CNI News

26 April 2024

Myanmar Sein Ta Lone mangoes would be exported to Singapore only this year, according to mango firms and brokers' sales centers. 

Although the mangoes were always exported to China in the past, because the Muse border trade post has been closed this year, the mangoes could not be exported to China reportedly.

Because there has been a decrease in the yield of Sein Ta Lone mango within the country this year, only about 20 tons of mango that was the same amount as last year could be exported, U Htay Aung, manager of the Thazin Nwe Mango Farm, told CNI News.

" According to our estimate, we'll export 20 or 30 tons because the mango yield decreases this year. The price has been opened like that of last year. The price is 15 to 17 lakh kyats for one ton of small size mangoes." he said.

Myanmar mangoes are often exported from May to August every year. In doing so, the mangoes are exported to China through the border trade and to Singapore by sea.

As the border trade with China, this year there is only one border trade post, Myla, in the eastern part of Shan State and if the mangoes were exported to China, because of delays on the way, the qualities of the fruit could be lower, said brokers' sales centers.

While seeing Myanmar mangoes

So, mango exports through border trade would be almost non-existent and mango exporters must rely only on the domestic market, said mango traders. However, if the mango export declined while the ability to produce value-added products from mangoes is low, the mango market could get worse, Ko Khant Naing, owner of the Jade fruit sales center, told CNI News.

" The prospect of the mango market will be good for the traders abroad. When the mangoes appear abundantly, local market doesn't have the ability to buy most of mangoes. Because there are still a few factories that dry up mangoes or make them juice in the country, when  a lot of mangoes appear, the market will collapse. We don't get the price we. want. It's getting worse this year, I think." he said.

The price of a Sein Ta Lone mango is currently 800 to 1,700 kyats in the local market and the prices could decline in May and June when the mangoes appear abundantly. But later, the prices might go up again, said traders.

Because of difficult transportation this year, mango farm businessmen were not able to increase the yield systematically. Moreover, due to low rainfall, mango yields also decreased reportedly.

Myanmar Sein Ta Lone mangoes are mostly grown in Mandalay, Sagaing Regions and southern Shan State.

CNI news

25 April 2024

There has been a preliminary agreement between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and revolutionary elements to keep Myawaddy, Karen State as a non-combat economic zone where goods can be delivered for life reportedly.

Col. Saw Chit Thu from the Karen National Army (KNA) that was transformed from the Border Guard Force of Karen State mediated and negotiated to do so after meeting with Vice Sr-Gen Soe Win.

An agreement was reached on four points between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the revolutionary forces, said in a letter sent by the Thai Border Guard Force to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

While seeing Col. Saw Chit Thu

The four points are - No.1 to abstain from waging battles within the Myawaddy District, to designate the city as a safe zone for everyone and to keep it as an economic zone to deliver goods for life, No.2 to redeploy the No.275 Infantry at the original place from the No-2 Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge area on the morning of 23rd April and the KNA has already been in charge of security for the administration of Myawaddy at 7:00 a.m. on 23rd April, 2024.

In the 3rd point, Customs and immigration officials will be reinstated at the No.2 Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge area and in the fourth point, these processes will be completed within 2 to 3 days from April 23rd and could reach a normal situation, said in the report by the Thai BGF.

The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)/ the People's Defense Force (PDF) joint forces launched offensives to seize control of Myawaddy in April. Because of the offensives, the Tatmadaw's No.275 Infantry, the Myawaddy City Guard, had to retreat from Thin Gan Nyi Naung military camp and the camps within the city to the No.2 Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge and waited for reinforcements.

While the national flag is being raised at the No.275 Infantry by the Tatmadaw

The Myanmar Tatmadaw re-launched offensives to regain control of Myawaddy and the battles broke out severely after which on 21st April, both sides ceased fire.

The Myanmar Tatmadaw stated that it raised the national flag again after regaining the No.275 Infantry on 23rd April. Currently, the KNA is handling the security procedures in Myawaddy and the border trade activities could not be started reportedly.

The trade value of the Myawaddy(Myanmar)-Mae Sot (Thailand) border trade is about several million dollars.

CNI News

25 April 2024

There are now reviews among political and military analysts in relation to what might happen from the power struggle between the State Administration Council (SAC) and the National Unity Government (NUG).

Due to the political changes that originated in the wake of 1st February, 2021, armed conflicts are widely taking place across the country. Neither side would win decisively in the power struggle and a dialogue path could emerge, Naing Than Shwe, spokesperson of the Mon Unity Party (MUP), told CNI News.

" According to the current situation, neither side can win and a dialogue can arise that we hope, because Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint have been transferred not long ago. Because of doing so, we hope a meeting with international diplomats might arise. Another thing, the military tension might reduce gradually because both sides have suffered lots of deaths and injuries, we think." he said.

Wile seeing the NUG

Even though it has been more than 3 years since the armed conflict between the SAC and the NUG started, they have not been able to find a solution up to now. So, the people are facing difficult livelihoods. Moreover, because of battles, there are a lot of civilian deaths, IDPs and house damages.

The SAC and the NUG - neither side would win decisively and the current situation would not go ahead. So, tripartite - the SAC, the NUG and the EAOs- discussion would result in a solution, Col.Khun Okka, patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), told CNI News.

"My first review is that neither side will win. The second is that it's impossible to go on like this. If this keeps up, it hurts neighboring countries - India, Thailand and China. I'm sure they won't like the current trend. It will be better to make a dialogue arise without hurting the dignity of any side. There are not two sides only in our country. On top of that, there are EAOs as well. So, we need to hold a tripartite discussion that contain the NUG (instead of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi), the SAC and the EAOs so that we can find a solution, I think." he said.

While seeing some leaders of the EAOs

There are also conversations among the political community that if China, India and Thailand intervene and solve the current political crisis of Myanmar, it could be resolved.

The SAC and the NUG are making efforts to get rid of each other decisively, mutual announcing terrorist organizations.

CNI News

25 April 2024

The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)/ the People's Defense Force joint troops waged battles against the Tatmadaw to capture Myawaddy, Karen State and were able to launch an offensive until when only the No.275 Infantry of the Tatmadaw remained. 

The troops from the No.275 Infantry had to retreat until the No.2 Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge and had to defend and fight back against the joint forces.

The Myanmar Tatmadaw sent the 44th Division as reinforcements  and re-launched an offensive so as to regain control of Myawaddy.

So, battles broke out severely in Myawaddy and the KNLA/PDF joint forces had to retreat and then, No.275 Infantry and No. 44 Division connected and were able to regain control of Myawaddy.

While a military official from the No.44 Division that came to support the No.275 Infantry as reinforcements

" Now revolutionary forces have retreated already. The Tatmadaw has regained control of Myawaddy. Some forces sent by the Tatmadaw as reinforcements have arrived in Myawaddy. They are doing security patrols in the town. But I'm not sure what time battles will break out again." said a resident of Myawaddy.

The national flag, which had been taken down at the No.275 Infantry deployed as the city guard, was hoisted again, which the Tatmadaw stated after it regained control of the city.

Because the negotiations between the two sides have been completed, the Thai government is sending back the IDPs from Myawaddy to their native town.

CNI News

24 April 2024

The Wage Committee summitted a letter mentioning that it was necessary to raise the minimum wage for migrant workers including Myanmar citizens to 400 bahts a day on 17th April and it was signed by the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Labor.

The Thai authorities might implement the wage increase plan in two months and the sub-committee has been assigned to review the minimum wage and after studying kinds of businesses in each state, the minimum wage would be raised to 400 bahts reportedly.

" Wages and salaries of the employees from the tourism industry were raised separately. It's not convenient. They have planned to raise the minimum wage until 400 bahts a day. In fact, activists and those who carry out for the labor affairs demanded to raise the minimum wage. Employers argued that they could raise at a reasonable situation." said U Min Oo, In charge of labor affairs from the FED to CNI News.

An aquatic product manufacturing workplace in Thailand

The minimum wage of the employees working in the hotel and tourism industries was raised to 400 bahts starting from 13th April depending on the region of the districts concerned.

Logistics, seafood and export industries would be studied in two months and the board meeting would be held reportedly.

If the minimum wage was raised to 400 bahts, it would be more convenient for workers, Ko Moe Lay who is working in Thailand, told CNI News.

" I'm glad if they raise the minimum wage to 400 bahts. At present, we earn 360 or 363 bahts. We can have a meal at 40 bahts." he said.

While migrant workers were being tested for the Covid-19 during the Covid-19 pandemic

However, workers at the workplaces in the Thai-Myanmar border areas haven't earned the minimum wage designated up to now.

The Federation of Thai Trade Unions, the Raks Thai Foundation and the Migrant Workers Rights Network (MWRN) demanded the Thai government on the International Labor Day last year to raise the minimum wage to 715 bahts.

There are 77 districts in Thailand and workers in some districts earn more wages. The workers in Chonburi, Rayong and Phukhet Districts that are economically important earn 361 bahts a day and 345 bahts in Kanchanaburi and Tak.

CNI News

24 April 2024

Some townships in Rakhine and Chin States might face commodity shortages because India had closed the Mizoram border gate, locals told CNI News. 

The Mizoram border gate is connected to the roads going to Mizoram State, India and Paletwa Township, Chin State, Myanmar.

India has closed the border cross travel since 18th April due to the election, including the Mizoram border gate. It was not clear when the border post would be re-opened, said locals of Paletwa Township.

Because of the battles breaking out in Rakhine State, goods from the mainland cannot be carried to Rakhine State. So, locals from Kyauktaw, Mrauk U and Ponnagyun Townships were using commodities from India. But now, because the border post has been closed, those townships might find it difficult, U Aung Din, a resident of Paletwa, told CNI News.

While seeing the Mizoram border gate

" People from Kyauktaw cannot carry goods from Sittwe and Ann by road or waterways. So, they had to buy and use goods coming from India including rice, edible oil and salt. But now because India has closed the Mizoram border gate, people from Paletwa, Chin State and Kyauktaw, Mrauk U and Ponnagyun Townships in Rakhine State get into trouble." he said.

India has indefinitely forbidden its citizen so as not to export basic foodstuffs and fuel that were being daily exported since 16th April.

Prices have been rising in Paletwa that had to depend on the Indian commodities since the date of closure of Mizoram Border Gate and the entry of goods has stopped, Ko Kyaw Khin, a resident of Paletwa, told CNI News.

While seeing somewhere downtown Paletwa

" A bag of cement was paid 55,000 kyats recently. But now it's paid 70,000 kyats. Even so, the cement can't enter anymore. But sometimes, some people smuggled goods at night. If they were caught, they were arrested. You have to eat what you have. Otherwise, you have to eat food for pigs like the people in Ann do. If you have nothing to eat anymore, you will have to die of hunger." he said.

Because of change of policy relating to the India-Myanmar border affairs, the Tamu-Moreh border post also has been closed.

CNI News

24 April 2024

Commodity price and currency value must be stabilized within Myanmar, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council, at the union cabinet meeting held on 22nd April, 2024.

The State was making efforts to ensure that there were stability, peace and rule of law within the country and that the prices of foodstuffs and basic consumer goods were reasonable and that the currency value of the country was strengthen, he said.

The country had already had good soil and water and human resources. However, the country had some difficulties because it had been sanctioned economically; trade routes had been closed; stabilities had been damaged and the flow of goods had been delayed or closed, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

" If these difficulties could be overcome, trade would improve and the country's economy would improve. As a result, currency values of Myanmar could also rise. As a country, its currency value needs to be stable at a reasonable rate." he added.

Although Myanmar was conducting border trade with China, Thailand, India and Bangladesh, but now because of battles, almost all the border trades have been suspended.

In the same way, there has been an international economic sanction on Myanmar and  it has been blocked to access foreign currency.

So, commodity prices have become higher and higher and at the same time, the value of the Myanmar kyat is also falling.

CNI News

23 April 2024

Ann Township is facing a foodstuff shortage including rice because the Arakan Army (AA) has closed the Ann-Padan Road, according to locals. 

Moreover, the Myanmar Tatmadaw closed the roads going to other townships in Rakhine State because the battles are breaking out within Rakhine State.

After that, the Ann-Padan Road connecting Minbu and Ann Townships had been closed by the AA. 

So, rice was not able to enter Ann Township. Ann locals were depending on rice and foodstuffs coming from other townships and they were not able to store rice in advance. So, Ann Township was facing a rice shortage at present, U Maung Thein, a rice trader from Ann Township told CNI News.

While rice was being sold to residents of Ann on the basis of quota

" Rice doesn't enter Ann from Minbu. Because other roads have been closed, the people from Ann are starving. Before the Ann-Padan Road was closed, a trader could carry 50 bags of rice. There were five or six traders. They sold rice to locals. But now all the roads have been closed, rice is no more. Those who can buy one or two bags of rice have enough rice for one month. Those who can buy one or two bushels have no rice." he said.

Due to shortage of rice, some local are eating dried rice and broken rice that was used as food for pigs.

Other people are eating other crops instead. The prices of rice has been skyrocketing in Ann Township and the price of a bag of coarse rice that was paid 70,000 kyats in the past has been 200,000 kyats now.

While seeing a rice shop in Ann

Although he tried to deliver rice from Minbu to Ann, there was no truck driver, antonymous rice trader told CNI News.
 " Truck drivers don't dare to go because they are afraid of losing their trucks and goods if something bad happens on the way." he said.

At present, in Ann, the price of a bag of coarse rice is 200,000 kyats, the price of edible oil is 30,000 kyats per viss and the price of fuel is about 20,000 per litre reportedly. 

Although there is no battle in Ann, but areas outside the town and there are also explosions of artillery shells according to locals.

CNI News

23 April 2024

Myawaddy-Mae Sot No.1 Friendship Bridge has been closed indefinitely, an official from the immigration department in Myawaddy told CNI News. 

Because of the closure, border pass and passport holders were not allowed to use the bridge and it was not clear when the bridge would be re-open, he added.

" I still don't know when the bridge will re-open. The bridge has been closed for the time being. 7 and 14 day border pass holders have been suspended and so have passport holders. The Myanmar side has suspended." he said to CNI News.

The Myanmar side has closed the Myawaddy-Mae Sot Bridge since 21st April and the Thai side has opened regularly, according to the Thai media. However, the Thai authorities allow passport holders only to enter the Myanmar side reportedly.

Rumor has that the reason why the bridge had been closed was because the department had been short of necessary papers. However, it has not been exactly known. Some people consider it might be for the safety of government employees at the border post.

Hundreds of local residents are trying to flee to the Thai side because the battles are severely breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the KNLA/PDF joint forces near and around the Thai-Myanmar No.2 Friendship Bridge in Myawaddy, Karen State.

View in front of the Myawaddy-Mae Sot No.1 Friendship Bridge

Because an official channel had been closed, there might be a sharp increase in the number of people who would enter the Thai side illegally and brokers could exploit the situation, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the FED, told CIN News.

"Most of the people who fled for the time being are because of battles. Among those who fled might be migrant workers who will work in Thailand. But the Thai army and all the local organizations are watching carefully along the border. They will accept those who entered as refugees. They are making a list of the people who entered the Thai side. Brokers will take advantage of the situation including human trafficking, I think." he said.

Because of severe battles between the Tatmadaw and the KNLA/PDF joint forces, the number of Myanmar people who crossed Thaung Yin River and the bridges were about 3,000 reportedly.

Moreover, The Thai PM was to go to Mae Sot to know the situations including the arrival of Myanmar people to Mae Sot by the thousand as IDPs because of the battles breaking out in Myawaddy, according the Thai media.