ข่าวเศรษฐกิจและธุรกิจประจำสัปดาห์

• 

  Rakhine launched the new power infrastructure projects with the aims for region development

  Power transmission lines measuring 104 kilometres (60 miles) and a substation that will serve Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships in Rakhine State have been officially launched. The infrastructure will now provide electricity around the clock to some 7800 households in the townships said Union Minister for Electricity and Energy U Win Khaing. The 66KV and 66/11KV transmission lines connect the townships to a 5 MVA substation in Maungdaw Built by the Department of Electric Power Transmission and System Control, work on the project was completed on December 20. The project was officially launched last Saturday in an event attended by U Win Khaing and Rakhine State Chief Minister U Nyi Pu.
• 

  Myanmar’s stock market is still quite and a market in search of movement for the country’s economic growth

  Just a little over three years old, the Yangon Stock Exchange (YSX) faces low daily trading volume and a lack of companies willing to go public. Meanwhile, firms that are considering going public are sitting on the sidelines while evaluating the situation. As a result, Myanmar’s stock market is still quiet, experts and business people say, adding that a more vibrant capital market would be good for the country’s economic growth. To accelerate growth, the stock market need to have depth and breadth, economists said. With a strong capital market, companies could boost manufacturing and exports. Now that the YSX has been established, the sluggish conditions of the market need to be addressed.
• 

  Eurocham was organized the first Eurocham Construction Forum in Yangon in order to address the development of the country’s infrastructure and foreign investment

  The first ever EuroCham Construction Forum took place on Tuesday in Yangon to address the development of the country’s infrastructure and foreign investment. According to the officials, Myanmar’s transportation infrastructure is lagging far behind compared to the countries in the Southeast Asian Region. As many believes that development of transportation infrastructure can boost the country’s economic growth, the forum aims to bring all players together not only to learn insight of the industry, practices of the international but also to promote further investment and business ties. The officials share their hopes for the investment and expect to achieve through the forum.
• 

  Government authorities are made their efforts for the development of Rakhine Economic Zones which will ahead economic development of the northern part of Rakhine State

  The Rakhine State government is moving ahead with economic development plans for the northern part of the state. State official say the plans will involve the Kanyin Chaung Economic Zone, Pone Nar Kyun Industrial Zone and livestock and agriculture zones in northern Rakhine. The state government says it hopes to have the Kanyin Chaung Economic Zone up and running by this March, said Rakhine State Minister of Finance, Revenue, Planning and Economy U Kyaw Aye Thein. The Kanyin Chaung Economic Zone, located near Maung Daw Township, is expected to boost trade by sea routes due to its proximity with Bangladesh and India.
• 

  Myanmar Steel Association (MSA) and Myanmar Iron and Steel Association (MISA) signed a MOU to establish a strategic cooperation team for the long-term development of the industry

  The Myanmar Steel Association and Myanmar Iron and Steel Association signed a MoU on January 7 to establish a strategic cooperation for the long-term development of the industry starting from 2019. According to the agreement, both parties intend to establish a strategic cooperation between MISA and MSA, aligning both organizations’ resources and efforts to achieve one goal: provide a platform to further develop the steel industry of Myanmar, improve the local steel industry environment, and promote the steel industry’s interests in the national agenda. The cooperation resulted from a meeting held on December 4, 2018, attended by members from both associations and finalized the decision to establish MSA-MISA Joint Strategic Cooperation Team.
• 

  Myanmar’s largest restaurant chain, Feel International Group expanded first Myanmar cuisine restaurant in Bangkok to penetrate the international markets

  Feel International Group, Myanmar’s largest restaurant chain, has plans to expand and introduce Myanmar cuisine to Thai consumers with the opening of a restaurant in Bangkok. “At present many restaurants are attempting to cater to the needs of tourists from China, however there are eight flights to Bangkok from Yangon every day, and there are tens of thousands of Myanmar citizens working and studying there, so there is a potential market for Myanmar cuisine,” said Feel International operations director Ko Johnny. “This is the very first Myanmar restaurant opened in a foreign capital city. Bangkok is one of the biggest restaurant markets in the world. It offers a wide variety of cuisine, even something as exotic in Asia as Ethiopian. Bangkok is the first step for Myanmar traditional food to penetrate the international marktets,” he said.
• 

  First China- Myanmar Border Economic Cooperation Zone will be developed along the Kunlong-Chinshwehaw border area in Shan State

  The first ever China-Myanmar Border Economic Cooperation Zone will be developed along the Kunlong-Chinshwehaw border area in Shan state, Xinhua reported quoting state media. Legal process is being pursued to establish the economic zone on 6,000 acres (2,430 hectares) under Myanmar's Investment Law and Special Economic Zone Law, the Chitkyiye Company said.
• 

  After signed an agreement with Electricity Supply Enterprise, two Chinese companies, Hunan Electric Power Design Institute Co., Ltd and SEPCO Electric Power Construction Corporation will build 500 kV power grid for Myanmar

  Two Chinese companies will build a 500kV power grid for Myanmar. China Energy Engineering Group Hunan Electric Power Design Institute Co., Ltd, will implement the first part of the project, and SEPCO Electric Power Construction Corporation, will implement the second part of the project. Both companies signed an agreement with Electricity Supply Enterprise under the Ministry of Electricity and Energy. Electricity Supply Enterprise, which is responsible for managing power distribution in Myanmar, said that this is to reduce power loss, power over loads, or system breakdown in power distribution. Hydropower plants or other power plants in the northern parts of the country, send power to the central and southern parts, which consume most of the power.
• 

  The discussions between Myanmar government and Indian Company are underway to upgrade Thanlyin oil refinery under the G to G system

  The government is discussing with an Indian company to conduct a feasibility study for the upgrading of Thanlyin oil refinery under the G to G system, said Nay Lin, a director from the Ministry of Electricity and Energy. "It's G to G. Giving priority to Thanlyin oil refinery, we are discussing with India. The project is still under discussion," said Nay Lin. The information about the upgrade of the oil refinery was revealed during the ministry's monthly press conference held in Nay Pyi Taw on January 17. According to sources from the ministry, discussion is underway with a foreign company to upgrade Thanlyin oil refinery to be able to produce about 10 million metric tons of petrol and diesel yearly.
• 

  Despite government suspended the sugar import and re-export, the illegal sugar trading are still continued at the border area of Myawaddy in Kayin State

  Illegal sugar trading continues at the border area of Myawady in Kayin State despite the government suspension of sugar import and re-export, an official of a local sugar trade group said. To control the unstable foreign currency exchange rate, the Ministry of Commerce temporarily stopped issuing re-export licenses for sugar and fuel in August. Although sugar re-exports are suspended, there are still illegal imports and a large local stockpile of sugar locally, as there are few buyers in China, U Win Htay, vice president of the Myanmar Sugar and Cane Related Products Association, said.