shwe-NS-1024x678

Magway Region to develop new eco-tourism site near Shwesettaw area

A new eco-tourism destination will be developed within the Shwesettaw area in Minbu Township, according to the Magway Region Directorate of Hotels and Tourism Department. Under the management of the Magway Region Administration Council and with the suggestion of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, the project will be implemented on the 60-acre large area on the right side of Hlay Tin bridge situated on the Minbu-Shwesettaw road.

The tour site will include hotels, motels and resorts in order to provide accommodation for tourists all year round and exhibitions about renowned persons and famous places of Magway Region feeding information about tour sites, distances and local products. Only about the 2-mile stretch from the upper Settaw Yar, Mann Chaung elephant camp, where travellers can also visit golden deer and star tortoises. The eco-tourism site will be only about 4,000 feet away from the upper Settaw Yar.

It will include viewpoints, park, playground and gym, as well as trekking and cycling trails. In developing this eco-tourism site, Shwesettaw area will be developed, employment opportunities for locals increased and so will the tourism service and language skills. This aims to increase the income of villages from tourism, said the Magway Region in charge of Directorate of Hotels and Tourism. People will also be able to make a day trip to the famous Nat Lake area with its lush vegetation and cool mountain climate, which is only a 20-mile drive away from the tour site.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

5d5d54ba879be3fa6e5bb848

Fruit traders transfer money via bus terminal due to bank withdrawal restriction

General Secretary U Kyaw Soe Naing of the Myanmar Mango Market and Technology Development said that fruit traders transfer money through bus terminals due to money withdrawal restriction from the bank. Earlier, the banks were convenient to deposit and withdraw money. Now, the banks have restricted the withdrawal of cash. Thus, the traders build a strong relationship with the passenger bus drivers and send the money with them, he added. This year, people face a financial crisis. The banks do not allow the clients to transfer the money.

So, they are sending the money through passenger buses. If they want to transfer the money, they cannot use the bank anymore, and we they to transfer money via the bus station. Further, more than thousands of mango loaded trucks are stranded in the Kyin San Kyawt checkpoint on the Myanmar-China border. As a result, the quality of Myanmar mangoes exported to China is declining, and the prices are also dropping dramatically. Previously, if the traders sent the fruits today, the fruits were ready to sell tomorrow. It is an only one day trip.

Now, it takes four or five days on the way to the checkpoint. They are selling the fruits which need to be fresh. The export of Seintalone mango to China has plummeted as China has closed some checkpoints because of COVID-19. Their inspection of the products is taking a longer time than previously. Last year, Seintalone mangoes fetched around 120 Yuans-130 Yuans per 16 kg basket. But this year, the price of Seintalone mangoes dropped down to under 100 Yuans per 16 kg basket. Currently, Myanmar has been exporting around 10 or 15 mango loaded trucks to China daily. Those mangoes are from Sagaing and Katha townships, according to the association.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

beans_3_0

More black beans, pigeon peas to be grown as prices likely to rise higher until next year

According to the bean traders, the farmers should grow more black beans and pigeon peas because the prices of beans are likely to rise higher continuously till the next year because of high demand from India. Next year, we should cultivate more black beans and pigeon peas. These beans need to have fewer inputs and pesticide. Now, these black beans and pigeon peas are likely to fetch a good price until next year. India has also demanded an import bean quota of 400,000 tonnes. At present, the country has around 250,000 tonnes of bean stocks.  There will be a high bean demand in advance until the following year.

So, the bean price is expected to rise next year. The price will be much higher than this year. That is why farmers are urged to give priority to grow more black beans and pigeon peas, Vice-Chair U Chone of the Mandalay Commodity Depot elaborated. After harvesting paddy, the black beans are grown in October, November and December. The black beans are grown chiefly in Bago and Ayeyawady regions. The upper parts of Mandalay and Magway regions also grow a few acres of black bean. The pigeon peas are also cultivated across the country and produced mainly in central Myanmar.

The prices of black beans and pigeon peas are dependent upon the demand of India. In 2017-2018FY, India produced sufficient beans for their country. Thus, the price of Myanmar bean dropped to K97,000 from K120,000 in 2015.  Since 2017, we are now seeing the lowest price of Myanmar bean. A bean bag containing three baskets was sold for K25,000 or 30,000. Last year, climate change in India destroyed their pulses plantations. Therefore, India is buying Myanmar beans, especially the black beans and pigeon peas, he added. On 28 May, the prevailing price of black bean is ranging K100,000-K130,000 per 60 visses while the pigeon peas are pricing around K86,000-K95,000 per 60 visses, according to the Mandalay Commodity Depot.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar