Myanmar morning news for June 12

Myanmar gets additional rice export quota
Myanmar needs to export rice to China before October as quickly as possible as Myanmar has got an additional rice export quota of 100,000 tons from China, said Aung Htoo, Deputy Minister for Commerce, at a coordination meeting on the export of rice to China via sea, at the ministry of commerce in Nay Pyi Taw on June 10.
— Eleven Myanmar

Cambodian food delivery startup Meal Temple invests in Myanmar-based Freshgora
Food delivery startup Meal Temple Group said it has invested in Myanmar-based Freshgora to expand its footprint in the frontier markets of Asia.
— Tech In Asia

AHA Centre defends leaked report on Rohingya refugees
ASEAN’s disaster management unit AHA Centre has come out to defend its assessment of the repatriation of Rohingya refugees, following an outcry over the report it had submitted to Myanmar at the end of May.
— Channel NewsAsia

‘Myanmar not quite ready for digital economy’
Myanmar has prepared a digital transformation roadmap for the years 2018 to 2025 built off a master plan drafted by the Digital Economy Development Committee (DEDC).
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar govt to launch roadmap for financial inclusion
FOLLOWING liberalisation of the banking and insurance sectors by allowing 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI), Myanmar plans to launch a financial inclusion road map by next month, according to Thant Zin, director at the Financial Regulatory Department (FRD).
— The Nation

State Counselor’s Charity Receives Donation from China-Owned Company
A Chinese state-owned company that carried out a feasibility study on part of a Belt and Road railway project in Myanmar, along with a local privately owned company, has made a joint donation of US$100,000 to a charity founded by State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi which works on raising public awareness of environmental conservation.
— Irrawaddy

Multi-purpose vessel to be handed over to its owner at the end of this month
Myanma Shipyards-AMECC Mechanical Joint Venture Co. Limited is planning to transfer the newly built multi-purpose vessel to its owner, Directorate of Water Resources and Improvement of River Systems under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications at the end of this month, said its general manager Kyaw Kyaw.
— Eleven Myanmar

Myanmar bishops call for full shutdown of Myitsone Dam
Resumption of dam construction would be like inviting a human tragedy, bishops say Catholic bishops in Myanmar have jointly called for the complete shutdown of the China-backed Myitsone Dam.
— UCA News

Govt: Bangladesh trying to repatriate ‘terrorists’
More than 160 people on the list of refugees whom Bangladesh wants Myanmar to repatriate have been involved in violence in Rakhine State, said U Soe Aung, deputy minister of Social Welfare, Relief & Resettlement.
— Myanmar Times

Low pressure area may form over Bay of Bengal in June: DMH
A low pressure area may form over the Bay of Bengal in the second ten day of June and it may bring more rain, said Dr Kyaw Moe Oo, Director General of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH).
— Eleven Myanmar

Three-stage process to identify persons with disabilities for pilot project
Vice President U Henry Van Thio in his capacity as the chairman of the National Committee on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (NCRPD) attended and addressed the fourth NCRPD meeting 1/2019 held at the assembly hall of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Authorities Open Cases against Organizers of Rally in Support of Fugitive Monk
Lawsuits mark government’s first legal move against nationalist campaign in support of U Wirathu, who is the subject of an arrest warrant and remains at large.
— Irrawaddy

Bilin Township considered for ecotourism development
MAWLAMYAING-Under the sponsorship of National Enlightenment Institute-NEI, a team led by the Mon State Parliament Speaker and the professors from Mawlamyaing University will be looking into Bilin Township where there are many historical places, to develop ecotourism.
— Eleven Myanmar

Coord meeting held on implementing RFID system
A coordination meeting on permission to use roadside land, acquiring electricity, construct infrastructures, link up with security and other transport facilities for Ministry of Transport and Communications Road Transportation Administration Department (RTAD) to implement a Radio Frequency.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Asia Optical to expand production capacity in Myanmar
Optical lens and device maker Asia Optical will expand production capacity at its factory in Myanmar in line with its strategy of boosting G+P (glass plus plastic pieces) used in high-end zoom lenses, according to company chairman Robert Lai.
— Digitimes

Agro exports up $247 mln in Oct-May
Myanmar’s exports of agricultural products from 1 October to 31 May in the current fiscal year crossed US$2.3 billion from $2.09 billion in the corresponding period of the 2017-2018FY, according to trade figures released by the Ministry of Commerce.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Gov’t Lifts Ban on Plantation Teak Exports
The Myanmar government will once again allow the export of teak from private and state-owned plantations, but a ban on teak from natural forests remains in place.
— Irrawaddy

LIFT Forum 2019 celebrated in Nay Pyi Taw
The opening ceremony of Livelihood and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT) Forum 2019 was held at Kempinski Hotel, Nay Pyi Taw on 11 June 2019. The ceremony was attended by Union Ministers, senior officials from ministries concerned, ambassadors from embassies of donor countries and representatives.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Free Burma Rangers Will Not Be Allowed to Operate in Myanmar, Military Says
Self-described humanitarian aid group, which Tatmadaw accuses of training EAOs, says it is already helping IDPs in Rakhine.
— Irrawaddy

Myanmar Competition Commission promises to level playing field for businesses
The Myanmar Competition Commission will work with businesspersons to remove hindrances to fair competition, said Union Minister for Commerce Dr. Than Myint, urging businesses to abide by the Competition Law.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar Teachers Federation denounces removal of poem from curriculum
Myanmar Teachers Federation made a statement concerning the removal of “Let Saung” poem from Grade-9 curriculum, in Myanmar Language subject.
— Eleven Myanmar

Union Minister for NREC receives World Bank Myanmar ENR Manager
Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (NREC) U Ohn Win received the World Bank Myanmar Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) Manager Mr. Christophe Crepin and party at the ministry in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Why Are Old Myanmar-Israel Military Links Under New Scrutiny?
A closer look at another round of scrutiny on defense collaboration between the two sides.
— The Diplomat

Regreening a barren refugee landscape on Myanmar’s border
Where a year ago there were only the desolate remains of a forest scythed from hills to house hundreds of thousands in the world’s largest refugee camp, Rohingya refugee Hazara Khatun now picks the vegetables she will use for dinner.
— Mongabay

Union Minister, MRF hold meeting on stabilizing paddy price
Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Dr. Aung Thu, Deputy Minister U Hla Kyaw, Permanent Secretaries, directors general, Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) Chairman and members, private business owners and officials from public companies attended a meeting held in the meeting hall.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Two Myanmar players to play in JAPAFUN Cup in Japan
Myanmar Under 18 players will participate in the Japafun Cup to be held on June 22 in Japan.
— Myanmar Times

Accelerating climate change calls for better disaster preparedness
Myanmar is once again entering monsoon season and while the majority of the country is having its share of pouring rain and blowing winds, the nation’s dry zone has still not seen a drop.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar (Burma): peasant tortured to death by authorities
Ko Tun Myint Win, a peasant from Aung Thabyae village in the Patheingyi township, Mandalay Region, died in police custody on 5 May. The authorities claimed that he died due to a high fever and alcohol withdrawal syndrome, and said the family members had to request a medical record of the autopsy from them as well.
— Marxist

Chinese demand pushes up price of fresh chilies
Fresh chilies are commanding a high price in the Bayintnaung market on the back of good demand from China, according to U Hla Han from the Seinpanlan chili commodity depot.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Mobile library service benefits school children in Toungoo District
To develop the love for literature and books in rural youth and students mobile library activities were carried out at Thittaw Basic Education Primary school in Ottwin Township, Toungoo District, Hinn Gout Pin High School and two schools in Htantabin Township yesterday morning.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

UEC Chairman, Indian Ambassador discuss holding 2020 general election
U Hla Thein, Chairman of the Union Election Commission, received Mr. Saurabh Kumar, Ambassador of India, at the office of UEC in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

UMFCCI’s Myanmar Business Model Competition 2019
Myanmar’s Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry (UMFCCI) will host this year’s national Business Model Competition this month as a means of encouraging excellent business practices and ideas.
— Myanmar Times

1038 lots of Jades worth over K18 bln sold on 4th day of Myanmar Gems Emporium
Fourth day of Myanmar Gem Emporium continued at Mini Yadana Jade Hall in Nay Pyi Taw. At 10 am, Union Minister for Natural Resource and Environmental Conservation U Ohn Win and the entourage went about different Gems on display at different zones and met with merchants.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Vietnam payment startups Vimo and mPOS merge, rebranded as NextPay
The two Vietnamese startups plan to raise US$30 Million and expand to Myanmar and Indonesia next year Two payment startups based in Vietnam, Vimo and mPOS, have agreed to merge in an effort to scale. The company will rebranded as NextPay, as reported by Bloomberg.
— e27

UEC staff familiarize effective electoral planning in India-led training
The Union Election Commission and the Election Commission of India collaborated on a training course for electoral planning held at the UEC Office in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday. UEC Chairman U Hla Thein opened the training with a speech.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Disability but not despair: Myanmar nuns save lost kids
Catholic nuns in Myanmar took in “Anthony” when he was a visually impaired 2-year-old abandoned by his parents and left at the mercy of a state where even able-bodied kids wrestle with malnourishment, scant social welfare and widespread human rights abuses.
— UCA News

Union Minister for Information leaves for Cambodia to attend Asia Media Summit-2019
A media delegation led by Union Minister for Information Dr. Pe Myint left Yangon for Cambodia yesterday to attend the Asia Media Summit-2019 in Siem Reap. The summit is scheduled to be held from 12 to 14 June with its motto “Media Digitisation–Focusing on Developing Markets”.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Rights Panel Submits Report on Deaths of 7 N. Rakhine Villagers in Army Custody
MNHRC not ready to release details of investigation, says report contains recommendations for avoiding civilian casualties, displacement.
— Irrawaddy

Union Minister U Kyaw Tint Swe attends 23rd St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, meets Russian FM
H.E. U Kyaw Tint Swe, Union Minister for the Office of the State Counsellor, accompanied by H.E. U Set Aung, Deputy Minister for Planning, participated in the 23rd St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, St. Petersburg, Russia, from 6-8 June 2019.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Michael Kyaw Myint nabbed for disturbing Muslim worshippers
Michael Kyaw Myint, for whom authorities issued an arrest warrant for his leading role in disturbing a worship place of Muslims in South Dagon Township, Yangon, has been arrested in Wandwin Township, Mandalay Region, the township police force has confirmed.
— Eleven Myanmar

Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker receives President of European and International Affairs Sector of France’s CESE
Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than received Mr. Jean-Marie Cambaceres, President of European and International Affairs Section of CESE (the Economic, Social and Environmental Council) and former member of Parliament of France at the Amyotha Hluttaw building in Nay Pyi Taw at 1 pm.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

World heritage, with strings attached
A United Nations expert says Bagan is likely to be awarded World Heritage status this year, but the government needs to take on unruly hotel development to stay on the list.
— Frontier Myanmar

Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services receives Ambassador of India
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing received Ambassador of India Mr. Saurabh Kumar at the Bayintnaung guest house in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Feature photo Venngage

This week’s morning news photo features World Day Against Child Labour, June 12.

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.