Myanmar, Canada agree on four points of cooperation

Myanmar and Canada Thursday agreed on four points of cooperation, U Zaw Htay, spokesperson of the President's Office told the press.

The agreement was reached during a meeting in Nay Pyi Taw between Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw and visiting Canadian Foreign Minister Ste'phane Dion.

The agreement covers cooperation in Myanmar's national reconciliation efforts, availability of enough safe water under climate change, bringing in responsible investment and resumption of Canadian scholarship to Myanmar youths which was suspended in the 1980s. (Courtesy of Shanghai Daily)

Political prisoners in Myanmar could be freed by mid-April: President

Political prisoners and jailed student activists in Myanmar could be released within days, after President Htin Kyaw said this is a priority for the newly-elected National League of Democracy (NLD) government.

In a statement on Thursday (Apr 7), the government said it is trying to release them over the Thingyan New Year period in Myanmar, which falls in mid-April. (Courtesy of Channel NewsAsia)

Vital role for Myanmar in Asean's future

Regardless of the problems Myanmar faces on the road ahead, its political transformation thus far has been nothing short of miraculous ("Myanmar's stability crucial"; March 12).

Looking at the larger picture, there is quiet optimism about its future, considering what it went through in the past.

This bodes well for Asean. The grouping could, in time, operate more effectively than the European Union and be even more viable economically. Myanmar will have a vital role to play, if that is to come to fruition.

With its rich resource base and need to develop, it will be the catalyst for increased growth in the region.

Since 2011, Myanmar's domestic reforms and improved relations with the United States, EU, Japan and Asean have opened the door for that to happen. (Courtesy of The Straits Times)

Mega seeks home, Myanmar growth

SET-listed Mega Lifesciences Plc, the pharmaceutical and herbal medicine manufacturer, will allocate 820 million baht to expand its business in Thailand and Myanmar this year in search of long-term sustainable growth.

Of the total, 120 million baht will be invested in a new wellness centre in Muak Lek district of Saraburi and 160 million will be used to buy 17.2 rai next to its factory at Bangpoo Industrial Estate in Samut Prakan, said chief executive Vivek Dhawan.

The land will be used to increase manufacturing and storage capacity in the near future. (Courtesy of Bangkok Post: News)

Myanmar’s golden girl

ON March 2, 1962, General Ne Win, then Burma’s de facto ruler, seized absolute power by assuming the office of President of the country. It thereafter took 54 years for the country to elect a civilian head of government. It earlier took 26 years to oust the growingly unpopular Ne Win, who reduced the mineral-rich and agriculturally well-endowed country to economic stagnation, abject poverty and virtual bankruptcy. The subsequent elections in 1990 led to a sweeping victory for the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung San Suu Kyi, the daughter of the hero the country’s independence, Gen Aung San. The army, however, remained determined to retain power. After ruling for two decades, it imposed a constitution that denied Suu Kyi the possibility of becoming the head of government.  Undeterred, she led her party to a sweeping victory in the national and provincial elections last year, which guaranteed her and the NLD a predominant position in the national government and in the governance of all but two provinces in the country. (Courtesy of tribuneindia.com)

Meet Myanmar's new presidential spokesman, same as the old presidential spokesman

The latest shakeup isn't much of a shakeup.

Hmuu Zaw, aka Zaw Htay, is the new spokesman for the president's office under the Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy.

If his name sounds familiar, that's because he served in a similar capacity under the previous administration. In politics, it's rare for someone that high up to survive such a big change in leadership, but the NLD has shown willingness to keep on former ruling party stalwarts as a way of showing inclusivity. It's not a bad idea.

The new/old spokesman announced the news earlier today on his widely followed Facebook page, and the comments section was quickly inundated with congratulatory notes, with the occasional not so congratulatory note included. (Courtesy of Coconuts Yangon)

Solar lamps lights up Indo-Myanmar border

The Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change along with the District Administration distributed solar lamps along the Indo-Myanmar border blocks of Noklak and Thonokuyu under Tuensang Forest Division.

The range officer L Thisngthrise Sangtam along with the staffs and Phuniang EAC Noklak distributed 500 solar lamps in Thongtso, Chipur, Jejeking, Thongen, N. Peshu, Lumoking, and Khiunjed villages.

“Due to its remoteness, thin population and scattered location, they are debarred of many basic services and the areas are not yet connected by motor road and electricity,” stated a press statement. The officers and the staffs have to take tedious walk to reach out to the people. The Tuensang Forest Department is making its best effort to reach out to all the un-electrified villages in the border areas providing them life essential and at the same time educating them about their rich bio-diversity and the importance of life need towards conservation. (Courtesy of Morung Eexpress)