CNI News

31 Dec 2022

Narly one month after the ceasefire in Rakhine State, authorities have green-lighted transportation of medical supplies to the western state, according to the Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

After the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army reached a ceasefire deal on 26th November, roads and waterways were reopened but the transportation of important medical supplies to Rakhine State was prohibited.

However, there are some restrictions and permit applications will not be approved as quickly as before, Chairman U Tin Aung Oo of the RSCCI told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "At the moment, the state government has permitted transportation. The started approving the permit applications about a week ago. However, they do not approve the permits immediately. It takes time to approve the permits as they have a large number of applications submitted previously. It takes four to five days to get permits. Checkpoints will allow transportation of medical supplies to Rakhine State if merchants can submit the permits of the border and security minister of the state government."

A pharmacy.

The prices of medicines, which have doubled at present, are likely to fall back soon, according to merchants in the state.

Residents have run out of some medicines and the prices of medicines for children have risen higher than those for adults, according to a Rakhine resident.

He told the CNI, "The current problem in Rakhine State is the shortages of medicines for children. As most medicines for children are liquid, they are transported not only by vehicles but also by sea. However, transportation of children's medicines by sea is still prohibited and it is a problem. Medicines for children which are available at MMK 2,000 per bottle in Yangon are sold at MMK 7,000 here. To put it simply, we feel that it is unfair."

Due to the medicine ban in Rakhine State, children and pregnant women there failed to get vaccines while patients with chronic diseases have to buy their medicines at skyrocketed prices. Hospitals and clinics have run out of antibiotics and some other medicines, according to residents.

As medicines expire after a certain period, it is necessary for authorities to approve transportation permits for medicine as soon as possible, according to medicine merchants, companies and residents.

CNI News

29 Dec 2022

As Malaysian ringgits have depreciated due to inflation, Myanmar migrants working there should not change jobs at present, Myanmar communities in Malaysia told the CNI.

As Malaysia is likely to face labour shortages if the new government fails to tackle the depreciation problem, Myanmar workers have been advised not to change jobs, U Babu Gyi, who has been helping Myanmar workers in Malaysia, told the CNI.

He told CNI, "When the new prime minister took office, the ringgit appreciated against US$ slightly. However, after he formed the new government, the currency has depreciated significantly. There may be speculation because some people do not like some cabinet members. It this continues, it does not bode well in the long run. So, Myanmar workers who came to Malaysia officially based on their skills should stay at their factories. Illegal workers change jobs frequently if they get higher salaries and they are sometimes jobless. So, they should not change jobs at the moment because no one knows what will happen. In addition, authorities are making arrests of illegal migrants. They should work in their jobs by spending less money at the moment."

 Myanmar workers in a saw mill in Malaysia.

If the ringgit continues to depreciate in the long terms, some businesses are likely to halt their operations and to sack their current workers to hire cheaper new workers, according to Myanmar communities in Malaysia.

Currently, the new Malaysian government has failed to implement their campaign promises as it took office only one month ago, they added.

Secretary General U Chit Kaung of the Assistance Association for Myanmar Workers told the CNI that it was necessary to closely watch the new government as it has taken office for only one month.

He said, "It is a period when a new government has just taken office. It will have to take at least 6 months or one year to adopt new policies. However, as number two of the new government was a former home minister and many others are experienced politicians, they will be able to maintain stability. Myanmar workers should work hard at their jobs. In Malaysia, policies change when the new government takes office. After the operations to arrest illegal migrants, governments tend to hire new workers from other countries or issue stay and work permits to illegal migrants to work in Malaysia."

Myanmar workers at a construction site in Malaysia.

When the ringgit has depreciated, commodity prices tend to rise but prices in Malaysia have not increased under the new government.

Myanmar communities in Malaysia have urged Myanmar workers not to change jobs and save their salaries.

They also urged illegal migrants to be cautious when they go out as the government is launching operations.

CNI News

29 Dec 2022

As the number of guests in Chaungtha and Ngwe Saung beaches in Ayeyarwady Region, the hotel industry has resumed 95 its operations, according to the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism.

Hotels and guesthouses have been almost fully booked for the new year holidays there.

So far, 29 out of 33 hotels and guesthouses there have been reopened and they have been almost fully booked, an official from the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism (Chaungtha Branch) told the CNI.

Scenes of a beach.

He told the CNI, "The hotel industry has returned to normal. Beaches are crowded with holiday makers. There are 33 hotels and guesthouses in Chaungtha. A total of 29 out of 33 of them have reopened after the third wave of COVID-19. The remaining four have not reopened since their closures during the first outbreak of COVID-19. So, 95 percent of the industry has resumed their operations."

During one month until 27th December, 32,192 domestic travellers and 224 foreign tourists visited Chaungtha beach.

