Myanmar morning news for May 1, 2019

EU extends ban on arms sales to Myanmar over Rohingya crisis
The European Union has extended a ban on selling arms to Myanmar and prolonged sanctions against high-ranking officials over their role in the Rohingya crisis.
— Aljazeera

China to Provide 1 Billion Yuan Socioeconomic Grant to Myanmar
YANGON—China will provide a grant of 1 billion yuan (225.39 billion kyats, or approximately US$148 million) for socioeconomic development projects under an economic and technical cooperation agreement signed in Beijing last week.
— The irrawaddy

Myanmar has an energy problem
Ever since Myanmar undertook a series of political, economic and administrative reforms in 2011, the country’s economy has steadily improved.
— The Asean Post

Myanmar public companies trail behind private firms in corporate disclosure
Public companies in Myanmar – companies whose shares can be bought by the public – lag behind privately-owned firms in corporate disclosure and governance, according to the latest transparency report released on Tuesday.
— Myanmar Times

Construction ministry goes soft on broken highway contracts
The re-drafting of build-operate-transfer contracts has raised questions about whether it’s fair to forgive some of the country’s biggest companies for contractual violations.
— Frontier Myanmar

Imports of capital goods decline in six and half months
From October 1 to April 19 of this fiscal year, the imports of capital goods exceeded 3.150 billion US dollars, down over 374 million USD compared with the same period last year, according to the Commerce Ministry.
— Eleven Myanmar

Myanmar’s military to extend suspension period of military action against armed groups
Myanmar’s military announced late Tuesday to extend the suspension period of all its military action against armed groups in five military command regions for two months, according to an announcement of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Services.
— Xinhua

Memories Group acquires three Yangon hotels
Singapore-listed Memories Group has taken a 15.3 percent stake in Strand Hotel International, which, in turn, holds a 50pc stake in Myanmar Hotel International Company.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar has an energy problem
Ever since Myanmar undertook a series of political, economic and administrative reforms in 2011, the country’s economy has steadily improved. According to data from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Myanmar is enjoying some of the highest growth rates in the region. The ADB predicts that the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) will grow by eight percent, higher than any other country in Southeast Asia.
— The Asean Post

Myanmar military defuses more landmines in western state
The Myanmar security forces have defused three more improvised explosive devices (IED), planted by an ethnic insurgent group, the Arakan Army (AA), in Rakhine state, the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Services said on Tuesday.
— India Blooms

Myanmar edtech startup eSchool raises $700k from Blue Tech Venture, others
Myanmar-based education technology platform eSchool has secured an investment of $700,000 from Blue Tech Venture Co Ltd, a local technology venture firm, and its existing investors, the startup’s founder told DEALSTREETASIA.
— DealStreetAsia

Huawei opens ICT Congress 2019
Chinese telecoms company Huawei kicked off the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Congress of Huawei Myanmar in Yangon on Monday with the theme “Building a fully connected, Intelligent Myanmar.” Xinhua reported.
— Mizzima

What it takes to get to Myanmar’s highest peaks
Young people in urban areas these days are now keener to spend their holidays by going on trips to rural areas. Most of them are more enthusiastic about taking on adventure trips like hiking, climbing or cycling.
— Myanmar Times

US Citizen Held in Myanmar For Hemp Farm Authorities Say is Growing Banned Marijuana
A U.S. citizen and two Myanmar nationals detained last week for growing prohibited cannabis plants in central Myanmar were granted permission from the Mandalay regional government to grow only fiber plants for one year, the region’s chief minister said.
— Radio Free Asia

Just the thing to inspire budding photographers
The book The Art of Photography by photographer Zarni Myo Win was successfully launched at The Radio Bar at No. 24, AungZeyya Street in Yankin Township last Saturday (April 27).
— Myanmar Times

MHS eyes higher global demand for its ICT products
Though most ICT companies in Myanmar focus on the domestic market only, the woman-led Myanmar High Society Co (MHS) seeks to further expand in the global arena with professional software and innovation solutions developed by local technicians, according to Cho Zin Wint, the firm’s founder and chief executive.
— Eleven Myanmar

Myanmar navy seizes drug ice in southernmost border town
Myanmar navy has seized a boat carrying a load of drug ice near a border town in southernmost Tanintharyi region, according to local police force Tuesday.
— China.org

Yangon’s mass rapid transit to receive Japan aid
The Japanese government will provide overseas development assistance for the Yangon Urban Mass Rapid Transit (YUMT) project, according to Japanese Ambassador Ichiro Maruyama.
— Myanmar Times

New Yangon Specialist Hospital to open in 2 years
The new Yangon Specialist Hospital, a state-of-the-art medical facility, will be completed in two years with the help of Japan’s International Cooperation Agency and the Department of Medical Services.
— Myanmar Times

Second Pyithu Hluttaw 12th session to discuss 14 bills, 16 motions and 237 questions
By Aye Aye Thant (MNA) The first-day meeting of the Second Pyithu Hluttaw’s 12th regular session was held at the Pyithu Hluttaw meeting hall, Nay Pyi Taw, yesterday morning.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Portraits of Tribal Cultures in Myanmar
The diverse culture of Myanmar is part of the country’s unique identity. I was honored to visit different tribes that amazed me by the variety of their traditions, beliefs, and practices. What I witnessed in Myanmar exceeded my expectations even though I had done my research before I traveled.
— Petapixel

Don’t stinge on budget to avoid power cuts during summer: MOEE
In Parliament yesterday, the Ministry of Electricity and Energy (MOEE) said the annual budget for power generation should be sustained in order to avoid power cuts and blackouts in the summer.
— Myanmar Times

Justice elusive for victims of abuses, says US religious freedom report
Victims of severe human rights and religious freedom violations in Myanmar have “little hope for justice”, says the annual report of a United States government advisory commission.
— Frontier Myanmar

Ministry of Information holds coord meeting on media development
A coordination meeting for developing the media sector was held at the Ministry of Information in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday. Union Minister for Information Dr. Pe Myint, Deputy Information Minister U Aung Hla Tun, officials from the three pillars of government, Chairperson of the Myanmar Press Council.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Jade mining suspended in 17 Hpakant blocks after landslide
The central government has suspended 17 jade mining blocks operated by 11 companies in Hpakant area, the Kachin State government told The Myanmar Times.
— Myanmar Times

Committee for Supporting Peace and Stability in Rakhine State holds 2nd coord meeting
The Committee for Supporting Peace and Stability in Rakhine State Peace held its second coordination meeting at the Hluttaw Building in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Justice elusive for victims of abuses, says US religious freedom report
Victims of severe human rights and religious freedom violations in Myanmar have little hope for justice, says a US government advisory commission.
— Frontier Myanmar

Dhaka Jails Myanmar Nationals Linked to 2014 Blast in Burdwan, India
Three men from Rakhine State arrested in Dhaka were found to be members of an extremist group linked to the explosion.
— Irrawaddy

Construction ministry goes soft on broken highway contracts
The re-drafting of build-operate-transfer contracts has raised questions about whether it’s fair to forgive some of the country’s biggest companies for contractual violations.
— Frontier Myanmar

Yangon Region Gov’t, HK-Taiwan Consortium Ink Industrial Zone Deal
$500-million project in Htantabin Township to generate 150,000 jobs, regional gov’t says
— Irrawaddy

LIP Union Minister attends regional conference on future of work in Asia in Singapore
Union Minister for Labour, Immigration and Population U Thein Swe attended a conference titled “Future of Work 2019 Embracing Technology; Inclusive Growth” held in Singapore yesterday morning.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

2 Child Victims of Mine Explosion in ‘Contaminated’ Shan State
Locals suspect the mine was left there unexploded since skirmishes between the military and TNLA troops last year.
— Irrawaddy

Three IEDs planted by AA group on Kyauktaw-MraukU Road defused by security forces
Security forces discovered three improvised explosive devices planted by the AA group near Kyauktaw on the Kyauktaw-MraukU Road and deactivated them on Monday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Northeast rebels face heat after operations in Myanmar
Militants from Northeast are facing heat following the operation launched in Myanmar. Several militants belonging to anti-talk faction of ULFA are coming back and surrendering in Assam.
— Economic Times

Why Myanmar villagers still engage in illegal logging of mangroves
Just as dawn was breaking on a balmy morning this past January, U Khin Win left his home with a pair of black rubber boots and a sickle. He met his friend, U Tin Hla, who was filling up the tank of their small, rickety motorboat on the riverbank.
— Mongabay

Union Minister U Thaung Tun meets with Member of the Executive Committee of World Economic Forum and Head of Asia Pacific
Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations U Thaung Tun received Member of the Executive Committee of World Economic Forum and Head of Asia Pacific Mr. Justin Wood on Monday at 3:30 pm. at the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Feature photo Reuters

This week’s Myanmar morning news photo features World Press Freedom Day, May 3.

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.