177 companies’ licenses cancelled as they fail to deposit export earnings into local accounts

A total of 177 export/import companies got their licences revoked as they failed to deposit the foreign currency earned from exports in the local bank accounts. Legal action has been taken against them for non-compliance with the law, according to a statement released by the Commerce Ministry on 27 April 2022.

Under the Foreign Exchange Management Law, all export earnings in foreign currency must be deposited back into the local account within three months after the goods are loaded.

Licences of 177 companies were cancelled as they did not abide by the notifications issued by the Central Bank of Myanmar, including 16 export companies in 2016, 72 in 2017 and 93 in 2018. According to the notification, the export companies will get their licence revoked and face actions under the existing laws if they fail to comply with them.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

RMB accounts can be opened at CB Bank for Myanmar-China border traders

CB Bank announced on April 27 that it could open yuan accounts at CB Bank for Myanmar-China border traders. Foreign Currency (Chinese Yuan) Account Company can be opened at CB Bank for business owners. With the Chin Border Trade service, you can send money directly to Yuan through any account in China and transfer money directly from China to your CB Bank Myanmar Kyats account. Company Account-CNH Account will be opened only with Muse Branch ID.

CNH Account can be opened at Muse Branch by check By withdrawing the book and at other CB Bank open branches. You can get a check book at UFC Branch in Yangon, 19th Street Branch in Mandalay and Ottara Thiri Branch in Nay Pyi Taw. The exchange rate will not be fixed on the yuan / kyat market in Muse every day (bank opening day) and Chinese banks will be asked for the yuan / kyat three times a day to avoid any harm to Myanmar businesses.

CB Bank’s yuan / kyat exchange rate will be set against the market price. You can contact CB Bank Contact Center (+951) 2317770 to open a Foreign Currency (Chinese Yuan) account at CB Bank. Company for customers who open Yuan Account Certificate Company Extract, Application Letter BOD Resolution & Authorized Authorized Person List of (officers with Extract); Export & amp; Import License and IDCard Copy of Authorized Persons are required.

Source: Daily Eleven

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Palm oil reference rate set at K5,620 per viss in Yangon until 1 May: CAD

The reference price of palm oil is set at K5,620 per viss (a viss equals 1.6 kilogrammes) on 1 May, and the Department of Consumer Affairs is controlling the market to ensure price stability. The Supervisory Committee on edible oil import and distribution under the Ministry of Commerce has been issuing a weekly reference rate to govern the market in line with the changes in international rates. The MoC
announced on 25 April 2022 that the reference rate for a week from 25 April to 1 May is set at K5,620 per viss. “The Consumer Affairs Department carried out supervision of palm oil market. We issue the reference rate on a weekly basis through the state-run newspapers. The department set the gross profit not to exceed more than 2 per cent of the reference rate in Yangon. We govern this condition.

The traders might add transportation and labour charges for other regions and states. We are endeavouring to ensure the price stability,” said an official of the department. The price of palm oil rocketed up to over K7,000 per viss in the domestic market, tracking Indonesia’s palm oil export policy. Ministry of Commerce is striving for the consumers not to worry over the supply of edible Palm oil reference rate set at K5,620 per viss in Yangon until 1 May: CAD oil. The ministry is also trying to secure the edible oil sufficiency, supervise the market to offer a reasonable price to the consumers, maintain the price stability and prevent market manipulation.

MoC stated that if those retailers and wholesalers are found overcharging, storing inventory intentionally and attempting unscrupulous action to manipulate the market, they will face legal action under the Special Goods Tax Law. There are 31,090.98 tonnes of palm oil (19.03 million visses) remaining in the palm oil tanks. There is a sufficiency in the domestic market. The department is ensuring the daily distribution of palm oil to other regions and states. The shipments of palm oil from foreign countries are regularly seen, MoC stated. The domestic consumption of edible oil is estimated at one million tonne per year. The local cooking oil production is just about 400,000 tonnes. About 700,000 tonnes of cooking oil are yearly imported through Malaysia and Indonesia to meet the oil sufficiency in the domestic market.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Press Release

Under the Foreign Exchange Management Law, Foreign Exchange Management Regulations and Notification No 46/2021 dated 10-11-2021 of the Central Bank of Myanmar, the holder of a foreign currency trading licence shall inspect whether exporters receive export earnings within three months from the date of the shipment of the goods accordingly to the evidence of the actual exports. The exporters must deposit their export earnings into their banking accounts within three months from the date of the shipment of goods without fail under that law and regulations. However, it was found that exporters failed to follow the law mentioned above, rules and regulations. Therefore, exporters must deposit all their export earnings into their banking accounts within three months from the date of the shipment of goods without fail under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Law and Foreign Exchange Management Regulations. If they fail to do so, action will be taken against them under Section 42(a) of the Foreign Exchange Management Law.

