The Voice 2007

The Voice Vol. 3, No. 22 (March 5)

• Local gold price hardly changed during February even though world gold price had increased notably. Local gold price increased about K1,000 per tical only in February third week while world gold price was up about US$25 per ounce in the corresponding period. (March 1 news)

• Bandoola Transportation Service is importing 100 more taxies from Japan by Thingyan Water Festival in April. (February 28 news)

• Special growing zones for beans and pulses will be established to help increase export of those crops. (February 24 news) 

• Bilateral trade volume with China via Chin Shwe Haw border checkpoint reached K131.885million and US$0.247million in January this year and K88.4million and US$0.211million in December last year. Burma side exported K56.805million and $0.247million in January. No commodity is imported via that checkpoint in December. (February 19 news)

• Border trade with Bangladesh was normal even though its political situation was quite unstable recently, said traders based in Rakhine State's Maungdaw. Meanwhile border trade at Sittwe border checkpoint declined. (February 17 news)

• Every vehicle passing through the Mayanchaung commodity inspection gate in Mon State is being examined thoroughly. Authorities confiscate the contrabands smuggled with highway passenger buses. (February 17 news)

• The Myanma NGO Website Establishing Group will help local NGOs to assist establishing their own websites so that they could attract donors by publicising their social activities. (February 19 news) 

• The Fishery Department and WCS (Myanmar) signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate in conducting bio-diversity and Irrawaddy dolphin conservation works along Ayeyarwaddy River. (February 16 news)   

• Myanma Posts and Telecommunication installed a rural development information system at the Coco Islands, Southern District of Rangoon, in collaboration with the Myanmar Info-Tech. (February 9 news)        

The Voice Vol. 3, No. 20 (February 19)

• While military government was working for clean governance political opposition forces should avoid spreading misinformation that could prevent establishing a democratic country in order to show their sincerity, U Aye Lwin from the 88 Generation Student Group (Union of Myanmar) told the Voice Weekly. (February 15 news)

• China and Burma agreed at a meeting to establish communication centres at the designated areas to fight transactional human trafficking. (February 14 news) 

• Private companies are allowed to distribute 35 per cent of their imported palm oil at their desired prices. Previously private companies were to sell their quotas of 35 per cent with set price. The 65 per cent of imported palm oil are to distribute to the Myanmar Edible Oil Dealers Association. (February 11 news)  

• The Myanmar Onion and Garlic Producers and Exporters Association is selling onion with K800 per viss at the tax-free market since early February. (February 10 news)

• U Hla Myint from a national reconciliation research student groups urged the United States to review its ineffective approach and lay down new strategy if it really wanted the emergence of national reconciliation process in Burma. (February 9 news)

• Authorities warned owners and managers of hotels, motels and inns in Botahtaung Township to be vigilant on terrorists who are likely to lodge at their properties in order to do destructive acts. (February 8 news)

• Traders should stop smuggling the commodities that are officially allowed to import in order to evade taxation, a senior official from the Ministry of Commerce said. (February 8 news)

• The Malaysian Petronas Cari Glari Myanmar Company will invest here for gas and oil exploration in Tanintharyi offshore in collaboration with the Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise. (February 7 news)

• Mung bean price drops about K15,000 per basket in Bayintnaung wholesale complex as a result of lesser demand while Matpe price decreases about K9,000 per basket during the week. (February 7 news)

• The skill development centres will be established in the special economic zones to be established in Myawaddy, Mawlamyine and Hpa-An. These SEZ will attract investors mostly from Thailand. (February 4 news)

• An American geologist from the University of California, Professor Dr Kerry Sieh will help the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology to prepare global positioning system network program. (February 3 news)

• The Malaysian Petronas Co., Ltd will establish a LNG plant in Rakhine offshore in collaboration with the Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise, according to the enterprise's official announcement. (February 3 news)

• Local garment factories are facing skilled labour shortage as more and more skilled labours are going abroad where they can earn more. (February 2 news)

• Polices in Rangoon are prohibited from taking motorcycles since January last week. The move is to prevent polices from getting involved in the road accidents. (February 2 news)

• The Forest Products Joint Venture Corporation plans to produce 22,500 tonnes of hard wood and teak in 2006-07 fiscal year. (February 1 news)

• Value of Chinese Yuan against Burmese Kyat has dropped within days at the Burma-China borders. (January 31 news)

• Bilateral trade between Burma and China's Yunnan Province reached US$690million in 2006. (January 30 news)

• The customs clearance agents said the customs clearance processes became faster because of better service provided by the customs officials.            

The Voice Vol. 3, No. 19 (February 12)

• Submitting a photocopy of an acknowledgement receipt for already submitted passport applications became one of the requirements since last December to apply for Form-19, issued by the Tax Clearance Processing Offices Internal Revenue Department for citizens who plan to go abroad. (February 8 news)

• American-based Silversea Cruises Ltd's MV Silver Whisper cruise ship carrying more than 530 visitors and crews will visit here on February 17. At least four similar cruise ships from the company are likely to visit Burma in 2006-07 tourist season. (February 8 news) 

• The American hip-hop stars will perform at a music concert to be held on February 17 at the Hotel Nikko Royal Lake. (February 7 news) 

• The government ministries will begin practising electronic-procurement system during this year. The system will enable the ministries to invite and evaluate tenders online. (February 4 news)

• The remains of an American military aeroplane was discovered January last week in North Western Burma's Naga region by US-based Explorers Flag Expedition group. (February 1 news)

• Matpe prices throughout the country gradually dropped as beans and pulses major exporter, India, has stopped its purchase during the week. (January 31 news)

• At least five German companies have offered to purchase organic potatoes and onions. (January 31 news)

• The Three-Disease Fund, established to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, will distribute ARV drugs to people living with HIV/AIDS via private clinics. The drug distribution is part of the fund's projects to be done in collaboration with non-governmental organisations. (January 30 news)

• Apple price drops notably after government re-allowed importing fresh fruits since late last December. However consumer demand for apple is quite stable. (January 30 news)

• The Forest Resource and Environment Development Association will expand mangrove plantation areas in Ayeyarwaddy Division's Kadonkani forest reserve with the assistance of an international NGO, Diagonal Emergency Aid. (January 24 news)    

• Trade in Rangoon timber market drops about 50 per cent as a result of lesser supply and higher prices. (January 20 news)  

The Voice Vol. 3, No. 18 (February 5)

• Hotels in throughout the country contracted with travel agencies for coming open season to be begun in October with their room rates 20 per cent increase. Hotel room rates especially in Rangoon are said to be much cheaper than international rates. (February 1 news)

• The Korea International Cooperation Agency will hold a meeting with Burmese and Thai railway officials in Bangkok today for refurbishing the missing parts of death railway that links Burma and Thailand. The agency began rebuilding work of the railway since 2005. (February 1 news)

• The International Crisis Group said in its report that the international organisations had faced difficulties in providing humanitarian assistance to Burma due to interference of some exile groups and activists to control such assistance. (February 1 news)

• Burmese currency is floated in border checkpoints and trade zones since January 12. Foreign currencies exchange rates against local Kyat are officially published on January 22 issue of the Ministry of Commerce's Commerce Journal that reported the exchange rate of K1,200 against US$1 at Muse trade zone and Sittwe checkpoint and K1,225 at Kawthaung border checkpoint. (January 30 news)  

• The electronic departure form (D-Form) is available within 20 minutes if applied during office hours with complete set of required documents. (January 28 news)

• Announcements to raise public awareness on specifications of letter and parcel bombs are distributed in crowded areas and city buses terminals in Rangoon. (January 27 news)

• Malaria drugs will be provided for free via projects that operate with funding of Three-Disease Fund. 3D Fund will begin its projects since April 1. The 3D Fund's Rangoon office will also be open in March this year. At least 40 social and non-governmental organisations have offered to work together with the fund so far. (January 24 news)

• The Myanmar Medical Association will hold HIV knowledge fair on February 9 and 10 in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund. (January 24 news)

• The United Nations Population Fund plans to hold the fifth training of third-level youth development program in Bagan. It has already conducted the first- and second-level training for 16 and eight times respectively since 2003. (January 23 news)

• Authorities still tightly inspect the routes in Muse area that are used to smuggle contrabands. (January 21 news)

• The Japanese government contributed more than US$38,900 for construction of sub-health centres in Taung Ka Lat and Ya Theyt Pyan villages in Hpa-an Township in Kayin State. (January 20 news)

• Trades between locals and Thailand traders begin at the Myawaddy trade zone that is still under construction. The trade zone is established to promote bilateral trade with Thai side. (January 17 news)

• The Medecins Sans Frontieres (AZG) raised this year fund to US$10million for expanding its activities, said its country representative Dr Frank Smithius. He also said AZG still contributed ARV drugs for free but just suspended doing so to some people living with HIV/AIDS who did not meet its standards. (January 4 news)

The Voice Vol. 3, No. 16 (January 22)

• Inspections have been tightened at the government offices including township courts of justice after a letter bomb blasted at a post office on January 15. (January 17 news) 

• Thukayeitmyoan home for the children living with HIV moved to a new facility in Dagon Myothit (Eastern) Township. The facility includes two buildings of which one is still under construction. (January 11 news) 

• The European Commission announced its allocation of €15.5 million in humanitarian aid for vulnerable groups in Burma/Myanmar and to Burmese refugees along the Myanmar-Thai border. (January 10 news)

• Price of crabs exported to China via Muse has increased about 40 per cent due to approach of Chinese New Year festival. About 80 tonnes of crabs are exported to China within seven days beginning on January 1. (January 9 news)

• Wholesale price of farmed chicken dropped to K1,957 per viss while the wholesale price of native chicken reached to K3,100 per viss. Retailed price of farmed chicken is about K3,000 per viss while native chicken with K4,500 per viss. (January 9 news)

• Public security forces are established with selected members of auxiliary fire brigade and the Myanmar Police Force is training them since January first week in order to enforce its works on home security affairs. (January 8 news)

• Medecins Sans Frontieres's (AZG) country representative Dr Frank Smithius said it would provide treatments to 0.25million patients in this year who are battling with malaria. It will also recruit more staff in 2007 in order to expand its health care services. So far it has about 800 staff and it is expected to recruit additional 100 staff. (January 4 news)

• Pigeon pea price is up nearly twofold within days due to intense demand from exporters. The price of new harvest pea reached to K620,000 per tonne in January from about K300,000 per tonne in later last year. 

The Voice Vol. 3, No. 15 (January 15)

*       88 Generation Students Group (Union of Myanmar) led by Ko Aye Lwin met with UMFCCI officials as part of the group's anti-sanction activity. (January 11 news)
*       Hotels in Rangoon had all agreed to raise room charges in this travelling season, said Hotel Nikko Royal Lake's marketing manager Daw May Myat Mon Win. Hotels in the former capital have already raised room charges from 12 to 15 per cent in last year's travelling season. (January 7 news) 
*       According to the Ministry of Commerce's figure, more than US$75million worth iron rod and steel are imported in this fiscal year by December 15. Total of $80.95million worth iron and steel are targeted to import during the whole fiscal year. (January 6 news) 
*       Prices of some textile material arriving in Mingalar wholesale market increased due to changes of both countries' currencies exchange rate in border trading. (January 3 news)
*       Tourist guides claimed that the current tourist season begun since last October had made them earn more income. The number of tourists also was likely to be more than the targeted 0.6million tourists in this season, they said. (January 3 news) 
*       A Japanese university is planning to conduct a research on famous Ayeyarwaddy River. (January 2 news)
*       UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation's country representative Mr Tang Zhengping urged Burma to follow the China's ways for fighting HIV/AIDS. (January 2 news)
*       The Myanmar Red Cross Society will begin a three-year public-based health development project in January in collaboration with the Finland Red Cross Society. The project will be introduced in five villages each in Magway Division's Pwintbyu and Natmaut townships and the number of villages will be expanded to 30. (January 2 news)
*       The Ministry of Health has already opened four counselling centres for people living with HIV/AIDS in Rakhine State. It also conducts a project to control HIV/AIDS in the state. (January 2 news)
*       The Yangon City Development Committee said its office buildings in major business areas would be leased to those who want to do business. The committee will accept tender applications by January 17. (December 24 news)        

The Voice Vol. 3, No. 14 (January 8)

• Sale of new harvest Grade III rice in Mandalay market is slower than last year as its current price reaches to about K20,000 per bag. (January 3 news)

• The National Geographic will send its media crew early January to document culture and lifestyle of Naga tribe who dwell at the remote area in North Western Burma. (December 31 news)

• Grade II paddy price is stable at about K330,000 during this week and the price is up about K60,000 that the price in the corresponding period. (December 31 news)

• Necessary equipment to test HIV/AIDS were being installed at the hospitals in Rakhine State, AIDS/STD preventive control team leader Dr Moe Moe Sein said. Commercial sex workers being detained in prisons in Rakhine are also provided medical check-up and other health care in order to control such communicable virus. (December 30 news)

• Three tidal gauges will be installed in coastal areas in 2007 to help detect occurrence of Tsunami in Indian Ocean. Similar equipment have already been installed last year in Rakhine State's Sittwe and Mon State's Mawlamyine. (December 30 news)    

• The bird flu-stricken Sagaing Division resumes fowl breeding since early December in special poultry breeding zone established with bio-safety system. (December 29 news)

• Palm oil is likely to be sold with K1,525 per viss in Sagaing Division's Monywa as wholesalers are to purchase since December their oil quota with K1,385 per viss for resale. Wholesalers in each state and division are allowed to purchase 200-tonne of palm oil. (December 28 news) 

• The Myanmar Commodity Price Control Committee re-allows palm oil wholesalers in each state and division to have their oil quota to distribute to public (December 28 news) 

• The Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise is inviting tender to build 11 more CNG refill stations in Rangoon in 2007. The enterprise already has opened 20 stations in 2005-06 fiscal year. (December 26 news) 

• The Myanmar Forest Products Joint Venture Corporation will pay foreign currency to purchase the Myanma Timber Enterprise's logs, which the corporation plans to resell in foreign market. The corporation will also sell woods with reasonable price to public who is not in government service. (December 23 news)

• The Livestock Foodstuff and Milk Products Enterprise will establish a fowl farm in 2007 to produce grandparent stocks in collaboration with a French-based Hubbard Company. (December 20 news)

• The Japanese factories in China were willing to move their investment to Burma once Thilawa special industrial zone is materialised, a vice-president of the Myanmar Computer Industry Association Daw Wah Wah Tun said. The Japanese investors had already in talk with Myanmar Investment Commission to move their factories from Shenzhen industrial zone in Southern China. (December 16 news)

The Voice Vol. 3, No. 13 (January 1)

• The UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation will conduct three-year organic farming project in Burma, Thailand and Malaysia since March next year. Four prawn firms will be the first to collaborate with FAO for initiating the project. (December 24 news)

• Customs clearance agencies resume their normal operation after some agencies went under investigation for briberies. Authorities withdrew the operating licences of some agencies that got involved in corruption cases. (December 23 news)

• About 30 private companies have submitted applications for import of palm oil after government announced granting private sector with export earning to import edible palm oil. (December 23 news)

• The Ministry of Commerce said companies were invited to compromise with Export/Import Cooperation Committee for the basis prices of items either to be exported or imported. (December 23 news)

• The Switzerland-based Francois-Xavier Bagnoud will launch anti-human trafficking project early next year in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Project Services. (December 22 news)  

• Myawaddy Trading Company became the top exporter of the month in November with more than US$28million export-earning followed by KB International Company with more than $20million. (December 22 news)

• The Ministry of Finance and Revenue recruits 18 female staff to employ them at the Yangon International Airport. The ministry suspended duties of more than 400 customs officials to investigate their involvement in corruption. (December 22 news)

• R.V Mahaythi river cruise introduces two-hour sunset tour in Yangon River in addition to its seven-hour Rangoon-Twante tour. Foreigners can enjoy the service with FEC10 per head for two-hour tour and FEC30 per head for the latter one. (December 20 news)

• EU Minister-Counsellor for trade Mr Jean Jacques Bouflet met with the Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Tin Naing Thein at Naypyidaw from December 12 to 14. During their meeting the Minister-Counsellor discussed Burma's business issue and EU's ongoing trade law. (December 19 news)

• About 812,500 visses of onion are pumped into the Bayintnaung wholesale market during early to mid December, and the price per viss varies from K1,000 to K1,600 during that period. (December 19 news)