Myanmar morning news for July 19

Increase Coal Power Plants in 2030 is Myanmar’s Goal
Myanmar Electric Power Convention— Deputy Director for thermal power planning, Aye Min, said that most hydropower generators were up north in their country.
— Gineers Now

GDP growth expected at 7pc, deficit at 5.9pc for next fiscal year
Myanmar expects its economy to grow by 7 percent as measured by GDP for the upcoming 2019-20 fiscal year compared to the 7.6pc expected for fiscal 2018-19.
— Myanmar Times

Military Launches Helicopter Assault During Clash in Buthidaung, AA Says
Ethnic armed group says gunship bombed, strafed its positions after Tatmadaw sustained heavy losses in fierce clash; military denies ordering air strikes.
— Irrawaddy

Children at correctional centres face trial without lawyer report
More than 100 children at three correctional centres face trial without lawyers, according to a report submitted to the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Assembly of the Union).
— Myanmar Times

Rohingya activist says US ban on Myanmar generals a first step
A formerly imprisoned Rohingya activist said on Wednesday (Jul 17) that a US ban on Myanmar’s top generals was a welcome first step but urged more action to support the long-targeted minority.
— Channel NewsAsia (annoying popup)

UN investigator calls for tougher approach on Myanmar abuses
Special Rapporteur Yanghee Lee says US sanctions should be tougher and international community must step up.
— Aljazeera

Myanmar verified 18,629 displaced persons submitted by Bangladesh, MoFA says
Myanmar has verified 18,629 names from the list of 22,432 persons, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on 15 July. Bangladeshi authorities sent the list of displaced people to Myanmar officials. The list contains names of people who fled from violence in the Maungdaw region.
— BNI Online

Myanmar nationals in USA and Japan stage protests for six deportees from Singapore
About 150 people held a protest in front of the Singapore and Myanmar Embassies in Washington DC in the U.S.A on 15 July as a move to object the actions of the Singaporean government.
— BNI Online

How Myanmar became an example to the world in the battle against malaria
Once a malaria blackspot, Myanmar has used aid money to tackle the disease locally – an approach, say experts, from which other countries can learn
— The Guardian

New models vie for share of local smartphone sales
Despite being one of the least developed economies in Southeast Asia, Myanmar is on a par with its neighbours in terms of mobile phone and internet use.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar government studying decentralization in Indonesia
The Myanmar government is studying the decentralization and regional autonomy system in Indonesia’s Bangka Belitung Islands Province, noting that the conditions of the local government were similar to what is found in Myanmar, Antara reported.
–Mizzima

USAID partnership helps local coffee producers tap int’l market
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced a partnership with the Myanmar Coffee Association (MCA) assisting local coffee producers in gaining access to the international coffee market and cultivating higher quality coffee.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar’s Yangon former dump fire site set to receive trash again
The former dump fire site in the outskirts of Myanmar’s Yangon has been set to receive trash again more than one year after the site was engulfed by fire last year, according to the Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) Thursday.
— Xinhua

Hunting for high-end rentals in Hlaing
Renters looking for low-density, high-end condominium units for their families in Yangon might want to consider Golden Parami Condominium, a development completed n 2017 and located at the corner of Parami Road and Aung Dhamma Yeikthar Road in Hlaing Township.
— Myanmar Times

MIC Chairman hosts Tea Party for Heads of Mission of the ASEAN Member States in Myanmar
Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations and Chairman of the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC), U Thaung Tun, hosted an informal get together for ASEAN Heads of Mission at the Novotel Hotel in Yangon today.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

US-Myanmar Policy Under Trump in the Spotlight With New Sanctions
New measures announced this week have spotlighted the Trump administration’s approach toward Naypyidaw.
— The Diplomat

Rallies in Myanmar over constitutional amendments
Thousands of people took to the streets of Myanmar on Wednesday, to demonstrate both for and against proposed amendments to the country’s constitution that would curb the power of the military.
— NHK World

CCTV Contract with Huawei Will Guard Against Spying: Mandalay Chief Minister
U Zaw Myint Maung says $1.25 million deal with Chinese tech giant to supply surveillance system for ‘Safe City’ project will be thoroughly vetted.
— Irrawaddy

Deputy C-in-C of Defence Services receives Royal Thai Armed Forces Director
Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win received Lt-Gen Suphot Malaniyom, Director of the Joint Operations of the Royal Thai Armed Forces at the Bayintnaung Guest House in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Legal questions arise over Kyaukphyu port’s ESIA process
The environmental and social impact assessment process for the China-backed port project in central Rakhine has started but questions arise whether developers are using the right legal framework.
— Myanmar Times

Legal organizations, media groups meet to design strategies on rule of law
Myanmar legal organizations and media groups held strategic talks at the Hilton Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning on finding ways to strengthen rule of law in the country. Deputy Minister for Information U Aung Hla Tun made an opening remark of the meeting.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar filmmaker charged over Facebook posts about military
A Myanmar judge on Thursday charged filmmaker Min Htin Ko Ko Gyi for Facebook posts he made about the powerful military, meaning he will stand trial despite concern over his health and an outcry from human rights groups.
— Reuters

Myanmar protests demand military loosen grip on politics
Protesters in Myanmar called for the military to loosen its grip on politics Wednesday, as tensions mount over the country’s army-drafted constitution ahead of national elections next year.
— Frontier Myanmar

Key Facts & Figures on Myanmar Charter Amendment Recommendations
A graphic guide to the work of the joint parliamentary panel set up to draft changes to the 2008 Constitution, which submitted a list of 3,765 proposals on Monday.
— Irrawaddy

Asia-Pacific Meth Drug Trade Worth Up to $61 billion: UN
Most of the meth is produced in northern Myanmar and pushed all over the world, with syndicates exploiting endemic graft, weak law enforcement and lax border regulations.
— Irrawaddy

President U Win Myint visits Bogyoke Aung San Museum, Secretariat Building in Yangon
President U Win Myint visited the Bogyoke Aung San Museum (Yangon) in Yangon Region, Bahan Township and Secretariat Building (former Ministers’ Office) in Yangon yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Coordination meeting on republishing Myanmar encyclopedia held
Coordination meeting on republishing Myanmar Encyclopedia was held at Printing and Publishing Department on Theinbyu Road in Yangon.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar to enter in 31 sports events
Myanmar has planned to compete in 31 sports at the 30th SEA Games to take place in the Philippines.
— Myanmar Times

State Counsellor donates Waso robes, inaugurates new school building in Kawhmu
State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi donated Waso robes to the leading monk of Aung Zabu Pariyatti Monastery in Sinchan Village of Peindegone Village-Tract in Kawhmu Township, Yangon Region, yesterday morning.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Army-Backed Mytel Fined Nearly $200,000 for Giving Away Free SIM Cards
Country’s 4th-largest telecom operator has already been warned twice this year for regulatory violations.
— Irrawaddy

Union Minister U Kyaw Tint Swe receives Deputy Minister for Political Affairs of ROK
Union Minister for the Office of the State Counsellor U Kyaw Tint Swe received a delegation led by Mr. Yoon Soon-gu, Deputy Minister for Political Affairs of the Republic of Korea at the Office of the State Counsellor in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Singapore Deportees in Custody, Families Left in the Dark
After several Arakenese migrants were deported from Singapore last week, all have since wound up in government detention. Their relatives are searching for answers.
— Irrawaddy

UAG Office confers educational awards to outstanding students
The Office of the Union Attorney-General held a ceremony yesterday to confer high school stipends for the 2019-2020 academic year and outstanding awards for students who performed exceptionally well in the matriculation exams of 2018-2019 academic year.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

USDP rallies in Mandalay against amendment
More than 1000 people, including Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) members and nationalists, marched in Mandalay on Wednesday to demand that amendment of the constitution follow the law. As they marched through the city, the protesters shouted six demands.
— Myanmar Times

Thirteen more influenza deaths reported
A total of 13 more deaths by A(H1N1) pdm 09 influenza have been reported in Myanmar over the past four days, according to Xinhua.
— Mizzima

Cash, aid provided to flood victims in Katha Tsp
Officials disbursed cash and relief supplies to flood victims from villages located along the Ayeyawady River in Katha Township during a ceremony held at 11 am on 17 July.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Prosecution of Filmmaker Sued by Military to Proceed: Court
U Min Htin Ko Ko Gyi’s incitement to mutiny trial to resume next month; separate defamation case has yet to be brought to court, lawyer says.
— Irrawaddy

Indo-Myanmar Friendship Projects in Education prepare skilled youth for Industrial Development
Out of 6 Industrial Training Centres (ITC) in Myanmar, India has set up two Centres – in Myingyan and Pakokku. During his visit recently, Mr.Nandan Singh Bhaisora, Consul General of India met with the Principal, Head of the Departments and some students at ITC, Pakokku.
— Mizzima

Accessible Healthcare Requires Local Participation: Dr. Cynthia Maung
With changes in government and ceasefire agreements signed since 2012, the Mae Tao Clinic on the Thai-Myanmar border continues operating on less and less aid.
— Irrawaddy

Feature photo Holidify

This week’s Myanmar morning news feature photo focuses on Asalha Puja, July 16.

Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

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.