Myanmar's banking system has taken another step toward modernisation, courtesy of the Central Bank’s new clearing and settlement system, which will make an “immense difference” to lenders’ day-to-day operations, bankers said.
The long-awaited system – built with the help of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) – went live on January 6, according to an official at a local lender who is working on preparing his bank for the new system.
Dubbed CBM-Net, it provides Myanmar’s financial sector with a real- time gross settlement system (RTGS) – making the once-manual process of clearing and settling payments almost entirely electronic.
Payments in Myanmar’s economy are largely cash-based, and transfers between individuals often required the physical movement of cash between branches of the same bank and the branches of different lenders. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
January 12, 2016
Activists send petition over Koh Tao case
Youth activists have delivered a 30,000-signature petition to the Thai embassy in Yangon protesting against the guilty verdict and death sentence handed down to two Myanmar migrant workers. A number of organisations have worked together to channel widespread anger against the findings of the Thai court in the Koh Tao murder and rape case that claimed the lives of two British holidaymakers on the island.
Organiser Ko Thiha Maung Maung told The Myanmar Times yesterday that representatives of the youth movements had not been able to speak directly to the Thai ambassador, but had asked local police to ensure its delivery.
“We went there last week, but the embassy was closed. We have now sent in our petition via the police, but we have not yet had the chance to relay the voice of the Myanmar people directly to the ambassador. We are calling for justice for the two young Myanmar workers Ko Win Zaw Tun and Ko Zaw Lin,” he said, adding that copies of the petition had been sent to President U Thein Sein and the British embassy. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
Organiser Ko Thiha Maung Maung told The Myanmar Times yesterday that representatives of the youth movements had not been able to speak directly to the Thai ambassador, but had asked local police to ensure its delivery.
“We went there last week, but the embassy was closed. We have now sent in our petition via the police, but we have not yet had the chance to relay the voice of the Myanmar people directly to the ambassador. We are calling for justice for the two young Myanmar workers Ko Win Zaw Tun and Ko Zaw Lin,” he said, adding that copies of the petition had been sent to President U Thein Sein and the British embassy. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
UK defence chief makes Myanmar visit
The National League for Democracy posted pictures on Facebook of the general’s meeting in parliament with the NLD leader who is in the process of forming the next government. It gave no details of their discussion.
The head of the UK armed forces is also due to meet U Nyan Tun, vice president and former navy chief, and senior military officials during his two-day visit which is part of a high-level dialogue between the UK military and the Tatmadaw. The talks follow a recent leadership course carried out by the UK military academy Sandhurst for senior Tatmadaw officers in Nay Pyi Taw.
Although the two countries are developing military contacts after decades of estrangement, observers said the new engagement would not involve talks on arms sales. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
The head of the UK armed forces is also due to meet U Nyan Tun, vice president and former navy chief, and senior military officials during his two-day visit which is part of a high-level dialogue between the UK military and the Tatmadaw. The talks follow a recent leadership course carried out by the UK military academy Sandhurst for senior Tatmadaw officers in Nay Pyi Taw.
Although the two countries are developing military contacts after decades of estrangement, observers said the new engagement would not involve talks on arms sales. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
Fine line between FOC and corruption
What do international standards and business ethics guidelines say about this? They do not ban companies from making contributions in cash or kind to political parties. In-kind contributions could include the provision to political parties of free-of-charge facilities, such as use of meeting places or corporate jets, or paid leave-of-absence for an employee to campaign on behalf of a party. Corporate contributions fund election campaigns in many countries, not least the United States.
The “Business Principles for Countering Bribery” published by Transparency International (TI), the leading global NGO working on corruption, state that if a business wants to make a contribution to a political party, it is important that this decision is made according to local law, which in some countries imposes disclosure requirements or an upper limit on political contributions. The contribution should be recorded in writing, undertaken openly, and ideally published in annual reports or some other form. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
The “Business Principles for Countering Bribery” published by Transparency International (TI), the leading global NGO working on corruption, state that if a business wants to make a contribution to a political party, it is important that this decision is made according to local law, which in some countries imposes disclosure requirements or an upper limit on political contributions. The contribution should be recorded in writing, undertaken openly, and ideally published in annual reports or some other form. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
Magnitude 6.8 quake hits near India-Myanmar border
NDRF teams have been deployed in the worst-hit Tamenglong district of Manipur, which was the epicentre of the quake, while another is on standby in Silchar in Assam.
Authorities in India's Manipur state where the quake was centered said another 70 people had been injured by the quake, which damaged buildings in capital Imphal.
The USGS website showed user-submitted reports of moderate to strong ground shaking from many locations in the far eastern part of India as well as parts of neighboring Bangladesh, which lies west of the quake's epicenter. However, it did not cause any damage. Electricity connection was cut off in the state soon after the quake.
Indian Home Ministry spokesman Kuldeep Singh Dhatwalia told CNN that 43 people had been injured in addition to the 6 deaths in Manipur and that residential and government buildings had been damaged in Imphal. (Courtesy of theindianrepublic.com)
Authorities in India's Manipur state where the quake was centered said another 70 people had been injured by the quake, which damaged buildings in capital Imphal.
The USGS website showed user-submitted reports of moderate to strong ground shaking from many locations in the far eastern part of India as well as parts of neighboring Bangladesh, which lies west of the quake's epicenter. However, it did not cause any damage. Electricity connection was cut off in the state soon after the quake.
Indian Home Ministry spokesman Kuldeep Singh Dhatwalia told CNN that 43 people had been injured in addition to the 6 deaths in Manipur and that residential and government buildings had been damaged in Imphal. (Courtesy of theindianrepublic.com)
IFC to provide $25m funding for Myanmar’s largest retail group City Mart
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank Group’s private lending arm has signed for a $25 million loan to be provided to City Mart Holding Company Limited (CMHL), the largest private retail group in Myanmar, to finance the expansion of the retail business in the country.
Currently, CMHL has over 150 retail outlets in the country and plans to construct about 20 more supermarkets and hypermarkets over the next three years.
It’s plans are “to increase its purchases from domestic suppliers six fold, reaching around $150 million by 2021, and create nearly 4000 new jobs, half of which will be for women,” according to the filing.
IFC hopes that CMHL’s expansion in the retail sector in the country, will help create jobs, develop supply chain and logistics infrastructure and support smaller businesses. (Courtesy of DealStreetAsia)
Currently, CMHL has over 150 retail outlets in the country and plans to construct about 20 more supermarkets and hypermarkets over the next three years.
It’s plans are “to increase its purchases from domestic suppliers six fold, reaching around $150 million by 2021, and create nearly 4000 new jobs, half of which will be for women,” according to the filing.
IFC hopes that CMHL’s expansion in the retail sector in the country, will help create jobs, develop supply chain and logistics infrastructure and support smaller businesses. (Courtesy of DealStreetAsia)
Hackers Attack Websites of Thai Police to Protest against Verdicts for Murder of British
Softpedia published news on 5th January, 2016, stating that two British tourists namely David Miller aged 24 and Hannah Witheridge aged 23 were killed on Thai Island of Koh Tao on 15th September, 2014.
Soon after the murder, Thai police arrested two migrant workers from Myanmar namely Wai Phyo and Zaw Lin, whom Thai court judged death sentence in December 2015. Subsequently, hackers attacked websites of Thai police on 5th January, 2016, protesting the trial of those two migrant workers.
The unidentified international hacking group wrote on its Facebook page that 14 websites of Thai police had been attacked. 9 websites, out of those it listed, were not accessible on 5th January, 2016. (Courtesy of spamfighter.com)
Soon after the murder, Thai police arrested two migrant workers from Myanmar namely Wai Phyo and Zaw Lin, whom Thai court judged death sentence in December 2015. Subsequently, hackers attacked websites of Thai police on 5th January, 2016, protesting the trial of those two migrant workers.
The unidentified international hacking group wrote on its Facebook page that 14 websites of Thai police had been attacked. 9 websites, out of those it listed, were not accessible on 5th January, 2016. (Courtesy of spamfighter.com)
NLD says forming a government not easy
The National League for Democracy held a leadership meeting yesterday to discuss appointments to the government, with a spokesperson admitting the process was facing “difficulties” and that an anxious public should not expect early answers.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi chaired the three-hour meeting of 15 members of the party’s central executive committee at her home in Nay Pyi Taw’s Ottarathiri township.
The NLD has come under fire for its brusque treatment of the media with criticism that it is failing to live up to its own declared standards of transparency. Yesterday the party did not hold a formal press conference and the NLD leader did not speak to the media. However, a spokesperson did answer some questions from waiting reporters.
“We discussed forming the government. But no decision was made. That’s why I can’t disclose details about our meeting,” U Nyan Win said. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi chaired the three-hour meeting of 15 members of the party’s central executive committee at her home in Nay Pyi Taw’s Ottarathiri township.
The NLD has come under fire for its brusque treatment of the media with criticism that it is failing to live up to its own declared standards of transparency. Yesterday the party did not hold a formal press conference and the NLD leader did not speak to the media. However, a spokesperson did answer some questions from waiting reporters.
“We discussed forming the government. But no decision was made. That’s why I can’t disclose details about our meeting,” U Nyan Win said. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
Immigration grants new visa types
Entry into Myanmar by foreign visitors, including businesspeople, tourists and students, will get easier starting today.
The Ministry of Immigration is now offering six new types of entry visa and three types of re-entry visa to international visitors effective January 11.
The move reflects a proliferation in the ways that foreign visitors can now enter the country, whether by air, by sea or via border gateways, said U Aung Thiha, deputy director of the Immigration and National Registration Department under the Ministry of Immigration.
“That’s why we need new entry and re-entry visa types that make the process easier,” he told The Myanmar Times.
According to the immigration ministry’s website, foreign visitors can now apply for one of 12 types of entry visa and three types of re-entry visa as of today.
“We granted the new visa types because of the various kinds of visitors who come to Myanmar, whether for work, study, meditation or holiday,” he said. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
The Ministry of Immigration is now offering six new types of entry visa and three types of re-entry visa to international visitors effective January 11.
The move reflects a proliferation in the ways that foreign visitors can now enter the country, whether by air, by sea or via border gateways, said U Aung Thiha, deputy director of the Immigration and National Registration Department under the Ministry of Immigration.
“That’s why we need new entry and re-entry visa types that make the process easier,” he told The Myanmar Times.
According to the immigration ministry’s website, foreign visitors can now apply for one of 12 types of entry visa and three types of re-entry visa as of today.
“We granted the new visa types because of the various kinds of visitors who come to Myanmar, whether for work, study, meditation or holiday,” he said. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
Hopes for peace as Myanmar ethnic Karen celebrate their New Year
Myanmar's ethnic minority Karen rung in their New Year with song, dance and traditional kickboxing, in celebrations a day before fresh efforts to reach a ceasefire to end the country's myriad rebel conflicts.
Tens of thousands of people, many in bright traditional clothing, thronged through teeming Yangon streets, in a three-day celebration ending on Monday.
The Karen, who are Buddhist and Christian, have their own calendar and have officially celebrated their New Year since the 1930s.
"I love my Karen people and value my ethnicity in my heart," Sa Ye Kyaw Oo, an event volunteer told AFP.
New Year events, marked by dance competitions and bouts of the country's lethwei kickboxing, were also held across southeastern Karen state.
The guns have largely fallen silent in the state after ethnic minority rebels waged one of the world's longest insurgencies – although recent months have seen sporadic clashes linked to smaller rebel factions. (Courtesy of theSundaily)
Tens of thousands of people, many in bright traditional clothing, thronged through teeming Yangon streets, in a three-day celebration ending on Monday.
The Karen, who are Buddhist and Christian, have their own calendar and have officially celebrated their New Year since the 1930s.
"I love my Karen people and value my ethnicity in my heart," Sa Ye Kyaw Oo, an event volunteer told AFP.
New Year events, marked by dance competitions and bouts of the country's lethwei kickboxing, were also held across southeastern Karen state.
The guns have largely fallen silent in the state after ethnic minority rebels waged one of the world's longest insurgencies – although recent months have seen sporadic clashes linked to smaller rebel factions. (Courtesy of theSundaily)
Navigating the choppy waters of Myanmar's post-election era
Myanmar's historic general election on Nov. 8 led to a landslide victory for the opposition National League for Democracy. Having served in the present government since 2011, I stood as an independent candidate and won a seat in the new parliament.
The elections were widely hailed -- both at home and abroad -- as free and fair, and the first such national poll for 25 years. This broad approval was largely due to the results. If the incumbent party had scored well, I doubt that international observers would have reacted so positively. Nevertheless, it was a convincing win which will usher in a new era for our country. As a minister in the current government of President U Thein Sein, I believe this administration has performed its historic role to the very best of its ability, and I wish our successors all the best.
The big issue facing leaders of the new administration however is how they handle the many daunting challenges ahead. (Courtesy of Nikkei Asian Review)
The elections were widely hailed -- both at home and abroad -- as free and fair, and the first such national poll for 25 years. This broad approval was largely due to the results. If the incumbent party had scored well, I doubt that international observers would have reacted so positively. Nevertheless, it was a convincing win which will usher in a new era for our country. As a minister in the current government of President U Thein Sein, I believe this administration has performed its historic role to the very best of its ability, and I wish our successors all the best.
The big issue facing leaders of the new administration however is how they handle the many daunting challenges ahead. (Courtesy of Nikkei Asian Review)
Gold mining, conflict threaten Myanmar’s Indawgyi Lake
Khaung Tong Creek was a 1.5-meter deep, pristine creek some 10 years ago, but these days this important tributary of Kachin State’s famed Indawgyi Lake is just a little stream some 10 cm deep, filled with red-brownish mud.
Local villagers said years of unregulated gold mining several kilometres away has caused the environmental degradation as dumped waste and chemicals has flowed into the stream.
“The water in this creek was clean when I was young, but it has turned into a muddy stream. Groups of gold miners can be found upstream of the creek. It is threatening Indawgyi Lake’s environment,” Yan Khaung, a native of the area and a local coordinator for Myanmar branch of UK-based Fauna and Flora International, told me during a recent visit to the lake in northern Myanmar. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
Local villagers said years of unregulated gold mining several kilometres away has caused the environmental degradation as dumped waste and chemicals has flowed into the stream.
“The water in this creek was clean when I was young, but it has turned into a muddy stream. Groups of gold miners can be found upstream of the creek. It is threatening Indawgyi Lake’s environment,” Yan Khaung, a native of the area and a local coordinator for Myanmar branch of UK-based Fauna and Flora International, told me during a recent visit to the lake in northern Myanmar. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
New Zealand Primate visits Myanmar’s Family Gathering
Archbishop Philip Richardson, one of the Primates of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia with responsibility for the seven tikanga Pakeha Dioceses, called in at the third “Anglican Family Gathering” of the Church of the Province of Myanmar on his way to this week’s Primates Meeting, Anglican Taonga reports.
Myanmar, the poorest country in South-East Asia, is only now leaving 64 years of military dictatorship.
Several thousand Anglicans from across Myanmar gathered for the once-every-five year gathering, along with a sprinkling of other Anglican leaders, most of whom were from the Asia Pacific region.
Archbishop Philip says November’s landslide election victory by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy has left the people he mingled with cautiously optimistic. (Courtesy of anglicannews.org)
Myanmar, the poorest country in South-East Asia, is only now leaving 64 years of military dictatorship.
Several thousand Anglicans from across Myanmar gathered for the once-every-five year gathering, along with a sprinkling of other Anglican leaders, most of whom were from the Asia Pacific region.
Archbishop Philip says November’s landslide election victory by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy has left the people he mingled with cautiously optimistic. (Courtesy of anglicannews.org)
Myanmar reluctant for trade across Moreh border due to security concerns
anmar traders are reluctant to start trade with India along the border in Moreh due to poor roads and security concerns.
Director, Ministry of Commerce, Department of Trade Promotion and Consumer Affairs, Aung Mgg, told this to ANI during an interview at the Classic Grand.
Meanwhile, Manipur Government has been working relentlessly to complete construction of the Integrated Check Post ( ICP ) at Moreh, to give impetus to trade between India and the South Asian Countries, including Myanmar by the end of this year.
The First Imphal-Mandalay service carrying 27 officials was flagged off by the Chief Minister of Manipur on the 10th of December 2015.
India's plans to remove travel bottlenecks with Myanmar, with a bus service from this Manipur capital to Mandalay appears to be faced with a major impediment - poor road conditions along the border areas. (Courtesy of Times of India)
Director, Ministry of Commerce, Department of Trade Promotion and Consumer Affairs, Aung Mgg, told this to ANI during an interview at the Classic Grand.
Meanwhile, Manipur Government has been working relentlessly to complete construction of the Integrated Check Post ( ICP ) at Moreh, to give impetus to trade between India and the South Asian Countries, including Myanmar by the end of this year.
The First Imphal-Mandalay service carrying 27 officials was flagged off by the Chief Minister of Manipur on the 10th of December 2015.
India's plans to remove travel bottlenecks with Myanmar, with a bus service from this Manipur capital to Mandalay appears to be faced with a major impediment - poor road conditions along the border areas. (Courtesy of Times of India)
Kerry Logistics wins concession to operate inland ports in Myanmar
Hong Kong - Kerry Logistics Network Limited (‘Kerry Logistics’ or the ‘Company’; Stock Code 636.HK), a leading logistics service provider in Asia, announced that its subsidiary, KLN (Singapore) Pte Ltd, has been awarded concession to operate inland ports in Yangon and Mandalay, two major commercial cities in Myanmar. The awarding ceremony organised by the state-owned Myanma Railways under the auspices of the Ministry of Rail Transportation of Myanmar was held at the Sule Shangri-la Hotel, Yangon.
In a bid to seize new opportunities for cross-border trade upon entering the ASEAN Economic Community, the government of Myanmar is committed to developing the railway transportation potential and promote mass cargo transportation in the country. The inland ports will serve as container and cargo terminals linked by railway to major routes in the country, and as hubs for the exporters, importers and domestic logistics service providers of cargoes in and out of Yangon and Thilawa Ports, as well as for cross-border cargoes from neighbouring countries such as China and Thailand. (Courtesy of ajot.com)
In a bid to seize new opportunities for cross-border trade upon entering the ASEAN Economic Community, the government of Myanmar is committed to developing the railway transportation potential and promote mass cargo transportation in the country. The inland ports will serve as container and cargo terminals linked by railway to major routes in the country, and as hubs for the exporters, importers and domestic logistics service providers of cargoes in and out of Yangon and Thilawa Ports, as well as for cross-border cargoes from neighbouring countries such as China and Thailand. (Courtesy of ajot.com)
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