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

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.