7 May, 2013
Politics
President’s Office Minister and chairman of the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) Soe Thein has been replaced as chairman of the MIC by Win Shein of the Finance and Revenue Ministry. The change of chairmanship was made because of criticism over recent work of the commission.

25 April, 2013
Foreign Affairs
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is planning a visit to Myanmar in late May, to convey Japan’s intention of helping Myanmar to improve the investment environment and infrastructure. It will be the first visit of a Japanese head of state to Myanmar in 36 years.

25 April, 2013
Business and Investment
China’s Sinopec Group, Asia’s largest oil refiner, said on Thursday it is selling Taiwan’s CPC Corp a 30% stake in an oil and gas block in Myanmar. Sinopec acquired full exploration rights in 2004 over the 12,000 square km block close to Mandalay city. No financial details of the transaction have been released.

30 April, 2013
Business and Investment
Singaporean construction and engineering firm Yongnam Holdings has announced that it is leading a consortium of engineering companies—Changi Airport Planners and Engineers, Tokyo-listed JGC Corporation, and itself—in submitting a proposal for the right to design, construct, operate and maintain Yangon International Airport on a 30-year concession.

30 April, 2013
Business and Investment
Nishimura and Asahi, one of the largest law firms in Japan, has set down plans to open two new offices in Myanmar and Thailand in a regional push. Yangon office will open in May while the Bangkok office is set to open in July. The firm has been expanding in the region over the past three years. It opened an office in China in 2010, in Vietnam in 2011, and in Singapore in 2012.

30 April, 2013
Business and Investment
Ford announced 29 April it will expand its operations into Myanmar, becoming the first major auto-maker in the former pariah state. Ford said it will import cars to Myanmar from plants in North America and Thailand. Ford is partnering on the project with Capital Automotive, a subsidiary of Capital Diamond Star Group. Japan-based Suzuki is also operating in the country, and the auto-maker is hoping to open a manufacturing facility.

24 April, 2013
Economy
Authorities are distributing 350,000 new low cost SIM cards by public lotteries all over the country. SIM cards used to cost between US$250-3,000 but the price of the new SIM card is only US$1.70 but is only available to citizens, despite the growing numbers of foreign businesspeople in Myanmar. Another SIM card offering is to take place next month.

29 April, 2013
Economy
A port construction project in Thilawa Special Economic Zone will start next year using US$205 million low-interest, long term loan from Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA). The loan will be used in construction of the port’s first phase, but the estimated completion is in December 2016.

27 April, 2013
Politics
The Union Election Commission (UEC) of Myanmar will amend the electoral laws and bylaws in an effort to ensure free, fair and transparent general elections in 2015, UEC Chairman U Tin Aye said during a roundtable meeting in Naypyidaw of 21 political parties and civil society organisations as well as United Nations representatives. Earlier this month, UEC held discussions with 56 political parties, which were granted registration, on holding free and fair multi-party general elections in 2015 on various aspects.

29 April, 2013
Politics
A government-appointed commission investigating sectarian violence in Rakhine state in western Myanmar last year has issued proposals to ease tensions there. They suggest doubling the number of security forces in the state and introducing family planning programs to stem population growth among Rohingya minority Muslims. No Rohingya were on the commission.