ข่าวเศรษฐกิจและธุรกิจประจำสัปดาห์

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  As of mid-November, Myanmar's border trade stands at more than USD 4 billion, up by USD 500 million which is 14% higher than that of the previous year: Ministry of Commerce

  The first eight months of the current financial year has seen an increase in trade of $492.917 million compared to last year, that is, from $3.751 billion to $4.244 billion. The busiest station, last year and this year, was Muse on the Chinese border, which has recorded $306.899 million more than last year, an increase to $3.258 billion from $2.951 billion. The second largest was Myawaddy on the Thai border, which nearly doubled its trade from $210.623 million last year to $410.118 million this year, an increase of $199.495 million.
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  Eleven foreign and international companies apply for a wholesale distribution of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) joint venture with the state-owned Myanma Petrochemical Enterprise

  According to the Ministry of Energy, 21 companies bought tender documents but only 11 had applied by the November 5 deadline.
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  Rice from eastern Shan State has once again been permitted to be exported to China through border trade: Myanmar's Ministry of Commerce

  “Due to the fighting, border trade had been closed. Now the region is peaceful and the conditions are stable, so the border has been opened and rice exports are permitted again,” said U KhinMaungLwin, deputy director from the Ministry of Commerce.
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  Chinese fruit traders extend reach into Shan State to deal directly with fruit farmers, rather than with brokers at the Muse border post

  Bilateral trade between the two countries stood at $9.681 billion in fiscal year 2015 China is by far the main destination for Myanmar exports. It represented 37.3 percent of total exports last fiscal year. Thailand was the second-largest destination with 32.2pc, followed by Singapore with 6.1pc, India with 6.0pc and Japan with 4.4pc, according to Myanmar’s Central Statistical Organization.
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  Deserted by Chinese buyers, the gems market in Kachin State is struggling as prices fall by two thirds

  “Chinese buyers have to pay high taxes in China if they buy our value-added products. This has had a huge impact on the jade market,” he said. Trader U La Wum of Pha Kant, said 80 percent of jade sold at the market is bought by the Chinese and the other 20pc goes to buyers from Myitkyina or Mandalay. “The market is very quiet,” he said. The market opened last May in an industrial zone on the outskirts of Myitkyina with over 100 shops dealing in amber and jade. Many have had to close as prices fall, with sources claiming the price of jade had dropped by two-thirds. For example, a grade-D bracelet, previously sold at K15,000 is now going for just K5000.
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  Cosmetic brand Maybelline collaborates with local online shopping website 'shop.com.mm' as its online retail partner

  Under the terms of the partnership, Maybelline products will now be available on shop.com.mm with special offers at “Maybelline Shop”. The complete range of Maybelline products will be available for purchase at the website, shop.com.mm claimed.
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  The Asian Development Bank (ADB) to give a USD 100 million loan to improve a 66.4-kilometer section of road in Kayin State, connecting Eindu with Kawkareik which is the missing link of the East-West Economic Corridor

  The state’s chief minister told The Myanmar Times earlier this year he is ready to move on from conflict and isolation, with his hopes resting on the delayed East-West Economic Corridor, a project backed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The 1450-kilometre (900-mile) highway will link Vietnam with Laos and Thailand, passing through Kayin State to the port of Mawlamyine.
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  The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to offer loans of Kyat 5 billion to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Yangon, Pathein and Mandalay in December

  The government has agreed with the JICA to take two-step loans at an interest rate of 0.01 per cent with funds going to the government and then to domestic banks for redistribution among SMEs. An official from the SMIDB said: “The JICA will grant loans of Ks5 billion to the SMIDB in December. The JICA will check cities for loan disbursement. We have prioritised Yangon, Pathein and Mandalay for the loan scheme.”
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  Hotels are sprouting across Myanmar to provide adequate accommodation to the increasing number of tourists across the country: Myanmar Hoteliers Association

  A total of 340 hotels are operating across the country in 2015, compared with 290 in 2014, according to U Tin Win, chairman of the Myanmar Hoteliers Association.
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  Myanmar's Ministry of Construction is drawing a new master urban development plan for 56 cities and towns across the country

  “Yangon alone is developing in Myanmar. That’s why we have to allow other cities to get attention from investors. Yangon's population is expanding disproportionally,” Daw Moe Thida added. Yangon is over five times as large as Mandalay, and its population is expected to double in the next 15 years. In neighboring Thailand, Bangkok is has grown to over 20 times as populous as the next largest city. According to the 2014 census, Yangon region has a relatively high population density with 716 people per square kilometer, followed distantly by Mandalay with 200.