Posts in category: COVID

Republic of the Union of Myanmar
Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry
Notification 6/2020

1st Waning of Nadaw, 1382 ME
30 December 2020
Nay Pyi Taw

1. In accordance with the directives of the National-Level Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry will continue the government’s tax relaxation scheme until the end of January 2021.
2. Regarding income taxes levied once in three months and monthly commercial taxes to be paid by CMP businesses, hotel and tourism businesses, and small and medium-sized enterprises for 2019-2020 Financial Year and 2020-2021 Financial Year—
(a) The income taxes for the second quarter of the 2019-2020 Financial Year (which will end on 31 March 2020), for the third quarter of the Financial Year (which will end on 30 June 2020), and for the fourth quarter of the Financial Year (which will end on 30 September 2020) and for the first quarter of the 2020-2021 financial year (which wil end on 31 December 2020) shall be paid until 31 January 2021.
(b) The monthly commercial taxes for the period from 31 March in 2019-2020 Financial Year to 31 December in 2020- 2021 Financial Year shall be paid until 31 January 2021.
3. The 2 per cent advance income tax in export items approved by the Union Government will be exempted until 31 January 2021.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Republic of the Union of Myanmar
Announcement of National-Level Central Committee on Prevention,
Control and Treatment of COVID-19

15th Waxing of Nadaw, 1382 ME
(29 December 2020)

It is announced that public statements, orders, notifications, and directives (excluding eased restrictions) of the Union-level organizations and the Union ministries effective until 31 December 2020 for protection, control and prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) will be extended to 31 January 2021 as it is required to continue containment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

This is the 14th time the committee extended the restrictions since they were first introduced in April. The restrictions are being extended even though the number of daily positive cases in the country has dropped below 1000 for the past seven days. The Ministry of Health and Sports reported 619 new cases on Wednesday night (December 29), bringing the total number of cases of 123,153 to date.

The commercial capital, Yangon, remains the region with the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country but Mandalay is also seeing an increase in the number of positive patients. Weeks after the 2020 general elections on November 8, Mandalay Region saw a rise in the number of positive cases and is reporting more than 200 cases daily even though a stay-home order has been imposed in seven townships.

Despite that, domestic carriers have been allowed to resume their flight of December 16 if they meet the necessary conditions. The government is also preparing to allow international airlines to resume commercial flights. Meanwhile, stay-at-home measures in various townships across the states and regions have also been lifted. The health and sports minister told local media that administration of the COVID-19 vaccine in Myanmar could commence starting next April.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar, Myanmar Times

THE Ministry of Health and Sports has issued this order in line with provisions stipulated in Section 21-(b) of the Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases Law.
1. The ministry is working around the clock for the prevention of the acute respiratory disease Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and had previously issued the Stay-at-Home Order 107/2020 dated 20-9-2020 for related townships including all townships in Yangon Region (excluding Cocogyun Township).
2. Some townships in Yangon Region now show considerable improvement in COVID-19 prevention measures, and new cases found in the townships in past 14 days considerably decreased.
3. Therefore, it is hereby announced that the Stay-at-Home order issued for the townships in Yangon Region (excluding the wards/villages in Seikkyi/Khanaungto, Twantay and Kungyangon townships in Yangon Region) ended at 8 am on 27-12-2020.

Dr Myint Htwe
(Union Minister)

Stay-at-Home Order is still in effect in the following wards and village-tracts of the three townships in Yangon Region.
(time and date: 8:00 am, 27 December 2020)

1 Seikkyi/Khanaungto Township

1 Seikkyi Ward (east)
2 Seikkyi Ward (west)
3 Khanaungto Ward (east)
4 Khanaungto Ward (west)
5 Samarduwar Ward
6 U Tun Oh Ward

2 Twantay Township

1 Kyuntaw Ward
2 Kyunbet Village-tract
3 Kwangyan Ward
4 Kathabaung Village-tract
5 Kalartan Village-tract
6 Khayanwa Village-tract
7 Hsanywa Village-tract
8 Tamangyi Village-tract
9 Tamartakaw Village-tract
10 Taloathtaw Village-tract
11 Htawyoe Village-tract
12 Payargyi Village-tract
13 Mangay Alae Village-tract
14 Minpaing Ward
15 Shwesantaw Ward
16 Thawuntaw Village-tract
17 Ahlaechaung Village-tract
18 Ohnpinsu Ward

3 Kwangyangon Township

1 Sanpya Ward
2 Kantmalar Village-tract
3 Hnetgyidaung Village-tract
4 Tawkhayanlay Village-tract
5 Tawpyar Village-tract
6 Tawlan Village-tract
7 Pilakhat Village-tract
8 Mayan Village-tract
9 Hmawby Village-tract
10 Yaytein Village-tract
11 Latkhonkon Village-tract

Myanmar exports over past two months of the current financial year 2020-2021 plummeted to US$2.647 billion, reflecting a tremendous drop of $1.2 billion compared with a year-ago period of the previous FY, according to the data from the Ministry of Commerce. During the corresponding period in the previous FY, exports stood at $3.847 billion, according to the data released by the ministry. Both sea trade and border trade dropped amid the coronavirus impacts. The neighboring countries tightened border security and limited the trading time to contain the spread of the virus. Moreover, the severe container shortage has become the biggest disrupter in shipping amid the coronavirus impacts, on the back of robust demand on the Asia-Europe and transpacific trade.

Container shipping costs are drastically surging. Pandemic-induced container shortage pushed up the freight rates to almost triple in Myanmar, causing delays for exporters. Of the seven export groups, agricultural exports showed an increase of $147 million against a year-ago period. Meanwhile, exports of livestock, forest products, minerals, fishery products and finished industrial goods declined. Between 1 October and 11 December of the current FY, export values have registered at $845.63 million for argo products, $14.4 million for livestock, $184.233 million for fishery products, $233.448 million for minerals, $23.7 million for forest products, $1.257 billion for manufactured goods, and $88.574 million for other goods.

The country’s export sector relies more on the agriculture and manufacturing sectors. At present, CMP garment exports drastically dropping as the western countries cancelled order amid the COVID-19 crisis. The Ministry of Commerce is focusing on export promotion and market diversification. Since 2011, the Ministry of Commerce has adhered to its reform policy. A series of moves to liberalize and open the economy have been introduced through policy development to improve the trade
environment.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

A report released by the Asia Foundation said some business owners were worried about the future of their business, as some businesses were still closed and some COVID-19 lines were closed. Due to the continued outbreak of COVID-19 disease, it is likely that businesses in Myanmar will continue to lag behind in terms of sales and profits. A second survey by the Asia Foundation on the economic impact of COVID-19 found that the effects were more varied and that some businesses were able to adapt to minor impacts and epidemics, but that some businesses were still closed and were not selling, and business owners were worried about their business prospects.

Manufacture of garments in Yangon and Mandalay Region, Myanmar’s urban townships; Transport and hotel services are the hardest hit compared to other places and businesses. However, despite no significant improvements in business performance, business owners are becoming more optimistic about the viability of businesses on COVID-19. It is clear that the government should continue to support businesses, especially those that are particularly vulnerable.

In addition, the government should consider the potential link between economic downturn and lockdowns, or the number of COVID-19 outbreaks. Both COVID-19 global epidemic impact assessments on businesses are based on data from the Asia Foundation’s Myanmar Economic Environment Index (MBEI) survey. The survey asked respondents their views on the business environment and compared the results in states, regions and townships in Myanmar.

Source: Daily Eleven

The economic impact of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been more severe on Myanmar businesses than the first wave, according to the World Bank’s latest firm-level survey. The latest survey, the fourth in a series of eight surveys planned, was conducted in September and covered a nationally representative sample of 500 firms. The survey, which covers the second wave of COVID-19 and re-introduction of stay-at-home orders that started initially in Rakhine in late August and then in Yangon in early September, found that local firms were not well-prepared to withstand the second wave. Of those surveyed, 66 percent reported that they were not ready, and agricultural, micro and smaller firms were founded to be the least prepared.

On average, 83pc of firms in Myanmar reported a negative impact on their businesses, an increase from the 75pc reported in August. Firms of all sizes experienced a rise in temporary closures in September after the government imposed stay-at-home orders on businesses in Yangon. As compared to August, all sectors except those in agriculture, saw a rise in business closures. As people have lower incomes, spending has declined and consumer demand has fallen. As a result, there are more difficulties for businesses. It will take time for the country’s economy to recover. That efforts are needed to rebuild entire supply chains using resources in the country, from raw material to finished products, to meet the needs of the domestic market and to increase export capacity to foreign markets. Reducing in sales remains the number one concern of firms surveyed, more so far smaller firms than larger ones.

The share of firms reporting a reduction in sales in 93pc in September, a 12 percentage point increase from August. Issues related to capital appears to be a growing problem for a greater share of firms in September. There were more firms that filed for insolvency and bankruptcy, laid off workers and experienced difficulties with making payments on loans and credits facilities compared to before. In September, half of the surveyed firms in agriculture and about a third of retail and wholesale firms reported the likelihood of falling into arrears within the next three months. With the onset of the second wave, firms reported less confidence that they will remain open for business. Firms in September expressed less confidence regarding their likelihood of remaining operational in one month, compared to August.

Source: Myanmar Times

Myanmar will raise efforts to add value to the domestic agriculture industry by promoting exports post COVID-19, said U Khin Maung Lwin, assistant secretary for the Ministry of Commerce. They will take action to promote their best crops internationally, including rice, corn and beans after the pandemic, adding that similar efforts will be made to promote Myanmar fisheries and livestock, as “these areas have good export potential.” Despite the pandemic, agriculture and maritime exports have increased in the current fiscal year so far, compared to the same period in fiscal 2019-2020. For example, Myanmar has so far exported about 2.2 million tonnes of corn to Thailand, which pigeon peas are being sold to India.

The country will also focus on promoting the export of new crops such as coffee and is already making efforts to penetrate new markets. According to the Myanmar Coffee Association, Myanmar will expand its local highland coffee exports through Singapore. They are connecting with new markets in the region through Singapore. The association last month participated in the Singapore Specialty Coffee Online Auction 2020, which provides a platform for global coffee bean producers to promote and introduce their beans to an Asian market, using Singapore as a hub. Myanmar’s coffee garnered international interest during the auction, despite the lack of buyers due to COVID-19. A local coffee entrepreneur demand for Myanmar-produced coffee should rise due to its superior quality. Then, their coffee production rate and sales will gradually get broader.

Raising exports will also help the country further narrow the trade deficit. In fiscal 2019-20, total trade between Myanmar and foreign countries amounted to US$36.6 billion. Between October 1, 2019 and September 30, Myanmar exports totaled over US$17.6 billion while imports reached over US$19 billion. As a result, the country recorded a trade deficit of US$1.3 billion, up from over US$ 1 billion in fiscal 2018-19. Myanmar needs to make preparations and arrangements to increase trade volumes as it might face setbacks due to COVID-19 in fiscal 2020-21. The NLD government has already moved key trade administrative functions, such as applying for import and export licenses, online. Myanmar can further increase exports by producing value-added products which are competitive in price and quality.

Source: Myanmar Times

The effective period of 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 October 2020, 23:59 hours Myanmar Standard Time, in line with the approval of the National Level Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19.

In order to continue to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Myanmar effectively, the existing period has been further extended, in accordance with the approval of the National-Level Central Committee for Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19, until 30 November 2020, 23:59 hours of Myanmar Standard Time.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

1. With a view to the further strengthening of measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of
   the Union of Myanmar has issued the following announcements regarding temporary entry restrictions for visitors from all countries. All those restrictions were
   extended until 31 October 2020 by the Ministry’s announcement dated 28 September 2020.
   (a) Announcement dated 15 March 2020 regarding precautionary measures for all travellers visiting Myanmar;
   (b) Announcement dated 20 March 2020 regarding additional precautionary measures for travellers visiting Myanmar and temporary suspension of
   issuance of visa on Arrival and e-visa;
   (c) Announcement dated 24 March 2020 regarding additional precautionary measures for travellers from all countries visiting Myanmar;
   (d) Announcement dated 28 March 2020 regarding temporary suspension of all types of visas (including social visit visas) and visa exemption services.
2. In order to continue its effective response measures to protect the population of the country from the risks of importation and spread of the COVID-19, the
   Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar has decided to extend the afore-mentioned entry restriction measures until 30 November 2020.
3. In case of urgent official missions or compelling reasons, foreign nationals, including diplomats and United Nations officials, who wish to travel to Myanmar
   by available relief or special flights, may contact the nearest Myanmar Mission for possible exception with regard to certain visa restrictions. However, all visitors
   must abide by existing directives issued by the Ministry of Health and Sports relating to the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Driven by changing consumer trends during COVID-19, the Southeast Asian e-commerce industry has grown substantially in the first six months of the year, according to a recent report by price comparison and product aggregating website iPrice Group. The report pointed out major changes in consumers’ behaviors and the e-commerce industry brought about by COVID-19 in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, mainly a strong shift from offline to online in consumer spending. In the first half of 2020, website traffic of online general department stores increased in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore by up to 18 percent compared to the second half of 2019.

E-commerce providers across the region were quick to adapt to the new trends. For example, almost all major e-commerce marketplace in the region had multiple sales campaigns to promote health supplements and groceries. Some invested in logistics to assure these essentials get to the consumers. In April, Lazada expanded their fresh produce category to Malaysia, Vitenam, and Indonesia. In May, Vietnamese company Tiki introduced TikiNGON – a service to deliver groceries in three hours. In the second quarter of the year, the total number of sessions on shopping applications in Southeast Asia reached 65.1 billion, which is an increase of 39pc compared to Q1. Leading this jump in usage is the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam with increases of 53pc, 50pc, and 43pc respectively. Meanwhile, Indonesia leads the region in absolute number with 28.5 billion sessions in 2Q alone.

Service available already on Telenor Zay include groceries and food delivery, health care service such as online medical appointments and telemedical consultations as well as the purchase of vehicle insurance services. A recent report by Telenor showed that COVID-19 has led to a surge in online shopping. Services that deliver food, groceries, medical supplies and packages are thriving in Myanmar. This has also led to rising adoption of digital payment methods, with data analytics company Statistic projecting a 7.1 pc increase in digital transitions and a 19.7pc rise in the number of users in Myanmar this year. Online shopping will see significant growth in Myanmar going forward, especially as the digital ecosystem and the digital readiness of both customers and businesses continue to evolve.

Source: Myanmar Times