The Voice 2006

The Voice Vol. 3, No. 11 (December 18)

• Between 200 and 300 people queue up daily outside of the Thai Embassy for getting visas and the embassy recently assigns more than 10 travel and ticketing agencies to provide service for locals getting visas. The agencies will charge K5,000 service fee. (December 14 news)

• Private companies are allowed to import total of palm oil 20,000 tonnes monthly and 65 per cent of imported oil is to be sold to the Myanmar Edible Oil Traders and Entrepreneurs' Association. Previously the Union of Myanmar Economic Holding Limited monopolised palm oil import and it will continue importing 10,000 tonnes per month. (December 14 news) 

• With the arrangement of Rangoon Division Peace and Development Council, 3,000 GSM mobile phones are leased to the public in November. Total of 15,000 GSM mobile phones will be leased to the public with the council's arrangement. (December 13 news)

• More Laotian students will be offered scholarships to pursue degrees in Burmese universities, the deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Maung Myint said at a Burma-Laos senior official meeting held in Naypyidaw. Currently nine Laotian students are attending at the Yangon Foreign Languages University. (December 10 news)

• Teak is planted in about 20,000 acres during this fiscal year as part of Bago mountain range greening project, the Ministry of Forestry's figures said. (December 8 news)

• The new customs staffs begin taking over the duties of 109 staff who were suspended their duties later November. A business owner said customs procedures were strictly carried out since joining of the new staffs. (December 6 news)

• The UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation launches three projects to control and combat bird flu virus simultaneously with nearly US$1.5million contribution from AusAIDS, Japan and United States. (December 5 news) 

• Hong Kong-based Samlik International management Co., Ltd visited here to study investment opportunity in mining sector. (December 4 news)

• Grade I rice price drops significantly because of continuous supplies of Grade I rice from various paddy-growing areas into the Rangoon market. (December 4 news)

• Since later November, private companies in Monywa are allowed to import onion seedlings from India for this growing season. Previously onion seedlings were imported by the local social associations in order to facilitate the seedling shortage. (December 1 news)

• There were frequent requests from fishery companies in European countries to purchase fishery products despite EU and some countries' imposing sanctions on Burma, said an official from the Myanmar Fishery Products Processors' Association. (November 24 news)      

The Voice Vol. 3, No. 8 (November 27)

• The Japanese government plans to assist more than US$3million in this year to Burma under its grassroots grant assistance scheme. It has provided about $2.5million last year. (November 22 news)

• Some quarters in Rangoon Division's Bahan Township are facing drinking water shortage since October first week. Water is supplied by Yangon City Development Committee that has announced to supply 90million gallons daily to the whole city. (November 19 news)

• Malaysia is re-allowing Burmese labours without having training completion certificates available at the Ministry of Labour's training centre in North Dagon and Yankin townships. Previously the certificates were a must for labours to work in Malaysia. (November 18 news)

• Foreign and local investors would have separate areas in the emerging Yadanabon Cyber City that is close to Mandalay-Pyin-Oo-lwin road, and they would share the same advantages, the Myanmar Computer Industry Association said. (November 18 news)

• Under the grassroots grant assistance scheme the Japanese government will provide US$85,345 for Aide Medical International's project to distribute pure water in Dala Township. (November 17 news)  

• Matpe price becomes stronger during this week in Bayintnaung wholesale market and Matpe (special quality ready to cargo type) is traded with one-month credit of K0.995million per tonne. (November 16 news)     

• Japan will set up two small-scale physic nuts grinding factories in Mandalay and Magway divisions where such nuts are grown largely. (November 15 news)

• Rangoon and South Korean Hwasang chambers of commerce and industry signed a memorandum of understanding in November third week for promoting bilateral relations. The MoU covers providing technical assistance for Rangoon's automobile manufacturing industry. (November 15 news)

The Voice Vol. 3, No. 9 (December 4)

• The Customs Department suspended duties of 109 staffs including a director and 17 assistant directors since November 28, said the department's announcement signed by its director Lieutenant Colonel Htin Paw. Those staff will be allowed to withdraw 50 per cent of their salaries till new order is released, the announcement said. (November 29 news)

• A NGO, Care Myanmar, will establish two billboards each in 75 townships to raise awareness on bird flu virus. The billboards are designed to get understood easily on protecting the disease. (November 27 news)

• The Japanese government donated more than US$70,000 under its grassroots grant assistance scheme for renovating two bridges in Northern Shan State. (November 25 news)

• The United Nations' FAO and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) will work for the technical development of laboratories in seven ASEAN countries including Burma. Japan will fund US$7.7million for the project. (November 25 news) 

• A private Khine Khine Company was finishing construction of a factory that can produce 50,000 gallons per annum of bio-diesel from physic nuts, said managing director Mr Yu Jain Chen. The factory is in Shwepyitha Township's Thardu Lake industrial zone and the company is also building an automobile factory and steel factory in the zone. (November 25 news)

• More than 110 public Internet centres are officially opened within one year beginning from November last year. The centres are targeted to be opened in all 324 townships throughout the country. (November 25 news)

• China waived old debts that Burma owed China. The debts were taken during the tenure of Myanma Socialist Program Party that was in power till 1988. (November 24 news)  

• Business people who are not from rice trading sector are required to inform to the Myanmar Rice and Paddy Traders' Association if they begin rice trading or storing, the association's announcement said. (November 22 news)
  
  
  

The Voice Vol. 3, No. 7 (November 20)

• Local currency value increases in all border trade checkpoints since November first week though the critical reason is yet unknown, a veteran border-trader said. (November 16 news)

• Not all rice wholesalers in Naypyidaw will move to new wholesale complex because price of a shop in the complex is increased to K4.25millon from K1.98million. (November 12 news)

• The Customs Department allows owners of confiscated 50 vehicles, which are assembled by Shwetharya Motor Co., Ltd, to withdraw after giving fines ranging from K17million to K68million to the department. It seized those vehicles after their configurations were found different with that of vehicles assembled in the industrial zones. (November 12 news)  

• The branch offices of local garment factories are planned to be open in Shanghai and Hong Kong soon, a member from the Myanmar Garment Entrepreneurs' Association quoted the association's chairman as saying at a meeting on November 7. (November 11 news)

• About 144 bags of onion imported from India begin entering the Bayintnaung complex and another 400 bags of supply are to follow soon. (November 11 news)

• The Ministry of Finance and Revenue chose 410 out of 1400 applicants to get employed in its Customs Department. The department is now providing customs related training to the successful candidates who will soon begin their duties. (November 11 news)   

• Bamboo production from Naypyidaw and nearby areas is prohibited to prevent deforestation of bamboo in that area. (November 9 news)

• The Myanma Agriculture Service and Japan Development Institute will sign a memorandum of understanding within one month on providing technical assistance to produce bio-diesel from physic nuts. (November 8 news)  

• Farmers in Ayeyarwaddy Division's Ma-U Bin Township still keep their paddy stocks in anticipation of prices to get increased even though paddy brokers offer K260,000 per 100-basket. (November 8 news)   

• The Japanese Marubini Corporation is doing research to invest for mining copper in Sagaing Division. (November 7 news)

• Onion supply to Bayintnaung complex boosts again after onion wholesale price was increased to K1,800 per viss since November 3. About 24 trucks carrying onion entered the complex on November 6. (November 6 news) 

• The Department of Agriculture Planning plans to supply more than 0.6million metric tonnes of urea fertiliser to farmer in 2006-07. (November 2 news)

• The Three Diseases Fund (3D Fund) will fully begin its operation in Burma since April next year, said Dr Kelvin Khin Zaw Win from the International HIV/AIDS Alliance. It will contribute US$20millon per year for five-year term to combat AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. Norway, Britain and Australia have already contributed to the fund. (November 12 news) 

• The Ministry of Immigration and Population will begin issuing online Departure Form (D-form), which is required for Burmese citizens going abroad, since November 16. Applicants are to print the forms that are to be submitted at the airport and they are to pay required fee for the forms at the Myanma Economic Bank and its branches. (October 11 news)   

The Voice Vol. 3, No. 5 (November 6)

• IELTS exam fee will be raised to US$ 144 from $142 since January next year, the British Council said in its website. (October 29 news)

• During July 29 to October 16 the inspection groups have found about K2.5billion worth commodities that are illegally imported through the Rangoon's ports. (October 27 news)

• With the assistance of the UNICEF two American experts invent a water purification pot that will not require electricity for functioning. The Myanmar Social Development Association will distribute those pots especially in the villages where the UN agency is conducting its activities. (October 27 news) 

• Production of rainy season onion is likely to be lesser in November because of October first week inundation in major onion growing areas including Kyaukse and Myittha in Mandalay Division. (October 26 news)

• The Department of Border Trade and business associations held trade promotion meetings with local businesspeople from four cities including Muse and Lashio in an attempt to increase bilateral trade with neighbouring countries. (October 26 news)

• The Ministry of Communications, Posts and Telegraphs is working to expand its Internet connection bandwidth to 165MB. It is providing 120MB so far. (October 26 news)

• Authorities are likely to allow again the import of nail that was stopped since last mid year due to price fluctuation. Nails are imported mostly from China. (October 26 news)

• Construction work on City Hall of Naypyidaw will be completed in November second week. (October 24 news)

• About US$216million income had been generated from fishery export in first half of this fiscal year, Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein said, adding that $400million was targeted to earn in 2006-07 fiscal year from fishery export. (October 21 news)

The Voice Vol. 3, No. 4 (October 30)

• The Myanmar Fishery Federation will inspect from hawkers to exporters in order to prevent putting lead into shrimp's head for gaining more weights while selling. The attempt is to be initiated soon after lead-on-head shrimps are found in Naypyidaw. (October 26 news)

• Owners are to drop their apartment's rental fees because of higher availability of unoccupied flats. Decreased demand in property trading market results in the higher number of to-let apartments. (October 25 news)

• About 21.78million baskets of monsoon-season paddy are harvested by October 20. Monsoon paddy is cultivated in 16.88million acres and paddy planted in 0.34million acres only are harvested so far. (October 21 news)

• The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries plans to begin livestock breeding works in seven livestock breeding zones, to be established close to Naypyidaw. Breeding zones are to be established on total of 6,424 acres. (October 20 news) 

• Six famous places including Bagan and Mrauk-U are temporarily chosen to be included in the UNESCO's world heritage list. (October 20 news)

• Private sector contributes 50 per cent of the country's US$3.4billion trade made during this fiscal year by September second week. There are about 54 per cent of private sector's contribution to last year's trade of $5.54billion. (October 18 news)

• Aquatic products zone will be established in Maungdaw in order to practise tender system for export of fishery products to Bangladesh. (October 17 news)

• Yields of beans and pulses and sesame cultivated in central Burma increase twofold as sufficient water is supplied to those crop plantations from heavy rains. (October 8 news) 

• Massive supply of new harvest rice are likely to enter the Rangoon market soon as most paddy plantations are harvested during last week's fine weather. (October 16 news)  

The Voice Vol. 3, No. 3 (October 23)

• The Ministry of Commerce would establish four trading education promoting groups and two exports and foreign trade promotion groups in an attempt to attract local entrepreneurs in investing in the country's industrial manufacturing, agriculture, livestock breeding and trading sectors, a ministry's senior official said. (October 16 news)

• City taxies operating on diesel/gasoline are no longer driving around on the streets but wait at the particular taxi-stations for getting passengers in order to cope with fuel prices changes. Government recently increased inspections on small-scale fuel sellers throughout Rangoon because of surges of fuel prices in illegal market. (October 15 news)     

• Sales and prices of the by-products in the rice mills - broken rice and paddy husk - surge during this year due to lesser production and higher demand of those by-products that are used as raw materials for animal feeds. (October 14 news)   

• The Rangoon ports joint inspection group has completed inspecting the private-owned more than 11,000 containers during September, the Ministry of Commerce announced on October 12. (October 13 news)

• More than 0.1million shares of the public FMI Company had been traded during six months beginning this March, the company said in its announcement. (October 12 news)

• The Three Diseases Fund (3D Fund) is beginning its assistance programs for fighting AIDS, TB and malaria in the country since October 12, said Dr Kelvin Khin Zaw Win from the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, who assisted establishing the fund. The iNGOs - Artsen Zonder Grenzen, Medicines Sans Frontieres, Medicines Du Monde and Agency Francois-Xavier Bagnoud - also started their 3D Fund-assisted operations. (October 12 news)

• The UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation is planning to contribute grandparent stock day-old-chicks to the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries for assisting bird flu affected poultry farms. (October 10 news)

• The Myanmar Red Cross Society will conduct a series of disaster study and response three-day training, each to be attended by 20 members of the society, in 15 townships from seven states and divisions. (October 9 news)

The Voice Vol. 3, No. 2 (October 16)

• The private Air Bagan will begin operating Rangoon-Bangkok flights since October 27. (October 12 news)

• Train operations from Rangoon to Mandalay are postponed since October 11 because some parts of the railroads linking two major cities are flooded due to heavy rainfalls, and the passengers who had bought tickets in advance are refunded. Meanwhile highway expresses reported of their continuing operations till October 11. (October 11 news)

• OK rice trading company changed its business to beans and pulses trading rather than rice trading. It also changes the company's name to OK beans and pulses trading company. (October 11 news)

• The overflowed Rangoon River flooded Dala Township, which is situated in the opposite side of river that is spilt over due to the immense rainfalls in late afternoon on October 8.  (October 9 news)  

• The Sedona and Summit Parkview hotels in Rangoon make their stock shares available at the Asian hotel market, a Singapore-based hotel business Consultancy firm said. (October 9 news)

• There is shortage of Thai-made vehicle tyres in the market during this week and the prices are up about 10 per cent. (October 6 news)

• The Deputy Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu said more tourists including scientists from Russia are likely to arrive in Burma during this year and local travel agencies should look for the business opportunities by collaborating with the Russian counterparts. (October 5 news)

• The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism made some changes in applications of on-arrival visas that include applying such visas not earlier than 30 days of their intended arrivals. (October 4 news)

• Two Australian experts from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology will teach in the social work diploma course during October. Rangoon University's psychological department and the Depart of Social Welfare operate the diploma course. (October 3 news) 

• Myanma Railways operates Rangoon to Dawei in Southern Burma every other day only because some parts of Ye-Dawei railroad are damaged by torrential rain in August. (October 1 news)

The Voice Vol. 3, No. 1 (October 9)

• More than K2,257million worth goods are confiscated till July 29 from illegal imports via Rangoon's ports. (October 4 news)

• The Myanmar Red Cross Society will conduct a pilot project for water and environmental related health care educating campaign in November in Magway Division's 20 villages. (October 1 news)

• About 1million tourists are expected to arrive in Burma in this travel season, said the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism. According to the ministry's statistic more than 660,000 tourists are attracted in 2005 and 656,000 in 2004. (October 1 news)

• Exports of varieties of beans and pulses earn US$217million during the first four months of this fiscal year, according to the Ministry of Commerce's statistic. (October 1 news)

• The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism no longer permits applying visas online and the travel agencies are to remove the online visa application forms, which are made available at their website. (September 30 news)

• The United Nations Children's Fund begins one-year child protection project in collaboration with MRCS in ten townships in Mandalay, Tanintharyi and Ayeyarwaddy divisions and Rakhine State. (September 29 news)

