Myanmar morning news for March 5, 2019

Myanmar suggests tax exemption to firms investing in new Yangon project
Myanmar is offering zone-wise tax exemption to enterprises investing in the new Yangon city project.
— Sggp news

Myaungmya Bridge construction completed over 90%
The construction of new Myaungmya Bridge in Ayeyawady Region has completed by over 90 percent on March 3, and officials will test how much the bridge can withstand by allowing traffic on March 20.
— Eleven Myanmar

Chinese import of bananas from Myanmar will peak next month
The price of bananas has been stable in banana production areas in recent days. This is the result of stronger demand. The overall temperature in banana production areas was not too high in recent days, and some areas suffered from excessive rainfall, which could reduce their supply volume.
— Fresh Plaza

Factory in Thadukan zone making 40 electric cars a day
The Khaing Khaing Sangda Motorcar factory in the Thadukan industrial zone, Shwepyitha Township, Yangon Region, is producing 40 electric cars per day, said Mr. Yu Jian Chen, the managing director of the factory.
— Global Newlight of Myanmar

KNM active, up 5.26% after unit gets EPCC job in Myanmar
KNM Group Bhd rose 5.26% in active trade this morning after its unit has secured an engineering, procurement and construction contract worth US$24.87 million (approximately RM101.35 million) for a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) facility in Myanmar.
— The Edge Markets

Eye on G-to-G pacts, MRF to register rice exporters
In order to expand the rice export market through government-to-government (G to G) agreements, the authorities will now require rice exporters in the country to register with the Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF).
— Global Newlight of Myanmar

Trade and Investment Project launched to boost business ecosystem
The Ministry of Commerce and the International Trade Centre launched the Myanmar Trade and Investment Project (TIP) in Yangon yesterday, with the aim of supporting the joint efforts made by public and private sector partners to strengthen the country’s role in the Asian economic ecosystem.
— Global Newlight of Myanmar

Myanmar launches trade, investment project with UK support
The Ministry of Commerce together with the Directorate of Investment Administration (DICA) and the International Trade Center (ITC) launched the Trade and Investment Project (TIP) on Monday with the aim of boosting Myanmar’s business ecosystem by improving trade and investments.
— Myanmar Times

A Distortion of Reality: Drugs, Conflict and the UNODC’s 2018 Myanmar Opium Survey
The recently-released “Myanmar Opium Survey 2018” by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) entails specific accusations against several of the conflict actors. This commentary explains how this further distorts, rather than reflects, the complex realities in Myanmar.
— TNI

Four Malaysians, one Myanmar national arrested after smuggling attempt
Four Malaysians were foiled in their attempt to smuggle a Myanmar national out of Singapore last Thursday (Feb 28), said the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
— The Star Online

Pyithu Hluttaw discuss arrest of accomplices in drug trafficking cases, greening project, rule of law
The 20th meeting of the 11th regular session of the Second Pyithu Hluttaw was held at the Pyithu Hluttaw building in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday. During the meeting, a question and answer session was held, a motion was tabled, and a bill was approved.
— Global Newlight of Myanmar

LaeLar start-up offers online classes at affordable prices
The job market is becoming more competitive and challenging. It is difficult to get a senior-level position with just a single degree.
— Myanmar Times

Public health professionals launch five-year strategic plan
The Myanmar Health Assistant Association on Sunday launched a five-year plan to improve the public health sector and the general health of Myanmar people, the association’s president said.
— Myanmar Times

Huawei Myanmar calls for govt to facilitate change
DESPITE being caught in the trade war between China and the United States, Chinese giant Huawei Technologies Co remains confident of continued healthy growth in Myanmar thanks to the rising demand from locals, Liman Zhang, chief executive of Huawei Myanmar, said.
— The Nation (very annoying popup)

Myanmar destroys confiscated ivory, opens elephant museum
Confiscated ivory and other animal parts are displayed before being destroyed during a ceremony to mark World Wildlife Day at Yangon Zoological Gardens in Yangon, Myanmar on Sunday.
— euronews

United Nations Development Programme launches report on Situation Analysis of Region and State Hluttaws in Myanmar
The United Nations Development Programme launched the first ‘Situational Analysis of Region and State Hluttaws in Myanmar’ at Rose Garden hotel in Yangon yesterday.
— Global Newlight of Myanmar

Myanmar police seize 10 million crystal meth pills
Myanmar authorities seized more than 10 million meth pills worth $13.3 million over the weekend, police said Monday, another massive haul in a country widely believed to be the world’s largest methamphetamine producer.
— Citizen

Than Shwe confidant launches new political party of generals
A new political party comprised of senior military officers has been registered by a trusted confidant of former Myanmar strongman Senior General Than Shwe.
— Myanmar Times

Life insurers eyeing untapped Myanmar market
Several Japanese insurance firms are preparing to do business in Myanmar. The rapidly developing country has a population of over 50 million and a relatively untapped life-insurance market.
— NHK World

Yangon govt to plant 200 acres of teak this year
Some 200 acres of teak trees will be cultivated on commercial plantations this year in Yangon Region, a Forest Department official said.
— Myanmar Times

Ooredoo Champions Digital Inclusion in Myanmar to Benefit Millions of People
Ooredoo, one of the world’s leading ICT providers, is bringing the immense benefits of digital technology to millions of previously unconnected people in Myanmar through its cutting-edge Supernet, innovative apps, and partnerships with public and private organisations, in line with the GSMA’s commitment to deliver digital inclusion for all.
— Zawya

Thai steel maker to compensate nearly 300 Myanmar workers
MM Times quoted Myanmar Labour Attaché’s Office in Bangkok as saying that Thailand’s Chow Steel Industrial Plc will compensate nearly 300 Myanmar migrant workers that it laid off recently. The office said the Thai company will have to pay baht 12 million (USD 380,890) to the 292 migrant workers it laid off after it stopped operations for renovations to its facility.
— Steelgura

Chola Temple photos on show in Yangon
As part of the celebrating India’s cultural heritage in Myanmar, “An Exhibition of Archival Photographs of the Chola Temples of India” was being organized by the Embassy of India, Yangon with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in association with the Centre for Art & Archaeology, American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS), India and the National Museum, Yangon.
— Mizzima

April start date for Daewoo factory
Daewoo Bus Myanmar Company, a joint venture between Myanmar Trade Centre and Zyle Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Company, will start assembling semi-knocked down (SKD) buses from April.
— Myanmar Times

Groups Say INGO Threatens to Inflame Religious Tensions in Meiktila
Residents of Mandalay Region’s Meiktila have signed a petition protesting against international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), saying their actions threaten to reignite sectarian conflict in the town.
— The Irrawaddy

Candidate Aung Khant vows to grapple with Yangon flooding if elected YCDC member
Candidate Aung Khant who will run for the Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) election said if he was elected, he would solve the problem of flooding in the city.
— Eleven Myanmar

OIC okays legal action against Myanmar at ICJ
In a major diplomatic breakthrough, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has unanimously adopted a resolution to move at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for establishing the legal rights of Rohingyas and addressing the question of accountability and justice.
— UNB

Myanmar ups efforts to save marine, wildlife
“Life below water: for people and planet” was the theme of World Wildlife Day 2019, which was celebrated on Sunday to raise awareness about the world’s wild animals and plants.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar burns confiscated wildlife parts in Yangon
Myanmar authorities ceremonially destroyed confiscated wildlife parts, including elephant ivories in Yangon.
— Xinhua

Rakhine govt rejects mass resignation of village officials
The Rakhine State government on Sunday rejected a request by dozens of village officials to resign en masse amid concerns over their security.
— Myanmar Times

‘Rescued’ Myanmar Army Man Returns
At a flag meeting on Sunday, Border Guard Bangladesh authorities handed over the Myanmar military solider employed with their Border Guard Police 38 days after he was rescued inside Bangladesh territory.
— The Irrawaddy

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