September 8, 2021 – Min Myanmar

Myanmar’s manufacturing output fell for a 12th straight month, with the fall in August being the strongest during the COVID-19 epidemic, according to the survey

Myanmar’s manufacturing output fell for the 12th consecutive month, with the decline in August being the worst during the COVID-19 epidemic, according to the IHS Markit Myanmar Manufacturing PMI (Manufacturing Purchasing Manger’s Index) released on September 1. The rise in Myanmar’s manufacturing PMI from 36.5 in July to 36.5 in August indicates a 12-month slump in manufacturing conditions.

The rate of decline was significant, with some companies experiencing COVID-19 damage, the most in the survey’s history. Purchasing Manager ‘Index (PMI) New orders Workplace Five indicators are calculated: suppliers’ delivery time and stockpiles. Factories closed; Production volumes were further reduced due to weak demand from customers and lack of migrant workers. The decline was significant, with 61 percent of respondents reporting lower production in August than in July, according to the survey.

The supply chain continued to suffer from shortages of raw materials, but the delay in completion was only a tenth in August. According to prices, the shortage of raw materials and the volatility of the dollar exchange rate have led to higher costs for producers in Myanmar. Myanmar’s economy is facing serious consequences due to the epidemic. Vaccination is especially important to control future constraints and demand shocks, said an economist at IHS Markit. The survey is based on original data collected from industry by IHS Markit and sponsored by Japan-based Nikkei Media Group.

Source: Daily Eleven

At the local foreign exchange counters, the exchange rate is around 1,725 kyats and the exchange rate in the market is around 1,900 kyats per dollar

The global dollar index hit around 92 points on September 7 and the foreign exchange rate in the domestic market was around 1,900 kyats per dollar, according to foreign currency traders. At local foreign exchange counters, the price is around US $ 1,725, but in the real world market it is around US $ 1,880 to US $ 1,900. The global dollar index, the highest in six months, hit 91.59 points in February. 90.93 points in March; 90.93 points in April; 91.92 points in May; 90.92 points in June; In July, it was around 91.92 points.

In January 2021, the lowest and highest monthly exchange rates in the domestic market were 1333-1355 kyats. In February, it was 1340-1475 kyats. The lowest and highest monthly foreign exchange rates in the domestic market were 1297-1340 kyats in October 2020; In November 1306-1327 kyats; In December 1326-1405 kyats; In January 2021, it was 1333-1355 kyats. In February, it was 1340-1475 kyats. On September 7, 2021, the exchange rates of other foreign currencies in the domestic market were Euro 1990 kyats; S $ 1,300; Malaysian Ringgit 398 Kyats Thai Baht 55.

On August 12, 2021, the Central Bank of Myanmar sold another 2.5 million dollars at a foreign exchange auction, with the average exchange rate for the auction being 1,650 kyats per dollar, according to the Central Bank of Myanmar. In August, $ 3 million was auctioned off in a foreign exchange auction. $ 3 million on August 3; $ 4 million on August 4; $ 9.5 million on August 9; It sold for $ 2.5 million on August 12. Exchange rate fluctuations happen in the short term.

The central bank is launching a foreign exchange auction to reduce inflation and increase foreign reserves. The central bank aims to increase its exchange rate volatility in the short term. A rule-based foreign exchange auction is underway to reduce inflation and implement the state’s two-pronged foreign exchange reserve. The rules for Central Bank Bidding Instructions have been set out and in accordance with these rules and regulations buying and selling process are carried out by Authorized Dealer (AD) Banks, which are foreign currency trading bidders participating in the foreign currency auction, 19 local private banks and 13 foreign bank branches.

Source: Daily Eleven

500 companies struck off register due to AR absence in past two months: DICA

A total of 500 companies was struck off the register in the past two months as they failed to submit an annual return (AR) on the online registry system, MyCO, according to the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA). The DICA has notified any registered company which fails to submit its AR on MyCO are to be suspended. The DICA found that 500 companies which failed to restore their status within six months of suspension under 430 (F) of Myanmar Companies Law in the last two months. The companies were struck off the register starting from 5, 9, 16 July and 25 and 30 August respectively, according to the DICA’s notification.

All registered companies need to file AR on the MyCO registry system within two months of incorporation, and at least once every year (not later than one month after the anniversary of the incorporation), according to Section 97 of the law. According to Section 266 (A) of the Myanmar Companies Law 2017, public companies must submit annual returns and financial statements (G-5) simultaneously. All overseas corporations must submit ARs in the prescribed format on MyCO within 28 days of the financial year ending, as per Section 53 (A-1) of the Myanmar Companies Law 2017. As per DICA’s report, more than 16,000 companies were suspended for failing to submit AR forms within the due date.