In Ayeyarwady Region, there are 35 hotels in Ngwe Saung and 39 hotels in Chaungtha and Shwe Thaungyan. Some hotels that were closed during the pandemic are still under renovation, according to hoteliers in Chaungtha.

Although the hotel industry in Chaungtha and Ngwe Saung, only 52 hotels in beaches in Rakhine State have resumed their services, Director U Tin Tun Aung of the Rakhine State Directorate of Hotels and Tourism told the CNI.

Hotels near a beach.

He said, "Fifty-two out of 65 hotels in Thandwe have reopened. In the entire Rakhine State there are 102 hotels but only 82 of them have reopened. Some people are still afraid to travel. Moreover, they have to take flights to get to Rakhine State. We will receive as many guests as during the Thadingyut but fewer travellers than Thingyan will come to Rakhine State because the holiday is short.

As the hotel industry that was closed in the previous two years due to COVID-19 and the political crises has resumed, nearly 500 people have received jobs.

CNI News

29 Dec 2022

This morning, a group of people staged a protest in front of the US embassy in Bahan Township, Yangon Region, holding vinyl placards that said 'The United States is a complete shit; Mind Your Own Business.'

CNI News

29 Dec 2022

Five ethnic armed organizations that are signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement started talks with the National Unity and Peace-making Negotiation Committee on 27th December.

The talks were held at the hall of the NSPNC in Nay Pyi Taw.

The five EAO leaders included Patron Col Khun Okkar of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization, Vice Chairperson Daw Saw Mya Yarzar Lin of the Arakan Liberation Party, Chief-of-Staff Saw Steel of the Democratic Karen Democratic Benevolent Army, Vice Chairperson Dr Naw Kapaw Htoo of the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army-Peace Council and Vice Chairman Kyar Phu of the Larhu Democratic Union.

They discussed amending the 2008 constitution.

The talks continued on 28th December.

CNI News

28 Dec 2022

With 26 out of 58 FDI projects in Myanmar in 2022, China invested in the largest number of the projects in the country, according to statistics released by the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration of Myanmar.

However, China's investment this year amounted to US$ 94 million while Singapore, which implemented only 14 projects in Myanmar, invested more than US$ one billion in total.

Compared with previous years, FDI in Myanmar dropped and Myanmar's FDI is unlikely to increase in the coming year as the global economy is predicted to fall in 2023, an economist who requested anonymity told the CNI.

 The office of the Directorate of Foreign Investment and Company Administration.

He said, "In the past, there were US dollar billions and billions of FDI every year. It can be said that Myanmar's FDI dropped significantly. Not all investment projects were not new. There were some projects that increased their investment capitals. Myanmar may not be the only country that suffered a decrease in FDI as it is predicted that the global economy will fall and FDI will drop in 2023. With political instabilities, the situation in Myanmar is likely to get worse."

Before the political changes in the 2019-2020 fiscal year, Myanmar secured FDI worth US$ 4.88 billion.

Myanmar received 26 projects from China, 14 projects from Singapore, 12 projects from Hongkong, two projects from South Korea and one each from China(Taipei), Japan and the UK, according to the directorate.

A garment factory.

In the past, companies with 1 percent of foreign investment were considered as foreign companies but now those with 35 percent of foreign investment are deemed as local companies.

Moreover, restrictions on imports of raw material and profit remittance have been eased.

Myanmar will be able to restore its foreign investment potential when political stability has been maintained, according to economists and businessmen.

CNI News

27 Dec 2022

Thai tourists to Myanmar outnumbered their Chinese counterparts this year, Chairman U Naung Naung Han of the Myanmar Tour Entrepreneurs Association told the CNI.

The number of Thai tourists to Myanmar has increased since October and about tens of thousands of them came to Myanmar this year, he added.

He said, "The largest number of tourists to Myanmar were from Thailand. When tourism was reopened in Myanmar, there were only a few direct flights with China. There is only one direct flight to Guangzhou at present while at least eight or nine direct flights are operating between Myanmar and Thailand. Thai tourists visited Yangon, Bago and the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda on short visits like two-night-three-day and three-night-four-day trips. In Yangon, they made pilgrimages to the ShweDagon Pagoda and the Botahtaung Pagoda as they have the same lifestyle as us. They think they should visit such places at least once in their lifetime."

Foreign tourists.

Before the outbreak of COVID-19, the largest number of tourists to Myanmar were from China but most of them were visiting Myanmar not on pleasure but on business tours.

Compared with 2021, the year 2022 saw more domestic tourists and foreign tourist arrivals have improved for the post-COVID period, according to tour operators and hoteliers.

As more foreign tourists are expected to visit Myanmar in 2023, measures must be taken for domestic security, electricity supply, and compulsive selling of goods to tourists.

The Kyaiktiyo Pagoda.

