Posts in category: ECONOMY

Data from Yangon’s car market shows rising prices and slow sales, with buyers focusing on durability and quality over car type. Korean Kia and Japanese models dominate, while Chinese cars are absent, according to veteran broker Ko Kyaw Hein. Gasoline cars sell better than electric vehicles (EVs), which are still limited due to high maintenance costs and a shortage of replacement parts.Although new EV models are entering the market, the demand is weak. Buyers are advised to carefully check documents and verify authenticity, as damaged or faulty vehicles are often sold. Market activity continues at a cautious pace amid high prices.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Despite the Buddhist Lent, Yangon’s property rent market remains active, with no signs of slowdown. Rising migration into the city, particularly of tenants, has kept demand high, according to estate agents. Many newcomers, including young people attending training courses, opt to rent rather than buy, driving rents up across most townships. Some tenants, including families and company employees from outside Yangon, share rental units, while apartments are increasingly offered on six-month or long-term leases, making short-term three-month contracts harder to find. Estate agents note that rental activity now outpaces buying and selling, with expectations of further growth in the dry season.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar Agribusiness Public Company (MAPCO) is advancing agribusiness through contract farming on nearly 20,000 acres and supporting monsoon paddy growers with seeds and fertilizer in 2025. In Q1 of FY2025–2026, MAPCO exported over 7,300 tonnes of rice to China, Indonesia, Mozambique, the Czech Republic, and Estonia, earning US$2.4 million. Meanwhile, MAPCO and Myanmar Rice Bran Oil Co Ltd (MRBO) are developing Myanmar’s first rice bran oil refinery in Nay Pyi Taw, targeting 9,000 tonnes of crude bran oil and 6,300 tonnes of cooking oil annually. Sunflower oil under the Hnitthak brand is already in the market. The facility aims to support domestic needs and expand into export markets.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

The Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) continued its efforts to stabilize the foreign exchange market in late July 2025 by supporting critical import sectors through foreign currency sales. On 28 July, CBM announced its intention to sell US$30 million to fuel oil business operators. Following this, CBM conducted a series of foreign exchange transactions over several days, including injecting US$413,223 and 222,411 baht into the financial market on 29 July, alongside sales exceeding US$965,200 to edible oil importers and US$200,000 to fuel oil importers. On 28 July, CBM sold US$354,900 to fuel oil importers and injected 1.184 million yuan. On 30 July, it sold US$700,000 to edible oil importers and US$380,279 to fuel oil importers. On 31 July, CBM sold over US$1.2 million to edible oil importers and US$230,000 to fuel oil importers. Prior interventions include sales of US$1.29 million to edible oil importers and US$485,266 to fuel oil importers on 25 July, and US$1.345 million sourced from CMP companies to edible oil importers on 24 July.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar’s government is scaling up support for Micro-,Small-,and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), especially those with export potential, according to Vice-Senior General Soe Win at the MSME Development Work Committee’s 2025 meeting. The government has disbursed K150 billion in low-interest loans and allocated an additional K20 billion for development initiatives. Eighteen private banks are involved in loan distribution, while steps are being taken to raise insurance-backed loan limits from K20 million to K50 million.

To aid recovery from the Mandalay earthquake, another K150 billion will be issued from the Earthquake Recovery Fund. The government is also facilitating international market linkages through commercial attachés and One-Stop Services. Over 150,000 people have completed MSME-related training across 7,000+ sessions. Emphasizing technology access and responsible borrowing, officials aim to boost resilience and market reach for local businesses. Source: The Global New Light of MyanmarMyanmar’s government is scaling up support for Micro-,Small-,and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), especially those with export potential, according to Vice-Senior General Soe Win at the MSME Development Work Committee’s 2025 meeting. The government has disbursed K150 billion in low-interest loans and allocated an additional K20 billion for development initiatives. Eighteen private banks are involved in loan distribution, while steps are being taken to raise insurance-backed loan limits from K20 million to K50 million.

To aid recovery from the Mandalay earthquake, another K150 billion will be issued from the Earthquake Recovery Fund. The government is also facilitating international market linkages through commercial attachés and One-Stop Services. Over 150,000 people have completed MSME-related training across 7,000+ sessions. Emphasizing technology access and responsible borrowing, officials aim to boost resilience and market reach for local businesses.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

The Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) announced plans on 8 July to set up a State Reconstruction Fund and offer low-interest loans to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) affected by the 28 March Mandalay Earthquake.

The quake impacted businesses in regions including Nay Pyi Taw, Mandalay, Sagaing, Magway, Bago, and northeastern Shan State. To aid recovery, CBM is working with the Central Committee for MSME Development and other institutions to expand loan access and improve digital payment systems.

Participating banks, including Myanmar Economic Bank and 18 private lenders, are disbursing affordable MSME loans under various programmes. CBM is also pushing for dedicated MSME departments in banks and enhancing digital transactions through platforms like CBM-NET and MMQR, launched in February 2025, to ensure faster and secure payments.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

The Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) has intensified its foreign exchange interventions in July 2025 to stabilize the kyat and support essential imports. On 8 July, CBM sold US$30 million to fuel oil importers and $885,100 to edible oil companies. On 7 July, it sold $1.8 million and 1.3 million yuan, followed by $1.87 million to edible oil companies and $912,150 to commodities importers. On 4 July, CBM injected $1.75 million and $481,540, alongside $578,542 and 900,000 yuan into the market. On 3 July, it sold $678,000, 1.24 million yuan, and 2.94 million baht, and over $3.346 million to edible oil companies. On 2 July, it announced a sale of 10 million yuan, and injected over $1.593 million. On 1 July, CBM pumped $33 million into the fuel sector and sold $1.15 million to edible oil companies. In June 2025, CBM sold $8.4 million, 13.9 million baht, 5.2 million yuan, and injected $14.9 million from CMP enterprises.

These measures aim to curb exchange rate volatility and currency devaluation. As of 15 March 2024, CBM is coordinating with law enforcement to tackle market manipulation. Since 5 December 2023, private banks have been permitted to trade currencies online at market rates.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar (10.7.25)

On July 10, the buying rate stood at Ks 4,390 per USD, while the selling rate reached Ks 4,470 per USD. This growing difference reflects ongoing stresses on the local currency due to limited dollar availability and strong demand from importers and remittance markets.

Gold prices increased notably, with the selling price reaching Ks 7,840,000 per kyattha on July 10, while the buying price stood at Ks 7,760,000 per kyattha. This upward movement reflects sustained local demand and influences from global gold market trends.

On the other hand, fuel prices declined slightly, offering mild relief for consumers. As of July 10: Octane 92 dropped to Ks 3,015 per litre, down from Ks 3,140 the previous week. Octane 95 fell to Ks 3,075, compared to Ks 3,210 last week. Diesel prices eased to Ks 2,635 per litre, and Premium diesel declined to Ks 3,265, marking a decrease of Ks 95 to Ks 135 across the board.

The Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) has actively injected foreign currencies into the market throughout June 2025 to stabilize the foreign exchange rate and combat currency devaluation. In particular, CBM focused its sales on essential import sectors, including edible oil, fuel, and general commodities. CBM injected US$1.479 million in edible oil importers on 25 June, using funds from Cutting, Making, and Packaging (CMP) companies.A day earlier, on 24 June, over US$870,000 and 700,000 yuan were sold to similar firms.CBM announced on 23 June to pump US$30 million into the fuel oil sector. CBM sold $464,500 to edible oil importing companies and over $496,000 to commodity-importing companies on that day after injection of over 16,540 yuan into the market. CBM sold over $600,000 and 387,000 yuan on 20 June. Furthermore, it sold $800,000 to edible oil-importing companies and over $503,000 from its designated injection into commodity-importing companies.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

In May 2025, the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA) removed 400 companies from the register for failing to file their annual returns (AR) on the MyCO system. Earlier this year, 1,500 companies in both January and February and 900 in March also failed to comply. However, no company missed AR submission in April.

Companies who fail to file ARs within 13 months risk suspension, and under Section 430(F) of the Myanmar Companies Law, they would be struck out if they are not corrected within 6 months, according to DICA. Companies must pay a total of K250,000 in penalty to reinstate their registration.

Since 2018, over 19,000 companies have failed to meet AR requirements. DICA urges all businesses—local, public, and overseas—to comply with filing rules to avoid penalties and ensure legal operation.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar