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Manufacturing sector attracts $256.8 mln this FY

The majority of foreign enterprises eye the manufacturing sector for investments in the past nine months (Oct-June) of the current financial year 2020-2021, pumping the estimated capital of US$256.85 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, stated Myanmar Investment Commission.

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 Pack 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.

Myanmar has drawn foreign direct investment of more than US$3.76 billion in the past nine 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 30 June 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 services sectors 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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Raw materials import by CMP businesses down by $531mln as of 9 July

Imports of raw materials by CMP (cut-make-pack) businesses has touched a low of US$1.18 billion as of 9 July in the current financial year 2020-2021. It reflects a decrease of $531 million compared with the year-ago period, the Ministry of Commerce stated. The figures plunged from $1.7 billion registered in the last FY2019-2020, the Commerce Ministry’s data indicated. Myanmar’s garment exports witnessed a decline of over 20 per cent in the past eight months (October-May) of the current financial year 2020-2021 compared with a year-ago period on the back of a slump in demand by the European Union market. The raw materials import by the CMP businesses fell simultaneously, stated the Ministry of Commerce. Exports of garments manufactured under the cut-make-pack (CMP) system were valued at US$2.2 billion between 1 October and 28 May in the current FY, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce.

The figures plunged from $2.7 billion in the corresponding period of the last FY2019-2020. The garment industry is facing cancellation of the order and a 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. Additionally, Germany will also continue its support for Myanmar garment businesses so that Myanmar women can continue their livings, Germany Embassy Yangon’s Facebook posted. Nonetheless, the COVID-19 infections are spiking in the country, and all the CMP factories are temporarily closed down during the official public holidays (17-25 July). The garment sector is among the prioritized sectors driving up exports. The CMP garment industry emerged as a promising one, with preferential trade from Western countries.

Nevertheless, we cannot still expect normalcy for now due to the possible disruption in the logistics and supply sector and other serious consequences amid the political instabilities and the COVID-19 impacts, traders stressed. Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA) reported in the June newsletter that 502 factories are actively running the business. The factories include foreign investment, domestic investment and joint venture businesses. China constitutes a majority of the foreign investment with 267 factories. Myanmar’s manufacturing sector recorded an accelerated downturn in the previous months as political changes and the COVID surge led to factory closures. The layoff is extended, and some workers were forced to return to their hometowns. Turning to prices, higher material costs and unfavourable exchange rate movements contributed to a sharp increase in cost burdens, the HIS Markit stated.

More than 500 members and over 700 garment factories in Myanmar are listed on the MGMA, with about 600,000 workers. Women account for 95 per cent of workers in the garment industry. However, a third of garment industry workers are out of jobs in difficult times. Myanmar’s manufacturing sector is largely concentrated in garment and textiles produced on the Cutting, Making, and Packing basis. It contributes to the country’s GDP to a certain extent. Myanmar mainly exports CMP garments to markets in Japan and Europe, along with the Republic of Korea, China, and the US. The export value of CMP garments was only $850 million in the 2015-2016FY, but it has tripled over the past two FYs. In the 2016-2017FY, about $2 billion was earned from exports of CMP garments. The figure increased to an estimated $2.5 billion in the 2017-2018FY and $2.2 billion in the 2018 mini-budget period (from April to September). It tremendously grew to $4.6 billion in the 2018-2019FY and $4.8 billion in the 2019-2020FY, according to the Commerce Ministry.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Production and new orders continue to fall in Myanmar’s manufacturing sector, with kyat-denominated exchange rate speculation against the dollar, scarcity of raw materials and rising in shipping costs

Production and new orders continue to fall in Myanmar’s manufacturing sector, with kyat-denominated exchange rate speculation against the dollar and prices continue to rise due to scarcity of raw materials and rising shipping costs, according to the Nikkei Myanmar Manufacturing PMI for June 2021 (Manufacturing Purchasing Manager’s Index). Many factories and customers’ businesses were closed, leading to a decline in jobs and purchases. During this period, the kyat was devalued against the dollar. Respondents often pointed out that prices continued to rise due to scarcity of raw materials and rising shipping costs.

The single IHS Markit Myanmar Manufacturing PMI, the only key indicator of productivity, rose from 39.7 in May to 41.5 in June, indicating a tenth consecutive month of decline in manufacturing conditions. Productivity by local producers in Myanmar fell further in June, but at a weaker rate. At the end of the second quarter, domestic demand remained weak and new orders fell sharply. The decline has been linked to a shortage of cash and a rise in prices. Overall, the current decline is one of the highest in the survey’s five-and-a-half-year history.

The workforce continued to decline sharply, with respondents pointing to workers returning to their hometowns. Despite the weakening of demand, raw material shortages and factory closures led to a sharp rise in backlog in June. In terms of prices, inflation in production costs rose, but weakened from a record high in May. Respondents said the exchange rate was deteriorating; They continue to point to shortages of raw materials and rising transportation costs. Companies reported shifting part of the initial cost burden, and the inflation rate for selling prices was the second highest in the survey so far. The survey is based on original data collected from industry by IHS Markit and supported by the Japan-based Nikkei Media Group.

Source: Daily Eleven

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Manufacturing exports down by $1.86 bln in nearly nine months

Exports of finished industrial goods drastically plummeted to US$5.14 billion in nearly nine months (1 October-25 June) of the current financial year 2020-2021, an extreme drop of $1.86 billion compared with the corresponding period of the previous FY, according to the Ministry of Commerce. As per figures provided by the ministry, the exports of finished industrial goods exceeded $7 billion during the same period in the 2019-2020FY. The IHS Markit Myanmar Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index, a composite single-figure indicator of manufacturing performance, signalled the sharpest deterioration in manufacturing business conditions in the previous months. The higher material costs and unfavourable exchange rate movements contributed to a sharp increase in cost burdens, causing constraints to complete the order.

It can do more harm to the foreign investment sector if the problem is still not resolved. The PMI measures the output, new orders, performance, delays in the manufacturing process and stocks of both inputs and finished goods, according to HIS Markit’s statement. The layoff is extended and the workers are forced to return to their hometowns amid the political instability and the COVID-19 resurgences. Nevertheless, 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. Additionally, Germany will also continue its support for Myanmar garment businesses so that Myanmar women can continue their livings, Germany Embassy Yangon’s Facebook posted.

Myanmar’s manufacturing sector is largely concentrated in garment and textiles produced on the Cutting, Making, and Packing basis, and it contributes to the country’s GDP to a certain extent. Myanmar’s garment exports witnessed a decline of over 20 per cent in the past eight months (October-May) of the current financial year 2020-2021 compared with a year-ago period on the back of a slump in demand by the European Union market, the Ministry of Commerce stated. Myanmar’s garment industry has been facing challenges such as raw material supply disruption and cancellation of orders amid the pandemic.

Additionally, the surging COVID-19 cases posed impediments to the industry, a market observer shared his opinion. Myanmar mainly exports CMP garments to markets in Japan and Europe, along with the Republic of Korea, China, and the US. The garment sector is among the prioritized sectors driving up exports. The CMP garment industry has emerged as a promising one, with preferential trade from Western countries. Yet, the current political changes in the country are likely to aggravate the garment industry, traders stressed. Myanmar’s garment factories operate under the CMP system, and those engaged in this industry are striving to transform CMP into a free-on-board (FoB) system.

As the factories cannot enter into a contract for FoB, Own Design Manufacturing (ODM) and Own Business Manufacturing (OBM), the income is limited, according to the MGMA. Exports of garments manufactured under the cut-make-pack (CMP) system were valued at US$4.798 billion in the last financial year2019-2020, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce. Although the sector is struggling due to the cancellation of the order from the European countries and suspension of trading by western countries during the pandemic, export values rose in the previous FY (1 October 2019-30 September 2020). More than 500 members and over 700 garment factories in Myanmar are listed on the MGMA, with an employment of over 400,000 workers. However, a third of garment industry workers are out of jobs in difficult times.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

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Emerald shoe factory workers strike

Manufacturing sector attracts $254 mln this FY

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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CMP garment exports drop by 20 per cent in eight months

Myanmar’s garment exports witnessed a decline of over 20 per cent in the past eight months (Oct-May) of the current financial year 2020-2021 compared with a year-ago period on the back of a slump in demand by the European Union market, stated the Ministry of Commerce. Exports of garments manufactured under the cut-makepack (CMP) system were valued at US$2.2 billion between 1 October and 28 May in the current FY, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce. The figures plunged from $2.7 billion in the corresponding period of the last FY2019-2020. 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 start to resume new orders. Additionally, Germany will also continue its support for Myanmar garment businesses so that Myanmar women can continue their livings, posted the Germany Embassy Yangon’s Facebook.

The garment sector is among the prioritized sectors driving up exports. The CMP garment industry emerged as a promising one, with preferential trade from Western countries. Nevertheless, all cannot still expect normalcy for now due to the possible disruption in the logistics and supply sector and other serious consequences amid the political instabilities and the COVID-19 impacts, traders stressed. The Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA) reported in the May newsletter that 564 factories are actively running the business, and 177 has no operation. The factories include foreign investment, domestic investment and joint venture businesses. China constitutes the majority of the foreign investment with 302 factories. Myanmar’s manufacturing sector recorded an accelerated downturn in the previous months as political changes led to factory closures. The layoff is extended, and some workers were forced to return to their hometowns. Turning to prices, higher material costs and unfavourable exchange rate movements contributed to a sharp increase in cost burdens, the HIS Markit stated.

More than 500 members and over 700 garment factories in Myanmar are listed on the MGMA, with an employment of about 600,000 workers. Women account for 95 per cent of workers in the garment industry. However, a third of garment industry workers are out of jobs in difficult times. Myanmar’s manufacturing sector is primarily concentrated in garment and textiles produced on the Cutting, Making, and Packaging basis. It contributes to the country’s GDP to a certain extent. Myanmar mainly exports CMP garments to markets in Japan and Europe and the Republic of Korea, China, and the US. The export value of CMP garments was only $850 million in the 2015-2016 FY, but it has tripled over the past two FYs. In the 2016-2017FY, about $2 billion was earned from exports of CMP garments. The figure increased to an estimated $2.5 billion in the 2017-2018FY and $2.2 billion in the 2018 mini-budget period (from April to September). According to the Commerce Ministry, it tremendously grew to $4.6 billion in the 2018-2019FY and $4.8 billion in the 2019-2020FY.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

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MGMA reports 564 factories actively running, 177 inactive as of May

The Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA) reported in May newsletter that 564 factories are inactively running the business, and 177 has no operation. The factories include foreign investment, domestic investment and joint venture businesses. China constitutes a majority of the foreign investment with 302 factories. 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 Bestsellers starts to resume new orders. Germany will also continue its support for Myanmar garment businesses so that Myanmar women can continue their livings, Germany Embassy Yangon’s Facebook posted.

Myanmar’s manufacturing sector is primarily concentrated in garment and textiles produced on the Cutting, Making, and Packaging basis. It contributes. to the country’s GDP to a certain extent. Myanmar’s garment export exceeded US$1.4 billion in the first five months (Oct-Feb) of the current financial year 2020-2021, according to the data released by the Ministry of Commerce. Myanmar’s manufacturing sector has recorded an accelerated downturn owing to the factory closure triggered by the coronavirus pandemic and the political changes. The exports of finished industrial goods drastically fell to US$4.43 billion over the first half (1 Oct-21 May) of the current financial year 2020-2021, an extreme drop of $1.69 billion compared with the corresponding period of the previous FY, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

As per figures provided by the ministry, the exports of finished goods totalled $6.13 billion during the same period in the 2019-2020 FY. The IHS Markit Myanmar Manufacturing Purchasing Manager’s Index, a composite single-figure indicator of manufacturing performance, signalled the sharpest deterioration in manufacturing business conditions in May. The higher material costs and unfavourable exchange rate movements contributed to a sharp increase in cost burdens, causing constraint to complete the order. It can do more harm to the foreign investment sector if the problem is still not resolved. According to HIS Markit’s statement, the PMI measures the output, new orders, performance, delays in the manufacturing process and stocks of both inputs and finished goods. More than 500 members and over 700 garment factories in Myanmar are listed on the MGMA, with an employment of over 400,000 workers. However, a third of garment industry workers are out of jobs in difficult times.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

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Japan-based ACECOOK instant noodle production to be suspended temporarily from end of June due to difficult access to raw materials and cash flow problems

Japan-based ACECOOK Myanmar Co., Ltd, which operates in the Thilawa SEZ, announced that it will be suspended from the end of June due to financial problems and difficulties to access to raw materials. ACECOOK Myanmar Co., Ltd has been distributing healthy and delicious instant noodles to the people of Myanmar since 2014. Due to the current situation in Myanmar, ACECOOK Myanmar Co., Ltd has difficulty in obtaining raw materials, difficulties in manufacturing; ACECOOK Myanmar Co., Ltd will immediately suspend the production and distribution of instant noodles from June 30, 2021 due to cash flow problems.