• More than unclaimed 100 containers of goods will soon be auctioned with the floor price of K2,257million as there were no claims for those goods after waiting two months, said Transportation Minister Major-General Thein Swe. (September 29 news)

• The Ministry of Commerce is issuing about 9,000 export/import licences per year and of which about 6,000 licences only are used, said its Minister Brig-Gen Tin Naing Thein. (September 29 news)

• Authorities decided to introduce the International Tropical Timber Organisation's forest landscape restoration system at some of more than 20million acres deforested areas. (September 27 news)

• About five out of 70 overseas labour recruiting agencies are blacklisted as they frequently breached the regulations set by the Department of Labour. (September 26 news)    

The Voice Vol. 2, No. 52 (October 2)

• A 34-member German film-shooting group arrives during September last week for picturing scene background with Bagan cultural region, Ayeyarwaddy River and Ngapali Beach. (September 28 news)

• Work on building the biggest iron bar manufacturing factory in the country by Myanmar Wunli Company at Myaungdaga Industrial Zone is expected to be completed later this year. (September 23 news)

• Beans and pulses prices rise because of demand from an Indian Company which ship carrying more than 20,000 tonnes of variety of beans and pulses from Burma sunk during August by a cyclone. (September 23 news)    

• A public owned rice and paddy trading company is planned to get established in order to take leading role in the country's rice and paddy trading sector, U Chit Ko Ko, an executive committee member of the Myanmar Rice and Paddy Trader's Association said. (September 22 news)      

• The Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development will collect census of private industries in the Hlaingthaya Industrial Zone. The census is to be collected for the second time to help improve private industry sector in the country. (September 20 news)

• The Ayeyarwaddy Division's Hinthada district is tentatively selected as a place in which the country's private paddy plantation zone is to be established. (September 20 news)        

• Fish trawlers change their fishing method to stationary fishing instead of mobile method due to surging diesel prices and other overhead costs. A 50-gallon barrel costs more than K0.2million and at this higher fuel price sending a trawler to sea would cost K28million per one time. (September 19 news)

• The Ministry of Energy is exploring new oil and natural gas wells in Maubin, Pantanaw, central Nyaungdone and Dedaye in Ayeyarwaddy Division. The ministry also has signed gas and oil exploration and production agreements with 44 overseas companies that are working at 24 blocks at offshore. (September 19 news)  

• A Bachelor of Science on nuclear physics will be conferred at the higher education departments' four universities - Yangon, Mandalay, Yadanabon and Dagon universities - since this academic year. The first two universities will also accept students doing on nuclear physics mater degrees.        

The Voice Vol. 2, No. 51 (September 25)

• The head office of Myanmar Rice and Paddy Traders' Association will be moved in October to Bayintnaung wholesale complex. (September 18 news)

• The Surveillance and Rapid Respond Teams will be established throughout the country to help monitor bird flu. The teams will be established with the arrangement of WHO and FAO in collaboration with the ministries of Health and Livestock and Fisheries. (September 17 news)

• Myanma Agriculture Service and FAO are conducting survey on establishing local products-based small-scale food production businesses that help raise economic standard of rural people. (September 16 news)

• An eight-member group led by Indo-Myanmar Chamber of Commerce chair Mr G.L Goenka visited Burma and held talk on September 5 to help increase bilateral trade. The talk included establishing bank transactions between the two countries. (September 16 news)

• The smuggled products confiscated at the Mayanchaung checkpoint are auctioned on September 12 at the Myanmar Agriculture Produce Trading in Rangoon. Total of 67 bidders participated in the auction that gained K146.3million from sale of goods. (September 13 news)

• Repairing Rangoon's public roads that went deteriorated during monsoon season are planned to begin in coming opening season. (September 12 news)

• Establishing of government communication network that links its ministries has been completed, Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw said in September second week. (September 10 news)

• Myanmar Rice and Paddy Traders' Association held meeting with rice and paddy traders on September 9 for stabilising rice prices. (September 10 news)

• The Aloha Medical Mission, comprised with 3085 volunteered general practitioners, will provide free medical services in Thitagu Hospital in Sagaing Mountain in late September and early October. Overseas GP and surgeons contribute their service at the hospital during October to February annually. (September 5 news)

• A boat smuggling vehicle body-frames and canned foods is confiscated in Ayeyarwaddy Division's Pyapon Township on August 9. (August 28 news)

• More investors are interested in expanding hotel business in Inle region, one of three major hotel zones in the country. Since there is constraint on obtaining operating licences for new hotels investors are seeking to buy the existing ones. In a latest trading a hotel in the region is sold with US$1million.

• Price of Grade II rice drops about K500 in September second week at the Bayintnaung wholesale market.
  
  
  

The Voice Vol. 2, No. 50 (September 18)

• Rice prices in Mandalay fall notably since September second week as a result of opening of special rice shops. (September 13 news)

• Poultry farms begin breeding more day-old-chicks since early August and import of DOC will be permitted again in coming opening season to help meet the possibly rising demand. (September 13 news) 

• The Myanma Posts and Telecommunications will lease 10000 GSM mobile phones to government employees in Rangoon with the arrangement of Yangon Peace and Development Council. (September 12 news)

• The Import Export Price Clarifying Committee begins since September 1 inspecting containers stuck at the Rangoon's ports in collaboration with officials from the Custom Department. The committee is comprised with the Ministry of Commerce's staff. With the tight inspection process it takes two times than before to take the commodities out of the ports. (September 8 news)

• Highway trucks transporting crops including chilli and onion still receive daily fuel quotas provided by the government even though providing fuel quotas to other trucks carrying variety of commodities is suspended since August 22. (September 8 news) 

• The Ministry of Commerce is planning to invite India, Bangladesh and Thailand to participate in Burma-China trade exhibition to be held in Muse 105^th mile trade zone, its Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aung Tun said. Burma and China hold border exhibitions in Muse and Shweli alternatively. (September 8 news)     

• Locally produced some soft drinks are no longer marketed since last month possibly because of decreased sales and higher production costs. (September 5 news)

• The Ministry of Mining issues notices to mining companies to submit their director lists for checking their authentication. (September 4 news)      

• Myanmar Airways International is likely to expand its operation to Japan via South Korea in collaboration with Korean airline. (September 3

The Voice Vol. 2, No. 49 (September 11)

• The Ministry of Finance and Revenue will auction four lots of smuggled goods on September 12 that were confiscated at the Mayanchaun checkpoint. (September 7 news) 

• Local vehicle assemblers are facing raw materials shortage and they are allowed to submit applications for importing necessary parts since late August even though no one still is permitted for importing. (September 6 news)

• Breeding farms are facing shortage of animal feeds, which are mostly by products of edible oil crops, mainly because exports of edible oil crops as raw materials not as value added goods increase. (September 2 news)

• Matpe export to India resumes because prices offered by Indian side higher again than local prices. The crop's price is likely to get higher as there is less stock of fair-average quality Matpe that are exported to India. (September 2 news)

• DVDs sales surge because DVD players with variety of brand names begin available with as cheap price as VCD players. (August 30 news)         

• Fish supply to central fishery market in Kyitmyindaing Township is dropping as a result of declining demand from fishery exporters. (August 26 news)

• The United Nations Children's Fund and Ministry of Health are planning to launch a nation-wide bird flu education program with US$1.9million assistance provided by the Japanese government. (August 25 news)

• The US's Iowa University invited author Moe Hein (Thar-journal-kyaw) to attend annual international writing program-2006 that attracts famous authors and poets from 30 countries. (August 24 news)

The Voice Vol. 2, No. 48 (September 4)

• An Indian business delegation led by Indo-Myanmar Chamber of Commerce and Industries will meet with Burmese businessmen on September 5 for business matching in various sectors. (August 30 news)

• A committee to verify local market prices of imported products will be established soon to help clarify the authentication of declared prices of imported items. (August 29 news)    

• Thai Airways plans to expand its Rangoon-Bangkok flights by adding three-time a week afternoon flights since later October in addition to its morning and late afternoon flights operating daily. (August 29 news)

• A public FMI Company included in top 20 companies listed in Singapore stock market since it entered the market on August 23. Price of FMI's shares increased 36.5 per cent on August 24. (August 26 news)     

• The American Centre will raise its English classes fees for about K10,000 to K30,000 since September. It also plans to open medical English course next month. (August 26 news)

• More than K9.4million worth foodstuff smuggled from Thailand are confiscated on August 17. (August 26 news)

• Robe prices become higher because there are almost no supplies of fabrics for making robes from Thailand and China, and shops are selling their remaining stocks only. (August 25 news)

• The Australian government and UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation will provide K700million worth parent fowls and feeds to state and private-owned bird farms as part of bird flu control assistance. (August 25 news)

• The Myanmar Agro-based Food Processors and Exporters Association is established to help improve the export of local-made package foods. (August 24 news) 

• The Myanmar Farm and Crop Producers' Association begins survey on establishing an international standard sale centre for crops and vegetable in Rangoon. (August 23 news)

• Thailand investors make very frequent visits to Burma recently to seek investment opportunities especially in fishery and forestry sectors. (August 23 news)

• UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation will conduct US$6million oil crops development project in Burma from 2006 to 2008. The project is funded by Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. (August 21 news) 

• Teaks sold in end of July auction gained increased US$300/400 per tonne due floor prices are also set at higher prices. (August 19 news)

• Former City Hotel in 8^th mile junction will begin Royal Emperor Hotel when its operation starts on December 25. The Myanmar Emperor International Co., Ltd won 31-year leasing bid to operate the hotel. (August 18 news)

• Burma expected to earn K40trillion at the end of fourth 5-year development project in 2011-12 fiscal year. The 5-year projects are conducted as part of 30-year long term economic development project implemented in 1992-93 fiscal year, and country's economy has significantly improved since 2001-02 fiscal year, Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Aung Tun said. (August 3 news)

The Voice Vol. 2, No. 37 (June 19)

• The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies awarded the Myanmar Red Cross Society the best paper presentation prize during a water and environmental sanitation workshop held in Bangkok Post. (June 10 news)

• More exporters use the Indian Gati Shipping as the shipping's direct container transportation service between Burma and India shortens the return voyage from 15 days to 5 days. (June 10 news)

• Banks in Mandalay warn their customers as frequent daylight robberies are witnessed in the town. (June 10 news)

• The IFRC and MRCS will also conduct training throughout the country in an attempt to raise public awareness on bird flu control and prevention. The training would alert the public to be on their guard with the disease that can be spread again even though Burma successfully controlled the outbreak of bird flu, said MRCS's U Zaw Htoo Oo. (June 7 news)

• People travelling from Myitkyina to Mandalay and Rangoon find great difficulty in getting train tickets, as tickets available are insufficient compare to the number of travellers. Myitkyina residents mostly are to rely on trains to travel to other areas of the country. (June 7 news)

• The Malaysian Texchem Resources Bhd will invest Ringgit10millions to breed crabs and shrimps in 1000 acres land in delta region. (June 3news)

• The United Nations World Food Programme initiated a new project in Kokang region to help residents grow poppy-substitute crops since 20 months ago. It also provides assistance in Magwe Division because sufficient foods cannot be produced in such dry region. (Extract from interview with the WFP's regional representative, Mr Bhim Udas)  

The Voice Vol. 2, No. 36 (June 12)

• Burma would share the European Union's Euro 30million assistance for Bird Flu control in ASEAN countries, the EU Minister Consular (Food and Safety), Mr Patrick Deboyser who is visiting Burma said. Meanwhile the EU Commission said EU would sponsor the travelling expenses of the Burmese representatives who will participate in bird flu conference in Australia in early June. (May 30 news)

• The United Nations Children's Fund will organise a US$1.8million media campaign to help public understand more about bird flu prevention. It is also planning to hold a workshop on bird flu virus in collaboration with the ministries of Health, Information and journalists. (May 30 news)

• Burmese government was still discussing with UN agencies and other international organisations including JICA for giving the birds vaccinations and the specific decision was yet to be made, an official from the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries said. (May 30 news) 

• The Livestock and Fishery Development Bank will grant K50million for resuming of poultry breeding farms and day-old-chick production in bird flu infected areas. (May 28 news)

• Two experts from the US-based Fort Dodge Animal Health will hold talk on bird flu vaccines in International Business Centre on May 30. (May 25 news)

• Rumours of entry denial for Burmese labours who take other international airlines rather than Malaysia Airlines are spreading even though a sales manager from the Myanmar Airlines International said every Burmese passengers who took MAI were allowed to have entries to Malaysia. Most labour agencies use MAI to send labours to Malaysia because of its convenient flight time and cheaper price. (May 25 news)

The Voice Vol. 2, No. 35 (June 5)

• The Burmese ambassador to Indonesia, U Khin Zaw Win who represented at the 28^th FAO's regional conference for Asia and the Pacific said at the event that Burma's forest covered area would be expanded for about 40 per cent of the country's total area by 2010. (May 28 news)

• The Deputy Minister for Hotels and Tourism, Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu, said tourists who visited Burma with on-arrival-visa were mostly from the United States that is followed by France with 14600 visitors. About 17,000 Americans visited with on-arrival-visa. (May 27 news)  

• The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries assisted US$12million loan for Burma's palm oil plantation and processing project while FAO provided technical assistance for the project, the FAO's country representative Mr Tang Zhengping said. (May 25 news)

• The Wildlife Conservation Society announced collecting of the population of wild elephants in Hukaung valley. (May 24 news)

• The Myanmar Red Cross Society builds three reservoirs in Shan State's Kengtong Township in an attempt to provide villagers clean water. The building of reservoirs that costs more than K110million is funded by the society, IFRC and the Australian Red Cross Society. (May 24 news)

• The prices of Grade III and I rice drop between K1000 and K1500 per bag due to the regular supply of rice bags to Rangoon market. (May 24 news)         

• The head office of the Ministry of Information in Naypyidaw allowed 16 publication licences including for three magazines and five journals on May 22. The ministry has approved licences for publication of 72 journals and 42 magazines since July last year. (May 22 news)

• An official from the Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading said the US$46.8million earning from fruits and vegetables exports in 2005-06 had exceeded the targeted value of US$30million. (May 22 news)

• An official from the United Nations development Program said at a rural livelihood and food security workshop organised by the Department for International Development that the Burmese government had agreed the proceeding of the agency's micro-financing project in the country till 2007. The American PACT technical advisory group administered the project, which is conducted in delta, Shan and central dry zone regions. (May 12 news)

The Voice Vol. 2, No. 34 (May 29)

• The sole Internet service provider Myanmar Teleport announced that local Intranet connection only would be available due to failure of its Internet submarine optical fibre backbone. (May 24 news)

• The Malaysia-based ASEAN World Fish Centre will send two experts to Burma from May 22 to 31 and they will study the country's fish farming and production sectors. (May 24 news)

• The users of the broadband Internet linked with Thai Com.2 satellite are to change their Internet receivers' direction to Thai Com.1A. The sole Internet service provider, Myanmar Teleport's local service providers will provide service for direction adjustment in June and July. (May 23 news)

• The 50-year old headquarters of the Myanmar Red Cross Society in Strand Road will be renovated with the assistance of the Norway's Red Cross Society. (May 20 news)   

• A senior official from the Directorate of Trade said invitations had been made to Indian entrepreneurs for investment in forthcoming Thilawa special industrial zone where Chinese businesses are bound to invest. (May 19 news)

• The 125 miles per hour gushing Cyclone Mala that passed through Thandwe Township on April 29 sank five fishing boats harboured at the Thandwe Port. (May 19 news)

• Burma had sufficient amount of natural gas to sell to fuel hungry India and China, a Burmese official who arrived in New Delhi was quoted as saying by Asia Times. (May 18 news)

• The British Embassy raised again the visa fee since April 24 for travellers who are leaving from Burma to Britain for various reasons. Previously the embassy set K1900 for £1 and now it is raised to K2400. The embassy began collecting fees for visa, consular and passport with Burmese currency since March 15. (May 14 news)

The Voice Vol. 2, No. 33 (May 22)

• The Chinese SINOPEC oil and gas company is expected to begin inland oil drilling next year in Sagaing Division's Monywa District as ground survey conducted by a local survey company for Chinese side is completed about 80 per cent. The Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise and Chinese company have signed a production-sharing contract in September 2004. (May 14 news)

• Gold market is facing more supply than demand as many people who bought with low prices are reselling their jewellery while gold shops accept their once-sold jewellery with about less K20,000 per tical than current market price. (May 12 news)

• The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has contributed about US$39667 worth assistance to cyclone and tornado victims in Hlaingthayar and Gwa township, and it is also planning to donate more to other affected areas. (May 12 news) 

• All 94 children who are attending at the British Council's general English courses have passed the Cambridge ESOL's English examinations. (May 12 news)

• Thai agriculture business will invest for developing more than 24,000 acres in five border towns with the contract farming system. (May 12 news)

• The UMFCCI, Attorney General Office, the ministries of Commerce and Industrial No (1) have completed drafting the ninth phase of a special industrial zone law that will enable for the hundred per cent foreign investment in Burma. The law is dedicated to facilitate the Thilawa special industrial zone that is to be established with complete investment from China. (May 10 news)

• The Japanese government offered to donate US$0.18million worth lab facilities to the Livestock Breed and Veterinary Department's animal disease quarantine labs in Rangoon and Mandalay. (May 9 news)

• The UN organisations including WHO, FAO, UNICEF and OIE will assist for upgrading the animal disease quarantine labs in Rangoon and Mandalay in an attempt to not have another bird flu outbreak as well as controlling quickly in case of new outbreak. (May 7 news)

• More than 0.1million plants are grown in Ngalinpout mountain greening project area's 815-acres in Nyaung Oo Township with the assistance of the Korea international Cooperation Agency. (April 30 news)    

The Voice Vol. 2, No. 32 (May 15)

• About 0.18million rice bags from Ayeyarwaddy Division are directly transported to Pakokku in Magwe Division during April. Even though rice bags normally are transported first to Rangoon and distribute again to other states and divisions they are now directly sent to Pakokku due to Rangoon rice traders' lesser price offer. (May 7 news)

• Two laboratory experts from UK and Australia will visit Burma to check bird flu even though spreading of the disease is said to have under control. (May 7 news)

• The Myanmar Livestock and Fisheries Development Bank will grant K12million loans for mythun (a kind of domesticated wild ox) farming project in Sagaing Division's Hkamti town. (May 7 news)

• The British Council in Rangoon will organise 8^th ELT conference in Sedona Hotel on May 20 and 21. The conference, which is expected to attract more than 400 participants, is to be held under the main theme - Language across the Curriculum. (May 5 news)        

• A director at the Internal Revenue Department said the recent amendment of the tax regulation was just modification of some law clauses and the adjustments did not include increasing the taxation rates. (May 4 news) 

• Some villages in Mandalay Division's Kyaukpadaung are using self-reliant mini-hydropower plants for generating electricity. The self-reliant plants are built with the contributions of the villagers and a local NGO, Renewable Energy Association, and UNDP have donated US$200 and K06million respectively for the development of a plant in Hlaingtha (South) village. (April 30 news)     

• The number of Burmese female labours, who are mostly from countryside areas rather than urban areas, working legally in Malaysia is said to have increased. (April 28 news)

• Fabric prices in Magala Market show rising sign due to exchange rates changes in border trade sector. (April 25 news)

• A five-member group from Somalia Red Cross Society has visited Burma from April 18 to 24 to gain knowledge of the Myanmar Red Cross Society's activities. (April 24 news)     

• The Department of Forestry collaborated with the Mangrove Service Network for conducting a mangrove study tour for outstanding students from three basic education high schools in Myaungmya Township in Ayeyarwaddy Division. (April)
  
  
  

The Voice Vol. 2, No. 31 (May 8)

• The justice and home affairs ministers from European Union had agreed to raise the entry visa charge to Euro 60 from Euro 30 in order to cope with the expenditure for security measure, IRNA reported. (April 27 news)

• The Ministry of Telecommunications, Posts and Telegraphs in Naypyidaw has opened a first full time training for government staff that will in assist establishing government online system. (April 26 news)

• The Union of Myanmar Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industries and the Russian CCIRF had signed a trade collaboration agreement on April 4. (April 25 news)

• Businessmen were likely to receive 0.5-acre land for free in wastelands near Naypyidaw airport for operating their business, said a businessman who recently went to that region for seeking business opportunity. (April 24 news)

• Exports of watermelon and muskmelon to China at the Muse border checkpoint were up again. Even though China is importing a massive volume of fruits from Burma it buys them with less than international market prices. (April 24 news)

• The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism is planning to publish visitors' guide for Inle region. (April 24 news)   

• The Myanmar Citizens Bank's shares would be available over-the-counter at the Myanmar Securities Exchange Centre since May. (April 23 news)

• An information centre that will provide exchanging bilateral trade data would be open in Bangladesh's consular office in Sittwe in Rakhine State. (April 20 news)

• Matpe price in Bayintnaung wholesale market had risen slightly during March last week. (April 8 news)

The Voice Vol. 2, No. 30 (May 1)

• Trades of birds and their products in central Burma were allowed to resume since April 25, an official from the Mandalay City Development Committee said. (April 27 news)

• The Ministry of Commerce announced said grade-three rice would be available with K280 per Pyi (1/16 of a bushel) at the 115 special rice retail shops which were open in Rangoon's 21 areas in an attempt to get stability of the local rice market. (April 26 news)

• Asia World Company won contract for establishing Shwe Li hydropower project's power distribution grids, and it has completed the link from Shwe Zaryan in Mandalay Division to Kyauk-me in Shan State while work on power grid from Shwe Li to Hsipaw in Shan State was ongoing. (April 22 news)

• The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation is conducting an agriculture and natural resource development project in Northern Rakhine State in collaboration with FAO. The European Commission funded Euro 1million for the program, which is aimed to provide adequate foods to more than 50,000 households in the area. (April 22 news)

• The Myanmar Human Resource education centre is providing orphanages in Rangoon free training for enabling them to establish small businesses. It plans to expand the training in upper Burma in June/July. (April 20 news)   

• A special gem and jewellery fair will be held in June and July at the Myanmar Convention Centre on Mindhama Road. (April 20 news)

• The South Korean small and median businesses are recruiting about 1240 Burmese general workers since early April. (April 17 news)

• Burma and Chinese Jiangxi province will collaborate in education and tourism sector, the director general of the province's trade department, Mr Liu Shuseng said during a business investment meeting held on April 11 in Traders Hotel. The province also exported US$177million worth commodities to Burma last year. (April 11 news)

• Myanma Posts and Telecommunications had imported more than US$5million worth telecommunications facilities, according to the Ministry of Commerce's releases. MPT began accepting application for GSM mobiles in some major cities including Taung Gyi, Lashio, Bago and Magwe since late last year and it had already leased the mobile phones in Taung Gyi and Lashio. (April 8 news)

• Highway passenger buses were allowed to use the new road, part of the Rangoon to major cities in central Burma, that is built close to Naypyidaw by not crossing Pyinmana and Lewe townships. (April 7 news)

• Three offices of the Save the Children, an international non-government organisation in Burma, will be jointly open at one place in Wisaya Plaza in Bahan Township. There are three offices of the iNGO from Japan, UK and USA, and the UK office, which is formerly open in Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, has already joined the USA office in Wisaya Plaza. (April 6 news)   

The Voice Vol. 2, No. 29 (April 24)

 ·         The road section of the Burma, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, which is part of the 1450kilometer East-West corridor, will be open in 2007. (April 6 news)

·         According to the figure of the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development Burma’s population had reached more than 55.4million till end of January this year. Last year’s figure saw about 55.4million population while there are 16million before gaining its independence in 1948 and about 39.3million in 1988. The country’s labour force currently had about 37.74million. (April 4 news)  

·         The United Nations Children Funds will hold workshop on bird flu control in collaboration with local non-government organisations and the ministries. (April 2 news)

·         Onion export would be resumed once the crop’s price became stabled, U Win Myint, the chairman of the UMFCCI said. The onion export was temporarily stopped due to smuggling to neighbouring countries via border. (March 31 news)

·         Twenty-seven gems and jewellery companies will participate in Thai and Vietnam trade fairs to be held in April. (March 31 news)

·         Seventy-six city bus drivers and conductors are confined for two weeks due to charging more to the passengers. (March 29 news)

·         There still is regular Mapte trading in Bayintnaung wholesale complex even though the crop’s price went up significantly. (March 29 news) 

The Voice Vol. 2, No. 28 (April 10)

 ·         The Asia World Company is conducting feasibility survey for establishing a fertiliser plant that would contribute to the development of country’s agriculture sector. So far there are three state-owned plants in Burma and a new plant would be the first to be established by private company. (April 2 news)

·         Three hotels in Pyinmana began their operation since Armed Forces Day on March 27 even though their whole constructions are yet to be completed. Those hotels will be built as five stars international hotels and 20 vehicles for use in those hotels will soon be imported to Burma. (March 31 news)

·         Work on nine-mile long Myawaddy-Thigan-nyi-naung road, which is part of the famous Asia highway network, is expected to complete before this year’s raining season. (March 30 news)

·         The Indian companies are preparing to directly import the 15,000 tonnes of varieties of beans and pulses in March second week via Rangoon port. Indian market purchases about 70 per cent of Burma’s exported beans and pulses annually. (March 25 news)   

·         Air Bagan’s tickets are planned to be made available online since April or May. If available the airline, a private airline that flies to 14 destinations, will be the first in the country to offer such online ticketing service. (March 24 news)

·         Burma’s more than 500-year old biggest teak tree in Pyin-Oo-Lwin grew about four inches within three years and has measurement of 24-foot 11-inch in March this year. (March 11 news)

The Voice Vol. 2, No. 27 (April 3)

 ·         Applications for beans and pulses export licence increase due to the crops’ higher price in India market. (March 25 news)

·         Bilateral trade volume with Thailand in 2004-05 fiscal year with about US$ 1281.73million is the biggest volume received among Burma’s trading partner countries. Burma’s bilateral trade volume with Singapore is the second biggest with about $762.61million. (March 25 news)

·         The Japan International Cooperation Agency donated a vehicle, bird flu prevention gears and educational posters to the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries on March 24. (March 24 news)   

·         Sesames prices drop slightly due to the declining purchase from Mandalay traders who normally export the crop to China. (March 24 news) 

·         Myanmar Red Cross Society donated K5million worth 1,000 set of personal protective equipment to the Department of Health on March 18. MRCS has inventoried the personal protective equipment, which are provided by IFRC, in case of more outbreak of similar disease. (March 23 news)

·         A franchise supermarket of the Thailand’s famous Big C Supermarket will be open at the Shwe Parami Shopping Mall in Hlaing Township in April Last week. (March 22 news)

·         The Myanma Pearl Enterprise’s number of pearl sold and foreign currency earning from selling the pearl during this fiscal year hit record in 14 years. (March 22 news) 

·         Burma will host the seventh meeting of the ASEAN customs directors on information and communication technology from April 4 to 6. (March 20 news) 

The Voice Vol. 2, No. 26 (March 27)

·         Samples of bird flu infected chicken were sent to the laboratories in Thailand and Australia during this week, the secretary of the Myanmar Livestock Breeding Federation, Dr Zaw Win said. He also rejected the reports of bird flu outbreak in Ayeyarwaddy and Pathein. (March 22 news)  

·         The 24-acre Burma’s third ICT Park will be established near Pyin-Oo-Lwin. (March 21 news)

·         The citizen-owned Yangon Airways will begin operating Rangoon-Ayelar (Pyinmana) flights since March 21 on every Tuesdays. Yangon Airways is the third flight that operates to that destination. (March 19 news)

·         Onion is not exported currently to Bangladesh despite 0.2million tonnes a year offer from that country. (March 19 news)

·         About 3million units of bamboo are exported annually to Bangladesh via border checkpoint. (March 19 news)

·         Seafood consumption in Rangoon increased significantly after the report of bird flu outbreak in central Burma. (March 19 news)     

·         Researchers from the British Cambridge University are studying water sample from Ayeyarwaddy, Chindwin and Thanlwin rivers, and they are negotiating with the authorities via Forest Resource Environment Development Association for study river systems and environmental condition of those rivers. (March 18 news)

·         Restaurants in Mandalay City stopped selling chicken and eggs since March second week. (March 14 news)

 

The Voice Vol. 2, No. 25 (March 20)

• A group of film directors from Chinese CCTV has arrived Burma to conduct locational research for filming Langecane-Mekong documentary series. (March 14 news)

• More instant coffee sachets are exported to China due to the increased demand and more than US$0.2million worth instant coffee sachets are exported within February last week. (March 11 news)

• A more than 76-year old aged home, the third aged home in Burma established by Daw Oo-Zun, in Paungde Township in Bago Division is facing difficulties for accommodating the aged people due to the insufficient funding and building space. (March 11 news)

• The Myanmar Livestock and Fisheries Development Bank will grant K0.1million each for farming tilapia in one-acre farm in a bid to support tilapia-farming project in 20,000 acres land. (March 10 news)  

• India said at a press conference held on March 9 that its IT experts would assist Burma for development of ICT sector and establishing e-government system. (March 10 news)

• The depositors at the Myanmar Universal Bank, which banking license was revoked last August, are allowed to withdraw their funds since March 1. (March 7 news)    

• The fish experts from the American Smithsonian Institution, which has signed an agreement with the government for assisting elephant conservation work in Burma, have visited here for study local freshwater fish few months ago. (March 7 news)

• The secretary of the Myanmar Bird and Nature Society confirmed that there still was no sign of bird flu in delta region where most migrated seabirds were homed. (March 7 news)

• The Japanese government will assist US$40,171 for rebuilding a deteriorating wooden bridge that links Nga-chaut-zay and Ohndaw in Mrauk-U Township. (March 2 news)  

• Thailand became the rotating chairmanship of the Greater Mekong Sub-region Business Forum and the former rotating chair U Win Aung, an UMFCCI's vice-president, handed over the chairmanship to a Thailand's CCI's vice-president on February 17. (March 1 news)     

• The Livestock and Veterinary Department will conduct the bird flu prevention training in order to safeguard the disease once it is found in the country. (February 24 news)  

• Chaungtha Beach has attracted a record of 154,059 local visitors in 2005. It has received 126060 local visitors last year and the increase is likely to be the reasonable prices and the better service at the beach. (February 22 news)

The Voice Vol. 2, No. 24 (March 13)

• An Euro3.5million worth ruby will be auctioned at the 43^rd gems emporium to be held from March 15 to 24. (March 9 news)

• A public access centre (Internet centre) is open since March 1 at the office of the Ministry of Commerce in Strand Road in order to facilitate the trading licences online. (March 6 news)

• Myanmar Red Cross Society and United Nations Children's Fund have already opened eight Friendly Youth centres throughout the country. The centres are open since 2004-05 project year to help support the youth development. (March 3 news) 

• The Ministry of Forestry is beginning to expand the area of the existing 31763-acre Popa mountain forest reserve to 43,505 acres. The forest reserve also has 16,230-acre buffer zone and human habitation, plantation and hunting in the forest reserve area will be prohibited by laws. (March 2 news)

• Xinhua news agency reported that Burma would participate in the International Tourism Exhibition to be held in Berlin from March 8 to 12. (March 1 news)

• Fish farms are starting collaborating with the United Nations Development Program for expanding tilapia farming during this year. The UNDP will provide tilapia fingerlings to the farms, which are to return to the organisation the 40 per cent of the incurred profits. (February 28 news)

• The Dagon Seikkan Development Co., Ltd, established in 2000 with the co-operation of the government's Department of Human Settlement and Housing, Yangon City Development Committee and the private Yuzana Construction Company, will be closed down soon. (February 28 news)

• An official from the Office of Passport Issuing Board said anyone who were suspended withdrawing their passports for various reasons would enable to apply for the new one. The board is planning lawsuits for those who had applied for the passports with fake documents. (February 28 news)

• The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation has sold 600 tonnes of rubber wood last fiscal year to the local private businesses, and it is planning to sell twofold tonnes of the wood in this fiscal year. (February 27 news) 

• Onion price in local market rises gradually due to collecting of wholesale dealers as well as the potential of export market. (February 27 news)  

• The Myanmar Equestrian Federation is providing horse riding training to disabled children from the Department of Social Welfare's disabled youth training centre. (February 22 news)

The Voice Vol. 2, No. 23 (March 6)

• The Union of Myanmar Economic Holding Limited's Shwe Mann Thu highway transportation service rewarded a social outstanding award at its six anniversary held on February 28 to a highway bus driver for his efforts in helping two people who were badly injured in a car accident that occurred on January 18 in Pegu Division. (February 28 news) [Not mentioned: One of injured people was Senior General Than Shwe's stepson, Tun Naing Shwe] 

• The letter of credit (LC) system will be used for the trading of fisheries products in Muse 105^th mile trading zone in Burma-China border. (February 28 news)

• The Department of Fisheries has confined nine companies for trying to export small-size crabs that are listed as a restricted export product. (February 28 news)

• Organic ginger cultivated with natural fertiliser would be exported to Germany regularly. Burma earned US$4.1million in 2004-05 fiscal year from ginger export. (February 25 news) 

• About K10million worth vehicles such as pick-ups and wagons are being traded since late February due to the approaching water festival, the vehicle brokers from the vehicle trading centres said. Most buyers are from major towns in other states and divisions. (February 25 news)

• More than 100 members business group from China's Nannin will meet with officials from the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in March for the business matching. (February 23 news)

• Yangon Airways, one of handful private airlines in Burma, will open its branch ticketing office in Sanchaung Township in late February. (February 22 news)

• The Ministry of Commerce is still issuing the recommendations at its office in Strand Road for applying entry and staying visas for foreigners who are working at the various companies in Rangoon. (February 21 news)       

• Matpe price is slightly up during February because of the less entering of the crop into Rangoon market as well as fluctuation of the currency exchange rate and increasing export demands. (February 14 news)

The Voice Vol. 2, No. 21 (February 20)

• Myawaddy Bank, operated by the Union of Myanmar Economic Holding Limited, will open its branch office in Pyinmana on February 27. Currently two private banks are operating their branches in the country's administrative city. (February 17 news)

• Yangon City Development Committee invites tenders for renting the 12-storey and 5-storey buildings near 8^th mile junction in Mayangone Township. The buildings, which formerly are operated as the hotels, are used as the headquarters of the former military intelligence unit. (February 13 news)

• Though Burma followed China in exporting matpe and mung beans to Japan, the prices of its products being offered were far less than that of the Chinese crops, a merchant said. (February 12 news)

• Massive amounts of foodstuff and construction materials are transported to Pyinmana since the beginning moving of the ministries last November, an in-charge from the freight forwarding service in Bayintnaung complex said. (February 11 news)     

• Cement price is stable at K4,700 per bag which is up from K4,000. (February 10 news)

• More than 2,000 golf amateurs from South Korean will play golf in the Burmese golf courses during this year with the arrangement of the travel and tours agencies from Burma and South Korea. (February 9 news) 

• A local vehicle manufacturing company and the Ministry of Industry No (1) jointly produce the mini electric vehicles for use in golf courses, parks and factories. (February 7 news)   

• An expert group from the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisation will visit Rangoon on February 9 to have preliminary study on husk-based power production techniques. (February 5 news)

• Department of Forestry was likely to grant the commercial raising of monkeys soon in Burma, an official from the department said. So far a local company has applied for commercially monkey breeding in Hlegu and Hmawbi in Rangoon Division. (February 4 news)

• A representative from Air Asia budget airline met with the official from the Ministry of Transport last January for air link between Rangoon and Malaysia. (February 2 news)
  
  
  

The Voice Vol. 2, No. 20 (February 13)

• A resident from Pyinmana said state-owned daily newspapers were available at the same time as in Rangoon since February 7 because of the establishing of the newspapers' printing house in Pyinmana since February. (February 8 news)

• The United States' visa section in Rangoon invites seven airlines to explain them the introduction of the new transportation letter. (February 7 news)

• The Myanma Airways is planning to expand its flights from Pyinmana to Mandalay and Heho in Shan State. It is operating Rangoon-Pyinmana flights three times per week. (February 4 news)

• More than 3,000 viss of eel are planned to send and sell at the Muse 105^th mile trade zone for the first time. (February 4 news)

• The Ministry of Health said it had already resumed the vaccinations for children weeks ago. (February 3 news) 

• Three hundreds she-goats from central Burma will be exported to Thailand during this year. (February 2 news)

• The onion price still remains stable though new harvest onion from Myingyan in Mandalay entered Rangoon market. (February 1 news)

• A director from the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries said Burma would begin receiving the assistance for bird flu protection during this year to be provided by the World Health Organisation and Food and Agriculture Organisation. The two organisations promised to provide US$1.8billion to bird flu infected countries. (February 1 news)

• Thirty-one private-use and cargo vehicles that are operating on CNG join the bus lines control committee for operating as the city buses. Fifteen vehicles joined the committee last year. (February 1 news)  

• Burma last year earned US$0.49million from broom export to Sweden and some Asian countries. (January 26 news)
  
  
  

The Voice Vol. 2, No. 19 (February 6)

• The Euro currency would be used for transactions made at the border trade between Burma and China, a trader who attended the meeting held at the Ministry of Commerce said by quoting the speech of Minister for Finance and Revenue. (January 30 news)  

• India Embassy in Burma is planning to hold the third Indian film festival during February second week. (January 28 news)

• The United Nations Children's Fund will conduct bird flu prevention and safely disposing the used medical equipment as the initiating projects to be done from 2006 to 2010. (January 28 news)  

• A 30-member group from the Thailand Board of Investment will visit Burma in February to seek investment opportunity in fishery sector. The group will visit UMFCCI, Myanmar Investment Commission, Central Bank, fish processing plants and fishing farms during their stay. (January 27 news)

• Ten overseas companies have confirmed attending the international pearl auction to be held on February 17 and 18. (January 25 news)

• The UP-2 Industrial Co., Ltd in South Dagon Industrial Zone that is assembling the light trucks begins marketing its mini-light trucks since early this year. The mini-light trucks, similar to Japanese Daihatsu, are assembled mostly with the Daihatsu's machinery and will cost about K9million. (January 22 news)

• The Ministry of Commerce will open 45-day training for export and import procedure during February first week. (January 18 news)

• Raw materials to be imported via border with cutting, manufacturing and packaging-CMP system will allow only the CPM entrepreneurs' Association took responsibility of assuring not to import illegal commodities together with those raw materials to be imported under CMP system. (January 18 news)  

• Myanmar Agriculture Development Bank has granted K30,900 millions loan to the farmers for the raining season cultivation. (January 16 news) 

• Discussion for establishing an EXIM Bank to help support the exporters and importers was underway, the deputy director general of the directorate of Trade, U Myo Oo said. (January 14 news)

• Import from other countries would be allowed if local fluorescent tube producers failed to meet the market demand and quality, a senior official from the Ministry of Commerce said. (January 13 news) 

• More than K4,425 millions loan had been granted to the businesses which are growing palm oil plants, a director from the Department of Agriculture Planning said. Total of K70,750 millions would be granted for 13 companies, which were growing the palm oil plants. (January 10 news)

The Voice No. 18, Vol. 2 (January 30)

• The Ministry of Commerce will privatise 30 rice and oil mills own by its Myanma Agriculture Produce Trading. (January 23 news)

• GSM mobile telephones will be leased at Lashio. (January 23 news)

• The Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan said at a press conference that talks between the government and the Kayin National Union was still ongoing. (January 22 news)

• The demand of the shrimp shells for use in animal feed increased in Burma-Thai border market as Thai animal feed producing factories were purchasing massive volume of shrimp shells as raw materials. (January 20 news)  

• Three Burmese and two Malaysian companies signed US$21.321million worth 18 memorandum of agreements at the ASEAN business and investment summit held in Kuala Lumpur in December. (January 14 news)

• The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation will produce sugar 50,000 metric tonnes in 2005-06 fiscal year in order to increase its sugar export. About 15,000 tonnes of sugar are planned to export this fiscal year. (January 10 news)

• The Myanmar Red Cross Society is conducting educating campaign in collaboration with the miners in order to reduce the death rate among workers because of the diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. (January 18 news)

• The field office head of the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Department Mr Bernard Delpuech said the Rangoon office was open in order to administer the Euro 8 million worth humanitarian assistance effectively. ECHO spent Euro 2 millions in 2001 for Burma and the fund is increased to provide more assistance in the country.

The Voice Vol.2, No.17 (January 23)

• The Ministry of Religious Affairs is working to develop the digital format of the 800-year old ancient palm-leaf inscriptions with the assistance of the international experts. (January 11 news)

• The government permitted to use diesel 40,000 gallons for dredging Rangoon River's sandbanks. The sandbank dredging will facilitate the international cargo ships to pass through the river without delay. (January 11 news)

• China imports about US$2billions worth bamboo products including bamboo shoots and fermented bamboo shoots annually. (January 11 news)

• About 1.5millions raining season paddy acres were already harvested throughout the country, an official from the Department of Agriculture Planning said. (January 10 news)

• Fisheries exporters were urged to participate in Muscat Seafood Mideast Oman fisheries fair to help expand their market. (January 10 news)

• The Department of Fisheries will open hazard analysis critical control point system-HACCP implementation training on January 13 to help improve the country's fisheries sector. (January 10 news)

• The city buses' drivers and conductors preferred working in buses, which are operated on compressed natural gas, because they can earn twofold than working in petrol or diesel fuelled buses. (January 7 news)         

• The state-owned pearl nurturing centre in Pearl Island has produced 21871 units of pearls during last December. Other two local and three overseas companies are also working in producing pearls. (January 6 news)

• The Myanmar Forest Products and Timber Merchants Association's four affiliated companies will participate in GMS-2006 trade fair to be held in Japan in February. (January 6 news)

• Bangladesh is interested in importing Burma's onion with the cost and fright system only. Burma exporters, who normally practise free on board system, are likely to be difficult in applying new system. (December 14 news)

The Voice Vol.2, No. 16 (January 16)

• Dr Tin Tun Oo, owner and chief editor of several publications became new publisher for the bilingual Myanmar Times weekly journal since January. (January 10 news)

• Burma began exporting its bio fertilisers for the first time, the Minister for Commerce, Brig-Gen Tin Naing Thein said, adding that the country was also importing about K30millions worth bio fertilisers annually. (January 10 news)  

• The Union of Myanmar Economic Holding Limited will resell 200 passenger buses, which are imported from Japan, with K16 million each to other passenger bus operators. (January 8 news) 

• The Manila-based International Rice Research Institute and its Burma branch office are striving to publish the agricultural information on Rice Knowledge Bank website in Burmese. (January 5 news)

• Burma was negotiating with China through diplomatic channel to prevent million tonnes of illegal logging from the country, Minister for Forestry, Brig-Gen Thein Aung said. (January 5 news)    

• The Myanmar Agriculture and Produce Trading will first inspect the in-hand stocks of any exporter who apply export permits for bean and pulses, sesame, rubber and onion. (January 4 news)   

• The preliminary survey for the 'Shwe' natural gas block in Rakhine offshore would be done to complete in May this year. The Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise and South Korea's Daewoo Corporation are jointly exploring the gas in the block. (January 3 news)

• Burma exported US$155,000 worth more than 280 tonnes of canes to China via border checkpoint. It also earned $5,500 from 10 tonnes of cane export to Bangladesh. (January 2 news)

• The 43^rd Myanma gems emporium will be held from March 15 to 24 in Gems Museum in Kaba Aye Pagoda Road. (January)

• The Ministry of Information's Press Scrutiny Board allowed the weekly journals to submit follow-up news any time if they meet the three criteria set by the board. The criteria are (a) news that are important for the benefits of nation (b) news of government held ceremonies and (c) sports news, and international and local news that are required to publish urgently (December 30 news)

• The first educating film produced by the Ministry of Health for the expectant mothers will be broadcast from the state-owned television channel with the collaboration of UNFPA and JOICFP. (December 28 news)   

• A & R International Co., Ltd will export US$ 5700 worth of locally produced dolls to Malaysia. Another local company will also export five metric tonnes of betel leafs to Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong and Japan with $5,000 per metric tonne. (December 27 news)            

The Voice Vol.2, No.15 (January 9)

• Burma began using x-rays for checking commodities that are transported through Muse 105^th mile border checkpoint. About 70 to 100 trucks daily are being checked at the checkpoint. (December 31 news)     

• Gemstone pictures depicting traditional and Chinese cultures are regularly exported to Taipei and Malaysia. (December 29 news)

• Thailand agreed at a meeting held in December to provide more agricultural assistance to Burma and it would implement a three-year project for the assistance. (December 27 news)

• A 21-member team led by the director general of the China Yunnan Province's agricultural department visited Burma in December to discuss and seek collaboration in livestock breeding and agriculture sectors. (December 27 news)     

• The Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Brigadier-General Maung Maung Thein ordered to confine fishermen who catch the fish by electrocuting. Some fishermen use batteries to catch fish by electrocuting and such act leads to the natural fish extinction. (December 21 news)

• The First Myanmar Investment company is implementing a project in a bid to enter the Singapore stock market and sell its share in that market. As a first attempt for the project FMI will take over Singapore's Sea View Hotel Limited. (November 30 news)

• Myanma Police Force is launching a project to confine people who get involves in gambling in Rangoon's townships since late 2005. (November 5 news)   

• High-ended luxury vehicles with the prices of more than K100 millions are traded in Rangoon vehicle market though trading of low-ended vehicles with the prices up to K10millions noticeably cools down.