Hotel operation gets green light for tourism in Magway Region

by HOTEL & TOURISM

The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism has given the hotels, motels and guest houses in Magway Region permission to welcome back customers starting from May, 2021. A total of 50 hotels and motels have been closed since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared last year and 20 of them were reopened in accordance with the COVID-19 rules and regulations set by the Ministry of Health and Sports since April and now all of 50 are reopened.

The hotels and tourism sector in the region is reportedly relying on the domestic travellers and resumption of the business will yield income and eventually profit, an official from the ministry said. The hotels, motels and guest houses are fully booked during the university graduation period and the “Shwesettaw pagoda Buddha Pujaniya festival” which lasts about five months. The hotels and tourism sector in Magway Region generates money from the domestic and international tourists who come to the pagoda Buddha Pujaniya festivals.

The tourist sites including Myathalun pagoda, Gangaw Tahtaung pagoda and Kwechaung fortress in Magway Township, Malun emerald alms-bowl pagoda and Minhla fortress in Minhla Township, Sekkeinte pagoda, Nagapwet mountain, Shwesettaw pagoda, Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary and the elephant camp in Minbu Township, Yokesone monastery and ancient pagodas in Sagu, and Sandagu Natha Kyaungtawya pagoda and Lekaing Yokesone monastery in Pwintbyu township are famous tourist sites in Magway Region. It is reported that plans are underway to develop new tourist destinations for the changing tourism industry in the post-COVID-19 era so as to attract homegrown and international tourists in addition to preservation of ancient cultural heritages and conservation of natural beauties.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

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Myanmar imports over $390.76 mln worth machinery, spare parts in five months

by TRADING

The import value of Myanmar’s machinery and spare are estimated at over US$390.76 million in the first five-month (Oct-Feb) of the current financial year 2020-2021, the Ministry of Commerce’s data indicated. Similarly, the country imported $397.84 million worth vehicles and spare parts. Imports of commercial vehicles and machinery have been
permitted through sea ports and three border gates — Muse, Myawady, and Tachilek. Starting from 1 January, imports of commercial vehicles on a company licence are not allowed. Importers are required to operate a car showroom in line with the prescribed rules and regulations. However, the new policy can pose difficulties for traders conducting business on a manageable scale, said importers.

At present, the market for those vehicles which have been registered and the second-hand cars are leading to a downward trend during the hard financial times. Importing the vehicles will cost a lot owing to the dollar gains in the past three months, double shipping rate and price volatility with tax. The prices of those cars are likely to rise 20 to 30 per cent depending on vehicles’ brands and specifications. Under the 2021 vehicle import policy, 2019 will be the oldest model to be issued an import permit for private cars with non-commercial purpose, according to press release of the Commerce Ministry. Except machinery, all imported vehicles must be left-hand drive under the 2021 vehicle import policy.

When vehicles with less than 1,350 CC engine power are individually imported, the model year must be 2019 and later. Passenger vehicles such as mini-bus, city bus, express bus and commercial trucks manufactured in 2017 and later can be imported. Under FOC Free-of-Charge licence system, fire trucks, ambulances and hearse vehicles manufactured in 2012 or later are allowed for import. Heavy machinery such as excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders, vibratory rollers, clamp loaders, motor graders, road roller compactors, bridge cranes, gantry cranes, tower cranes, pilling machines, crawler drills/ cranes, mobile cranes, rough-terrain cranes, forklifts, boom lifts and asphalt finishers that cannot be driven on public roads are allowed to be brought into the country as long as they are 15 years old or less.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

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Singapore moves down a rank, becomes second largest foreign investor in Myanmar

by INVESTMENT

Following Japan moving up a rank with the largest investments, Singapore became the second-largest source of foreign direct investments into Myanmar in the past seven months (Oct-Apr) of the current financial year 2020-2021,
according to data released by the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA). Japan is the top investor in Myanmar in the past seven months, bringing in estimated capital of $518.76 million with three projects. Meanwhile, the 13 Singapore-listed enterprises brought in US$388.327 million into Myanmar. Singapore companies mainly put investments into urban development, real estate, power and manufacturing sectors.

