4 April, 2013
Economy
After months of delay, up to 20 offshore blocks will be offered for exploration licenses this month, according to the Ministry of Energy, but the ministry has yet to provide details of the auction. Potential foreign bidders do not know whether they will be permitted to hold a full license or need a local partner. Foreign firms seeking onshore licenses must have a local partner, but offshore exploration requires heavier investment and a level of technology unavailable to local companies, say industry analysts.

2 April, 2013
Politics
President Thein Sein has made his first major reshuffle of ministry officials and high-ranking civil servants, in a bid to reduce corruption and mismanagement. Six high-ranking officials, including ex-colonels installed as heads of ministry departments by the former military regime, were forced to retire by a presidential order on Friday, while 40 other ministry officials were transferred to posts at other ministries.

1 April, 2013
Economy
Myanmar’s Ministry of Commerce is planning to open a trading market in northern Sagaing Division on the Indo-Myanmar border, as means of increasing the locals’ livelihoods. Cross-border trade has increased significantly in the last year. In 2011-12 fiscal year, border trade between the two countries totalled US$15.41 million. In the 2012-13 by the end of January, bilateral trade stood at US$32.14 million.

1 April, 2013
Foreign Affairs

Singapore’s President Tony Tan Keng Yam announced that Singapore will offer to help Myanmar establish a Vocational Training Institute (VTI) in Yangon. He said this during his speech at a banquet hosted by Myanmar’s President Thein Sein, but Tony Tan is on a five day visit to Myanmar. The new VTI will provide skills-development in areas like hospitality and engineering. The VTI is an extension of Singapore’s and Myanmar’s cooperation under the “Singapore-Myanmar Technical Cooperation Programme” (SMTCP).

4 April, 2013
Political Security

• China announced plans to allow tourists onto the Xisha Islands (named Paracel Islands in Vietnam) despite Vietnam’s claims on the islands
• Vietnam proceeds with its offshore oil and gas related field exploration activities in certain disputed areas, and will not hesitate to develop projects if commercial discoveries are made

9 April, 2013
Foreign Affairs
Former US President Jimmy Carter had meetings with President Thein Sein and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Naypyidaw 3 April. In his speech in Yangon on 5 April, Carter expressed his concern over the recent communal violence between Buddhists and Muslims. “The recent violence risks damaging the reputation that you have gained for your country just as you are trying to rebuild it,” warned Carter.

4 April, 2013
Economy
Myanmar authorities have confirmed that US$2 SIM cards will be available nationwide as of 24 April. SIM cards currently cost about US$260.

4 April, 2013
Economy
China Mobile and Vodafone have formed a consortium to bid for mobile operating licences in Myanmar. Another group, backed by billionaire investor George Soros has also entered the race to secure a license, as the battle to operate in one of the last major untapped markets kicked off. Soros’s consortium is looking at an initial project investment of between US$1.5 billion and US$2 billion. Africa’s largest mobile phone company MTN, India’s top mobile operator Bharti Airtel, and Singapore’s SingTel are also in the race for mobile licences. Meanwhile, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) is thinking of backing from its plan of investing in Myanmar’s telecommunications industry, because of high entry cost and a competitive landscape that heavily favours locals.

4 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
Economy
One of two military-owned conglomerates, The Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd., has received approval to open a new auto plant in Bago Region and a new cement plant in Mandalay Region. Both investments are being made under the Citizen Investment Law, which gives them tax relief and exemptions, including an exemption for importing machinery for the factories.