Newly 500 companies struck off register due to AR absence in past two months: DICA established companies are required to submit ARs within two months of incorporation or face a fine of K100,000 for filing late returns. The DICA has notified that any company which fails to submit its AR within 13 months will be notified of its suspension (I9A). If it fails to submit the AR within 28 days of receiving the notice, the system will show the company’s status as suspended. Companies can restore their status only after shelling out a fine of K50,000 for AR fee, K100,000 for restoration of the company on the Register, and K100,000 for late filing of documents, totalling K250,000.

If a company fails to restore its status within six months of suspension, the registrar will strike its name off the register, according to the DICA notice. The registration and re-registration of companies on the MyCO website commenced on 1 August 2018, in keeping with the Myanmar Companies Law 2017. The number of companies registered on the online registry system, MyCO, topped more than 2,000 in the first half of this year. Earlier, MyCO received more than 1,000 applications from new companies every month. During the public holidays from 23 to 31 August, the DICA is offering services for investment and company registration at the Head Office located at No.1 Thitsar Road, Yankin Township of Yangon Region and One-StopService is opened at No. 49 Seinlemay Lane, Kaba Aye Road, Yankin Township for the department coordination matters, the DICA announced. At present, 100 per cent of the applicants are using the online registration platform, according to data provided by the DICA.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Domestic gold price sets fresh record high up to K1.8 mln per tical

The price of pure gold metal reached an all-time high of K1,800,000 per tical (0.578 ounces, or 0.016 kilogrammes), according to Yangon Region Gold Entrepreneurs Association (YGEA). The spikes in the gold market are attributed to political development, high demand in the domestic gold market, shortage of raw gold metals, the price gain in the international market and the Kyat depreciation. The global gold price stood at only US$1,816 per ounce at the present time, while the US dollar exchange rate is worth above K1,800. On 12 May, the gold hit a peak of K1,709,000 per tical and the current rate hit the highest in history. As a result of this, YGEA urged its members to regulate trade in order to deal with market volatility.

To regulate unsustainable rally in the domestic gold market, the association called for the members to make the gold transaction with only immediate payment, avoid the verbal transactions over calls and halt trading outside the Yangon region, according to YGEA. In January 2021, the gold price was ranged between the minimum of K1,316,000 per tical (28 January) and the maximum of K1,336,000 per tical (6 January). It reached an all-time high of K1,410,000 per tical on 3 February and hit the minimum of K1,340,000 per tical on 2 February. In March, the rate fluctuated between the highest of K1,391,000 (25 March) and the lowest of K1,302,000 (4 March). The price was registered the highest of K1,455,000 (30 April) and the lowest of K1,389,000 (1 April). The price reached an all-time highest of K1,709,000 (12 May) and the lowest of K1,447,000 in May.

The price moved in the maximum of K1,575,500 (11 June) and the minimum of K1,543,000 (19 June). Last month, it fluctuated between K1,562,300 (26 Jul) and K1,587,000 (K1,587,000), the gold traders said. According to gold traders, the local gold reached the lowest level of K1,310,500 (2 September) and the highest level of K1,314,000 (1 September). In October, the rate ranged between K1,307,800 (30 October) and K1,316,500 (21 October). The rate fluctuated between the highest of K1,317,000 (9 November) and the lowest of K1,270,000 (30 November). In December, the pure yellow metal priced moved in the range of 1,280,000 (1 December) and 1,332,000 (28 December). With global gold prices on the uptick, the domestic price hit fresh highs in 2019, reaching K1,000,000 per tical between 17 January and 21 February, crossing K1,100,000 (22 June to 5 August), climbing to over 1,200,000 (7 August-4 September), and then reaching a record high of K1,300,000 on 5 September 2019.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar pharmaceutical imports top $397.46 mln in nine months

The import value of Myanmar pharmaceutical products was estimated at US$397.46 million in the nine months (October-June) of the current financial year 2020-2021, according to Myanmar Customs Department. Myanmar imports 90 per cent of medicine and medical products through foreign markets, the Myanmar Chambers of Commerce for Pharmaceutical & Medical Device (MCCPMD) stated. India is the main supplier for Myanmar. Also, it is imported by Bangladesh, China, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, China (Taipei), Thailand, the US and Viet Nam.

Most commonly prescribed drugs are available in the market. Only some are out of stock for now. At present, pharmaceutical import is regularly flowing. However, the prices of pharmaceuticals were up by 5 to 10 per cent owing to the Kyat depreciation in the local forex market. The COVID-19 related medical devices including surgical masks and pulse oximeters are highly demanded in the country amid the COVID-19 surging cases, a market observer said. The Trade Department granted a temporary import licence exemption for 92 HS code lines up to three months starting from 1 September, in a bid to facilitate the trade during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Ministry of Commerce also cut the red tape for imports of some pharmaceuticals which have been imported. The Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) is accelerating its effort to facilitate the inflow of essential medicines in the devastating time of the COVID-19 crisis, along with the related committees, departments concerned, traders and entrepreneurs. The federation formed a task force on 25 July 2021, with an aim to ensure adequate stock of essential medicine for prevention, control and treatment of the COVID-19 and have a smooth trade flow.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar