CNI News

14 October 2024

It was necessary to make the world know that Myanmar is a country where tourists can travel to so as not to make Myanmar die out in the global tourism market, U Naung  Naung Han, chairman of the Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association, told CNI News. 

As airline transport frequency is fewer than the period of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was difficult for tourists to come to Myanmar because of lack of airlines and of high cost; so, it was necessary to expand airline transport, he said.

" The government needs to relax visas for some countries. Visa on arrival has been granted to several countries on the basis of limitation. If many countries were granted, there could be an increase in the number of tourists who would enter Myanmar. It's necessary to publicize that there are safe trips in Myanmar. Thirdly, international airlines should be invited to expand airline transport." said U Naung Naung Han.

Because foreign tourists found it difficult to get a visa, many countries were granted visa relaxation, it would be convenient, pointed out some people.

While seeing tourists in the Bagan region

At present, nine ASEAN countries except for Malaysia and Russia have been exempted from visa and visa on arrival has been granted to some countries.

However, visas should be relaxed to the countries whose citizens really come to Myanmar, U Thet Lwin Toe, a tourism entrepreneur, told CNI News.

“Some citizens from Greece, Spain and South America come to Myanmar. These countries have potential. They have to come from very distant places. They don't have Myanmar Embassies in their countries. Some citizens from Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Greece and Spain. If possible, these countries should be granted visa on arrival. As Thailand grants visa free to nearly a hundred countries, its tourism industry has progressed a lot." he said.

Over three million foreign tourists entered Myanmar and over one million foreign tourists only came to Myanmar in 2023 through international airports and border gates because of the Covid-19 pandemic and political changes.

However, over 500,000 foreign tourists only entered Myanmar until September this year.

CNI News

14 October 2024

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) has prohibited its members of party, troops and those related to them so as not to go on a trip to or deal with ASEAN members, US and western countries, it reported on 9th October 2024. 

Not long ago, a piece of news came in of external forces planning to intervene in the internal affairs of Myanmar and as a result, great and severe changes could emerge, said in the statement.

However, the statement didn't describe what kinds of changes were and what external forces were. 

" According to the current complicated domestic situation, individuals  related to our party, government and army must comply with the following instructions so as not to make external forces use our party and army by force, so as to protect from participating in undesirable disputes and conflicts." said in the statement.

While seeing the statement released by the MNDAA

(1) Travelling to members of the ASEAN, the US and western countries without being permitted has been prohibited. 

(2) Those related to troops have been prohibited from participating in international conferences regarding the issues of Myanmar without being permitted. 

(3) Accepting interviews with reporters from western media without being permitted has been prohibited and interviews with foreign media will not be accepted this year. 

(4) description of positions and attitudes individually or in the name of the organization without being permitted has been prohibited, said in the statement.

Making allies with the NUG/PDFs that have received support from the US and western group and are trying to overthrow the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the SAC, the MNDAA is carrying out waging battles and capturing towns.

While seeing the MNDAA and the Defense Minister of the NUG U Yi Mon 

Three northern allies (MNDAA, TNLA, AA) including some PDFs launched Operation-1027 on 27th October 2023 as the first wave and again as the second wave, starting from 25th June 2024, they waged Operation-1027 and captured Lashio City and the Northeast Command of the Tatmadaw.

In the same way, they have captured Laukkai, Kon Kyan, Phaungsai, Chin Shwe Haw, Mongko, Kutkai and Theinni. In order to be able to wage these operations, they received financial support from the US, reported the SAC.

The Chinese government also is putting pressure on the MNDAA so as not to deal with ASEAN countries, the US and western group as well as to stop fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw immediately.

CNI News

14 October 2024

Military and political analysts are pointing out how China is important to the peace talks in order to stop battles breaking out in many parts of Myanmar and near the Chinese border. 

China objected to instability and battles breaking out in Myanmar; organizations concerned should resolve the disagreements among them in a peaceful manner after ceasefire; China wanted to participate in a constructive attitude, released China.

In search of means so as to stop battles breaking out near the China-Myanmar border as well as on the China-Myanmar trade route, if China was able to lead and hold peace talks such as Haigen, it could be resolved, Col. Khun Okkar, leading patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) told CNI News.

“In my opinion, China has imposed sanctions on some northern EAOs. They also keep themselves from hurting their dignities. There might be an exit if they showed some flexy attitudes so that air strikes could decrease.If China led and held peace talks like Haigen and Kokang, Wa and Palaung attended and discussed, it could be resolved, I think. If the discussion like this could not be held, the people would be hurt. China doesn't seem to like the battles currently breaking out because they are hurting its economy. If leaders of the EAOs can win some self-determination rights as well, they can come back to the discussions, I think." he said.

While seeing leaders from the UWSA, the NDAA and the MNDAA

Although China doesn't have full influence on armed groups, as they have to depend on China for arms, ammunition, medicine, food, fuel oil and so on, they can't have anything to do with China, they can't alienate with China in the long run, according to political analysts.

China sent a waring letter in which the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) must stop waging battles in northern Shan State and Mandalay Region or it will be punished by China.

Moreover, China warned the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) to retreat from Lashio and stop battles as well as so as not to make the Tatmadaw disintegrate and if it didn't accept that, the MNDAA would be punished. 

The MNDAA would not collaborate with the NUG and in cooperation with China, it would resolve the conflicts through a political dialogue, which the MNDAA released on 4th September 2024.

While seeing Mr. Deng Xijun

Even though the EAOs could not be in harmony with the Chinese policies, it was not possible for them to go against kind of, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a China-Myanmar affair analyst, told CNI News.

" There may be reasons why China has imposed sanctions on the EAOs. May be China acceded to the military council's requests to an extent. As for us (EAOs), even though we can't be in harmony with the Chinese policies, it's not possible for us to go against the polices. When China demand, may be we have to accede to an extent. For example, look at a statement released by the Kokang (MNDAA)." she said.

Among 19 Chinese projects in northern Shan State and other regions, 10 projects have been fully controlled by EAOs and PDFs, released the ISP-Myanmar on 19th August.

Battles are breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and EAOs or the PDFs in Sagaing, Magway, Mandalay, Bago, Tanintharyi Regions, Shan, Karen, Kayah, Rakhine, Kachin, Mon and Chin States.

CNI News

12 October 2024

Illegal imports hurt both official businesses and the country's economy, said Vice Sr-Gen Soe Win, vice chairman of the State Administration Council. 

He said the above   at the co-ordination meeting of the anti-illegal trade leading committee (4/2024) on 9th October 2024.

" As a result of illegal imports, legal businesses are finding it difficult to exist for long because they can't compete on prices. So, official businessmen don't want to expand their businesses. In the end, domestic production industries can suspend." he said.

And then if the businessmen within the country could not grow, national economic objectives could be damaged; agricultural productivity, national productivity, trade and commerce could be damaged, he added.

In the same way, as illegal businesses became stronger, the stability of commodity price could be damaged in the domestic market, said Vice Senior General Soe Win.

While commodities were being delivered (Photo-Myat Pan/Myanmar Now)

" The main challenge for the emergence of illegal trade is that there are security limitations in some border areas; there are some weaknesses in some legal affairs; the number of government staff is not sufficient for the anti-illegal trade activities and there are corruptions. So, it is necessary to prevent those things." he said.

Illegal trade value seized was 300.028 billion kyats from January 2022 to August 2024. Among those seized from July and August, the custom department was able to seize the most.  Most illegal trade was seized in Mandalay Region and second most, in Sagaing Region and third most, in Kachin State.

Motor vehicles with no license and motor vehicles carrying illegal commodities were arrested most and second most, raw materials and third most, products for investment, stated the SAC.

CNI News

12 October 2024

When census-taking was being conducted, if the information about it was wrong, it might affect the country, Col. Khun Okkar, patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), told CNI News. 

As the information about the population of the country, job and education support a lot of the drawing of projects, if the information was wrong, it could affect the country, he said.

" After conducting the census-taking, when comments and results are released, if the information was wrong, you may be wrong in calculating the age group, workable age group, race, language and population. If the information was correct, projects can be drawn by quoting it. For example, how many people aged 18 to 45 are those who can work for national productivity? In drawing the projects regarding economy and education, the census can support a lot." he said to CNI News.

While the census-taking about Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and his family was being conducted

Although the census-taking has been conducted since 1st October, some people are not answering the right information because they are worried. 

The census-taking tends to be conducted every ten years and because there are doubts and worries among the people, they are likely to give wrong information. So, those who conduct the census-taking need to explain thoroughly to the people, pointed out some people.

Although there would be no problem if one percent of households did not give right information, if 90 percent did not give right information, it would affect the sectors such as economy, education, health and so on, U Aung Pyae Sone, a businessman, told CNI News.

