ข่าวเศรษฐกิจและธุรกิจประจำสัปดาห์

• 

  Thai cement giant Siam Cement Group (SCG) records 20 million USD in sales revenue from its ready mixed concrete business in Myanmar in 2015 fiscal year, a 31% rise year on year

  SCG said it has been expanding market coverage and strengthening distribution channel across Myanmar to serve business expansion and forthcoming commercialisation of the cement plant. SCG began its business in Myanmar over 20 years ago. With five subsidiaries driven by 340 employees, SCG sells variety building materials market products.
• 

  Thailand's Siam Cement Group seeks to ease concerns about a coal-burning plant that will power its new cement factory in Kyaikmaraw, Mon State: they invited a number of monks to visit their plant in Lampang,Thailand

  Mawlamyine Cement Limited (MCL), a joint venture between SGC and Pacific Link Cement Industries, is building a US$400 million cement plant in Mon State, due to open in mid-2016. To power the project, the company is building a coal-fired power plant in the compound, which has raised concerns among the local community.
• 

  The new government needs to create new policies under the reshuffled leadership of the Myanmar Investment Commission - MIC (industry observers)

  The MIC played a major role in amending the Investment Law that was approved in January. The law combines the 2012 Foreign Investment Law and the 2013 Myanmar Citizens Investment Law, changes the mandate of the MIC and, at least in word, expands human rights protections for future foreign investment projects. According to MIC data, the top foreign investment sectors in Burma are power (33 percent), manufacturing (22 percent), oil and gas (20 percent), telecommunications (11 percent) and hotels and tourism (5 percent).
• 

  The consortium building Hanthawaddy International Airport in Bago Region has signed a framework agreement with the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA): a concession agreement will follow, with construction of Myanmar's new hub predicted to finish in 2022

  JGC Corporation, Yongnam Holdings and Changi Airports International form the consortium that won the tender to build and run Hanthawaddy International Airport in October 2014 after the original bid winner – a joint venture headed by South Korea’s Incheon International Airport Corporation – and the government fell out over the project proposal, as previously reported by The Myanmar Times.
• 

  Indian agri logistics group SohanLal Commodity Management (SLCM) Pvt Ltd signs an agreement with local lender Global Treasure Bank for collateral financing: the interest rate for loan disbursement will be 13%

  SLCM will store agri-commodities, fishery products and imported goods at its warehouses with signing of this deal, which aligns with the company’s strategy to facilitate trade by giving collateral financing to small and medium sized traders, processors, farmers, importers and exporters.
• 

  The European Union funded organization SMART Myanmar aims to bolster the garment industry in Myanmar: there are around 350 garment factories in Myanmar owned by both local entrepreneurs and foreign investors from 28 countries

  SMART Myanmar is an EU-funded SWITCH Asia project focused on making social and environmental improvements in Myanmar’s garment industry. From 2013-15 the project engaged with local garment factories on social and environmental compliance issues, providing technical support and capacity building. The project helped Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA) develop its staff capacity and draft a ‘Code of Conduct’ for its members.
• 

  The Central Bank of Myanmar should cooperate more with local banks (people from private banking sector)

  “The Central Bank cannot not work independently yet. However, it will work more independently in the future and it needs more skillful workers and experts to work for them,” U Soe Win, manager of Deloitte Touche Myanmar Vigour Advisory Ltd, said.
• 

  Parliament passes the Banks and Financial Institutions Law of Myanmar: the new law stipulates minimum capital requirement of 20 billion Kyat and lenders have to keep 5% of customer deposits in cash with the Central Bank

  The new law updates Myanmar’s banking laws in line with the Basel Committee’s requirement on banks following the 2008 financial crisis, bank sources said. The final version of the new law has only minor changes from a draft already published on the Central Bank’s website, they added.
• 

  The Small and Medium Industrial Development Bank (SMIDB) has given over 130 billion Kyat worth of loans to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within three years

  Those loans are given to about 400 enterprises from various states and regions. Currently, there are 40,000 registered small and medium enterprises in Myanmar while around 40,000 more are unregistered, said DrThanTun referencing on figures from small and medium enterprises organisations.
• 

  The price of Thilawa special economic zone (SEZ) shares has increased from 10,000 Kyat to 80,000 Kyat per share

  The price of Thilawa Special Economic Zone shares has increased from Ks 10,000 (US$7.6) to Ks 80,000 per share, according to figures calculated on January 26. The shares became available for subscription in March 2014 at Ks 10,000 per unit on the pro rata system. The prices rose to Ks 40,000 after the SEZ opened and have now reached Ks 80,000 per unit.TheThilawa SEZ is also registered in the Yangon Stock Exchange. Share subscription for the SEZ stocks will be available only at the stock exchange once it opens in March 2016.