9 April, 2013
Economy
The Asian Development Bank forecasts, in its ASEAN Development Outlook 2013 report released 9 April, that Myanmar’s economy will continue on its recent growth path. GDP growth was stagnant at 5% from 2006 to 2011, but picked up in 2012 to 6.3%, with the growth anticipated to rise to 6.5% and 6.7% in the next two years.

8 April, 2013
Politics
The Northern Shan Farmers Committee and other Shan organisations on Friday urged the government to relocate the oil and gas pipeline project that passes through the Northern Shan State because of safety concerns. Farmers have been offered only partial compensation, but one third of the 800-mile Shwe gas pipeline has destroyed around 2,000 acres of farmlands and forests in Shan state due to soil dumping and water blockages.

9 April, 2013
Politics
The United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) – an alliance of 11 ethnic groups – sent 23 representatives to meet with the Japanese Government to discuss humanitarian assistance to ethnic regions in Myanmar at the invitation of the Nippon Foundation – a Japanese philanthropist organisation that recently pledged US$3 million in aid to Myanmar. 

9 April, 2013
Foreign Affairs
A delegation from the European Parliament’s sub-committee on Human Rights praised Myanmar for its strenuous efforts to respect and abide by human rights on its visit to Myanmar last week. The delegation also encouraged the government to reform the state Constitution and to enact a media law that guarantees press freedom.

9 April, 2013
Foreign Affairs
Myanmar is set to receive a US$150 million development package under a 3-year action plan from the UN Development Programme after the Country Programme Action Plan was concluded by UN Assistant Secretary-General Ajay Chhibber and the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development on 8 April 2013.

9 April, 2013
Political Security

• Malaysia Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar announced that the chicken products imported from China did not originate from H7N9 affected areas, and the frozen import products did not leave any chance for survival of the virus
• Tests for relevant viruses conducted by the Veterinary Services Department (VSD) of China on the imports all returned negative
• A first case of full recovery from the H7N9 virus was reported  in China, involving a four-year-old boy
• Indonesian vice agriculture minister Rusman Heriawan said a ban on the import of Chinese poultry products was signed on Wednesday and would be lifted after the Chinese government confirms the country is free of the virus

8 April, 2013
Economy
China Polymetallic Mining, the largest lead and zinc resource holder in Yunnan province in China, is exploring opportunities in Myanmar. The Myanmar mining law are expected to be passed this year, but investors expect that the law will allow them to fully own projects, according to the company’s chief financial officer Li Tao. Li said there were legal, political and security risks to consider and that China Polymetallic might avoid the less stable northern region and focus on the east.

3 April, 2013
Political Security

• New cases of the H7N9 bird flu strain confirmed by Chinese authorities, bringing the total to 9 cases, out of which 3 are deaths and others in critical condition
• Vietnam imposed an immediate ban on Chinese poultry, while taking measures to step up border controls
• Vietnamese border authorities confiscated live chicks and chicken over the past few days
• Japan and Hong Kong raises preliminary alerts, taking minor precautions at airports

2 April, 2013
Trade and Investment

• Resolution to negotiate US$ 7.2 billion loan with China has been approved by Laos’ ruling party, with the purpose of financing its 420km high-speed railway project
• 30-year loan to be financed by Exim Bank of China, with interest payments estimated at US$ 3.33 billion
• Laos’ rail project will connect Vientiane to Yunnan Province of Southern China
• Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra revealed plans of new railway linking Nong Khai province to Vientiane

2 April, 2013
Trade and Investment

• The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Renminbi (RMB)-denominated business cooperation.
• Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) inaugurates its RMB clearing services in Singapore
• Last month, the two central banks doubled the size of their bilateral currency swap facility from US$ 24.2 billion to US$48.4 billion