigna mungo from Myanmar. I think they will import the crop from Myanmar in the coming months.”

A scene of New Dehli.

Moreover, the prices of pulses and beans have risen in the Indian market recently.

The prices of Myanmar Vigna mungo are likely to rise amid the growing Indian demand, U Thant Zin, a pulses and bean market observer told the CNI.

He said, “The prices of pulses and beans have risen in India recently. The prices of 100 kg have risen by between Rupee 50 to 100. It was also estimated that the prices of pulses and beans would increase in the Chinai market because the stock is very low. The quality of newly harvested Vigna mungo is very low. They need high quality Vigna mungo. So, the prices of high quality Vigna mungo are likely to rise.”
Currently, the prices of Vigna mungo in the Myanmar market stand at MMK 60,000 per basket.

  Myanmar Vigna mungo.

Without changes in pulses and beans import policies of India, the Myanmar export policy and local exchange rates, the prices of pulses and beans will continue to rise and hit MMK 65,000 per basket, according to merchants and market researchers.

Although the demand for Myanmar pulses and beans is growing, the exports of pulses and beans have been delayed by restrictions of the Central Bank of Myanmar on foreign exchange earnings.

During the six-month period from 1st April to 7th October, Myanmar exported 800,000 tons of pulses and beans worth more than US$ 655 million, according to statistics released by the Ministry of Commerce.

CNI News

22 Oct 2022

Low quality and stock of Vigna mungo in India may increase the demand for the crop, according to pulses and bean merchants.

Although Vigna mungo is currently being harvested in India, the quality of the crop is low due to bad weather conditions. Therefore, India is likely to import high quality Vigna mungo from Myanmar in large volumes, Head of Ayeyar Trade Centre U Nay Win Soe told the CNI.

He said, “Vigna mungo harvested in India is of low quality due to unpredictable rains. Millers do not like their Vigna mungo. They need high quality crop. At the same time, their stock is dwindling. They will have to turn to Vigna mungo from Myanmar. I think they will import the crop from Myanmar in the coming months.”

A scene of New Dehli.

Moreover, the prices of pulses and beans have risen in the Indian market recently.

The prices of Myanmar Vigna mungo are likely to rise amid the growing Indian demand, U Thant Zin, a pulses and bean market observer told the CNI.

He said, “The prices of pulses and beans have risen in India recently. The prices of 100 kg have risen by between Rupee 50 to 100. It was also estimated that the prices of pulses and beans would increase in the Chinai market because the stock is very low. The quality of newly harvested Vigna mungo is very low. They need high quality Vigna mungo. So, the prices of high quality Vigna mungo are likely to rise.”
Currently, the prices of Vigna mungo in the Myanmar market stand at MMK 60,000 per basket.

  Myanmar Vigna mungo.

Without changes in pulses and beans import policies of India, the Myanmar export policy and local exchange rates, the prices of pulses and beans will continue to rise and hit MMK 65,000 per basket, according to merchants and market researchers.

Although the demand for Myanmar pulses and beans is growing, the exports of pulses and beans have been delayed by restrictions of the Central Bank of Myanmar on foreign exchange earnings.

During the six-month period from 1st April to 7th October, Myanmar exported 800,000 tons of pulses and beans worth more than US$ 655 million, according to statistics released by the Ministry of Commerce.

CNI News

22 Oct 2022

The current political crisis is the outcome of the problems between the Tatmadaw and the National League for Democracy, said Chairman Gen Yawd Serk of the Shan State Restoration Council.

He made the comment during an exclusive interview with the Thai PBS news agency over the current political crisis and peace talks.

Gen Yawd Serk said, “Actually, all ethnic armed organizations are ready to accept the ceasefire. Protests are caused by the problems between the military and the NLD. The protests have nothing to do with the EAOs. The PDFs are NLD supporters. However, the people stand together with the PDFs.”

The Myanmar military ousted the NLD government on 1st February, 2021 by declaring a state of emergency after accusing the government of attempting to form a new government without settling voters’ list disputes in the 2020 general election.

Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. (AFP)

Since then, PDFs have been waging armed struggles under the leadership of the NUG in cooperation with some EAOs.

The SAC is using various ways and means to sow the seed of discord between the revolutionary forces and EAOs, said Prime Minister Manh Win Khaing Than of the NUG on 18th October.

