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Sino-Myanmar bilateral trade exceeds $6 bln in H1

by TRADING

The value of Myanmar’s trade with China through maritime and border trade channels amounted to over US$6.13 billion in the first half (Oct-Mar) of the 2020-2021 Financial Year, including $3.18 billion worth of exports and $2.95 billion for import, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce. Myanmar primarily exports agro products to China through the border gates.

However, trade in agricultural products is frequently halted on account of China clamping down on illegal trade in border gates. Furthermore, China has been stepping up border control measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 since April-end, hindering the border trade at the present time. In a bid to lower trade barriers and offer relief to Myanmar traders through border trade channel, the Ministry of Commerce, the related departments and the stakeholders have been negotiating with China counterparts.

The two countries are making efforts to set up more border economic cooperation zones and promote border trade. The value of bilateral trade with China stood at $12 billion in the 2019-2020 FY, $11.36 billion in the 2018-2019 FY, $6 billion in the past mini-budget period, $11.78 billion in the 2017-2018 fiscal year and $10.8 billion in the 2016-2017 FY respectively. Rice, various types of peas, sesame seeds, corn, fruits and vegetables, dried tea leaves, fishery products, rubber, minerals and animal products are exported to China, whereas machinery, plastic raw materials, consumer products and electronic tools flow into Myanmar.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

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In the first eight months of the current fiscal year, nearly 800,000 tonnes of pulses were exported by sea and more than 700,000 tonnes from the border, for a total of nearly 150,000 tonnes

by TRADING

In the first eight months of the current fiscal year, nearly 800,000 tonnes of pulses were exported by sea and 700,000 tonnes from the border, for a total of nearly 150,000 tonnes, according to the Ministry of Commerce. From October to June 18 of the 2020-2021 fiscal year, pulses were exported by sea at 78,785 tonnes, valued at $ 623.807 million. Exports of 710,674 tonnes from the border amounted to $ 554.010 million, of which a total of 1498531 tonnes of pulses were exported from seaborne and border crossings, earning $ 1,177.817 million from the Indian government. The two sides have been negotiating since 2016 to sign the G to G Memorandum of Understanding (Draft) on Pulses and Pulses Trade Cooperation between Myanmar and India.

At present, the two governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation between Myanmar and India on June 18, 2021 under the G to G program to promote pulses and pulses trade between Myanmar and India, depending on the volume and consumption needs of Myanmar and India. According to the MoU, the Indian government will import 250,000 tonnes of pulses and 100,000 tonnes of pulses from Myanmar annually through private trade between the next five years, 2021-2022 to 2025-2026 (April to March), according to the Ministry of Commerce.

The G to G MoU will not affect the annual international bean quota issued by the Government of India, and Myanmar bean exporters will be able to participate in the international quota. Myanmar produces locally grown legumes. Green peas According to the Ministry of Commerce, the three main types of pulses are pulses. Among them, pulses and green peas are mainly exported to India, while green peas are mainly exported to China and some European countries. Myanmar produces over 11 million acres of pulses annually, accounting for more than 35% of the total production of pulses and pulses. In Myanmar, a total of 11.45 million acres of pulses are cultivated annually for 18 varieties of pulses. Standing 25 percent; According to the statement, pulses are grown at 15% and lentils at 8%.

Source: Daily Eleven

At present, electricity generation is produced 47% of its energy from hydropower, more than 52.4% from thermal energy, 0.6% from solar energy

by ENERGY

At present, hydropower accounts for 47% of hydropower; More than 52.4% of thermal energy; According to the Ministry of Power and Energy, 0.6% of solar energy is generated. The country’s electricity demand is growing at an annual rate of 15 percent. Union Minister for Power and Energy Aung Than Oo said that 2064.3 megawatts of thermal power plants and 26.77 megawatts of solar power plants would be generated. In the current power system, the proportion of power generation sources is 47% from hydropower, 0.6% from solar and RE and 52.4% from thermal energy (GAS + LNG + Coal). So far, it has achieved more than 60.6 percent of the electrification ratio, he said.

In the 2019-2020 fiscal year, 3,225 megawatts will be generated from hydropower, depending on the energy source. 2773 MW from natural gas; 40 megawatts of solar power. According to the Ministry of Power and Energy, LNG has generated 900 megawatts and coal from 120 megawatts for a total of 7,058 megawatts. In the 2015-2016 financial year, 3181 MW from hydropower and 1752 MW from natural gas. Coal generates 120 megawatts for a total of 5053 megawatts. 63% from hydropower; 35% from natural gas and 2% from coal. In the 2018-2019 fiscal year, 11,227.82 million kilowatt-hours of hydropower generation will be generated. 9366.56 million kilowatt hours from natural gas; 2,169.70 million kilowatt hours from steam; Diesel generates 104.73 million kilowatt hours.

