Myanmar Morning News For July 17

Myanmar’s economic future hinges on reforming state-owned enterprises
State-owned enterprises (SOEs) play dominant roles in Myanmar’s economy. Collectively, they generate about half the government’s revenue, spend half the government’s budget, and regulate much of the formal economy – from forestry to telecommunications to mining.
— Myanmar Times

Action to remove tourism barriers required, senior official says
Immediate action is needed to eliminate inappropriate rules imposed by some state sectors that require tour operators to seek official approval before bringing visitors to Laos for a vacation, a senior government official has said.
— Vientiane Times

Jailed Reuters journalists to testify in Myanmar court
Two jailed Reuters reporters on trial in Myanmar accused of obtaining secret state documents will testify in court from Monday, in a case that is seen as a test of press freedom in the fledgling democracy.
— Reuters

Panglong talks end on a positive note
After five days of talks at the third round of the 21st Century Panglong Conference, participants have agreed on 14 points involving politics, social affairs, the economy, land issues and environmental issues that will be signed as Part 2 of the Union Accord today. The agreement comes despite tensions between the government, Tatmadaw and ethnic armed groups.
— Myanmar Times

President, Lao Women’s Union mark 63rd anniversary
President Bounnhang Vorachit on Friday took part in special activities to commemorate the 63rd anniversary of the Lao Women’s Union on theme ‘Cultures Conservation for Visit Laos Year and Sustainable Environment Protection’.
— Vientiane Times

Skirmish breaks out in KNU Brigade 5 area amid 21st Century Panglong Conference
A skirmish erupted between the Tatmadaw and the Karen National Union (KNU) in the area controlled by the KNU Brigade 5 in Hpapun (Mu Traw) District in the Karen (Kayin) State on July 12 while the third session of the Union Peace Conference (21st Century Panglong) is being held in Naypyidaw.
— BNI

New decree offers tax breaks for investors in Lao SEZs
Domestic and foreign investors will be granted a number of tax breaks under a new amended decree related to specific and special economic zones (SEZs) issued recently by the government.
— Vientiane Times

Northern Alliance, government agree to continue talks after Panglong conference
Despite the refusal by the government and the Tatmadaw (military) to accept the stance of the seven-member Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC), the FPNCC was invited to the third round of the conference that started on Wednesday in Nay Pyi Taw.
— Myanmar Times

Local authority orders quarry to stop mining
Minbya Township General Administration Department issued a local order by permission of Rakhine State Government to stop quarry mining near Kyein Taung pagoda in Minbya Township, Rakhine State.
— BNI

An estimated 100 miners feared dead in Phakant landslide
Local people from Lonekhin village-tracts said that about 100 Yaymasay jade miners (rag picker miners from waste earth dumpsites) were feared dead in a landslide which occurred near west of Sankha village, Longkhin village tracts, Phakant Township, Kachin State, yesterday.
— Mizzima

With U Set Aung in charge, no excuse for Kyaukphyu to repeat Thilawa’s rights abuses
U Set Aung, deputy finance minister and chair of the TSMC, has been appointed as chair of the Kyaukphyu SEZ Management Committee (KSMC) as of May 8, according to a notice from SEZ Central Body chaired by Vice President Henry Van Thio released earlier this month.
— Myanmar Times

Skirmish breaks out in KNU Brigade 5 area amid 21st Century Panglong Conference
The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) Brigade 5 commander Brig Gen Saw Mu Heh confirmed that the skirmish broke out near Khay Pu under Lu Thaw Township in the KNU’s Hpapun District, where military tensions rose over road construction issue in early March, and one person died from the Tatmadaw’s side.
— BNI

Candidate registration ends, verification begins this week
The UEC has announced that those who want to contest in the by-elections, which are scheduled for November 3, had to register from July 2 to 11. According to latest list, 69 candidates have registered; 62 from 24 political parties and the rest independent. He said the commission will verify their qualifications starting Monday and finish the work within a week.
— Myanmar Times

New rules for private schools
A recent Myanmar Investment Commission notification allowing foreign investment in private schools is the first in a raft of changes for the sector, with a planned Private School Law set to introduce government licensing for teachers and the vetting of international school curricula.
— Frontier Myanmar

Panasonic launches Off-grid solutions project to commemorate 100th anniversary
The Japan-based Panasonic Corporation launches Off-grid Solutions project as part of their efforts in Myanmar to solidify their place as one of the top MNCs operating in Myanmar and to provide for betterment of the country, on 13 July 2018 while celebrating their 100th anniversary.
— Eleven Myanmar

Nine USDP organisers promoted to chairmen
“Party organisers are fundamental. They must be able to lead members and carry out plans with good vision for the party, the State and the public good,” said U Wunna Maung Lwin, head of the party in Mandalay.
— Myanmar Times

‘We are always missing you’: Torn apart by violence, Rohingya families connect through letters
Inside a bamboo shelter on Bangladesh’s eastern coast, 58-year-old Sait Banu held a dog-eared note from her husband. “If you find a good match for my daughter Una Jamin, you can arrange her wedding,” he urged her in the letter.
— Reuters

FPNCC vows to continue peace meetings with gov’t
Seven armed groups have vowed to continue peace meetings with the government, saying that they will discuss the message delivered by Myanmar authorities at the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference in Nay Pyi Taw, Xinhua reported quoting official media.
–Mizzima

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Myanmar morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Myanmar news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.

Myanmar morning news for July 17 added by Maria Mirasol Rasonable on July 17, 2018
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Maria Mirasol Rasonable

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Maria Mirasol Rasonable graduated with a Bachelors Degree in journalism from Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Santa Mesa, Manila, Philippines.

She previously covered police rounds for Philippine Daily Inquirer as a trainee before becoming editorial staff at Gospel Komiks under the Communication Foundation for Asia (CFA-MG), Santa Mesa, Manila where she wrote lifestyle and trending fashion and styles articles.