ข่าวเศรษฐกิจและธุรกิจประจำสัปดาห์

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  Heineken Myanmar aims to expand its future brewery despite Myanmar’s low beer consumption at 6 litres per capita on a yearly basis

  THOUGH Myanmar’s beer consumption is low at 6 litres per capita on a yearly basis, Heineken Myanmar sees it as a good opportunity for its expansion in Myanmar, according to managing director Rene Sánchez Valle. Sánchez Valle said in an interview that Myanmar is a dynamic and evolving market to be in, and the firm is optimistic about the future and continued growth. “With a rising middle class and disposable incomes, combined with a thirst for exciting new products, there is potential growth for the future,” he said. “For us, being present and building a strong business in Myanmar complements our regional strategy and presence in Asia. We are here to build a sustainable business. We are optimistic about the future and our position as a strong competitor in the market.”
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  Due to the increasing number of unlicensed vehicles, the regional government authorities drafted a new car import policy on the issuance of car licenses in Yangon

  Yangon YANGON Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein said that the regional government is working to draft a new car import policy on the issuance of car licenses in Yangon due to the increasing number of unlicensed vehicles, vehicles registered in other regions and expired vehicles. The news came out of the 11th regular meeting held on 27 October between the Private Sector Development Committee led by Vice President U Myint Swe and businesspersons in Yangon. “Yangon Region government has currently drafted the new policy in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce,” said U Phyo Min Thein.
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  A joint investment company between Yun Nan Jian Sheng Co., Ltd and a local company, Thandaw Myat Co., Ltd set up a new production line, making it the first cement plant to produce 10,000 tonnes per day

  Myanmar Thandaw Myat Company, a joint invest¬ment company between Yun Nan Jian Sheng In¬vestment Co., Ltd, and a local company, Thandaw Myat Co., Ltd has boosted its Double Rinos brand ce¬ment production by setting up a new production line with the capacity of 5,000 ton per day, according to opening ceremony of new production line on October 26. The cement plant, lo¬cated in Kyaukse in Man¬dalay region, was estab¬lished in 2012 with an investment of K20 bil¬lion relevant to $20 mil¬lion. After adding a new production line, now it becomes the first ce¬ment plant that produces 10,000 tonnes per day.
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  Draft of foreigner laws announced by DICA have been criticized for causing considerable difficulties in employing foreigners in Myanmar

  ELEMENTS of the draft foreigner laws are back, in another form, to haunt businesses and investors. The government’s newly expanded requirements on hiring foreign employees have been criticised as “burdensome and disruptive” and “another incarnation” of the draft foreigner laws which were submitted to the legislature in February. A leading legal expert has described the changes as “a possibly good intention” which “has gotten lost in a bureaucratic regulatory nightmare without any sunshine ability to improve the draft regulations”. Two announcements released by the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA) in early last month entered into force on October 21, the “Appointment of foreign experts” (AFE) and “Announcement for companies” (AC). The AFE will bring about considerable difficulties regarding applications for employing foreigners in Myanmar, but the authorities have yet to spell out the details and process.
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  Bilateral trade between Northeast India and Myanmar can be raised significantly to strengthen economic ties between the two countries

  Bilateral trade between Northeast India and Myanmar can be raised significantly to the benefit of businesses at both sides of the border, India Consul General Mr. Nandan Singh Bhaisora said during a Mandalay meeting to strengthen economic ties between the two countries. The meeting included businessmen from India as well as Mandalay region, Chin state and Sagaing Region. It was held ahead of the launch of the India-Myanmar Chamber of Commerce, which took place in Yangon on November 1. While India is an important ally and facilitator for Myanmar in its dealings with the West, Myanmar is also significant for India when communicating with ASEAN, he said. The move comes amid dwindling border trade between the two countries. During the 2016-17 fiscal year, border trade between India and Myanmar totaled $76.4 million. For the first six months of the current 2017-18 fiscal year, trade amounted to $32.7 million compared to $48.2 million during the same period last year.
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  The large scale electricity project, 1,280 megawatt coal power plant in Kayin State could be against the constitution and existing electricity laws

  could be against the constitution and existing electricity laws TTCL Co’s plan to build a $3 billion 1,280-megawatt coal power plant in Kayin State could be against the Constitution and existing electricity laws. The Thai company had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kayin State government to conduct project feasibility studies a few months ago. But according to the Constitution, large-scale electricity projects of more than 30MW are to be managed by the Union government, whereas Region and State governments are permitted to build and manage projects below 30MW as stipulated under the electricity law.
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  Due to the lack of facilities at Kan Pike Tee border gate, Kachin State, Myanmar traders are losing out from trade

  The government should take steps to raise investor interest in Kachin State. These include designating Kan Pike Tee border gate as an international gate as well as providing basic infrastructure and improving trade conditions at the border between Myanmar and China, local merchants said. If the government is able meet these requirements, it will set the stage for a more robust tourism sector and raise border trade levels as trading difficulties are overcome at the border gates. After the Muse 105 Mile Trading Zone which is located at the Northern Shan State border, Kan Pike Tee in Kachin State is one of two border gates which see the most trading activity with China. The other gate is Lweje, which is also in Kachin.
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  Kayin State Chief Minister calls for reclaiming vacant, fallow, virgin lands to attract investors in Kayin State

  VACANT, fallow, virgin land is need to be reclaimed for attracting investors when they visit Kayin Investment Fair which will be held in November, said Kayin State Chief Minister Nan Khin Htway Myint at a coordination meeting held on 20 October with State and Township Committees for Re-scrutinizing Confiscated Kayin State Farmland and Other Lands, State Land Management Group, State Vacant, Fallow and Virgin Land Management Group. As investors in Kayin State can enjoy 7 years of tax exemption, more foreign investments are likely to flow into the state. At this time, we have to explain the land sector and so, Kayin State government and the related committee need to centralize land records and manage vacant, fallow and virgin land.
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  To achieve high water and purification efficiency in industrial use, the Dow Chemical company showcases water purification products for the Myanmar market at the Myanmar Water Show 2017

  One of the exhibitors at the Myanmar Water Show 2017 in Yangon this week is the Dow Chemical company. From lowering waste water generation for residential customers to achieving high water and purification efficiency in industrial use, world leader in sustainable water separation and purification technologies Dow Water & Process Solutions, a business unit of Dow DuPont Specialty Products, introduced its latest range of advanced water treatment technology products to the Myanmar market, according to a press release October 26. The products, specifically designed for industrial and residential applications, are being showcased at Booth F09 at the Myanmar Water 2017 at the Tatmadaw Exhibition Hall in Yangon from October 26 to 28. The list of key products includes:
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  Jade market is stable although the government stopped granting gemstone mining licenses

  Despite the govern¬ment not granting gemstone mining licenses, a negative im¬pact on the jade market hasn’t been felt, according to Kachin State Gems and Jewelry Entrepreneurs Association (KSGJEA). “I think the government will introduce a new sys¬tem, which should have been implemented long ago. We have to carefully consider the process of granting large scale min¬ing licenses. Even though granting mining licenses has been restricted, there is still enough supply in the market,” said U Zay Lwan, the chairman of Kachin State Gems and Jewelry Entrepreneur As¬sociation. There are 19,000 jade mining plots in Myanmar, according to the 2015 Global Witness report, and all licenses will expire before 2021.