In the 2017-2018 financial year, 12,265.03 million kilowatt hours from hydropower; 7,459.22 million kilowatt hours from natural gas; 1,080.60 million kilowatt hours from steam; Diesel generates 1.55 million kilowatt hours. In the 2016-2017 financial year, 12,265.03 million kilowatt hours from hydropower; 7,459.22 million kilowatt-hours from natural gas; 1,080.60 million kilowatt hours from steam; Diesel generates 77.55 million kilowatt hours. The annual capacity generation of the Ministry of Electricity and Energy was 15965 million units in the 2015-2016 fiscal year. 17867 million units in the 2016-2017 financial year; In the fiscal year 2017-2018, million units 200555; Production increased to 228,799 million units in the 2018-2018 fiscal year and 27,300 million units in the 2019-2020 fiscal year.

Source: Daily Eleven

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Republic of the Union of Myanmar Ministry of Health and Sports

by COVID

Order No 265/2021

2nd Waning of Nayon 1383 ME
26 June 2021

The Ministry of Health and Sports hereby announced the order by exercising the authority stipulated in Sub-Section (b) of Section 21 of the Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases Law.

  1. The Ministry of Health and Sports has taken preventive measures against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in real-time. Therefore, people from Lashio Township of Shan State need to stay at home due to the number of confirmed patients on the rise in the township.
  2. Hence, the people residing in Lashio Township of the Shan State are involved in the Stay-at-Home programme.
  3. The people inclusive of the Stay-at-Home programme of the township need to abide by the following disciplines:
    (a) Reside at their homes only (except for the persons going to government departments, organizations, companies, factories and workplaces for serving duties);
    (b) Arrange only one person from each house to go out shopping;
    (c) Arrange only two persons per house to go to hospitals and clinics;
    (d) Wear masks if they go outside the houses;
    (e) Allow ferries and registered vehicles to transport returnees from workplaces to pass the wards;
    (f) Allow one person only in addition to the driver in a vehicle for shopping in the ward and two persons except for the driver to go to hospitals or clinics;
    (g) Abide by the standard operating procedures (SOP) for trucks to ensure smooth flow of commodities in the township;
  4. People need to inform the relevant ward administration bodies about seeking approvals to go outside the houses if they have reasons to raise the limited number of participants in the measures and other emergency issues mentioned in sub-paragraph (b), (c) and (f) of Paragraph 3. The relevant administrative bodies need not allow ingoing and outgoing persons, except officials and those returnees from duty.
  5. Action will be taken against those who fail to abide by the order under the existing laws.
  6. The order came into force at 4 am on 27-6-2021.
    Dr Thet Khaing Win
    Union Minister

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

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Myanmar bean growers see strong market on G to G pact

by TRADING

The bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Myanmar and India ensured a strong market next five years, along with other relaxations on import quota, the Myanmar Trade Promotion Organization under the Ministry of Commerce stated. Myanmar can export 250,000 tonnes of black gram (urad) and 100,000 tonnes of pigeon peas under the G to G (government to government) pact during the April-March period between the 2021-2022 financial year and the 2025-2026 FY. The bilateral negotiations for the G to G pact started in 2016 and the two countries signed an MoU on 18 June 2021. Additionally, this G to G pact will not relate to India’s yearly quota on bean import. Therefore, Myanmar exporters can ship them under this quota as well.

In May 2021, India’s Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare approved not only black gram but also other pulses being imported from Myanmar that have the bill of landing up to October-end 2021, with relaxations of conditions regarding clearance consignment. India experienced some damages to their farms due to erratic weather, resulting in a yield drop. The demand in India has risen amid the impacts of the global pandemic and the low supply. Consequently, India’s ministry gave green light to the relaxations of conditions for imports of pulses from Myanmar. The number of bean acreage is expected to increase in the coming season following the relaxations. Following the policy change of India’s pulses import, the prices of black gram and pigeon peas have risen in the domestic market. The grams are in high demand at present, according to the traders from Mandalay commodity depot. Strong local demand boosted the price of black gram (urad) to K1,105,000-1,235,000 per tonne on 25 June. Black gram fetched only K880,000 per tonne in April-end.

Similarly, the high demand pushed up the price of pigeon peas up to K1,092,500 per tonne on 25 June, Bayintnaung Wholesale Market data showed. India set an import quota on beans including black gram and pigeon peas starting from 2017. Myanmar earlier had to export black bean and pigeon peas under the quota system and limit period. The local growers were battered by quota and price manipulation in the previous years. Myanmar’s agriculture sector is the backbone of the country’s economy and it contributes to over 30 per cent of Gross Domestic Products. The country primarily cultivates paddy, corn, cotton, sugarcane, various pulses and beans. Its second-largest production is pulses and beans, counting for 33 per cent of agricultural products and covering 20 per cent of growing acres. Among them, black gram, pigeon peas and green grams constitute 72 per cent of bean acreage. Other beans including peanut, chickpea, soybean, black-eyed beans, butter bean and rice bean are also grown in the country.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

CBM sells $6 mln for second time this month

by ECONOMY

The Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) has sold US$6 million for the second time this month on June 24. About $6 million was sold at an auction exchange rate of K1,590 per US dollar. On 7 June, the CBM sold about $3 million for the first time this month at an auction market rate. The bank has already sold a total of $9 million for this month. In May, the CBM reportedly sold $24 million at an auction rate. CBM is selling the US dollar at an auction rate intending to keep the exchange rate stable.

The dollar exchange rate against Myanmar Kyat stood at around K1,330 per dollar at the end-January. Then, the rate jumped to K1,730 per dollar on 12 May. With the rising US dollar exchange rate, the CBM has been constantly selling the US dollar at an auction exchange rate since 12 May. Consequently, the exchange rate dips to around K1,600 in the local foreign exchange market. The local foreign exchange market’s data in 2021, the highest and the lowest exchange rate is currently fixed around K1,327- 1,345 in January, K1,335-1,465 in February, K1,420-1,550 in March, K1,550-1,610 in April and K1,585- 1,730 in May.

In 2020, the exchange rate moved in the range of K1,465- 1,493 in January, K1,436-1,465 in February, K1,320-1,445 in March, K1,395-1,440 in April, K1,406-1,426 in May, K1,385-1,412 in June, K1,367-1,410 in July, K1,335-1,390 in August, K1,310- 1,355 in September, K1,282-1,315 in October, K1,303-1,330 in November and K1,324-1,403 in December. Last year, the rates are pegged at K1,508-1,517 in July, K1,510-1,526 in August, K1,527- 1,565 in September, K1,528-1,537 in October, K1,510-1,524 in November and K1,485-1,513 in December. On 20 September 2018, the dollar exchange rate hit an all-time high of K1,650 in the local currency market.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

14-12-18 - PHOTO:- Steve Tickner Emerald shoe factory workers strike

Manufacturing sector attracts $254 mln this FY

by MANUFACTURING

The majority of foreign enterprises eye the manufacturing sector for investments in the past eight months (Oct-Apr) of the current financial year 2020-2021, pumping the estimated capital of US$254 million into 23 projects, the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration stated. The manufacturing enterprises and businesses that need a large labour force are prioritized, Myanmar Investment Commission stated. At present, labour-intensive enterprises are facing financial hardship amid the COVID-19 negative impacts and political changes. Myanmar’s manufacturing sector is largely concentrated in garment and textiles produced on the Cutting, Making, and Packaging basis, and it contributes to the country’s GDP to a certain extent.

At present, Myanmar’s garment export drastically dropped on the back of a slump in demand by the European Union market. Consequently, some CMP garment factories permanently and temporarily shut down and left thousands of workers unemployed. The factories are facing cancellation of order and slump in output, new orders. However, the Swedish fashion retailer H&M is gradually placing orders from Myanmar again after it paused in March. Then, more international fashion retailers such as Primark and Bestseller starts to resume new orders.

Myanmar has drawn foreign direct investment of more than US$3.7 billion in the past eight months of the 2020-2021 financial year, including expansion of capital by existing enterprises and investments in the Thilawa Special Economic Zone, the DICA’s statistics indicated. Of 44 foreign enterprises permitted and endorsed by MIC and the respective investment committees between 1 October and 31 May of the current FY, 23 enterprises pumped FDI into the manufacturing sector. The power sector received six large projects and the livestock and fisheries sector attracted six projects. Other service sector drew five projects while the agriculture sector pulled two projects and one foreign enterprise each entered industrial estate and the hotel and tourism sectors.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

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MCC ready to provide COVID treatment for 250 patients

by COVID

Myanmar Convention Centre (MCC) has the facilities made ready to provide treatment for 250 COVID-19 patients on Mindhamma Road in Mayangon Township, according to the Ministry of Health and Sports. In order to provide the cure for COVID-19 patients, MCC has already prepared the beds and supplies for the patients. The necessary medical team will also be assigned by the joint medical coordinating team of COVID-19 Prevention, Control and Treatment, according to the Ministry of Health and Sports.

Further, the authorities have supplied necessary things after monitoring the COVID-19 vaccination of the educational staff at MCC. At present, two hospitals are also carrying out preparation measures to hospitalize the COVID-19 positive patients. These two hospitals are the People’s Hospital in Hlinethaya township and the People’s hospital in Shwepyitha township. Hlinethaya township hospital will be able to accommodate 100 patients and has made ready the essential things such as oxygen for 50 patients while Shwelinpan civil hospital will be able to accommodate 50 patients.

The authorities are also having the medical examinations conducted on all the visitors who will come from the stay home townships to the Yangon region to make sure whether they have COVID-19 or not. Currently, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 has increased in Lashio. With the essential further control of spreading of COVID-19, the instructions, orders and notifications of the union level organizations and the relevant ministries released on 31 May 2021 was extended to 30 June 2021. So far, Myanmar has reported a total of 148,617 cases, with 3,265 deaths and 133,753 recoveries as of 22 June 2021.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

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Japan ranks second-largest foreign investor in Myanmar

by INVESTMENT

Following the UK moving up a rank with the largest investments made last month, Japan became the second-largest source of foreign direct investments into Myanmar in the past eight months (Oct-May) of the current financial year 2020-2021, according to data released by the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA). Last month, the UK-listed enterprise brought in large investments of $2.5 million and became the top source of FDI in Myanmar in the past eight months, DICA’s statistics indicated.

Japan stood as the second-largest investors this FY with an estimated capital of $518.76 million from three projects, followed by Singapore investing $428.336 million in Myanmar. Japan focuses more on responsible businesses. Therefore, it thoughtfully considers and learns before they make investments, DICA stated. Additionally, Thilawa Special Economic Zone is a symbol of development in Japan’s investments in Myanmar. Besides, Japan is a development partner of Myanmar.

Japan has been providing comprehensive support in developing the infrastructure including railway, road, and research in Myanmar through the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Since 2016-2017FY, the FDI of over $449.367 million has flowed into the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) from 15 Japanese businesses, under the Special Economic Zone Law. Japan’s investment in Myanmar stood at $768.456 million in the last FY2019-2020, $42.77 million in the 2018-2019FY, $134.5 million in the 2018 mini-budget period (April-September), $384 million in the 2017-2018FY, $60 million in the 2016-2017FY and $219.79 million in the2015-2016FY, respectively, the DICA’s data showed.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

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Thailand remains Myanmar’s top trading partner among regional countries in H1

by TRADING

Neighbouring Thailand is Myanmar’s major trading partner, which accounts for US$2.45 billion in the first half (October-March) of the current financial year 2020-2021, the statistics issued by the Central Statistical Organization under the Ministry of Planning and Finance indicated. The ministry reported that exports surpassed imports in trade with Thailand, with exports reaching over $1.55 billion and imports valued at over $901 million. Thailand has been Myanmar’s largest trade partner among the regional countries, followed by Singapore and Malaysia.

Thailand accounted for 18.48 per cent of total trade in 2016-2017 FY with an estimated trade value of US$4.6 billion, 19.17 pc in 2017-2018FY with a trade value of $5.57 billion, 40.38 pc in 2018-2019FY with $5.46 billion and over 40 pc in 2019-2020 FY with $5.117 billion respectively. Exports of natural gas from the Taninthayi Region contributed to the enormous increase in border trade with Thailand in the previous years. Last year, corn exports to Thailand also rose significantly as well, the Ministry of Commerce stated. Myanmar primarily exports natural gas, fishery products, coal, tin concentrate (SN 71.58 per cent), coconut (fresh and dry), beans, corns, bamboo shoots, sesame seeds, garment, footwear, plywood and veneer, broken rice and other commodities to Thailand.

It imports capital goods such as machinery, raw industrial goods such as cement and fertilizers, and consumer goods such as cosmetics, edible vegetable oil and food products from the neighbouring country. Myanmar is carrying out border trade with the neighbouring country Thailand through Tachilek, Myawady, Myeik, Mawtaung, Hteekhee, Kawthoung and Meisei border areas respectively. Among them, Myawady performed the largest trade in border trade with Thailand, followed by Hteekhee. Nevertheless, the trading activity via border is sluggish for now amid the coronavirus resurgences. Consequently, the trade via land border sharply fell in the current FY (2020-2021) as against last year. Apart from its main trade partner China, Myanmar’s external trade was mostly carried out with the regional trade partners.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar