CNI News

22 August 2023

It is still maintaining the essence of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), said the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) in its statement released on 21st August. 

Although the NCA intended to change the ruling system through dialogue, implementation could not move forward because it was unable to compromise between the members and the government, mentioned in the statement.

 They can't say that the NCA has been void, said Lt-Col Ohm Khay of the RCSS to CNI News.

RCSS's statement

"Although the implementation of the NCA generally doesn't move forward, you can't say that the NCA has been void." he said. 
Because the Tatmadaw has taken power, the NCA has been void, said Pado Sawta Do Hmu, general secretary of the Karen National Union (KNU) on 10th August.

That the NCA was void or not depended on the observer's own assessment of the NCA, said Col. Saw Kyaw Nyunt, spokesperson of the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) that is made up of 10 NCA signatories to CNI News. 

Seven EAOs that have signed the NCA were meeting with the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC)

" We signed the NCA in October, 2015 and it was submitted to the Hluttaw and approved in unison. I talk about its officiality again according to our experience. At a time like this, I can't say exactly when the NCA is void. As it's an abnormal political landscape now, there may be various kinds of views relating to whether the NCA is void or not. It's just related to the observer that I want to conclude." he said.

The NCA has been signed by the RCSS, KNU, the Chin National Front (CNF), the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF), the New Mon State Party (NMSP, the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), KNU/KNLA Peace Council, the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) and the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU).

Of the NCA signatories, KNU, CNF and ABSDF are at battles against the Tatmadaw.

CNI News

22 August 2023

Although the Central Bank of Myanmar has released various policies to control high prices of gold and foreign currencies including dollar, because exact and certain explanations were not included in its statements, they are sort of pushing to make the black market grow, which should be reviewed, pointed out businessmen and economists.

Most of the businessmen and the people who are trading gold and dollar in the black market are doing their business thinking about how they can continue trading in the black market based on the statements of the Central Bank, said U Aung Pyae Sone, a car policy analyst to CNI News.

During the exchange of dollars and Myanmar currency

“ The problem is that those who are trading in the black market are always thinking what they can do from a weak point of a statement released by the government. The government released statements in the hope of ability to control monetary speculation. The government also has many economists. On the other hand, businessmen are always trying to get money from a black market route and speculating dollar. There are many dollar dealers who are speculating dollar only and some of them are about 70 years old. These people always have Plan A and Plan B to do what they should if a statement is released. What I want to say that no matter what the Central Bank releases statements, these statements can make the black market bigger." he said.

A resident inside the country has the rights to hold 10,000 US dollars at most or a certain foreign currency that is equal to 10,000 US dollars that has been earned legally within the six months from the day when it is earned. 

The foreign currencies that are left without being spent until over six months must be sold to authorized dealers at the market price or must be added to the bank account. If anyone holding foreign currency without having a license was found, he or she would be taken action against according to the Foreign Exchange Management Law, released the Central Bank on 20th August. Although the statement intended to control rising prices of US dollar, it could make the black market bigger, said U Thet Zaw, an economic analyst to CNI News.

The Central Bank's statement

"If it becomes too strict, the black market will grow even more. If you control any issue, there is always smuggling. Not only in the financial market, there is also smuggling in the commodity market if there are controls. About 400 or 500 US dollars is not enough for a person who wants to go abroad for further studies or for a person who want to go abroad to receive medical treatment. US dollars must be sold to them sufficiently. They will have to spend over ten thousand US dollars. They need to present strong evident. If not so, the black market will be bigger." he said.

The government should have an effective system to control the market and know whether basic economy of the country is systematically operating or not, said U Htay Aung Kyi, a banking expert to CNI News.

Central Bank Headquarters

“Firstly, when the government intervene, its control needs to be systematic. Is the control made up of effective tools according to the micro economic policy rule? To tell you honestly, the control is not so much qualified, I think. Secondly, it's necessary to know whether the country's economy was operating systematically for quite some time. When the government interprets the market, the tools it uses need to be fully efficient." he said.

Because the government departments had released the statements in which exact explanations were not included, they are making the prices of gold and dollar higher, pointed out businessmen and economists.

Although the authorities have said recently that they would arrest price speculators, whether arrests cam make the black market bigger or smaller should be thoroughly reviewed, they said.

It is necessary not to be policies like a rubber band and the policies should not changed frequently and the government should make solid and practical policies, said economists.

CNI News

21 August 2023

If anyone was found holding foreign currencies without permission or license, he or she would be taken action against in accordance with the Foreign Exchange Management Law, warned the Central Bank of Myanmar on 20th August. 

According to the Section.9 of the Foreign Exchange Management Law, business license holders only has the right to trade foreign currencies and they are allowed to trade only foreign currency cash and traveler's checks, said the Central Bank.

In the notice of order No. 7/2014, Article 15 of Foreign Exchange Management Regulations which was released on 30th September, 2014 by the Central Bank of Myanmar, has mentioned 'a resident inside the country has the rights to hold 10,000 US dollars at most or a certain foreign currency that is equal to 10,000 US dollars that has been earned legally within the six months from the day when it is earned.

'The foreign currencies that are left without being spent until over six months must be sold to authorized dealers at the market price or must be added to the bank account. If anyone holding foreign currency without having a license was found, he or she would be taken action against according to the Foreign Exchange Management Law, released the Central Bank on 20th August.

It is not easy in practice to investigate and take action against those who are holding US dollars which they got from exchanging with Myanmar kyats because the value of Myanmar currency is declining. 

Moreover, because of weak trust in the government, the public cooperation also is weak, said businessmen.

Besides, those who make speculations on the prices of gold and dollar and raise the prices tend to speculate whenever the Central Bank releases a new statement and the more the SAC restricts, the bigger the black market is, which should be beware of, said businessmen 

CNI News

21 August 2023

Tax would be exempted from five years to seven years for agricultural investment in Shan State and the agricultural sector of the state would be promoted as a priority, according to the Directorate of Companies and Investment of Shan State. 

Investments in corn purification business, metal sector and electricity production sector in Shan State are to be allowed well. 

As Shan State is in a good position to do business of agriculture, investment in manufacturing agro-based value-added products was the best, said U Thet Zaw, an economic analyst to CNI News.

" There are various kinds of tax. For example, there are import tax reductions for items applied in the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) and also different kinds of tax exemption such as income tax exemption. Tax is exempted depending on the business invested. As Shan State is good for agriculture, manufacturing agro-based foodstuff is the best, I think. Another thing is mining and the next is producing electricity. And there are many places that can produce hydro-power electricity in Shan State." he said.

There are fifteen investment businesses relating to agro-based manufacturing industries in Shan State and of them, there are 8 foreign investment businesses, said the Directorate of Companies and Investment of Shan State.

Upland plantations in Shan State

Investments entering Kyaing Tong (Keng Tung) and Tachileik in the eastern part of Shan State this year have decreased.

Entrepreneurs are losing the benefits provided by the MIC because they don't know the steps of the process relating to the investment, said U Htin Aung Naing, director of the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism of Shan State, to CNI News.

“ Local investors are still weak in understanding the matters relating to submission to the MIC. In fact, they should submit to the MIC before building. Only after they built with the MIC's approval, if they apply for the license, they can enjoy the benefits provided by the MIC. Most of them build in their own way. After they started building, they say they build under the permission from nearby municipality. When building is almost finished, they apply for a license at the hotel and tourism department saying they want to do the business of hotel service. At that time, the building has been built already and the hotel license has been got. So, it is difficult for the MIC to pass. So, there are negotiations among the municipality, hotel and tourism, and the MIC.  Some of them apply for pre-construction permits. They have time to go in accordance with the steps of the MIC process. Largely, 

those who have got the license are not given the benefits by the MIC. But those who do new investments are largely given the benefits." he said. 

There are more domestic investments than foreign investments.

The investment in hotel business is about 20 to 30 per year, according to the Directorate of Companies and Investment of Shan State Hotel businesses are invested most in Lashio, Muse, Kutkhaing in northern Shan State, in Taunggyi, Kalaw, Pindaya, Ywangan and Pinlaung in southern Shan State and in Kyaing Tong and Tachileik in the eastern Shan State.

CNI News

21 August 2023

While the State Administration Council (SAC) and the National Unity Government (NUG) are competing in the international diplomatic affairs, as Mr.Martin Griffiths, head of the  United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and party met with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC, there are reviews among the political community relating to how the diplomatic change will become. 

Head of the UNOCHA met with chairman of the SAC and discussed about settling the refugee problems in Myanmar in Naypyidaw on 15the August that the SAC reported.

It was possible that head of the UNOCHA came to Myanmar so as to be able to help natural disaster victims and IDPs, said U Li Paw Reh, chairman of the Lisu National Development Party ( Dulei Party) to CNI News.

