ข่าวเศรษฐกิจและธุรกิจประจำสัปดาห์

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  Myanmar’s sea trade with foreign countries reached over USD 21.6 billion as of 16 August in the current fiscal year 2018 – 2019

  Myanmar's sea trade with foreign countries reached over 21.6 billion U.S. dollars as of Aug. 16 in present fiscal year 2018-2019, figures from the Commerce Ministry said, according to a Xinhua report. From October 2018 to August 16 this year, export value through sea routes amounted to over 8.4 billion U.S. dollars while its imports shared 13.2 billion U.S. dollars.
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  The government authorities, UMFCCI and Foreign CCIs were jointly organized the “Co-Creative Event” in Yangon with the aims to enhancement of trade and investment in Myanmar

  The “Co-creative Event” between relevant government authorities, UMFCCI and Foreign CCIs was held in Yangon, 24th August. The event was organized by UMFCCI to discuss ways and means of enhancing trade and investment in the nation. The talks covered substances such as co-operation work among stakeholders, ways to promote joint activities in realizing the private sector’s aspirations and develop solutions to tackle and overcome challenges.
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  Government is planning to raise import licensing fees in response for the changing economic environment of the country

  The government is planning to raise import licensing fees in response to the changing economic environment of the country. Ministry of Commerce deputy minister U Aung Htoo proposed the new fee structure, which will see licensing rates of a minimum of K30,000 to a maximum of K90,000, from the current rates of K250 to K50,000. “We’ve reported to the Economic Committee of the Union Government on the new import licensing fee structure,” he said at a meeting of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw meeting on August 26.
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  Local and foreign investors are expressed their interest in Thanlyin Industrial Zone project

  Both local and foreign investors are showing interest in the planned Thanlyin industrial zone project. Tahmoenye Company and Shwe Paing Htike Company visited the Yangon Chief Minister to talk about investing in the 400-acre industrial zone. “Local companies want to invest in the zone by partnering with a Chinese company. They visited and met the Yangon Regional Government to talk about their investment plans such as how much they will invest and when they will complete the project. Now, there are four local companies that want to invest in the zone,” said Naw Pann Thinzar Myo, the Regional Minister for the Karen Ethnics Affairs. The regional government said it will implement the project in accordance with approval from the head of state and suggestions from experts. However, the location for the industrial zone is not yet chosen.
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  The Department of Trade under Ministry of Commerce planned to launch Myanmar Tradenet 2.0 aiming to assist National Single Window system in 2020

  Department of Trade under the Ministry of Commerce on Friday introduced Myanmar Tradenet 2.0 to assist National Single Window system. Since 2004, the Ministry of Commerce has been providing trade facilitation services for trading businesses online. Border trade online system was introdued in 2007 and map for licensing processes are included in the system starting from 2014. In 2016, licensing processes can be done fully online along with the introduction to Electronic Data Interchange system. Assistant Director, Information and Technology Subdepartment, Nwe Ni Win said “Various departments are using different systems from different locations. Some systems included in 2004 are no longer useful. So, we need to provide an updated version of the system.”
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  The road construction process between the border of Thailand and the Dawei Special Economic Zone (DSEZ) scheduled to start by mid 2020

  The construction process on the section of road between the border of Thailand and the Dawei Special Economic Zone (DSEZ) is expected to start by mid-2020, according to Dr. Myint San, Deputy Chairman of the special economic zone management committee. “We estimate starting the construction process in mid-2020. The Ministry of Construction will take responsibility for the road construction on our side of the border, while the Neighboring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA) will take responsibility for construction on the extensive road system on Thailand’s side. This is where the project stands,” he said during an interview with state-run newspaper. The 138 kilometer (85.75 mile) long two-lane road will be located in Tanintharyi Region and connect the Dawei Special Economic Zone in Dawei, Myanmar to Htee Khee, Myanmar on the Myanmar-Thai border. This location is near Kanchanaburi, Thailand, and is also known in Thailand as the Ban Phu Nam Ron Border Crossing.
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  In partnering with Advans MFI Myanmar Co, Digital payment service provider Ongo will fully digitise microfinance loan repayments

  Digital payment service provider Ongo is partnering with microfinance lender Advans MFI Myanmar Co to digitise loan repayments. The move will enable Advans borrowers to pay back their loans more quickly and easily with a mobile app or with an QR Card at any Ongo agent, the company said in a press statement. Advans Myanmar started lending operations in April 2017 and serves over 44,000 clients with a loan portfolio of over K18 billion at the end of June. The MFI offers village banking to clients in rural areas as well as small group lending products and individual loans in urban areas. Advans aims to promote inclusive economic growth in Myanmar by building the financial stability of families, small businesses and farmers. Digital payment systems can ease the livelihoods of people who depend on finance services for their commercial growth and operations owing to the rising mobile internet penetrate rate, the company added.
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  Amata Corporation Pcl signed a framework agreement with Yangon Regional Government to turn Yangon into a smart and eco city with supporting infrastructure, logistics, services and other related businesses

  The long-awaited dream of turning Yangon, Myanmar’s commercial hub, into a smart city may soon be realised with the support of Amata Corporation Pcl, Thailand’s largest industrial estate developer. VikromKromadit, chairman of Amata Corporation Pcl, said at a signing ceremony on Thursday (August 22) that the firm would bring advanced technology and quality investors to Myanmar while ensuring environment protection for the local communities. “We will take on a grand project, unforgettable in the history of your country. We will make sure that Yangon becomes one of the best future cities in Myanmar,” he said. “We will bring good investors in line with the All Win philosophy, which means we will not only bring the best customers but also protect the environment. We will ensure the future Yangon city will be better than Amata in Thailand.”
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  Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) will invite the private sector to supply and distribution of water in Yangon

  The Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) will invite the private sector to take over the supply and distribution of water in Yangon, Mayor U Maung Maung Soe was quoted by state media as saying. He said the YCDC has been facing difficulties managing wastage and lacks the manpower required to prevent illegal tapping of water from the city’s pipelines, which is then repackaged and sold for higher prices in various municipalities, resulting in losses for the city. As such, the city has opted to allow private companies to manage the supply and distribution of water as a business instead. U Maung Maung Soe added that a ceiling price will be fixed to prevent water from becoming overly expensive.
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  India’s Civil Aviation told airlines which are interested in operating Imphal - Mandalay flight services on the particular route

  India’s Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has asked the State Government to talk with airlines which are interested in operating Imphal-Mandalay flight service, the Sangai Express reported. During a video conference, the Union Civil Aviation Minister gave his approval to the idea of introducing Imphal-Mandalay flight service while asking officials to talk with airlines interested in operating the international flight service on the particular route.