Chairman U Zaw Weik of the Myanmar Hoteliers Association (Bagan Zone) told the CNI, "It is expected that foreign tourists, especially from China and Russia, will visit Myanmar in 2023. However, the electricity supply and political situation are out of our control. It is expected that tourists from the east market will visit Myanmar. We need to fix infrastructure problems. If electricity is not available, we will have to use diesel to operate generators. If we cannot get diesel, how can we promote our packages? First, we need to guarantee security. Second, electricity must be regularly supplied. It is impossible to attract tourists if security cannot be guaranteed, electricity cannot be supplied and diesel prices fail to decrease."

Some tour operators are preparing to participate in tourism fairs in the international community to attract foreign tourists to Myanmar in 2023.

The MTEA has anticipated that youths from China, Russia and Western countries will visit Myanmar in January, February and March in the upcoming year.

As direct flights have been launched between Myanmar and both Russia and China, the association anticipated that Chinese and Russian tourists will increase in 2023.

CNI News

28 Dec 2022

As the final verdicts for remaining charges against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will be passed by 30 December, there have emereged differing views in the political circle on what the political landscape will look like after the prosecution against her.

The new political landscape will be shaped by views of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi over the National Unity Government and the People's Defence Force, Political Observer U Ye Tun told the CNI.

U Ye Tun told the CNI, "I am aware that Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing recently said that the future of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi depended on hier views. I think that he was referring to the views of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi over the resistance movement launched by the NUG and the PDF after February, 2021. Her views on whether she supports their movement or not can have great impacts on the resistance forces. I think changes and consequences depend on her views."

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint at a court hearing.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been charged for 19 counts and has been sentenced to 26-year's prison term for 14 charges.

Verdicts for the remaining charges will be reportedly passed by 30 December.

Authorities have their own ulterior motives behind passing verdicts on her remaining cases as soon as possible, Political Observer Advocate U Kyee Myint told the CNI.

He said, "They have their own ulterior motives. The faster they sentence her, the sooner they can release her. Another motive is that they are going to hold the elections. They have done everything to ban her from taking part in the elections. She has been sentenced to prison terms. They don't want her to run for the elections."

After final verdicts on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, she should be granted amnesty, Politbureau Member U Tun Aung Kyaw of the Arakan National Party told the CNI.

Former Speaker of Upper House Mahn Win Khaing Than and PDFs.

He said, "Precedents have been set by granting amnesty to olderly party members like Dr Myo Nyunt. Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing has the power to release her out of goodwill for national interest and reconciliation and respect for the will of the people.

The Myanmar military ousted the National League for Democracy government after accusing it of attempting to form a new government without settling voters' list disputes in the 2020 general election and has detained some NLD leaders including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint.

Since then, lawmakers from the NLD and democracy activists have formed People's Defence Forces and launched resistance to topple the military under the slogan of 'There is no bargaining with bloodstained military junta'.

CNI News

27 Dec 2022

There are fewer jobs available for migrant workers as authorities are rounding up illegal migrants recently, Thai-based labour activists for Myanmar workers told the CNI.

As authorities are making arrests of illegal migrant workers, their employers are trying to get official residence permits for them through agents and there are fewer jobs for newly arrived workers including Myanmar migrants, Consultant U Aung Kyaw of the Migrant Workers Rights Network told the CNI.

He said, it is difficult to get jobs for migrant workers because they can get jobs if they have official residence and work permits according to the law. If employers are found to be hiring illegal migrants on surprise checks, they can be fined or sentenced to prison terms. So, illegal migrants can get jobs when authorities issue official residence and work permits for them. The government issued such documents recently and illegal workers who received them are getting jobs now."

A fishery worksite in Thailand.

As most Myanmar illegal workers had to borrow money from other at high interest rates to work in Thailand, they are unable to repay their debts as they do not get jobs while they fear they might be arrested by authorities.

The government issued official residence and work permits in August and only a few Myanmar migrant workers who arrived in Thailand later than August got jobs.

Ko Thar Gyi, who has been helping Myanmar migrant workers, told the CNI, "It is difficult to find jobs for those who arrived in Thailand after the interviews for residence and work permits. It is more difficult for those who arrived in Thailand about a week or ten days ago because there are fewer jobs. Migrants who have been here for three or four months got the permits through agents. It is impossible for late comers to get jobs. Authorities have been making arrests of illegal migrants since the beginning of December."

A fishery process worksite in Thailand.

As some Myanmar workers who came to Thailand under the MOU between the two governments have failed to get jobs in Thailand, they staged a protest in front of the Myanmar Embassy in Thailand recently.
Therefore, labour activists have urged Myanmar workers to come to Thailand officially through official agencies rather than sneaking into the country by paying a large sum of money.

Authorities are making arrests not only of undocumented migrant workers but also foreigners who have overstayed their visas. Those who are detained are put on a blacklist for two to five years.

However, when most Myanmar workers who hold residence and work permits and have overstayed are deported to Myanmar without blacklisting.