Mr. Martin Griffiths, head of the UNOCHA, was meeting with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing on 15th August 2023

" If there are refugees in the territories that can be controlled by the government, UN will collaborate with the government. In the same way, if there are refugees in the territories that can be controlled by the NUG, UN will collaborate with the NUG. UN came here just to help cyclone victims and all the rest refugees, without having anything to do with political affairs. (the) NUG and (the) SAC may talk politically about whether they are recognized or not. But UN came here just to help, that I conclude like that." he said.  

Due to the vote fraud during the 2020 general election, it has taken power in accordance with the 2008 constitution and is carrying out to enable the country to continue going on the road to multi-party democracy, said in a statement released by the SAC Refugee problems have not been able to be solved since the Tatmadaw took power, so it was possible that UN came and met with the SAC, said U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political analyst.

 Mr. Martin Griffiths, head of the UNOCHA, was meeting with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing on 15th August 2023

" According to the official statistics, there are over three million refugees. UN is demanding to solve the problem of these people. Because the military council did not allow the UN aid plans, UN aid operations are being disrupted. It shows that how much merciless the military leader towards the people. That is why Rakhine, which has been affected by the Mocha storm to this day, has not yet recovered. So, there are reportedly requirements to provide assistance to the people affected by the cyclone Mocha that hit on May 14 in Rakhine.”he Said.

According to the latest figures that was released by the UN, there are over 1.9 million IDPs as of 31st July 2023 throughout the country. 

1.6 million people had to displace due to armed conflicts and insecurity that arose after the Tatmadaw took power on 1st February 2021, said in a statement released by the UN.

CNI News

19 August 2023

It is still not easy in practice to upgrade Pathein Airport to enable international flights to land, said tourism entrepreneurs to CNI News. 

Pathein Airport would be upgraded to enable international flights to land at, said chairman of the State Administration Council while he met with elders of Pathein on 10th August 2023. 

Moreover, according to international norms, roads were to be upgraded depending on the daily vehicular traffic and because many vehicles were going and coming on the Yangon-Pathein road every day, upgrading roads were under progress, he said.

" international Airport is different from CIQ (CUSTOMS, IMMIGRATION AND QUARANTINE) Airport. There are three international airports which are recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Myanmar _ Yangon, Mandalay and Naypyidaw airports. CIQ airports are Bagan, Heho, Thandwe and Mawlamyine airpords. If they upgrade the airport to be an international airport, runways must be able to bear the load of big planes. It must be consistent with the ICAO's safety standards. If it's not consistent with the ICAO's standards, they will be able to upgrade to reach the level of CIQ. Regular schedule is needed to go. There will be many steps to carry out to reach the level of an international airport." said U Thet Lwin Toe, a tourism entrepreneur.

Tourists on the Chaungtha Beach

If international airplanes can landed at Pathein Airport, ticket fares should be raised so that tourists who can spend a lot would visit and if the ticket fares were cheap, a lot of tourists could visit, which could damage the natural environment, pointed out U Thet Lwin Toe.

The number of foreign tourists who would enter could increase, which was beneficial to the tourism sector if Pathein Airport was upgraded, said U Aung Aye Han, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism, to CNI News.
" Although Pathen is over 100 miles away from Yangon, it will take you about five hours to get there if you go by car. After Pathein Airport is upgraded, if regular flights or international flights land at there, people who want to come to Chaungtha and Ngwe Saung beaches for leisure will be more convenient. If the direct flights were available, the number of tourists would increase. If they can switch to domestic airlines in Pathein, they can save time and travel more," he said.

258,000 tourists from local and abroad came to Chaungtha from January to October in 2022 and 66,000 tourists only entered there during the same period in 2021 reportedly.

Moreover, about 210,000 tourists from local and abroad came to Ngwe Saung from January to October in 2022 and 41,500 tourists only entered there during the same period in 2021 reportedly.

CNI News

19 August 18, 2023

The Tatmadaw are using howitzers at the battles breaking out in Kayah State, said revolutionary forces. 

If a war broke out, excessive use of force had not been limited and advanced technologies were being used in the current battles, said Dr.Aung Myo, a Myanmar political analyst to CNI News.

" If a war breaks out, no matter how many enemies there are, you can choose and use a weapon what you like and shoot. There is no limit at a war. But there is limit in crime-fighting and building urban peace. In other words, there's limit in police duty that is not related to war. If the police use excessive force, they are guilty. But at a war, you can shoot an enemy with a cannon. Nothing more to say about it." he said.

A howitzer cannon of Myanmar Tatmadaw

The current attack style of the  Tatmadaw was using more weapons rather than manpower, he added. 