While the census-taking was being conducted

" How many men and women between 18 and 35 and how many people between 35 and 65 are there? Among them, how many people who can work are there? How much income of their income? Only if we know them, can the economy of the country be cured. Although there are a lot of people who can work, if there are no job opportunities, the government must think about creating job opportunities. And if they answer that those who are working are dependents or those who no longer exist are living, they can affect the government's economic policies." he said.

According to the census collected in 2014, the population of the country was over 50 millions and grownups male 85 percent and female 50 percent were in the workforce and four percent only were jobless.

CNI News

11 October 2024

In Myanmar, not only is there domestic consumption of avocado, it was also exported. However, the avocado could not be exported this year, according to avocado growers and sellers. 

Although Myanmar was mainly exporting its avocados to Singapore and Malaysia, the vocados could not be exported this year because of difficult transportation and unstable foreign exchange rates, U Kyaw Soe Min, secretary of the Myanmar avocado growers, producers and exporters association, told CNI News.

"About 2,000 tons of Hass avocados were produced last year. There's demand for it from Malaysia and Singapore. But according to the current quality of avocado and situation, it's too difficult for us to export the avocado. And the exchange rates are also unstable. So, it's difficult for us to buy avocados to export. That's why, it's unlikely to export avocado this year." he said.

While seeing Hass type avocado

Because not only has the quality of avocados declined, the avocados also could not be exported, avocados could not be sold at good prices at the domestic market. 

Although one kilo of avocados could be sold at 2,500 kyats, the lowest price, in the previous years, it can be sold at 1,500 kyats only this year.

" At present, because of difficult transportation, six days later, avocados have gone rotten. So, brokers don't dare to buy. The current wholesale price is just 1,500 kyats per kilo and the retail price, between 5,000 and 6,000 kyats. In the previous years, 2,500 kyats per kilo was opened." added U Kyaw Soe Min.

While avocados were being plucked

Because of difficult transport and political landscapes, the supply and the price will decline and maintenance of quality will be weak as well. So, the export will decline, pointed out avocado exporters.

Kinds of Hass and Buccaneer as well as Emerald which are mainly exported are being grown in Pyin Oo Lwin, Ywar Ngan, Yatsauk and Taunggyi.

CNI News

11 October 2024

If one or those who were not honest in politics, they would suffer its consequence, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council, at the meeting on the Yangon Region Security and Development on 8th October 2024.
 
As for them (members of the SAC), road map was laid down and carried out since they took the State responsibilities and as an ultimate goal, a general election was held again and the State power would be handed over to the winning party, which they had said clearly; in order to win the goal, they were continuously implementing, he said.

" If one or those who are not honest in politics, they will suffer the consequence of the dishonesty, not only were there those incidents in our country, there were also the incidents in other countries." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing. 

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

It is not clear that he did refer to which individual or organization or political party or incident.

The NLD government was overthrown on 1st February 2021 by the Tatmadaw which said that the NLD was trying to form a government without solving the vote list dispute in 2020 general election and has taken the State power.

And then, leaders of the NLD, NLD members of the Hluttaw, democratic elements and some civilian politicians were arrested.

Meanwhile, protests against the Tatmadaw emerged and riots and bloodsheds took place. And then, some NLD leaders, members of the Hluttaw and democratic elements have been waging armed battles against the SAC government and the Tatmadaw in order to overthrow.

Battles are severely breaking out in Shan, Karen, Chin, Rakhine, Mon, Kayah, Kachin States, Sagaing, Magway, Bago, Mandalay and Tanintharyi Regions. Because of these battles, the number of IDPs has been over six million, released the ISP-Myanmar in the first week of October this year.

CNI News

11 October 2024

Farmers have demanded sugar mills to pay 170,000 kyats per ton of sugarcane because the agricultural cost becomes higher. 

Farmers got only 130,000 kyats per ton of sugarcane last year and it was necessary to get more this year; because this labor cost and the prices of fuel oil became higher, agricultural cost for one ton of sugarcane increased until 15 lakh kyats although the cost was about 800,000 kyats only, so they demanded to pay more, U Maung Swe, a sugarcane farmer from Sagaing Region, told CNI News.

" Farmers and sugar mills met the other day. They didn't tell the price. They will designate the price later. Farmers are demanding to raise the price. They want 170,000 or 180,000 kyats per ton. The agricultural cost has increased a lot. Last year, diesel was paid around 800,000 kyats per barrel (50 gallons) and but this year, 140,000 kyats per barrel. Last year, farmers asked sugar mills to pay 150,000 kyats per ton of sugarcane and the price was designated 130,000 kyats. Last year, the agricultural cost for one ton of sugarcane was about 800,000 kyats. But this year, labor cost and the price of diesel have been higher. So, agricultural cost for one ton of sugarcane has been about 15 lakh kyats." he said.

While sugarcanes were being reaped

At present, sugar mills are issuing 20,000 kyats per ton as advanced money to farmers in order to chop sugarcane. 

According to the current price of sugar, the price farmers were demanding could be paid by sugar mills; besides as there has been an increase in the number of sugar mills in Sagaing Region and there has been demand for sugar cane, sugar mills could pay the price farmers have demanded, U Win Htay, vice chairman of the Myanmar Sugar and Cane-related Products Entrepreneurs Association, told CNI News.

While seeing sugarcanes

" According to the current price of sugar, 170,000 kyats per ton of sugarcane could be paid. The cultural cost becomes very higher. The price of diesel is just over 600,000 kyats per barrel here in Yangon, but in the upcountry, 10 lakh kyats and above. There has been an increase in the number of sugar mills in Sagaing Region. The demand for sugarcane becomes higher as well. Even though it is unlikely to be 180,000 kyats, it is likely to be 170,000 kyats." he said.

The yield of sugarcane this year could be reduced because the sugarcane chopping season and regrowing were late. 

In Myanmar, sugarcane is grown in upper Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, Yangon, Bago Regions and northern Shan State and its cultivation area is over 500,000 acres.

CNI News

11 October 2024

Although China was putting pressure on EAOs in northern Shan State to stop their military activities, whether they would comply with the China's pressure would be watched, said military and political analysts. 

China send the TNLA that is waging battles against the Tatmadaw in northern Shan State and Mandalay Region a letter in which China warmed the TNLA to stop battles immediately or would punish the TNLA.

Moreover, China has warned the MNDAA that has captured Lashio City to retreat from Lashio and so as not to disintegrate the Tatmadaw and if the MNDAA didn't accept the China's attitude, China would take action against the MNDAA. 

If China put pressure on the EAOs, some rebounds could emerge and if China imposed sanctions on the EAOs, it could close the border areas on the Chinese side, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a China-Myanmar affairs commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing Mr. Deng Xijun

" In any case, if there is a pressure, there will be a rebound. When Operation-1027 was launched, because of China's pressure, Wa and Myla groups announced that they would not participated in the operation and wouldn't take with any side. But there seemed to be understanding among them. They said that they would help IDPs. China can sanction only one side, border areas on its side." she said.

Chinese Special Envoy Mr. Deng Xijun met with the delegation led by vice chairman of the UWSA and asked situations regarding battles in northern Shan State and the Naypyidaw government on 27th August, 2024.

During his meeting with the UWSA delegation, Chinese Special Envoy told the UWSA to stop helping the MNDAA. Although China has sanctioned against the MNDAA, because the MNDAA had received the sources such as rice, oil, medicine, arms and ammunition from the UWSA's territory, the MNDAA went on waging battles. So, the UWSA must block so as not to make the sources reach the MNDAA, he said.

Moreover, China did not want Myanmar Tatmadaw to be disintegrated and China would not accept at all that the NUG/PDFs that were close to western group would win, he said.

While seeing leaders from the UWSA, the NDAA and the MNDAA

If the peace of Myanmar was damaged, the interests of the two countries would be damaged. So, China seemed to worry that they could not carry out for their interests, U Thein Tun Oo, director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategic Studies, told CNI News.

" This is a problem that tend to emerge between the two neighboring countries. We have to work mainly for the interests. And there is a very long borderline sharing the two countries. It is important to strongly cooperate between the two countries for their interests. If the peace of Myanmar was ruined, Chinese interests all would  be ruined. It goes without saying." he said.

According to the meeting record that was leaked out, China would not lift its sanction against the MNDAA as long as the Kokang troops did not retreat from Lashio City and China would take more severe actions against the MNDAA, said Deng Xijun.

Although China is putting pressure on the TNLA and the MNDAA to stop battles and asking the MNDAA to retreat from Lashio, in cooperation with the PDFs, the TNLA and the MNDAA are fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw in northern Shan State and Mandalay Region up to now.