Therefore, starting from June 1, 2021, all office activities will be suspended and the social network (ACECOOK Myanmar Facebook Page) will no longer be able to reply to messages and answer phone calls. As of March 2021, there are 96 factories operating in Thilawa SEZ Zone A. There are a total of 122 operations in Zone B, with a total of 122, according to the Myanmar Special Economic Zone Central Committee. About $ 1.4 billion in foreign investment has flowed into the Thilawa SEZ in five years, according to the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA).

From the 2016-2017 fiscal year to the end of December 2020, up to 60 investment companies from 18 countries have invested in the Thilawa SEZ. The total investment of these projects is $ 1.382 billion. During that period, Japan invested the largest amount in the Thilawa SEZ with $ 447.367 million. Singapore is the second largest investor with $ 415.423 million. Thailand is the third largest investor with $ 175.588 million. The foreign investment in Thilawa SEZ is mainly in six sectors, including manufacturing, trade, other services, transportation, hotel and tourism and real estate.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

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According to the survey, ASEAN manufacturing output in May rose to record high in Indonesia, but with a sharp drop in Myanmar

ASEAN manufacturing output rose to a record high in Indonesia in May, with a sharp drop in Myanmar, according to the IHS Markit ASEAN PMI, released on June 2, 2021. Asean’s core PMI was recorded at 51.8 in May, down slightly from 51.9 in April, signaling the third consecutive month of growth in ASEAN production, the second-highest since July 2014. By country, the data shows uneven May data, and when Indonesia saw record growth, we saw a sharp decline in Burma. Four of the seven countries saw growth in May, said Lewis Cooper, an economist at IHS Markit. In May, Indonesia led the country-by-country growth in Asean. The PMI rose to a record 55.3, indicating gains, the survey said. Singapore has turned to growth after a slump in April. 

The PMI of 51.7 was the highest in three months, signaling a modest improvement in manufacturing conditions. Malaysia has been above the PMI for more than 50 consecutive months, but its monthly growth has slowed significantly. The Philippines’ manufacturing output was significantly stable after the April drop, with a PMI of 49.9, according to the survey. In Thailand, the situation eased in May and the PMI fell to a three-month low of 47.8. Finally, Myanmar’s manufacturing decline continued in the middle of the second quarter. The rate of decline has weakened for two consecutive months, but overall remains strong.

According to the IHS Markit Myanmar Manufacturing PMI, released on June 1, 2021, imports and commodity prices rose to record lows last May, making it difficult to complete orders, which could pose a threat to foreign direct investment, according to the IHS Markit Myanmar Manufacturing PMI, released on June 1, 2021. Asean’s overall manufacturing sector grew strongly in May. The latest development is said to have been a major contributor to both progress in production and new orders. Growth in new orders has slowed to an all-time high in eight years and remains strong, according to the survey. The study looked at seven countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Philippines. The survey is based on data collected from industry by IHS Markit and sponsored by Japan-based Nikkei Media Group.

Source: Daily Eleven

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CMP garment exports top $1.4 bln in five months

Myanmar’s garment export exceeded US$1.4 billion in the first five months (Oct-Feb) of the current financial year 2020-2021, according to the data released by the Ministry of Commerce. 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. The garment sector is among the prioritized sectors driving up exports. The CMP garment industry emerged as a promising one, with preferential trade from Western countries.

Nevertheless, they cannot still expect normalcy for now due to the possible disruption in the logistics and supply sector and other serious consequences amid the political instabilities and the COVID-19 impacts, traders stressed. Myanmar’s manufacturing sector recorded an accelerated downturn in the previous months as political changes led to factory closures. The layoff is extended, and some workers were forced to return to their hometowns. Turning to prices, higher material costs and unfavourable exchange rate movements contributed to a sharp increase in cost burdens, the HIS Markit stated. Myanmar’s manufacturing sector is concentrated mainly in garment and textiles produced on the Cutting, Making, and Packaging basis. It contributes to the country’s GDP to a certain extent.

At present, Myanmar’s garment export drastically dropped on the slump in demand by the European Union market. Consequently, some CMP garment factories permanently and temporarily shut down and left thousands of workers unemployed. Myanmar mainly exports CMP garments to markets in Japan and Europe along with the Republic of Korea, China, and the US. The export value of CMP garments was only $850 million in the 2015-2016FY, but it has tripled over the past two FYs. In the 2016-2017FY, about $2 billion was earned from exports of CMP garments. The figure increased to an estimated $2.5 billion in the 2017-2018FY and $2.2 billion in the 2018 mini-budget period (from April to September). According to the Commerce Ministry, it tremendously grew to $4.6 billion in the 2018-2019FY and $4.8 billion in the 2019-2020FY. 

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar