Former US president Jimmy Carter meets Thein Sein and Suu Kyi

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.

Cost of mobile network access to tumble on April 24

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.

China Mobile, Vodafone, and Soros enter mobile licence race while PLDT withdraws

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.

Yunnan miner explores opportunities in Myanmar

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.

Military-owned conglomerate expanding its reach

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.

Singapore poised to announce purchase Of 12 F-35Bs

25 March, 2013
Political Security

• Singapore is expected to announce plans to buy its first squadron of Lockheed Martin’s F-35Bs, further bolstering what had been the flagging fortunes of the world’s most expensive conventional weapon system
• The fact that American allies in the Pacific are the ones committing to the controversial and over-budget aircraft suggests a move to contain China, which to countries such as Singapore, Japan, South Korea and Australia is the primary long-term threat
• The Singaporeans’ decision will eventually leave China facing 50 to 100 Australian F-35As, 42 F-35As in Japan, 75Bs in Singapore and however many of the three versions built and fielded by the America’s allies in the Pacific

Vietnam accuses Chinese boat of firing on fishermen

26 March, 2013
Political Security

• Foreign Ministry spokesman Luong Thanh Nghi said a Vietnamese boat was chased and shot at by a Chinese vessel near the contested Paracel Islands, causing a fire in the cabin
• Chinese officials promptly replied that the action was “necessary and legitimate” and instead accused Vietnam of illegally entering Chinese waters
• China also recently conducted a “high-sea training mission” right at the Philippines’ northern back-door near the Babuyan Islands
• China’s decision to conduct its training in the area was seen as Beijing’s way of sending a strong message to the claimants in the South China Sea, including the Philippines, which had repeatedly rejected Beijing’s “excessive claims” of the disputed territories

China pivots to ASEAN and Myanmar attempts to pivot away

25 March, 2013
Trade and Investment

• The appointment of veteran diplomat, Wang Yi, as the new foreign minister of China to Asia was well received by leaders in ASEAN member states with hopes that overall tension in the region would be better managed
• Senior officials from Asean and China are scheduled to meet in Beijing next week to consult and discuss overall relations with both sides expected the issue of the South China Sea
• Foreign academics, Yangon businessmen and former military officials said anti-China sentiment has been building for years where citizens believed that Myanmar was being exploited by its larger neighbour
• Thuta Aung, head of a business development firm in Yangon, said as Myanmar becomes increasingly open, public protests have heightened over China’s role in its affairs

Order restored in 6 townships in Myanmar’s troubled region: Report

1 April, 2013
Politics
Myanmar has restored order in six riot-torn townships in Bago region. There have been 163 incidents of violence in 15 townships since the sectarian riots started on 20 March. A total of 43 people lost their lives in the riots and 86 others were injured. Close to 13,000 people have been displaced by the unrest, and more than 1,300 homes and other buildings have been destroyed, according to the UN.

Private dailies re-emerge in Myanmar but face difficulties

1 April, 2013
Politics
Sixteen private newspapers were given licenses by authorities to publish daily, after 50 years of state monopoly of daily news, but only four daily newspapers hit the newsstands. Distribution, poor infrastructure, outmoded printing equipment and staffing issues are some of the stumbling blocks for media organizations wanting to expand to dailies.