China stood as the third largest investors this FY with an estimated capital of $166.75 million in Myanmar, the DICA’s statistics indicated. Those enterprises listed from Thailand, India, Japan, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, UK, Viet Nam, Marshall Island, South Africa, Samoa, China, Hong Kong (SAR) and China (Taipei) also made investments this year. Of 42 foreign enterprises permitted and endorsed by MIC and the respective investment committees between 1 October 2020 and 30 April 2021 of the current FY, 21 enterprises pumped FDI into the manufacturing sector. The electricity sector received seven projects and the livestock and fisheries sector attracted five projects.

Other service sectors drew five projects while the agriculture sector pulled two projects and one foreign enterprise each entered industrial estate and the hotels and tourism sectors. MIC intends to reach FDI target of $5.8 billion for the current FY2020-2021. Singapore stood as the largest foreign investor in Myanmar, pulling in the FDI of $1.85 billion in the FY 2019-2020, $2.4 billion in the FY 2018-2019, $724.4 million in the mini-budget period (April-September, 2018), $2.16 billion in the 2017-2018 FY, $3.8 billion in the 2016-2017 FY, $4.25 billion in the 2015-2016 FY, $4.29 billion in the 2014-2015 FY, $2.3 billion in the 2013-2014 FY and $418 million in the 2012-2013 FY respectively. Additionally, Singapore emerged as the second largest foreign investor in the Thilawa Special Economic Zone, after top investor Japan.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

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Effective period for temporary measures to prevent importation of COVID-19 to Myanmar through air travel extended till 30 June 202

by COVID

The effective period for the Temporary Measures to Prevent Importation of COVID-19 to Myanmar through Air Travel issued on 29 March 2020 by the Ministry of Health and Sports was extended up to 31 May 2021, 23:59 hours of Myanmar Standard Time, in line with the approval of the Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19.

As the infection of this disease remains increasing in most of the countries, and the current effective period will be further extended with the approval of the Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19, until 30 June 2021, 23:59 hours of Myanmar Standard Time to prevent infection of COVID-19 to Myanmar through passengers of international airlines.


Ministry of Transport and Communications

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

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

by INVESTMENT

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

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

by TRADING

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

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

by TRADING

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

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Corn export tops $246.9 mln in five months

by TRADING

Myanmar Customs Department’s statistics showed corn exports to foreign countries had generated over US$246.9 million in the first five months (October-February) of the current financial year 2020-2021. Myanmar corn exports by sea have come to an end due to the lack of demand, Chair U Min Khaing of the Myanmar Corn Industrial Association said. Myanmar has been delivering corns to the neighbouring countries Thailand and China via the land border. The shipment to Singapore, Malaysia and Viet Nam abruptly stopped owing to zero demand, he added. The lack of demand by sea is attributed to the political changes and disruption in the logistic sector. Myanmar is conveying corns to Thailand through the land border, with a tonne of maize fetching up about 8,000 baht. As Myanmar revoked the two-per-cent withholding tax exemption on corn exports during the new wave of coronavirus, the corn price is expected to fall, he added.

The withholding tax exemption status for corn exports to Thailand duly expired amid the pandemic. The two per cent WHT had to be paid starting from 1 May. The two per cent WHT was levied on corn exports through the land border. During the pandemic, the tax was temporarily exempted. At present, the exempt status is revoked. Consequently, the lower commodity price is likely to happen. Thailand gives the green light to corn imports through Maesot under zero tariff (with Form-D), between 1 February and 31 August. Thailand has granted tax exemption on corn imports between February and August. However, Thailand imposed a maximum tax rate of 73 per cent on corn import in order to protect the rights of their growers if the corns are imported during the corn season of Thailand, as per the notification of the World Trade Organization regarding corn import of Thailand, said a corn exporter.

With the local corn consumption growing, Myanmar’s corn export to foreign markets is expected to reach 1.6 million tonnes this year, the association stated. Myanmar is the second-largest exporter of corn among regional countries. At present, corn is cultivated in Shan, Kachin, Kayah and Kayin states and Mandalay, Sagaing and Magway regions. Myanmar has three corn seasons- winter, summer and monsoon. The country yearly produces 2.5-3 million tonnes of corns. The corn crop is mostly demanded by the feedstuff processing business. Therefore, it is the potential business for both domestic and external markets, said an official of the Ministry of Commerce. During the last FY2019-2020 ended 30 September, the country exported 2.2 million tonnes of corns to the external market, with an estimated value of $360 million, the Ministry of Commerce’s data showed. As per data from the Ministry of Commerce, Myanmar exported 1.5 million tonnes valued at $270 million in the 2018-2019FY, 1.4 million tonnes of corn worth over $290 million in the 2017-2018FY, 1.2 million tonnes of corn worth $250 million in the 2016-2017FY, and, 1.1 million tonnes of corn worth $300 million in the 2015-2016FY. 

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

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Tickets of the state-owned Myanmar National Airlines can be bought with digital payment

by SERVICES

Passengers travelling on state-owned Myanmar National Airlines flights can visit the website (www / flymna.com) and can easily book with digital payments through the application and call center. Payment for airline tickets with 3D Secure credit or Debit Card, payment by MPU Card, payment by Bank Transfer Payment can be made over the counters such as NearMe, G & G, abc convenience store, City Express and Oasis through 123 Service. Customers who use Mobile banking / i-banking can pay using KBZ Direct Pay, CB Web Pay, AYA Mobile banking, UAB mobile banking, MAB mobile banking.

Passengers on international flights of the state-owned Myanmar National Airlines will be tested for COVID-19 at Yangon Airport Molecular Lab. State-owned Myanmar National Airlines has announced flight schedules for next May, all of which will be operated by Embraer 190 and ATR 72-600 aircraft. Of the five domestic airlines, all airlines have resumed domestic flights and passenger flights have resumed, according to domestic airlines. Among the domestic airlines, state-owned Myanmar National Airlines and Air KBZ are resuming domestic flights, while GMA and Man Yadanarbon Airlines are operating only Yangon-Sittwe routes.

In May, 2021, there will be flights of Myanmar National Airlines from Yangon to Mandalay, Heho, Kyaing Tong, Sittwe, Myeik, Bote Pyin, Dawei, Kyaukphyu, Loikaw and Kalay. According to a statement from the Ministry of Health and Sports, all passengers on domestic flights will no longer need to undergo the COVID-19 test and will have to comply with other health standards. According to the statement, passengers on domestic flights can apply for a ticket at a local ticket office or at a local ticket office. They will be able to purchase regular flights without having to endorse online or in accordance with the health standards.

Passengers may be exposed to suspected COVID-19 fever, whooping cough, sudden loss of odor, or contact with an infected person within two weeks. And only those who are free of all symptoms and conditions will be allowed to travel. Passengers are required to abide by local orders when the aircraft arrives in their respective cities. The COVID-19 medical check-up for passengers on rescue flights and domestic flights of state-owned Myanmar National Airlines (MNA) and International Myanmar Airlines (MAI) will be available at Yangon Airport Cargo Warehouse and N Health Laboratory, according to the airline.

Source: Daily Eleven

Construction of new Mingalar Market completed 63%

by CONSTRUCTION

According to the officials, the government is constructing a new Mingalar Market in Mingala Taungnyunt Township spending K68 billion, and about 63 per cent of the market has been completed. The market will be a 17-storey building with a two-storey basement car park and is being constructed by modern machinery, expert engineers and skilled labourers following the COVID-19 health rules of the Ministry of Health and Sports.

There will be banks, restaurants and supermarkets on the ground floor. From 6th to 13th floor including two-storey basement car park can accommodate more than 700 cars. There will also be shops and warehouses on the 9th and 10th floors while the offices will be on 11st and 13th floors.

There will be more than 1,000 shops from the 5th to 8th floors managed by the construction companies. The YCDC will relocate the vendors from the ground floor to the 4th floor who lost their shops in old Mingalar Market, which caught fire. The officials now speed up the building construction. If the new Mingalar Market is completed, it can benefit more than 40,000 people, including vendors, staff, and customers, so the market will become alive more than before.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar