RANGOON — While preparing to come to power in 2016, Burma’s main opposition party the National League for Democracy (NLD) must also gird itself for the substantial challenges of completing three special economic zones (SEZ)—Thilawa in Rangoon Division, Dawei in Tenasserim Division and Kyaukphyu in Arakan State.
Maung Maung Soe, a former professor of economics, warned that the incoming NLD-headed government will not be able to avoid SEZ developments because plans for them are already taking shape, though many of the individual projects have yet to be put into action.
“These are huge responsibilities that the new government will have to handle. Every SEZ is a different situation that will have to be handled carefully,” he said. “Burma’s new government will have to be transparent, and it will also have to know how these different zones can bring benefits to the country.”
At a meeting with incumbent President Thein Sein on Monday, the chairmen of the various SEZ development committees—Hset Aung for Thilawa, Han Sein for Dawei and Myint Thein for Kyaukphyu—discussed the status of their respective zones.
According to the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar, Vice President Nyan Tun said that of the three SEZs, Thilawa had been the most successful to dat. Its first phase includes the development of residential and commercial areas over some 1,000 acres of land. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
December 23, 2015
Official Vows Crackdown on Illegal Jade Mining in Hpakant
MANDALAY — As talk heats up over jade mining in Kachin State’s troubled Hpakant region amid reports of frenzied extraction of the precious gems there in recent months, Burma’s deputy minister of mines vowed Monday to prosecute illegal jade miners large and small.
The ministry’s plan was discussed during a session of Parliament’s Upper House, where lawmakers called on the Union government to take action to restore rule of law in the region and prevent further landslides and environmental degradation.
“The ministry is going to take legal action against illegal miners and prospectors who are looking for residual jade in the pilings of mining waste,” said Than Tun Aung, deputy minister of mines, in response to a motion submitted by Kachin lawmaker Khet Tein Nan urging government solutions to some of the problems that have beset the jade trade in Hpakant Township.
The deputy minister said the ministry was mulling possible amendments to Burma’s Gems Mining Law to ensure better environmental protections and prevention of illegal mining, a tightening of permitting and enforcement on limits to the use of heavy machinery. The measures would be aimed at making gems mining a more sustainable sector, he added.
Regarding complaints that the fundamental ill afflicting Hpakant is an absence of the rule of law, Than Tun Aung said on this matter the ministry would cooperate with local authorities, the Kachin State government, the military and even ethnic armed groups operating in the region. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
The ministry’s plan was discussed during a session of Parliament’s Upper House, where lawmakers called on the Union government to take action to restore rule of law in the region and prevent further landslides and environmental degradation.
“The ministry is going to take legal action against illegal miners and prospectors who are looking for residual jade in the pilings of mining waste,” said Than Tun Aung, deputy minister of mines, in response to a motion submitted by Kachin lawmaker Khet Tein Nan urging government solutions to some of the problems that have beset the jade trade in Hpakant Township.
The deputy minister said the ministry was mulling possible amendments to Burma’s Gems Mining Law to ensure better environmental protections and prevention of illegal mining, a tightening of permitting and enforcement on limits to the use of heavy machinery. The measures would be aimed at making gems mining a more sustainable sector, he added.
Regarding complaints that the fundamental ill afflicting Hpakant is an absence of the rule of law, Than Tun Aung said on this matter the ministry would cooperate with local authorities, the Kachin State government, the military and even ethnic armed groups operating in the region. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
Women in Myanmar conflict zones face rape, lack healthcare - UN
BANGKOK, Dec 22 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Women and girls uprooted by fighting in Myanmar risk sexual violence and lack access to reproductive healthcare, said the U.N. Population Fund, which next month launches a health project for women and girls in conflict-hit areas.
Communal violence in Rakhine state in the west and fighting between government troops and ethnic rebels in Kachin and Shan states in the north have caused massive displacement in Myanmar, where as many as 645,000 people are displaced, the highest number in Southeast Asia.
"While on the run or while living in shelters, (women) often lack access to basic sexual and reproductive health support," the UNFPA said in a statement. "Without assistance by midwives or provision of contraceptives, women and girls are at increased risk of unsafe sex, unwanted pregnancy and unsafe delivery."
The UNFPA's $11.8 million, three-year programme will provide healthcare for expectant and new mothers and emergency care for women who have suffered violence, such as post-rape treatment and counselling, in Rakhine, Kachin and northern Shan states.
In Rakhine, ethnic Rohingya Muslims face persecution and live in apartheid-like conditions, confined to camps and townships with restrictions on movement and deprivation of food and medical care.
"Imagine women there who want to deliver a baby, and they don't have means of transport, or they do not have proper documents to move within their areas: These are factors that contribute to maternal death," said Stenly Sajow, humanitarian affairs specialist for UNFPA. (Courtesy of trust.org)
Communal violence in Rakhine state in the west and fighting between government troops and ethnic rebels in Kachin and Shan states in the north have caused massive displacement in Myanmar, where as many as 645,000 people are displaced, the highest number in Southeast Asia.
"While on the run or while living in shelters, (women) often lack access to basic sexual and reproductive health support," the UNFPA said in a statement. "Without assistance by midwives or provision of contraceptives, women and girls are at increased risk of unsafe sex, unwanted pregnancy and unsafe delivery."
The UNFPA's $11.8 million, three-year programme will provide healthcare for expectant and new mothers and emergency care for women who have suffered violence, such as post-rape treatment and counselling, in Rakhine, Kachin and northern Shan states.
In Rakhine, ethnic Rohingya Muslims face persecution and live in apartheid-like conditions, confined to camps and townships with restrictions on movement and deprivation of food and medical care.
"Imagine women there who want to deliver a baby, and they don't have means of transport, or they do not have proper documents to move within their areas: These are factors that contribute to maternal death," said Stenly Sajow, humanitarian affairs specialist for UNFPA. (Courtesy of trust.org)
Myanmar: What happened in 2015 and what's ahead
What is the issue?
Myanmar is undergoing a remarkable transition, with one of the world's most reviled military juntas voluntarily giving way to a democratic government. This reform process culminated in 2015 in a landmark general election.
For decades, the military ruled the country with an iron fist. Advocates of democracy were routinely thrown in jail and human rights violated. The country lagged behind the rest of world, still relying on things like typewriters, land-line phones and mimeographs.
Five years ago, everything began to change. The government released national icon and democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi after decades of on- and off-again house arrest. A nominal civilian government took power and Suu Kyi won a seat in parliament by elections. The world took note, easing sanctions on the country and allowing the once isolated state to rejoin the international community. (Courtesy of CNN)
Myanmar is undergoing a remarkable transition, with one of the world's most reviled military juntas voluntarily giving way to a democratic government. This reform process culminated in 2015 in a landmark general election.
For decades, the military ruled the country with an iron fist. Advocates of democracy were routinely thrown in jail and human rights violated. The country lagged behind the rest of world, still relying on things like typewriters, land-line phones and mimeographs.
Five years ago, everything began to change. The government released national icon and democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi after decades of on- and off-again house arrest. A nominal civilian government took power and Suu Kyi won a seat in parliament by elections. The world took note, easing sanctions on the country and allowing the once isolated state to rejoin the international community. (Courtesy of CNN)
UNESCO and Panasonic Launch Educational Support Programs for the Next Generation in Off-Grid Communities in Myanmar
YANGON, Myanmar & OSAKA, Japan–(BUSINESS WIRE)–UNESCO and Panasonic Corporation signed a project agreement for Myanmar in November 2015 to promote educational support aimed at sustainable development for the next generation of young people living in the vicinity of the Ancient City of Bagan*1 in Myanmar, which is currently a nominee for UNESCO World Heritage listing. The signing marks the launch of the following joint projects today.
Donation of 500 units of “eneloop solar storage” to schools around the Ancient City of Bagan Panasonic will donate a total of 500 units of its “eneloop solar storage” to around 40 schools located in off-grid communities in the vicinity of the Ancient City of Bagan in Myanmar. At present, 1.2 billion people*2, or about 17% of the world’s population, live in areas without electricity. In Myanmar, 68% of its population*2 is said to have no access to electricity. Young people who live in off-grid communities around the Ancient City of Bagan are suffering from an educational disadvantage as they have no other choice but to study in a poorly-lit classroom, with limited daylight hours. (Courtesy of Cantech Letter)
Donation of 500 units of “eneloop solar storage” to schools around the Ancient City of Bagan Panasonic will donate a total of 500 units of its “eneloop solar storage” to around 40 schools located in off-grid communities in the vicinity of the Ancient City of Bagan in Myanmar. At present, 1.2 billion people*2, or about 17% of the world’s population, live in areas without electricity. In Myanmar, 68% of its population*2 is said to have no access to electricity. Young people who live in off-grid communities around the Ancient City of Bagan are suffering from an educational disadvantage as they have no other choice but to study in a poorly-lit classroom, with limited daylight hours. (Courtesy of Cantech Letter)
Myanmar accelerating SEZ development
Myanmar president U Thein Sein has urged the special economic zone (SEZ) working body to speed up the tender process or implementation of some key SEZs during the present term of the government, official media reported on Tuesday.
The term is set to expire on 30 March.
SEZ projects are important in terms of connectivity not only for Myanmar but also for the Asean region as they are strategically located on international routes in coastal regions, Xinhua cited U Thein Sein, who is also chairman of the central working body, telling consulting firms, preferred bidders and officials concerned.
The president referred to the country's three SEZ projects -- the Kyaukphyu in Rakhine state which is under the tendering process, the Thilawa SEZ in Yangon region and Dawei SEZ in Tanintharyi region.
The Thilawa SEZ attracts Japanese investors, while the Dawei SEZ was implemented by Thai investors.
A total of 48 foreign companies have invested $500 million in the Thilawa SEZ, which the report described as the most successful one in Myanmar.
The initial project for the Dawei SEZ was being carried out by Roland Berger, a global strategy consulting firm headquartered in Munich, Germany, the report said. (Courtesy of en.prothom-alo.com)
The term is set to expire on 30 March.
SEZ projects are important in terms of connectivity not only for Myanmar but also for the Asean region as they are strategically located on international routes in coastal regions, Xinhua cited U Thein Sein, who is also chairman of the central working body, telling consulting firms, preferred bidders and officials concerned.
The president referred to the country's three SEZ projects -- the Kyaukphyu in Rakhine state which is under the tendering process, the Thilawa SEZ in Yangon region and Dawei SEZ in Tanintharyi region.
The Thilawa SEZ attracts Japanese investors, while the Dawei SEZ was implemented by Thai investors.
A total of 48 foreign companies have invested $500 million in the Thilawa SEZ, which the report described as the most successful one in Myanmar.
The initial project for the Dawei SEZ was being carried out by Roland Berger, a global strategy consulting firm headquartered in Munich, Germany, the report said. (Courtesy of en.prothom-alo.com)
An Unlikely Foster Father Is Bringing Change to Myanmar
While Myanmar has been standing on democracy’s doorstep since its November elections saw landslide gains for the historically suppressed National League for Democracy party, the new government has decades of sanction-inducing behavior to reverse. The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks Myanmar among the top 20 most corrupt countries in the world. Following suit, the World Press Freedom Index places Myanmar’s press freedom 144th, mirroring its 141st GDP ranking.
But as high-ranking politicians and foreign interests scramble for a piece of Myanmar’s freshly baked democratic pie, countless unsung heroes continue working to make “the tropical East Berlin” one of Myanmar’s long-forgotten nicknames.
One of these unsung heroes is Jim Connor, and he’s a long way from his hometown in Pennsylvania.
When Connor was a teenager in Penn Wynne, Pennsylvania, his disenchantment with America’s public school system inspired him to explore an alternative education. (Courtesy of TakePart)
But as high-ranking politicians and foreign interests scramble for a piece of Myanmar’s freshly baked democratic pie, countless unsung heroes continue working to make “the tropical East Berlin” one of Myanmar’s long-forgotten nicknames.
One of these unsung heroes is Jim Connor, and he’s a long way from his hometown in Pennsylvania.
When Connor was a teenager in Penn Wynne, Pennsylvania, his disenchantment with America’s public school system inspired him to explore an alternative education. (Courtesy of TakePart)
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