Myanmar morning news for June 7

Thilawa special economic zone to launch new phase
A Japan-backed special economic zone in Myanmar is expanding as an alternative production hub for China and Vietnam, attracting growing numbers of Japanese and other foreign firms to the outskirts of Yangon.
— Bangkok post

Myanmar GDP expected to rise 6.8 percent by 2020
Myanmar’s economy is expected to grow in coming years while the country’s GDP is estimated to rise to 6.8 percent in 2020, Vice President Myint Swe quoted Asian Development Bank as saying.
— Eleven Myanmar

Govt relaxes visa restrictions for Europe, urged to regulate ‘zero-dollar tours’
The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism will reduce visa restrictions for six European countries to boost the number of inbound tourists to Myanmar and give the sector a needed boost.
— Myanmar Times

Bringing smart experience to appliance services industry
WITH more people living among the hustle and bustle of Yangon, a group of young techies has put together Myanmar’s first on-demand service platform for home appliances called “Zeddite”, said Nyan Lynn Htet, the firm’s chief executive, in an exclusive interview.
— Eleven Myanmar

Suu Kyi woos Czech investors to invest in Myanmar
In light of incentives for foreign investors including a seven-year income tax reduction in its three special economic zones (SEZ), Myanmar deserves to achieve responsible investments from Czech businesses in the coming months, State CounsellorAung San SuuKyisaid at the Czech-Myanmar Business Forum held in Prague.
— Eleven Myanmar

MCEF to set up lending programme for construction sector
The Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Federation (MCEF) is planning to set up a loan programme for members who are in need of capital to start projects.
— Myanmar Times

Property worth K2.9 million stolen from factory
Personnel belongings worth an estimated K2.9 million was stolen from the rooms occupied by Chinese employees in a sock factory in Hlaing Tharyar, Yangon region on Monday.
— Myanmar Times

Liberalisation in Myanmar a boon to insurers – report
Myanmar’s efforts to liberalise its insurance market offers significant growth opportunities for insurers in the short to long term, according to a report on the country’s insurance sector.
— Insurance Business Mag

Myanmar still short of judges, says Supreme Court
The number of judges in the country is just two thirds of the number required, according the 2018 annual report of the Union Supreme Court.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar announces national environment and climate change policies
The Government of Myanmar yesterday announced its vision for the country’s environmental protection and climate action, launching two new policies that will guide Myanmar’s environmental management and climate change strategy, according to a UN Environment statement.
— Mizzima

Myanmar white roses offer Eid solidarity to Muslims
Respected moderate monk Seindita also came to plead for their patience, handing out white roses in solidarity and triggering the campaign
— Dhaka Tribune

Myanmar, Hungary see migration as ‘greatest challenge’
Myanmar’s civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban both view migration as “one of the greatest challenges” currently facing their countries and Europe and South-east Asia in general, the government in Budapest said yesterday.
— Malay Mail

Aung San Suu Kyi finds common ground with Orbán over Islam
From her failure to speak out against ethnic cleansing to imprisoning journalists, the reputation of Aung San Suu Kyi in the west has taken a battering in recent months.
— The Guardian

Price of premium mangoes rises as supplies dwindle
Extreme weather has hurt the supply of Sein Ta Lone (diamond solitaire) mangoes, causing their price to double from last year, according to a mango growers association.
— Myanmar Times

5,574 brand new cars sold in Myanmar during four months in 2019
A total of 5,574 brand new cars were sold in Myanmar within four months up to April in 2019, increasing by 50 % compared to the same period of last year, according to the report of ASEAN Automotive Federation.
— Eleven Myanmar

Village administrators resign over arrests
Over 40 village administrators in the Kyauktaw township of Myanmar’s Rakhine state resigned their posts on Tuesday to protest the arrests of colleagues by military forces, saying that civilian workers suspected of involvement with the rebel Arakan Army should be investigated only in cooperation with civilian departments, RFA reported.
— Mizzima

Online shopping site rgo47 eyes a growing market
When Royal Golden Owls Co. launched the 27th SEA Games Myanmar T-shirt in 2013, it was a hit across the country. To meet soaring demand for the T-shirts, which sported the games’ owl mascot, Royal Golden Owls turned to rgo47 to give consumers the option of ordering online.
— Myanmar Times

Transformation of waste to energy via use of burner system improves fuel oil quality significantly
The quality of fuel oil can be improved significantly by turning waste into energy by using a burner system that utilizes wax oil, instead of fire wood, said Ko Hein Soe from the Shwe Yee Lin oil refining kiln in Kyaukka, Monywa.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

NLD ministers flock to EU business forum
As Daw Aung San Suu Kyi toured central Europe to drum up investments, her government made a point by sending its largest delegation to date to this year’s Myanmar-EU economic forum in Nay Pyi Taw.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar Protester’s Body is Returned to Family Bearing Signs of Abuse
The body of a Myanmar villager who died in prison this week was handed over to family members on Thursday, with prison authorities forcing relatives to sign a pledge beforehand not to raise a fuss over wounds seen on the body suggesting the man was killed in custody.
— Radio Free Asia

Second consignment of steel rails for Yangon-Mandalay Railway upgrade arrives in Yangon
New steel tracks for the Yangon-Mandalay Railway upgrade arrived on 4 June at the Sule Port in Yangon. “The steel rails will be used on the Yangon-Taungoo route, which is covered by Phase 1 of the Yangon-Mandalay Railway upgrade project.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

The First of a Succession of Myanmar’s Failed Economic Plans
On June 6, 1947, with independence on the horizon, Gen. Aung San set out to make a major economic plan for the reconstruction of the country–which was destined to fail.
— Irrawaddy

State Counsellor explains Myanmar’s reforms at National University of Public Service, Hungary
State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi arrived at the National University of Public Service in Hungary at 10 a.m. local standard time yesterday, where she was welcomed by Rector Dr. Andras Koltay and officials.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Naga and Wa rebels vs. the army
According to experts, the former are no threat to government troops, as they are too few and not prone to armed struggle. The latter, on the other hand, play a central role in Myanmar’s peace process. They are self-governing and have close ties with Beijing.
— Asia news

Groups and businesses gather in Loikaw for community tourism conference
Community-based tourism could become an alternative source of income for the communities in Kayah State and beyond, replacing developments which damage the environment.
— Myanmar Times

MOHS and MAM cures vitamin-malnourished patients in Naga, Putao
Departments from the Ministry of Health and Sports (MOHS) and Medical Action Myanmar (MAM) has been carrying out preventative and research efforts in Nanyun, Naga Self-Administered Zone, Nagaland villages near the Myanmar-India border as well as hard to access areas in Putao, Kachin State.
— Eleven Myanmar

Foreign education providers seek opportunities in Myanmar
The private education industry in the country continues to evoke interest from foreign education providers, with several having invested here in the past year ever since the government loosened regulations for the setting up of such educational institutions.
— Myanmar Times

U Wirathu denies he is a fugitive
Abbot U Wirathu has said in an audio file posted on VK social media that he is not a fugitive but just waiting for call from State Sangha Maha Nayaka (supreme body of monks) on religious ground.
— Mizzima

Security tightened in Yangon
Due to some terror rumors, the Region government has taken stricter security measures at crowded places such as famous pagodas, airport and VIP buildings in Yangon, said Colonel Aung Soe Moe, Region Minister for Security and Border Affairs, at the press conference on the Region government’s the undertakings during the third-year tenure, on June 5.
— Eleven Myanmar

Bagan-NyaungU Archaeological zone to get smoke-free areas
To designate smoke-free areas in the Bagan-NyaungU Archeaological zone, a coordination meeting was held at 10 a.m. on 6 June at the District General Administration Department. “We will implement smoke-free zones in 29 areas in Bagan that meet the self-norms and the project will begin in July.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

‘We Are United Because We Are All Under Threat’: AA Chief
Maj-Gen. Htun Myat Naing denies links to ARSA, says he doesn’t underestimate the abilities of the Tatmadaw. He welcomes China’s role as peace broker, and foreign investment if it benefits the Arakanese.
— Irrawaddy

Vice President U Myint Swe instructs flawless commemoration of national heroes on 72nd Martyrs’ Day
Vice President U Myint Swe, Patron of the Central Committee for Convening the 72nd Anniversary of Martyrs’ Day, delivered a speech at the central committee’s first coordination meeting held at the President’s Office in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Time to Treat Yourself: Yangon’s Top Fine-Dining Restaurants
Some occasions call for something special. If you’re looking for a dining experience that’s a cut above, The Irrawaddy recommends the following distinctive restaurants in Yangon.
— Irrawaddy

Embassy of Sweden celebrates National Day in Nay Pyi Taw
The Embassy of Sweden held a celebration to commemorate the National Day of Sweden in Nay Pyi Taw at 7 pm yesterday. The celebration at the Park Royal Hotel was attended by Chairman of the Union Election Commission U Hla Thein, Union Ministers Dr. Pe Myint, Dr. Myo Thein Gyi and Dr. Myint Htwe.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Successes and Failures of the Yangon Govt’s Third Year in Office
Affordable housing for squatters and city bus card payment schemes are just some of the Yangon chief ministers long-unfulfilled promises.
— Irrawaddy

Pineapples fetching good prices due to low yields in PyinOoLwin
Pineapples produced in Pyin Oo Lwin Town are commanding a high price in the Mandalay market due to low yields this year, according to the Mandalay fruit depot.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Village Administrators Resign En Masse in N. Rakhine
Forty-five village administrators in northern Rakhine have resigned and demanded that the Tatmadaw stops conducting arbitrary arrests and interrogations in the conflict-riven region.
— Irrawaddy

New luxury cinema in Yangon
If you’ve been to the cinema you may have enjoyed a good movie – if you weren’t too distracted by the crying baby, the lady in front answering her phone, or teenagers joking and imitating the actors throughout the film.
— Myanmar Times

Military Misunderstood Meaning of Anniversary Parade, UWSA Says
Armed group denies the impressive show of force it put on in April to mark its 30th year indicates a desire to act as a ‘parallel government’.
— Irrawaddy

Myanmar airline rated 7-star for safety
We are pleased to announce that Myanmar Airways International (MAI) has been awarded 7-star safety rating from AirlineRatings.com, the only safety and product rating agency in the world.
— Myanmar Times

Ministry opens Dog Bite Treatment Centres in Yangon
Dog Bite Treatment Centres (DBTC) has started to open in Yangon People’s Hospital, Thingangyun General Hospital, Insein People’s Hospital and North Okkalapa Teaching and General Hospitals, according to the Ministry of Health and Sports on May 29.
— Eleven Myanmar

Myanmar, Bangladesh conduct coordinated naval patrol
MYANMAR and Bangladesh conducted a coordinated naval patrol along the Naf River on 5 June, according to the information released by Myanmar Police Force. The patrol of Myanmar was led by inspector Myat Zaw Oo from No.1 Border Police sub-division (KyeeKyun), Area 3, Maungtaw Township, while the.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Dragging dissent through the courts
The Tatmadaw appears to be bent on a campaign to silence its critics via courts that are all too happy to process its complaints, whatever the cost to freedom of expression.
— Frontier Myanmar

Feature photo Visi Muslim

This week’s Myanmar Morning News feature photo acknowledges Eid al-Fitr, June 4-5.

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.