CNI news agency has not been able to confirm separately in relation to that the Tatmadaw used howitzer at the battles in Kayah State. 

The Tatmadaw shot to the western side of Demawso Township with cannon four times on 16th August and at present, there is a military tense between the two sides reportedly.

The Tatmadaw would go on fighting all out to ensure that it can continue to govern the country, said U Kyee Myint, a Myanmar political analyst to CNI News.

A howitzer cannon of Myanmar Tatmadaw

" They will be cruel all out because they want to rule for life. They don't want to negotiate with anyone. if they negotiated, they would stay from above and negotiate. Take what they give and eat what they feed. No one can accept. They brutally suppressed those who rebelled against them They burned down over 80,000 houses in Sagaing and Magway Regions. Pagodas and monasteries were ruined. And so in Chin State, Kachin, Kayin States. Kayah is damaged the worst." he said.

Battles have been breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the armed organizations in Kayah State - the Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF), Karenni Army (KA), Moebye PDF, Pekon PDF and Karenni Revolution Union (KRU) after the Tatmadaw took power on 1st February 2021. 
According to ISP Myanmar, over 600 houses and buildings were set fire during the first six months of 2023 due to the battles in Kayah State.

CNI News

19 August 2023

 Although Bangladesh has closed the accounts of Myanmar government's two banks, it did not adversely affect the Rakhine- Bangladesh trade, said businessmen. 

Sonali, Bangladeshi state-owned bank has closed the accounts of the Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank (MFTB) and Myanmar Investment and Commercial Bank (MICB) which are owned by the Myanmar government, according to the Bangladeshi news agencies.

Because closing the banks' accounts like that was not closing the accounts of traders, Rakhine-Bangladesh trade was not affected, said an official from Rakhine State Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, to CNI News.

While doing trade between Bangladesh and Rakhine

" When we trade, we also pay by Myanmar kyat in the Sittwe trading camp. For some local products, it's easy to send. There are two border trade gates. One is Sittwe and the other, Maungdaw. We can use Myanmar Economic Bank only in our border trade gates that has been agreed by the two countries. The Bangladeshi government followed the American sanction and has closed the Myanmar Banks' accounts. But trade regulations and agreements between the two countries cannot be violated. It might not be until trade is completely shut down." he said.

Because there are connections between Myanmar Economic Bank and the authorized bank of Bangladesh, trade is convenient for the time being, said traders. 

While doing trade between Bangladesh and Rakhine

Although that  the accounts of the MFTB and the MICB have been closed do not affect the trade for the time being, if the Bangladesh side limits drawing US dollars, commodity orders might decline, said Ko Zaw Min Thein, a trader in Maungdaw to CNI News.

"Later, there might be an impact. If the Bangladeshi government doesn't issue US dollars, it will be difficult to deliver commodities. Everything is normal for the time being. The main exports to Bangladesh are ginger and carp. The rest of exports are less.” he said.

The amount of money the two Myanmar banks had deposited at Sonali Bank in Bangladesh is over one million US dollars and their accounts had been closed over one month ago, said an official of the Sonali bank to a Bangladeshi news agency.

CNI News

19 August 2023

It is necessary to show that political means can produce good results without applying armed means, said U Ko Ko Gyi, chairman of the People's Party (PP) to CNI News.

Armed means will go on being strong as long as it can't prove that political means can produce good results, he said.

" When we solve the armed problem,  if one side that doesn't apply armed means can't prove that political means can produce good results, it purposely pushes to make the idea that the armed means must be applied more strong. What I want to say that the idea that will put down the armed conflict is not sufficient. If you can prove the political means can produce good results, armed means will automatically be weak. It's related to the political vision, I think." said U Ko Ko Gyi.

NUG-PDF

Armed conflicts that have occurred since Myanmar gained her independence in 1948 have not been able to solve for 75 years. 
Democratic elements started waging armed revolution after the Tatmadaw took power on 1st February 2021.
All the organizations need to strive with a good will so as to solve the current crises, said Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin, chairperson of the Arakan Liberation Party to CNI News.

Lt-Gen Yar Pyae

" After the Tatmadaw took power, the Spring Revolution arose. Then problems and deadly things that were never expected happened. They are still happening as well. EAOs and people who are accepted by both sides and deserve to be included need to be included in the political talks. We' need to discuss intensively. All the organizations need to strive with a good will to make this country peaceful so that we can launch a case of peace, I expect." she said.

Due to the current armed conflicts in the country, political, economic, health and education sectors are in crisis. Some EAOs and international organizations including ASEAN are striving to solve these conflicts.