CNI News

30 August 2022

Chairman Gen. Yawd Serk of the Shan State Restoration Council and Chairman Snr Gen. Min Aung Hlaing of the State Administration Council held discussions over an end to armed conflicts and violence.

The talks were held at the parlour of the Bayint Naung Yeitha in Nay Pyi Taw in the morning of 29th August.

The SAC chairman said that he would continue to implement the peace process based on the 2008 Constitution and the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement.

RCSS Chairman Yawk Serk exchanged his views on building a union based on democracy and federalism, regional development, implementation of the federal system, resolving political issues through political means, promotion of socioeconomic lives of the people, ending armed conflicts and violence and future tasks.

Gen. Yawd Serk

The SAC chairman pointed out that many countries exercise democracy and federalism across the world but it is necessary to adopt democracy and federalism that are in line with the gepgraphical conditions, national characteristics and culture of the country. He also explained that as human resources instilled with knowledge and technologies are essential for implementing genuine and disciplined democracy and national development can be achieved speedily, measures are being taken to promote the education of the country.

The RCSS delegation will hold further negotiations with the peace negotiation team and the national solidarity and peace negotiation committee comprising member of the SAC.

The RCSS chairman arrived in Nay Pyi Taw on 29th August to join the second round of peace talks invited by the SAC and the first round of the talks were held on 20th May.

The RCSS/SSA is an ethnic Shan armed organization, which is active in northern and southern Shan state, and a signatory to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement. Tensions over terroritial control between the RCSS on the one hand and the Shan State Progressive Party/Shan State Army and the Ta’aung National Liberation Army on the other hand have escalated.

Armed conflicts have broken out between the Tatmadaw and ethnic armed organizations and the People’s Defence Forces, which came into existence after the Spring Revolution, in Karen State, Kayah State, Chin State, Rakhine State, Sagaing Region and Magway Region.

Due to such to the armed conflicts, houses were torched and civilians were arrested and killed on suspicion of supporting the armed organizations.

CNI News

30 August 2022

It would be helpful for farmers if fertiliizers were sold at the subsidized prices at the rate of one bag of fertilizer per acre at present, when cultivation costs are extremely high, the Development of Farmers Association told the CNI.

The association said that fertilizer prices have risen from K 60,000 previously to K 120,000 per bag at present and farmers have expected that the government will sell fertilizers to them at subsidized prices of about K 80,000 per bag.

Chairman U Thein Aung of the DFA told the CNI, “One bag per acre is in no way sufficient because farmers need at least two to three bags of fertilizer per acre for flooded farms. Another factor is farmers in the lower Ayeyarwady Delta including Pyapon District, Labutta and Myaungmya Districts employ double crops, paddy-after-paddy. As they cultivate one crop of paddy after another. So, they need at least four bags of fertilizers per acre. If a bag of fertilizer per acre is available at subsidized prices, they will be able to mix them with natural and compound fertilizers for cultivation of crops. This will be helpful for farmers.”

Farmers mix chemical and natural fertilizers.

Farmers said that it was also necessary to take measures to provide the subsidized fertilizers to the hands of farmers in cooperation with relevant departments systematically, farmers said.

Moreover, it is also important to establish 24-hour complaint centres if the fertilizers fail to reach farmers, a farmer told the CNI.

He said, “Subsidized fertilizers should be distributed not to selected farmers but to all farmers by collecting statistics of acreage of summer paddy in respective townships in cooperation with the Department of Agricultural Land Management and Statistics Department. If a farmer fail to receive the subsidized fertilizers even if he is eligible, he should be able to make complaints with relevant departments like the Department of Agriculture and the DALMS. Only then, will farmers be able to receive fertilizers. Otherwise, it will be said that the government offered help to farmers but no one received it.”

As cultivation costs are extremely high, the Myanmar Rice Federation is reported to import 177,000 tons of urea fertilizer and to distribute it to farmers who will cultivate summar and winter crops in a timely manner. The CNI contacted the federation to verify the reports but officials of the federation did not answer the phone.

CNI News

30 August 2022

Because eight women who were trafficked in Dubai, UAE and facing a distress uploaded a video file asking for help, The Burmese Embassy in Riad city has released a news report that they are providing assistance for these women to be able to return home.

The news report states that a video file under the account name of Khaing Lay asking for help for the women in distress in Dubai was released on August 25. The Burmese Embassy contacted Dubai where these women are located and conducted negotiations on August 26 between these women and the broker who brought these women in.

The women who were in trouble and ask for help said that they were sent to Dubai by an agent Ma Mie Mie, that they were locked in a house and that there was a forcible attempt to send to Iraq.

They said, “I came from Yangon to Dubai to work as a maid with agent Ma Mie Mie’s dispatch. 7 of us came together and we had to hand over our passports to Ma May Phone a.k.a Ma Htet Htet a.k.a Ma Kay a.k.a Ma Kay Thi Myint.

The women who are asking for help

In addition to not making contact with us, they told us that they will send us to Iraq whether it will be overstaying or not. We refused to go but it didn’t work. They said that we had to pay 100,000,000 if we don’t go. We came to work as a domestic worker which is the lowest level to work in a foreign country because we don’t have any money. But they forced to send us to Iraq if we couldn’t pay 100,000,000. Finally, not being able to take it anymore, we broke the doors open and escaped. We went to the police but they were of no help. Now we can’t even go back to Myanmar. They made it impossible for us to return to Myanmar. We ask for help but no one responded.”

Although they said that there were seven of the women involved, but the Myanmar Embassy in Riad City stated that it is eight women.

The Myanmar Embassy in Riad city stated that with their negotiation, the passports were returned to these eight women and that there is an agreement on planning and implementation for the women to return to Myanmar as soon as possible.

The announcement of the Myanmar Embassy in Riad

The Myanmar Embassy announced that during the planning process, in order to ensure safety between this broker and the women, to prevent unwanted problems from occurring again and to make necessary inquiries, they were temporarily sent from their residences in UAE CID to CID headquarters in Dubai.

The Myanmar Embassy in Riad said, “They will be processed and investigated according to the laws, immigration, and police procedures of the United Arab Emirates and those who are not in violation of these laws will be released.”

Then, the Myanmar Embassy announced on August 28 that they are contacting the UAE officials in a timely manner and are coordinating with Burmese social organizations in Dubai to help the escapees depart to Myanmar as soon as possible.

CNI News

29 August 2022

A delegation led by Chairman Gen. Yawd Serk of the Shan State Restoration Council met State Administration Chairman Chairman Snr Gen. Min Aung Hlaing in Nay Pyi Taw in the morning of 29th August.

It is the second round of talks between the RCSS and the SAC, which first met on 20th May.

The two sides will hold discussions in the coming days.

Gen. Yawd Serk meets members of the SAC on 29th August, 2022.

The RCSS is a Shan armed organization which signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement with the SAC.

Three signatories to the NCA including the Arakan Liberation Party, Pao National Liberation Organization and Lahu Democratic Union held talks with the SAC from 22nd to 26 August.

CNI News

29 August 2022

Gen. Yawd Serk, the Cahirman of the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army, has refused the offer to accept the leading patron post of the Peace Process Steering Team, which is made up of seven signatories of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement.

However, he promised to help the meetings of the PPST if possible, Col Saw Kyaw Nyunt, a spokesperson of the team, told the CNI.

He said, “We offered the post to two leaders beause they had led the PPST previous. Currently, Mutu Say Poe accepted the post as an individual without representing his organization. Gen. Yawd Serk has to take his organization, histroical background and geographical conditions into consideration. So, it is impossible for him to take the post but he promised to offer help with meetings of the PPST.”

Gen. Mutu Say Poe

The PPST sent a request to Chairman Gen. Mutu Say Poe of the Karen National Union to take the leading patron post and to give political guiidance and leadership to the team.

Gen. Mutu Say Poe replied that he accepted the request and agreed to take the post on 4th August.

Col Saw Kyaw Nyunt said, “Gen. Mutu Say Poe is a respected ethnic leader who has enough experience to guide the PPST. As we think he is capable of contributing a lot to the PPST in the future, we offered the leading patron post to him during the last summit and sent a request, which was welcomed  and accepted by Gen. Mutu Say Poe as you saw in his response to the team.”

Gen. Yawd Serk meets Snr Gen. Min Aung Hlaing on 29 August, 2022.

Gen. Mutu Say Poe acted as the chairman from 2017 to 2019 and resigned from the post. Similarly, Gen. Yawd Serk took helm of the team from 2019 until July, 2021 before resigning.

The PPST is made up of the Pao National Liberation Organization, the Arakan Liberation Army, the Lahu Democratic Union, the All Burma Students’ Democratic Front, the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army, the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army-Peace Council and the New Mon State Party.

The RCSS/SSA, the KNU and the Chin National Front suspended participation in the PPST.

CNI News

28 August 2022

Although Myanmar imported onions from India every year to keep the prices lower, there is no plan to buy the crop from the South Asian country this year, according to Bayint Naung Commodity Exchange.

Myanmar imported onions from India and China when local prices rose to K 3,000 per viss to keep the prices lower but there is no plan to import onions this year as onions sprout this time of the year and imports can negatively affect local cultivation, Chairman U Khin Han of the Myanmar Onion, Garlic & Vegetable Producers’ and Exporters’ Association told the CNI.

He said, “It is too late to import onions because new harvests start in September and October. As it is time for onions to sprout. Moreover, it takes time to import them and the US$ exchange rate is rising. If we import onion now, farmers will face difficulties. They will reduce onion acreage. So, we decided not to import onions from India.”

In 2015 and 2019, merchants who stored onions and speculated on the market and onion prices set new record prices. So, the association decided to import onions from India and China to satisfy the local demand.

 An onion shop. (CNI)

Only a few companies were permitted to import onions this year and they imported 800 tons of onions.

Although the association decided not import onions from India, Indian farmers want to export onions to Myanmar, according to Myanmar merchants.

If onions were exported from India, local prices are likely to fall to MMK 2,000 per viss, according to merchants.

Currently, Myanmar is exporting onions to Thailand and exporters are enjoying profits thanks to appreciation of Baht against MMK.

CNI News

27 August 2022

Local residents in Rathedaung have lived in fear of the resumption of clashes between the military and the Arakan Army.

Buthidaung, Maungdaw and Tathedaung are geopolitically sensitive areas under the spotlight of the world, Chairman of the Arakan Front Party Dr. Aye Maung told the CNI.

Dr. Aye Maung said, “The public is worried that the political issue that has sparked war on the western coast of Myanmar and the political storm of the world could not be resolved through dialogue at a very important sensitive strategic turning point by thinking carefully about the future by all sides. This is the situation unfolding at present.”

The Tatmadaw issued an order for village administrators to tell the Arakan Army to withdraw from all its outposts in Rathedaung Township by 25th August.

A police station in Angumaw. (CJ)

Since the order was issued, tensions between the Tatmadaw and the AA have escalated, forcing thousands of residents from four villages the Pyargyi Creek in Rathedaung to displace.

Currently, the villagers are taking shelter at families, relatives and monasteries other villages and facing difficulties for food and living, an internally displace villager in Rathedaung told the CNI.

He said, “We don’t war. We want both sides to solve issues between them peacefully. At present, goods are very expensive but we are displaced and cannot work for our living. We do not want to see any clash. Both sides should resolves their issues peacefully as soon as possible. We want to restore peace urgently.”

A road to Maungdaw. (CJ)

After armed clashes broke out between the Tatmadaw and the AA on 13th August, the Tatmadaw has prohibited travels and transportation of goods on Yaychanpyin-Angumaw-Maungdaw road and Maungdaw-Kyeinchaung road.

Although the Tatmadaw and the AA agreed to an informal ceasefire for nearly two years, tensions have run high between them recently due to administrative issues and armed clashes have resumed. The Tatmadaw and the AA have also made a number of arrests of each other’s members in Rakhine State.

CNI News

27 August 2022

The Myanmar Rice Federation will implement a reserve rice project to regulate the increase in domestic rice prices and negotiations are underway with exporters.

Currently, negotiations are still ongoing so we cannot say for sure how the reserve rice process will be done, said U Aung Myint, secretary of Myanmar Rice Traders Association to CNI news agency.

U Aung Myint said, "I can't say whether such things will be bought separately. Next, I still don't know how to get the budget. Not available at this time. You can only buy it when the new rice comes out. Before, these exporters kept them. They sell it back with a price when it is necessary. Now the prices are not set yet.

While seeing the act of plowing

This is the time when the price is very high. When it is very high, the price is likely to rise again if you buy in the market that is kept for reserve rice. Whether to buy from new or not, those are still being negotiated. Only a little control can be done. We can only control a little when the price is too high.

If we have in-stock and sell it when the price is too high, we would be adding more supply to the market thereby easing the demand a little. The price often goes down when the new rice appears. The farmers can get a bit better price when we buy it at that time.

In Myanmar, July, August and September are the time when the old rice is about to run out and the time of release for the new rice. Therefore, even though the domestic rice prices have risen every year, this year it will rise more, he said.

The reason for this increase is due to the skyrocketing prices of agricultural inputs caused by the rising price of dollar and the falling price of Burmese currency as well as due to the market manipulation of the traders, said agriculture and economic adviser Ko Zaw Min Naing to CNI news agency.

Ko Zaw Min Naing said, “The only main place to rely on for rice production here is Irrawaddy. Depending on the situation, there can be a market play of rice traders. The current situation is the traders playing the market to the rising dollar price. This is because the rice that is available now is what was produced last year, so the current situation is not yet a shortage.

But next year, there will be no production of rice which will cause the price to go up, thereby paving the way for a shortage of rice. After reducing the export, then we get domestic rice self-sufficiency. I believe that we have to focus on the reserve rice again. Although we are getting export earning from rice, I think it will be necessary to put restrictions when it comes to the importance of domestic rice self-sufficiency.

Threshing rice

Currently, the price of rice is rising, so the reserve rice is being sold with a price lower than the market price. The remaining reserve rice being sufficient for domestic consumption makes it possible to export rice abroad, said U Aung Myint, secretary of the Rice Traders Association, to CNI News.

He said, “If this export goes up, the rice stock may be low. This year is not too much, too. Rice export is normal, so there is rice left over. Domestically. The purchase rate of rice is high at the end of July and in August. It’s high enough for everyone to eat.

Since people who used to buy for one month bought for two months now, the transaction is a little thin now. Rice prices stopped a little at this height. The prices of all other products are going up. The price of rice is not probably going to rise again,” he said.

At the present, there are price differences in the local rice markets depending on the area and the difficulty in transportation. Each bag of Shwebo Porsan and Porsan have prices of more than 90000 kyats and 60000 kyats respectively.

Myanmar-Bangladesh maritime trade should be tried and tested between Sittwe and Chittagong first: Rakhine Businessmen

CNI News

27 August 2022

As authorities are planning to launch direct maritime trade from Yangon and Sittwe to Chittgong, business people in Rakhine State have suggested the government conduct direct maritime trade between Sittwe and Chittagong first on a trial basis.

It was learnt that authorities were negotiating for direct maritime trade at four ports in each country.

Rather than conducting maritime trade at all the ports, authorities should consider launching maritime trade between Sittwe and Chittgong on a trial basis first, Secretary of Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce and Industry U Aung Aung told the CNI.

Bangladesh-Myanmar maritime trade.

U Aung Aung said, “We told the government to conduct the maritime trade with Bangladesh from Sittwe to Chittgong on a trial basis first and expand it to other ports later when it is successful. It is likely to work. Implementing the whole project at the same time will face more challenges because there may be shortages of goods and delays on both sides. Therefore, maritime trade between Sittwe and Chittgong should be conducted first. When it proves successful, it should be expanded to other ports. Such a model might prove successful.”

Myanmar has chosen four ports including Mawlamyine, Yangon, Pathein and Sittwe while Bangladesh has chosen four ports including Chittagong.

It is difficult to start maritime trade between the two countries in the near future as it is necessary to adopt precise policies and payment systems, Ko Than Naing, a merchant from Maungdaw told the CNI.

He said, “The main issue is what is going to be exported and imported. What do importers prefer? They will have to discuss the details. Talking about the maritime trade between the two countries without discussing the details will be just imagination. Trade will not increase. If agricultural products can be exported via shipping lanes, costs will be lower. However, it will not be convenient for exports of freshwater fish. If onions, chillies and dried fish can be exported by sea, costs will be lower. So, there are some advantages.”

A border guard post in Angumaw in Maungdaw Township in Rakhine State.

It would take longer if freshwater fish are exported through direct maritime trade.

He told the CNI, “Freshwater fish are exported to Bangladesh without using cold storage systems. If freshwater fish were to be exported by maritime trade, it would take longer. So, the exports of freshwater fish will be carried out by six-wheeled or ten-wheeled trucks at the border.”

Although an MOU was signed between the two countries to launch maritime trade, shipping lines and starting points have not been known, Secretary U Aung Aung of Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce and Industry told the CNI.

  A junction in Rakhine State.

He said, “We have given one more advice to use a scheduled ship which will run monthly or weekly or fortnightly. One scheduled ship from each side. The program can be expanded later. If there is a scheduled ship, we will know when the ship is scheduled. We will have to prepare. Similarly, the other side will also know when their ship is scheduled. Everything including loading and unloading and transaction will be convenient. Otherwise, there will be delays.”

Currently, transportation of goods in Rakhine State is delayed by road blockades due to armed conflicts between the Tatmadaw and the ULA/AA and goods do not fetch higher prices due to decays caused by the delays.

Moreover, border trade between the two countries has dropped since trade volume has fallen to one-third of usual levels.