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.

CNI News

26 August 2022

The New Mon State Party, the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army and the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army – Peace Council will join the second round of peace talks with the State Administration Council.

The SAC, which held discussions with the three ethnic armed organizations separately during the first round of talks, will now negotiate with the EAOs simultaneously, Spokesperson Col Saw Kyaw Nyunt of the Peace Process Steering Team told the CNI.

He said, “We cannot confirm the news reports at the moment but it was learnt that invitations have been sent to the NMSP, the DKBA and the KNU/KNLA-PC for the second round of talks. The SAC said it would inform the EAOs of the exact date one week before the talks.”

The SAC chairman receives delegations of the PNLO, the ALP and the LDU.

The SAC held negotiations with the Pao National Liberation Organization, the Arakan Liberation Party and Lahu Democratic Union from 22nd to 26th August.

The SAC will hold negotiations with the NMSP, the DKBA and the KNU/KNLA-PC after the talks with above-mentioned thee EAOs.

Inclusive peace dialogue is essential for resolving the political crisis, Spokesperson Comrade Aye Lwin of the All Burma Student Democratic Front told the CNI.

He said, “If the junta wants to restore peace in the entire country, it needs to stop all offensives in Karen, Chin, Karenni and Kachin states and Sagaing and Magway regions and massacres and arson attacks against villages there. These are the demands not only of the Myanmar people and organizations but also of the international community. If they listened to the voices of the people and the international community, the peace process would be on its correct path, I think.”

The SAC chairman receives delegations of the SSPP, the NDAA and the UWSA.

Col Saw Kyaw Nyunt said that the PPST would try to create an inclusive environment for political dialogue based on building a union based on democracy and federalism.

He said, “The PPST believes that political dialogue will take place one day for our union, which is facing the current political crisis. The efforts of the PPST aims to pave the way to create an inclusive environment from talks, whether they are bilateral or tetra-lateral, to build a union based on democracy and federalism to guarantee peace for it.

The first round of peace talks with the SAC was joined by signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement including leaders of the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army, the NMSP, the DKBA, the ALP, the KNU/KNLA-PC, the PNLO and the LDU.

Similarly, non-signatories to the NCA including leaders of the United Wa State Army, the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA-Mongla) and the Shan State Progressive Party/Shan State Army took part in the first round of peace talks with the SAC.

CNI News

26 August 2022

If the domestic gold price exceeds 2,800,000 kyats per tical, it will rise to 3,000,000 kyats, said Gold market analyst Ko Ne Lin to the CNI news agency.

Although the price of gold is stable around 2,600,000 and 2,700,000 kyats per tical currently, the price has risen up to 2,850,000 kyats per tical according to the gold market.

Gold market analyst Ko Ne Lin said, “It will not fall below 26 again. Even if it falls, it’s around 2,570,000. It will not fall too much. If it goes up, it’s around 27 lakhs and 7 or 80,000. If it can rise even further than over 28 lakhs, which is the highest price so far, it can go up more. If so, it can still rise up to 30 lakhs.

Otherwise, I see it between 2,600,000 and 2,750,000. It’s going to be hovering around 28 lakhs. I don’t see it to go over 28 lakhs for the time being. Because supply and demand are in balance right now,” he said to CNI.

The current rise in gold prices is reportedly due to the closure of domestic gold mining during the rainy season as well as due to the lack of domestic gold raw materials and high demand. In addition, due to the high price of the domestic dollar, the price of goldis rising, said Gold business operators. 

While seeing Aung Samadhi gold shop (GETTY IMAGES)

Therefore, since the currently closed gold mining operations will be resumed when the open season arrives, gold raw materials will be recovered. At that time, the price of gold will fall again, said U Ohn Myint, secretary of the Myanmar Gold Industry Association to CNI.

He said, “I estimate that it will reach 25 lakhs again in the next 3 months. Now the local mines are also closed as there can be pit collapses. If all of these can be resumed in the open season, Thadingyut, Tazaungdine, then domestic gold production can also be achieved.

The other reason for the scarcity of gold at this time is the hoarders. They sell and buy sesame and beans. It is also time that they sell beans and sesame. They take out the stocks and buy gold. For this reason, the demand in the market is increased.

But it’s news beans. When new batch of sesame and rice are cropped, they sell these and restore the beans, sesame and rice and sell them at a time like that. So if the site they are buying from makes sales, I think the price will all stagnant again,” he said.

While seeing a gold shop (GETTY IMAGES)

Previously, famous gold shops such as Zwe Htet, Waint Sein, Aung Samadhi used to write everyday gold prices on social media for the benefit of the public but they have stopped writing after the price of gold was over 23 lakhs.

There is a discrepancy of about 700,000 kyats between the prices published daily by the Yangon region Gold Industry Association (YGEA) and the prices of transaction sales outside. It was found that the price stated by YGEA is not even 21 lakhs but it is almost 28 lakhs in the outside price, said gold market analysts.

Today (August 25^th), the price of gold is 2,805,000 kyats per tical of light gold and the gold market analysts are speculating that the price of gold will be 300,000 kyats next week.

CNI News

26 August 20222

Imposing travel restrictions in Maungdaw amounted to neglecting the public interests, Chairman U Tha Tun Hla of the Arakan National Party told the CNI.

The restrictions have caused difficulties in the livelihood of local residents and governing bodies are responsible for offering assistance to solve their problems, he added.

He told the CNI, “Currently, local residents are in trouble. They have difficulties in finding food, clothing and shelter for themselves. Transportation of goods and travelling have been prohibited. Such restrictions hurt the well-being of local residents and shoul not be imposed. Administrative bodies are responsible for offering assistance when local residents face difficulties but they are imposing prohibition. So, such restrictions amount to neglecting the public interests.”

Clashes broke out between the Tatmadaw and the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army on 13th August and the ULA/AA announced that travelling and transportation goods were prohibited along the Yaychanpyin-Angumaw-Maungdaw road and the Maungdaw-Kyeinchaung road.

 The border guard outpost in Angumaw. (CJ)

The restrictions posed difficulties and local residents were not allowed to travel in front of the border guard force, Ko Aung Oo, a local resident of Angumaw told the CNI.

He said, “We can’t do anything for our living. We cannot even go outside our houses at any time of the day or night. Orders have been issued to shoot anyone who goes outside their houses.

He said, “The problem is we can’t do anything for our living. We can’t even go out at anytime in the day or night.n They have ordered their soldiers to shoot at anyone. The order was issued on 13th August when fighting started. We cannot go past in front of their camp. When villagers went out, they shot at them or threatened to shoot at them to prevent them from going outside. Residents cannot fish or collect vegetables for their food.”

Currently, villagers are afraid to go near the border guard force, according to local residents.

 Local residents in Rakhine State.

Ko Aung Oo, a local resident from Angumaw said, “Wherever border guard forces are located are facing the same problem. If there is no border guard force, local residents can got out as usual. However, all border gaurd forces are located on highway roads and they are threatening anyone who walks or rides a motorcycle past them. Some local residents were arrested for doing so.”

Currently, a curfew from 10 pm to 5 am has been issued in Maungdaw and local people are facing hardship due to the curfew and travel restrictions, according to the AA.

Under the current political climate, political parties are not able to intervene in such crises and thus it is difficult for him to negotiate with relevant parties, said U Tha Tun Hla.

Although the AA and the Tatmadaw had agreed to an official ceasefire, fighting has resumed recently due to rivalry in administrative issues.

In the same way, the AA and the Tatmadaw are arresting each other’s members.