· Few trucks, little cargo, slow businesses at the Bayint Naung wholesales market in Rangoon in third week of October. The teashops are full with customers discussing business, costs of living, and one & two digits (illegal lottery). With declining border trade with China & Thailand (almost stopped at some points), many cargo trucks have not come to the Bayint Naung wholesales market anymore. Many cargo trucks are doing maintenance & repairs to go and work in logging areas. Transport charges increased, for example; to Mandalay, from kyats 15 per viss last month to kyats 22 per viss this month (Fuel price hike.) China made black and white TV sets, which can also use with battery power, occupied most of the imported cargo spaces. (Suitable for Burma where electricity is rare!) Rangoon-Mandalay railways cargo transport charges are also up from last month’s kyats 9 per viss to kyats 16 per viss this month. Diesel prices increasing.
· Second & third quality rice prices drop in the third week of October because new crops are arriving into the market. First quality rice prices remain high.
· The agriculture product prices dropped, due to the obstacles in border trade (All border trade almost stopped).
· Onion & chilli prices are flat because there is no export by both normal & border trade. (Farmers & merchants were hardly hit this year).
Fresh water fish farming in Burma
Fresh water fish exports by border trade to Bangladesh & India have been increasing. Fish exports rank first in border trade exports to these countries. But, productions still can not fulfil the demands due to difficulties and obstructions in fish farming. (Both in policy & technology)
· Paddy prices up in lower Burma in October, because of the two flooding that destroyed some of the paddy fields. There are speculations that paddy prices will remain high this year.
· Cultured shrimp prices are up after the Rakkhine storm destroyed some of the shrimp farms in Rakkhine State. Hilsa catches good this monsoon, said the fishermen in Rakkhine State. Hilsa exports to B’desh have been lucrative this year, said the traders. Fishing trawlers are not making good business due to rising diesel costs.
· Thai fishing vessels, that receive fishing rights in Burma waters, have arrived to Rakkhine State.
· Road conditions have deteriorating on the roads from Rangoon to southern Burma. Average speed can be driven on the road from Rangoon to Moulmein is only 15 miles per hour.
· Car prices are up about 10% compared to last month.
· Article about IT & digital technology in Burma.
· Artists and art galleries in Burma.
· Critique on social & general situations in Mandalay by a Mandalay based author.
Other articles not related to Burmese economy or business.