He said, “In addition to various ways and means to create trouble for the people, the military is consistently using various methods to sow the seed of discord between revolutionary forces and EAOs. So, we need to take great care not to lose sight of everything to encounter the military. It is important to take military action while scrutinizing their political moves. As the military is using various methods to sow the seed of discord between us and EAOs, our alliances are required to join hands firmly.”

Gen Yawd Serk responds to questions from the Thai PBS news agency.

Gen Yawd Serk said he had known the methods of sowing the seed of discord of the military for a long time and he had more evidence of that than the NUG.

He said, “We had known that not because of the NUG’s warning but because of our experiences of fighting the military for about 60 years. We have more evidence than they have. Actually, the conflict is erupting between the military and the NUG. It has nothing to do with our EAOs. Talks must be held with every organization. The revolution has emerged because of the absence of dialogue.”

Currently, armed conflicts have erupted between the military and joint forces of the PDF and some EAOs in Sagaing and Magway regions and Chin, Karen and Kayah states.

CNI News

22 Oct 2022

As armed clashes erupt along Myawaddy-Kawkareik Asia Highway frequently, sending Myanmar workers via the highway should be suspended until November, labour activists for Myanmar migrant workers told the CNI.

Labour activist Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI, “Some agencies told us that the workers they sent via the highway had bought life insurance policies. What can families of workers do with the insurance compensations between MMK 3 million and 5 million. They should not risk the lives of the workers when the danger is imminent. Although the workers are sent through the MOU with Thailand, they are not eligible for work permits, social security benefits and insurance compensations if they encounter dangers on the way to Thailand. So, migrant workers should not rush to come to Thailand amid fighting while employers should give them more time for them until the situation has changed.”

The Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies Federation has also urged agencies to send Myanmar workers to Thailand via the highway only after the situation on the ground has been thoroughly studied and workers sent by some agencies were stranded in Hpa-am and Kyondoe.

Director Daw Myat Haymar Lin of the Pwint Phue Aung Agency told the CNI, “We sent workers to Myawady on 18th October but the highway was blocked and the workers were forced to come back from Kawkareik to Hpa-an and are staying at a monastery.

She added, “We treated from Kawkareik at 1 pm yesterday (20th October) and arrived in Hpa-am at 3 pm. Explosions of heavy weapon rounds become louder and louder near the restaurant where we were taking shelter. Local people told us that the situation was getting worse and worse. Gunfire was reported in the backyard of the restaurant. So, we retreated because we brought a lot of workers with us. All agencies retreated with their workers. We are required to do it in accordance with the instruction of the labour department, but we still haven’t received any instruction from it. So, we are staying at the monastery with the permission of the abbot and waiting. We will have to watch the situation closely for about a week.”

She urged agencies that have planned to send workers at the moment should not do so because they will incur more food and accommodation costs on the way.

She said, “Agencies should risk the danger. Nothing is more important than lives. If they are stranded, they will get into trouble. They will incur higher costs for food and accommodation. The prices for a meal of rice have risen from MMK 3,000 to 6,000. The price of a bottle of drinking water has increased from MMK 500 to 800. As the workers have already received smart cards, agencies can send them when the situation has improved.”

Armed clashes erupted between the military and the KNLA joint forces in Khanamemu Ward in western Kawkareik in the morning of 21 October, according to the Karen news agency KIC.

The Myawaddy-Kawkareik Asia Highway is the major route for sending workers and trade between Thailand and Myanmar. Explosions rocked the neighbourhood near No (1) Friendship Bridge on 18th October and the highway has been blocked for security reasons at the moment.

CNI News

21 Oct 2022

Intense fighting erupted in Kawkareik after an armed group led by Saw Say War launched an attack on the Tatmadaw in the morning of 21st October.

Clashes started between the Tatmadaw and the KNLA joint forces near the office complex of the General Administration Department and the District Police Force in Khanainmu Ward-3 near the checkpoint at the archway of the town at 7.30 am.

   A civilian killed by a heavy weapon round in front of Ahla Nandaw Beauty Palour in Kawkareik. (CJ)

A civilian was killed when a heavy weapon round fell in front of Ahla Nandaw Beauty Parlour in Tada-U Ward 7 of the town.

The DVB reported that the joint forces of the KNLA launched the attack to seize the town.