President Thein Sein

MoU for Dala Industrial Development Project Signed

August 23, 2018 by Thiha

The Yangon regional government and South Korea-based Myanmar Company Wooree signed a memorandum of understanding for the Dala Industrial Development Project on Saturday, a project to be implemented on the west bank of Yangon River near the ongoing Yangon-Dala bridge project in one of Yangon’s undeveloped townships according to the Yangon regional government. The Yangon […]

Filed Under: Latest News Tagged With: accidents, Ayeyarwady Region, Bo Min Yaung Street, Dala Industrial Development Project, MOU, Phone Gyi Street, President Thein Sein, South Korea-based Myanmar Company, South Korea’s Economic Development Cooperation, U Phyo Min Thein, U Than Myint, Union Minister for Commerce, Wooree, Yangon government, Yangon Regional Economic Development, Yangon River, Yangon-Dala bridge project, Yangon's chief minister

China Beating Japan in War for Economic Influence in Myanmar

August 16, 2018 by Thiha

While the Japanese foreign minister and State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi discussed Rakhine’s development in Naypyitaw last week, a Chinese Communist Party provincial secretary met the vice president to discuss increasing investment in agriculture, transport and technology cooperation. It is not the first time China and Japan have been seen directly competing on […]

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Myanmar risks falling into a China debt trap

June 12, 2018 by Thiha

To understand China’s top priority in Myanmar, forget Beijing’s involvement in the country’s sputtering peace process, or efforts to restart its backed but now suspended US$3.9 billion Myitsone hydroelectric dam, or even securing rights to extract copper at the locally resisted Letpadaung mine outside of Mandalay. Those are all subordinate interests to what China really […]

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Myanmar’s Preservation Man Pursues Dream Museum

November 11, 2017 by thiha

YANGON — Khin Shwe does not like to be called a “crony” — the label used to describe the wealthy Myanmar businessmen who enjoyed close relations with the previous military regime of Senior Gen. Than Shwe (1992-2011). “Now, all the Myanmar people think cronies are no good, and even the government doesn’t want to work […]

Filed Under: Latest News Tagged With: African Studies at the University of London, aung san suu kyi, Bangkok, Chief General Khin Nyunt, Country Club, Department of Archaeology, Development Party, Khin Shwe, Mingalardon Garden City complex in Northern Yangon, Myanmar Department of Archaeology, National League for Democracy, National Museum in Naypyitaw, National Museums, Naypyitaw, Nu Mra Zan, President Thein Sein, Royal Mingalardon Golf, Senior Gen. Than Shwe, Southeast Asian Art Academic Programme of the School of Oriental, Than Shwe, Union Solidarity, Yangon, Zaykabar Museum

Beyond China: Nation must diversify FDI

October 3, 2017 by thiha

While for a long time the world has been focussed on political reforms in Myanmar during its transition from military rule to a democracy, the country has also witnessed a significant economic transformation. The most obvious sign of this is the sudden jump in foreign direct investment (FDI), from US$4 billion (K5.46 trillion) in 2013-14 […]

Filed Under: Latest News Tagged With: asean, Asia World company, Ayeyarwady River, China, China Power Investment Corporation (CPI), Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, foreign direct investment (FDI), Global Infrastructure Outlook, India, military junta, Myanmar, Myanmar’s Ministry of Electric Power, Myitsone Dam, National League for Democracy (NLD), President Thein Sein, President Xi Jinping, singapore, State Counsellor, Yunnan Province

Myanmar Economy Needs ‘Predictable Policy,’ New Reform Leader Urges

August 22, 2017 by thiha

NAYPYITAW — “Winston” Set Aung, Myanmar’s newly-appointed deputy minister for national planning and finance, has urged fellow government leaders to pursue further regulatory and policy reforms for the economic development of Myanmar during a panel session at the Myanmar Democratic Transition Forum. “It is required to establish predictable and stable policy with clear and simple […]

Filed Under: Latest News Tagged With: Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar, International Monetary Fund, Myanmar Democratic Transition Forum, Myo Myint, National League for Democracy, Naypyitaw, NLD, President Thein Sein, Southeast Asian nations, State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, the Thilawa SEZ, Thilawa Special Economic Zone, Winston Set Aung, Yangon

Suu Kyi’s dilemma over Myanmar energy mix

August 15, 2017 by Thiha

YANGON — When Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy was swept into power in 2015, economic development was a key priority and the fledgling government’s social and environmental stance seemed tailor-made for foreign investors. But few foresaw the complexity of adhering to core environmental principles while also dragging a long-neglected economy into the […]

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Suu Kyi Government Brings Back Myanmar’s ‘Mr. SEZ’

August 4, 2017 by thiha

YANGON — Myanmar’s government has brought a key architect of the previous administration’s economic policy back into the fold, aiming to bolster confidence in the business community. President Htin Kyaw’s office on Monday announced the appointment of Set Aung, until recently the deputy governor of the central bank, as deputy minister for national planning and […]

Filed Under: Latest News Tagged With: Central Bank of Myanmar, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, Deputy Minister for National Planning, finance, International Monetary Fund, Ministry of National Planning, National League for Democracy, President Htin Kyaw, President Thein Sein, Set Aung, Southeast Asian countries, Thilawa SEZ Management Committee, Yangon

Minimum wage war in Myanmar

June 27, 2017 by thiha

Factory owners are under pressure to raise worker wages but any dramatic rise could discourage foreign brands from investing in the low-cost nation When Myanmar passed its first minimum wage in September 2015, the legislation was widely hailed as a landmark achievement for labor rights and clear sign the country was firmly on the path […]

Filed Under: Latest News Tagged With: “one-size-fits-all” rate, Adidas, Alex Moodie, an economist and committee member, an EU-funded garment industry advisory body, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chinese-owned factory, European Union (EU), Gap Inc, H&M, Hlaing Tharyar, India, Jacob Clere, Khin Maung Nyo, Khin Maung Oo, labor officer at the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA), MGMA president Myint Soe, Minimum Wage Law, Myanmar, Myanmar’s Central Statistical Organization, Netherlands’ Stichting Onderzoek Multinationale Ondernemingen (SOMO), President Thein Sein, research officer at Progressive Voice, rights research and monitoring group Progressive Voice, second National Minimum Wage Committee, singapore, Southeast Asia, team leader at SMART Myanmar, the largest of Yangon’s industrial zones, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, Western sanctions, World Bank’s annual Ease of Doing Business survey, Yangon, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein

New Myanmar oil pipeline bolsters China’s energy security

April 24, 2017 by Thiha

The opening of an oil pipeline through Myanmar is a big step forward for China’s energy security, reducing the major importer’s reliance on shipments through waters where the U.S. exerts strong influence. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Htin Kyaw, his counterpart from Myanmar, agreed Monday to activate an oil pipeline stretching roughly 770km from Kyaukpyu, […]

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