ข่าวเศรษฐกิจและธุรกิจประจำสัปดาห์

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  Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) again issued the instructions covering five directives on banking governance and statistics to banks which will strengthen the country’s financial sector

  The Central Bank of Myanmar has reiterated its commitments to ensuring stronger enforcement of banking rules and regulations in the country. On March 25, the CBM again issued instructions covering five directives on banking governance and statistics. To strengthen the country’s financial sector, Financial Institutions Law was introduced January 2016. CBM has now five detailed directives to banks covering related-party transactions, regulations that bank director shall follow, appropriate standards for bank directors and senior officials, having internationally recognised external auditor, and acquisitions of substantial interests. “The regulations are included in the Financial Institutions Law, but the law doesn’t stipulate specifically how the regulations are to be followed. That is why we have issued instructions for banks to follow in detail. The purpose is to strengthen banks’ corporate governance,” said Central Bank of Myanmar Deputy Governor 1 U Soe Thein.
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  U Thaung Tun led delegates highlighted the reforms which is being carried in politics and the economy particularly in the education sector to pitch the interest of potential UK investors

  Myanmar delegates discussed education, banking, and energy with the British Government and British businesses at the Myanmar Trade and Investment Conference 2019 held in London on March 18, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). The delegates also touched on the opportunities for growth and partnership in sectors such as construction, telecommunications, tourism, manufacturing and natural resources, according to MOFA. The conference, organised by the Department for International Trade, British Chamber of Commerce and UK-ASEAN Business Council, was attended by U Thaung Tun, who is Minister of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations and chair of Myanmar Investment Commission. U Set Aung, Deputy Minister of Planning and U Bo Bo Nge, deputy governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar, were also present.
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  Investors will be invited to cooperate with government in gas exploring and developing LPG and CNG businesses in order to improve the electricity sector

  Investors will be invited to boost gas exploration as well as LPG and CNG businesses, said Union Minister Win Khaing for Electricity and Energy. He said investment in such businesses would help improve Myanmar's electricity sector. "To improve the electricity sector, we will invite investors to cooperate with us in exploring gas and developing LPG and CNG businesses and factories as well as solar energy," said the minister. According to sources from the Ministry of Electricity and Energy, tenders will soon be opened to operate 33 oil and gas blocks—15 offshore blocks and 18 onshore blocks.
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  Myanmar Investment Committee (MIC) permitted 109 foreign investments from October last year to as of February of current 2018- 2019 fiscal year

  Myanmar Investment Committee (MIC) permitted 109 foreign investments as of February in present fiscal year 2018-2019 which started in October last year, according to the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration, Xinhua reported. From October, 2018 to February this year, over 1.7 billion U.S. dollars' investments from the permitted projects entered the country. During the period, manufacturing sector topped the list with over 520 million U.S. dollars' investments from 79 projects, the figures said.
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  The Asia Foundation was made an explanation of Myanmar Business Environmental Index (MBEI) survey findings in Nay Pyi Taw

  An explanation of Myanmar Business Environment Index (MBEI) survey findings conducted by Asia Foundation was made at Ministry of Commerce assembly hall in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning. At the event Union Minister Dr. Than Myint said the MBEI survey findings will allow systematic comparison of the practice of regional administration in states and regions and will also allow investors to understand more about the regional investment environment. The survey findings will give an opportunity to understand and reform the difficulties and obstacles affecting Myanmar economic environment at the regional level and thus it will be very useful for Myanmar said the Union Minister.
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  Sea Lion inaugurated USD $ 10 million worth new Distribution Solutions Centre in Yangon to improve supply chain efficiency and fulfill rising and changing demands of customers in Kyan Sitt Thar Industrial Zone, South Dagon Township

  Sea Lion , which provides services in healthcare, biomedical, life science, technical education and industrial automation in Myanmar, yesterday opened a Distribution Solutions Centre worth US$10 million to improve supply chain efficiency and to and to fulfill rising and changing demands of customers in Kyan Sitt Thar Industrial Zone, South Dagon Township, Yangon. Spanning over 6,870 square meters in a total land area of 8.7 acres, the facility is expected to be among the best in providing storage and logistics solutions for the full range of capital medical equipment and implantable devices, medical consumables, and pharmaceutical products, said Dr U Win Zaw Aung, managing director of Sea Lion. Designed by Civil Tech International Co Ltd of Thailand, the facility, which took 13 months to complete, is equipped to offer efficient supply chain solutions in climate-controlled warehousing, online inventory management, and nationwide distribution services for all customers.
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  European Union increased education budget allowance to USD$ 252 million to get better quality education for all students in Myanmar

  The education budget support programme of the European Union (EU) in Myanmar was launched on March 21 in the capital city. The EU’s support will contribute to equal access to better quality education for all students in Myanmar with US$252 million (more than K380 billion). At the ceremony, education minister U Myo Thein Gyi said the grant signals that the EU “shares our Government’s ambition to dramatically improve the education outcomes in Myanmar.” “Education is the best possible investment in our country’s democratic federal future. Since 2016, the Government has significantly increased budget allowance for the education sector every fiscal year. So, the EU support will also supplement the Government’s investment in education,” the minister said. Ambassador Kristian Schmidt reiterated the EU’s strong commitment to support education reforms, saying that “we believe youth in Myanmar deserves better schools and training to free their potential.”
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  Japanese and Chinese government have signed the agreements to buy gum sterculia from Myanmar

  The Japanese and Chinese governments have signed agreements to buy gum sterculia from Myanmar. The agreements were signed in Myaing township, Magway Region, on March 9. Gum sterculia, also known as gum karaya or Indian gum tragacanth, is a vegetable gum produced by trees of the genus Sterculia. The gum is used as a thickener and emulsifier in foods, as a laxative, and as a denture adhesive. Locally, the gum is known as say kalarma. Primary buyers of the gum are China, Japan, Taiwan. “Last year, three or four Chinese came to the area to buy the gum in cash. As the deal was unofficial, the prices and quantities were not significant. It is hoped that the government-to-government trade agreement will be more lucrative,” said Myaing Hluttaw MP U Thet Naing. The trees that produce the gum are a perennial species and farmers don’t need much capital to enter the market. At present, the trees are not grown widely and the market is not strong. As such, proper cultivation methods will have to be introduced to boost production, U Thet Naing said.
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  Border trade between Myanmar and Thailand reached USD $ 1.4 billion in the first half of 2018- 2019 fiscal years

  Border trade between Myanmar and Thailand totaled about 1.4 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of fiscal year (FY) 2018-2019 which started in October last year, according to the figures from Myanmar's Ministry of Commerce Saturday. The country's export to neighbouring Thailand reached 985.8 million U.S. dollars while its import shared 412.9 million U.S. dollars. Myanmar carries out border trade with Thailand mainly through Tachilek, Myawady, Kawthoung, Myeik, Hteekhee, Mawtaung and Maese border checkpoints.
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  Mandalay International Trade Fair & Business Forum 2019 was held in Mandalay to boost trading sectors and investment enterprises in Mandalay

  The inauguration of the Mandalay International Trade Fair & Business Forum 2019 was held, yesterday, at the Mandalay Convention Centre (MCC), Mandalay Region. The event took place with the aim of boosting trading sectors and investment enterprises in the region. First, the Mandalay International Trade Fair & Business Forum 2019 was opened with the performance of MRCCI Theme Song and cultural dances by the ethnic races. Union Minister for Commerce Dr. Than Myint, Union Minister for Industry U Khin Maung Cho, Mandalay Region Chief Minister Dr. Zaw Myint Maung, the Regional Minister for Planning and Finance U Myat Thu, Mandalay Mayor Dr. Ye Lwin, UMFCCI President U Zaw Min Win, Honorary Chair of Mandalay Region Chambers of Commerce and Industry U Aung Win Khaing, Mandalay Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MRCCI) Chairman U Kyaw Min and Mandalay Region Young Entrepreneurs Association – MRYEA Daw Thin Thin Kyaw opened the Mandalay International Trade Fair & Business Forum 2019 by cutting the ceremonial ribbons.