Business news from Myanmar (5 Octob

[dohrs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Business news from Myanmar (5 October 1999) 

MyaBuzz
Business news from Myanmar (5 October 1999)

C O N T E N T S
1005-01 Myanmar Finance Minister In Washington
1005-02 Myanmar-Bangladesh Bilateral Trade Up
1005-03 Myanmar Pearls Sold in HK
1005-04 One of the Largest Vineyards in SE Asia Soon in Myanmar
1005-05 Local Prawn Breeding Encouraged
1005-06 IT For Myanmar Schools
1005-07 Companies In Brief
==============================================
1005-01 Myanmar Finance Minister In Washington
** Myanmar's Finance Minister has met separately in Washington with
investors to Myanmar.  He had discussions with the Managing Director of
Tokyo-Mitsubishi Bank, Chairman of Mitsui Marine and Fire Insurance of
Japan (which is expected to establish insurance business in Myanmar soon)
and also with the Chairman of German G&D company.  They met in Washington
while the Myanmar's Finance Minister and officials are attending the annual
meeting of World Bank (WB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the
United States capital.

ASEAN Finance Ministers and the Japanese Finance minister met also in
Washington on 27th September to boost bilateral co-operations. Myanmar's
Finance Minister attending the meeting coordinated for the greater
Japan-Myanmar economic cooperation.

The minister also had discussion sessions with the officials of WB
including Vice-Governor of the Bank.

1005-02 Myanmar-Bangladesh Bilateral Trade Up
**Myanmar and Bangladeshi officials will discuss the promotion of bilateral
cooperation in trade and investment in Dhaka.

On 3rd October a high-level Myanmar trade delegation led by Minister for
Commerce went to Bangladesh on the invitation of the Bangladeshi Government.

Main focus of Myanmar Bangladesh economic cooperation lies in the cross
border trade between the two countries. Bangladesh' investment in Myanmar
are in the fisheries and garment sectors. Currently, according to Myanma
Investment Commission, Bangladesh has invested over US$ 2 million in
Myanmar. Myanmar's pulses and beans and also the marine products have huge
demand in Bangladesh.

Another salient point of cooperation between two countries will be
Myanmar's participation to the Bangladeshi proposed growth zone to be
established together with other South Asian nations India, Nepal and Bhutan.

1005-03 Myanmar Pearls Sold in HK
**Myanmar participated in the Hong Kong Gems Emporium held in Hong Kong on
23-27 of September.

Myanmar displayed a total of 107 pearl lots worth over US$ 900,000. At the
emporium Myanmar sold 62 pearl lots worth US$ 668,985.

The Ministry of Mine participated in the emporium to get more experience in
selling Myanmar pearls to the International market and at the same time
boost foreign currency earnings for the State.

1005-04 One of the Largest Vineyards in SE Asia Soon in Myanmar
**Plans are underway for the plantation of 1,100 acres of grapes in the
Mongphon region near Tachileik town, in Myanmar's northeast border region.

After the plantation of grapes, Myanmar will have one of the largest and
most modern vineyards in the South East Asia region. The vineyard lies on a
total of 1,100 acres of land.

The region is also growing oranges, pomelos and lychees as well as seasonal
crops such as soybean and corn.

1005-05 Local Prawn Breeding Encouraged
** Myanma Fishery Enterprise on 3rd October announced new detailed methods
for breeding prawn and the plans for assisting the prawn breeders.

Myanma Fisheries Enterprise will sell small prawns for breeding on easy
payment plans and give breeders assistance. The Myanma Livestock and
Fisheries Development Bank will also disburse loans to the breeders.

Forty thousand prawns can be bred in ponds on an acre land. A one-acre pond
can yield about 1,000 kg of prawns within 8 months.

1005-06 IT For Myanmar Schools
**Myanmar based Computer Company, CE Technology Co Ltd and I Group (The
Information Provider for the Asia-Pacific) held a ceremony to exhibit their
latest information equipment in Yangon on 3rd October.

The theme of the exhibition is "Information Technology For Education
Development". The informational equipment as Net G Anytime Anywhere
Learning, Video on Demand Server, Elib, Medline, Art and Science Database
and Engineering Database are to be used in Universities and Schools.

1005-07 Companies In Brief
**Every Tuesday Myabuzz will include news about companies operating in
Myanmar.  These may be trivia or information about the companies'
businesses in the country:

1. API Gilex International Company Limited introduced Japanese Daikin brand
air-conditioners to Myanmar market. Product launching ceremony was held at
the Yangon's Traders Hotel on 27th September.

2. Managing Director of Myanmar Mamee Double Decker Limited discussed the
investment matters with the Myanmar Foreign Investment officials in Yangon
on 26th September. The Malaysian Mamee Double Decker Company is producing
instant noodles, snack food and dairy products in Myanmar.

3. Last week a leading Myanmar Agricultural company, Wah Wah Win
International imported 20 earth-moving vehicles to equip the company's on
going land reclamation projects in Ayeyawady and Kachin provinces. The
company is expected to import more machinery in coming days.
==============================================================
MyaBuzz is available via email 5 days a week except holidays.
For subscriptions or queries, email Pornjit at thaibuzz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
==============================================================
























Simon Billenness
Senior Analyst
Trillium Asset Management
711 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA 02111
(617) 423-6655, x225
(617) 482-6179 - fax
sbillenness@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.trilliuminvest.com/