Central Bank of Myanmar
(27.4.2022)

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Depositors at Myanmar Apex Bank Limited can enjoy reliable banking services on a regular basis without any worry, CBM announces

The Central Bank of Myanmar closely monitors the financial convenience and cash deposit and withdrawal of the Myanmar Apex Bank Limited and provides liquidity support if necessary. Therefore, the CBM issued a statement saying that depositors at the Myanmar Apex Bank Limited could access banking services regularly without any worries yesterday.

Since the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) prosecutes the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Myanmar Apex Bank Limited under Section 55/63 of the Anti-Corruption Law, the Bank has announced that the above persons have terminated their duties and proposed the re-appointment of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank.

The statement said that the Central Bank of Myanmar approved the appointments on 27 April 2022 in accordance with the provisions of the Central Bank of Myanmar Law and the Financial Institutions Law. The Central Bank of Myanmar is making efforts to stabilise the financial system and strengthen the efficient payment and clearing systems.

Therefore, the Central Bank of Myanmar is monitoring Myanmar Apex Bank Limited. It is reported that the financial condition of the Myanmar Apex Bank Limited is stable, and the bank is following the instructions of the Central Bank of Myanmar. Therefore, the central bank has issued a statement saying that those who have savings in Myanmar Apex Bank Limited and people working with the bank do not have to worry.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Gold transactions still cannot be fixed on the CBM reference exchange rate: YGEA

Gold transactions still cannot be fixed on the Central Bank of Myanmar’s reference exchange rate amid the financial difficulty, said U Myo Myint, the Yangon Region Gold Entrepreneurs Association (YGEA) chair.
According to the provisions stipulated in Sections 11, 12 and 13 of the Foreign Exchange Management Law, the foreign exchange earned by locals in Myanmar must be deposited in accounts at the authorized dealers and exchanged for the local currency at the Central Bank of Myanmar’s reference rate of K1,850 per US dollar within one working day, according to the notification released on 3 April.

That is why the YGEA called for an urgent meeting on 8 April. The meeting determined to carry out gold transactions depending on the CBM’s reference exchange rate. However, it has not come into effect yet. “We have difficulty fixing the gold price on the CBM’S reference rate. The border market does not accept the set rate of K1,850. Nonetheless, the transaction is done with the exchange rate margin,” U Myo Myint was quoted as saying. On 23 April, officials from the department concerned, the YGEA and Mandalay Region Gold Entrepreneurs Association discussed gold price stability at the meeting. Gold transaction on the CBM’s reference rate, immediate payments, and avoiding price manipulation was discussed, he said.

Current market condition impedes transaction on the basis of the reference rate. Yet, it will be implemented later, he continued. The US dollar stands at K2,000 in the unofficial black market, while the CBM reference rate is K1,850. The gold price stands at US$1,903 per ounce in the global market. Meanwhile, 24-carat gold is worth K2,045,000 per tical (0.578 ounce or 0.016 kilogramme). The domestic gold price is highly correlated with the global gold price, YGEA stated. During the end of September 2021, a dollar value hit an all-time high of over K3,000 in the gold exchanges and consequently, the pure gold reached a record high of K2.22 million per tical in history.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

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Rice exports through border show big slump in past mini-budget period

According to the Myanmar Rice Federation, rice and broken rice exports through border trade channels drastically plummeted. Myanmar delivered more than 1.4 million metric tons of rice and broken rice in the past mini-budget period (October 2021-March 2022). Maritime trade performed the best with an export volume of over 1.3 million tonnes, while only 76,000 tonnes were sent to neighbouring countries via border.

Due to the virus strict policy, China restricted Myanmar trucks and drivers from entering its side through the Muse land border. Only Chinese short-haul service is available now to transport Myanmar goods to China through the Kyinsankyawt post. As a result, the cost of Chinese short-haul trucking tremendously rose to K10 million per truck, whereas the trucking was worth only K700,000-K800,000 when Myanmar truckers were allowed to enter China, rice traders stressed.

About 10,000 bags of rice and broken rice are daily delivered to China via the Muse cross-border post, whereas earlier, the export volume to China was approximately 60,000 bags per day. Consequently, exports of only 76,000 tonnes were seen in border trade in the past mini-budget period. China shut down all the checkpoints linking to the Muse border amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the checkpoints, Kyinsankyawt has resumed trading activities from 26 November on a trial run.

Myanmar daily delivers rubber, various beans and pulses, dried plum, watermelon, muskmelon, pumpkin and other food commodities to China through the Kyinsankyawt border. Myanmar exported rice to 13 foreign markets, mainly to Ivory Coast with over 400,000 tonnes, followed by China with 220,000 tonnes and the Philippines with over 130,000 tonnes. Similarly, Myanmar shipped broken rice to 10 countries, primarily to China with 210,000 tonnes, followed by the Netherlands 160,000 tonnes and Belgium 79,000 tonnes. Myanmar exported two million tonnes of rice worth US$700 million to the foreign trade partners in the 2020-2021 Financial Year. 

Source: Global New Light of Myanmar

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To pay the Yuan in cross-border trade between the two countries as a first step, then continue to work on imports and exports

The first step is to pay the yuan in cross-border trade between the two countries. Union Minister Aung Naing Oo said he would continue to work on imports and exports. The first step is to use the Chinese currency RMB in border trade between the two countries. Chinese Investment It will be used for import and export business. 

Agricultural products are exported from Myanmar and imported from China. Myanmar has a manpower and China has technology and financial capital. The two countries will enjoy the benefits of cooperation. Therefore, Sino-Myanmar cooperation is very important. China will play an important role in strengthening future Asian economies, including Myanmar and ASEAN. Aung Naing Oo said that China is buying most of the exports of ASEAN raw materials and finished goods.

“I want to know the impact of Western sanctions on the Burmese economy,” he said. It only affects private entrepreneurs. The inability to use the US dollar easily; Unable to transfer money Difficulties for Myanmar businessmen; As a result of the sanctions, some factories have closed; The closure has resulted in the loss of job opportunities for Myanmar citizens. Nothing happened to the government. The government has already made the necessary arrangements. Aung Naing Oo added that the sanctions have improved Myanmar’s economic cooperation with neighboring countries.

Source: Daily Eleven

The $ 2.5 billion Irrawaddy Region Mee Lin Chaing project includes an LNG power plant and a gas pipeline to Myanmar will be included in the list of early projects on the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor

The $ 2.5 billion Irrawaddy Region Mee Lin Chaing project, which will include an LNG power plant and a gas pipeline to Rangoon, will be included in the list of early projects on the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, according to the statement. Three Chinese companies: Union Resources and Engineering Company (41%); Yunnan Energy Investment (39%) and Zhefu Holding Group (1%) have partnered with Myanmar’s Supreme Group (19%) to launch a 1,390-megawatt LNG project.

The plant in Ayeyarwady Region includes an LNG power plant; LNG storage; These include high voltage transmission lines and gas pipelines to Yangon. The project has been approved by the Myanmar Investment Commission and is expected to be commercially operational by 2027. In addition, the Myanmar government will propose to include the priority energy project, which has an estimated investment of $ 2.5 billion, to accelerate its growth, as part of the Sino-Burmese Economic Corridor’s initial plans.

CNPC’s China-Myanmar oil and gas pipeline project is CNPC’s largest investment in Myanmar and a key focus of the Silk Road project. Acceleration of some gas-fired power plants (gas-fired) and other gas-fired power plants or waste-to-energy projects for immediate 30 megawatts of electricity; At present, Kyaukphyu generates about 100 megawatts of electricity using 20 million cubic feet of natural gas. 

Once the pipeline is maintained, it will expand to 30 million cubic feet per day and generate 195 megawatts. Despite sanctions, Myanmar is simultaneously working on repairing damaged power lines and developing hydropower and renewable energy as it seeks to increase foreign investment. Recent media coverage of energy shortages in Myanmar; Union Minister for Information Maung Maung Ohn and Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Trade Aung Naing Oo issued a joint statement in response to recent media reports on the departure of foreign energy companies and sanctions on Myanmar.

Source: Daily Eleven

Exemption from the dollar to the kyat can be lifted depending on the stability of the kyat exchange rate

Exemption from dollar to kyat exchange rate is Myanmar kyat exchange rate sanctions may be lifted depending on the situation, said Aung Naing Oo, Union Minister for Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade. He also said the straits as to whether the announcement is a period of time or will it continue forever is depends on the situation regarding the Times’ question, the exemption is granted by a government-appointed committee according to the Central Bank of Myanmar, and also said the ban could be lifted depending on the volatility of the Myanmar Kyat Exchange rate.

The Myanmar Investment Commission has also decided to exempt foreign investment businesses from the Central Bank Declaration. Foreign embassies, INGOS and NGOs are also exempt. They are aware that there may be some adverse effects from this announcement, so we are conducting daily studies and working to find the best solution. “It’s a time of change, so we are trying to be the best for all involved,” he said. The exemption includes new foreign investors and existing investors.

Foreign earnings from seven organizations, including MIC-licensed FDIs, SEZ investments, and state-owned / national international airlines. On April 20, the Central Bank of Myanmar announced that it would be exempt from currency trading. The exemptions mentioned in the statement include foreign direct investment (FDI) activities under the auspices of the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC), operating in special economic zones.
Includes ongoing investments.

Established an embassy with Myanmar and an embassy in Myanmar Overseas diplomats, family members and similar level diplomats. These include Myanmar nationals holding UNis Laissez Passer travel passports working for the United Nations and its affiliates in Myanmar. This includes foreign agencies, development agencies that are assisting foreigners in Myanmar. International organizations (eg. Red Cross, International and foreign diplomats from INGOs and Development Agencies (eg TICA / JICA). Seven individuals, businesses and organizations have been exempted, including state-owned / national-owned international airlines.

Source: Daily Eleven