Democratic Voice of Burma

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• Bullet Points: 5 September 2014
• Dengue fever grips 10,000 children in Burma every year
• BUSINESS WEEKLY – 5 September 2014
• Base camp loses contact with Burmese mountaineers
• Karen State parliament closes with passage of two laws
• Burma ranks near bottom in global competitiveness report
• Thousands protest against mines in Namhkam
• Arakan officials snub OIC offers of help

Bullet Points: 5 September 2014 Posted: 05 Sep 2014 05:23 AM PDT On today's edition of Bullet Points: Miners march in Namhkam Health ministry cites dengue figures. Thein Sein in Switzerland. Mountaineers lose contact with base camp. You can watch Bullet Points every weeknight on DVB TV after the 7 o'clock news.

Dengue fever grips 10,000 children in Burma every year Posted: 05 Sep 2014 04:15 AM PDT Burma's Ministry of Health has announced that more than 10,000 children, aged between three and eight years, contract dengue every year. The news release by the ministry came across as a warning against the rise of the disease that claimed the lives of over 60 children in 2013. Earlier in August, an epidemic outbreak of dengue fever was reported across Rangoon According to the World Health Organization , dengue is among the most neglected diseases in the tropics, and has both spread geographically and increased significantly. The deputy director at the Ministry of Health said that the figure of 10,000 is an average aggregate of the past 4 years. He noted the necessity of educating people regarding preventive measures to ensure that mosquito breeding grounds are eradicated from the vicinity of household areas, and that repellents were used to keep mosquitoes at bay. Related Stories Education would help stop child labour, say experts Filthy water plumbed into Rangoon homes Possible Ebola patient has malaria Dr. Myint Oo from Rangoon pointed out the correlation between dengue fever and sanitation, pointing out that mosquitoes generally tend to breed in dark and muddy areas. "If infected mosquitoes bite children, they can spread dengue fever," he said. "Therefore the disease is related to the sanitation of one's surroundings." The ministry has requested people sanitise their surroundings, filter water, throw away stagnant water, and get tested if they suspect they might have dengue. Dengue affects both children and adults, and is common in rural and urban landscapes. Some of the most common symptoms include high fever, muscle aches, severe headaches, swollen glands, nausea and vomiting, joint aches and skin rashes. The symptoms last between two and seven days and if not treated may lead to a severe form of dengue hemorrhagic fever. It is the second most common mosquito-borne disease after malaria. WHO estimates that between 50 to 100 million people suffer from dengue fever every year. Within the Asia-Pacific region, Burma, Thailand and Indonesia have the highest dengue infection rate.

BUSINESS WEEKLY – 5 September 2014 Posted: 05 Sep 2014 04:10 AM PDT   Ups and downs Burma's currency strengthened very slightly this week; the Burmese kyat was selling on Friday at 971 to the US dollar, while buying at 968. The price of gold fell noticeably this week from 669,000 kyat per tical to 662,000. Fuel remains constant: petrol 820 kyat; diesel 950 kyat; and octane 950 kyat per litre. High-quality Pawsanhmwe rice is still 1,300-1,700 kyat per basket, while low-quality Manawthukha rice is set at 900 kyat per basket at most Rangoon markets.   MPT launches 3G SIM cards Myanmar Post and Telecommunications (MPT) has launched 3G SIM cards priced at 1,500 kyat (US$1.50), in retail shops across the country. Customers must submit an ID card and two passport photos to acquire a card. State provider MPT finds the new Burmese telecoms market a battleground with strong competition from international players Ooredoo and Telenor. Retail outlets Elite, Tamoenye, Chan-Thar and Asia Mega Link will be among those selling MPT SIM cards.   Indonesian firm finds cracks in cement deal Indonesian state-run cement producer Semen Indonesia (SMGR) may postpone plans to expand into Burma until next year due to difficulties in negotiating with its local partner, Jakarta Post reported on Monday, citing the firm's finance director Ahyanizzam. He did not disclose the name of the local partner, but said that SMGR proposed to have at least a 20 percent stake in the joint venture as well as the rights to be the operator and the distributor of the products.   Ten new markets to be built in Rangoon Ten new sites have been marked as marketplaces by Rangoon municipality: in North Dagon, Dagon Seikkan, Tharkayta, Daw Pon, Thingangyun, Hlaing Tharyar, Shwe Pyi Thar and Insein townships. The markets are to be built in the 2014-15 fiscal year with a budget of 1.3 billion kyat (US$1.3 million). There are currently 80 ordinary markets and 11 tax-free markets in the Rangoon city area.   Related Stories Burma's industrial relations at a crossroads 12 Foreign companies await results on Kyaukphyu SEZ BUSINESS WEEKLY – 24 August 2014 Dawei SEZ to resume in November The Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) will resume in early November, state-backed New Light of Myanmar reported on Friday. London-based consultants Ernst & Young met with Burma's Ministry of Transport in Naypyidaw on Thursday to present a “final due diligence report”. The development has faced strong public opposition, and will include construction of a highway, sea port, industrial zone, power plant, housing, water supply and communications stations.   Cummins to provide hybrid power in Burma US-based Cummins Power Generation has announced that it has entered into a contract with Irrawaddy Green Towers (IGT) to provide hybrid power in Burma. It says it will provide solar and battery hybrid and diesel generator power solutions for over 750 cell towers in the country. With IGT operating the telecom towers for Telenor mobile networks in Burma, Cummins is expected to provide power solutions for the network. It is also the leading power supplier for the Ooredoo mobile network throughout Burma.   China's Exim to upgrade Kachin railway China's Exim Bank will provide loans to Burma for upgrades on the Mandalay-Myitkyina railway in the country's north, according to an official from Myanmar Railways. The poorly-maintained tracks are prone to derailment and are in dire need of repair, the official said. China's Exim has also vowed to finance road upgrade projects in southeastern Burma and elsewhere.   Burma to open three new border trade stations Burma will open three new border trade stations to promote commerce with Thailand and India, an advisor to the trade minister said. Two stations will open on the Thai border: one at Maese, Karenni State; and another at Maw Taung in Tenasserim Division. The third will be at the Htantalan crossing from Chin State to India. Burma has a surplus in border trade this year, with an export value of US$2.9 billion and an import value of US$1 billion. There are now 15 official border trade stations in Burma, with Bangladesh, China, India and Thailand.   Burma ranks near bottom in global competitiveness report Burma was ranked 134 among 148 countries in a Global Competitiveness Report 2014-15, released by the World Economic Forum on 3 September. The report reviewed the competitiveness of countries based on the paradigms of education, governance, technology, institutions, market efficiency, infrastructure and innovation. It said some of the most "problematic factors" that hinder business growth in Burma are political instability, corruption, inadequate educated workforce and access to finance. Read more: http://www.dvb.no/uncategorized/burma-ranks-near-bottom-in-global-competitiveness-report-burma-myanmar/43876

Base camp loses contact with Burmese mountaineers Posted: 05 Sep 2014 02:11 AM PDT Sponsors of the Burmese mountaineering team, which on Sunday conquered Hkakabo Razi, have lost communication with the expeditioners who are still on the icy Himalayan mountain in northern Kachin State. Pa PaSoe, the information officer of the Thabawa Khawthan (Nature's Call) Foundation, which has sponsored the historic hike to the summit of Southeast Asia's highest peak, confirmed that the foundation has had no contact with the eight-man team since they scaled the 5,881m (19,295ft) mountain on 31 August. He maintained that there is no reason to believe that the mountaineers have encountered danger, and said they were equipped with satellite phones and walkie-talkies, which may have run out of batteries. "It is quite possible that the batteries in their communication devices have stopped working," he told DVB on Friday. "We have no reason to believe they are in danger." Nonetheless, he said, an emergency meeting would be called for tomorrow [Saturday] if the Burmese mountaineers fail to contact Thabawa Khawthanor, the organising team at Hkakabo Razi base camp. The eight Burmese climbers, led by Aung Myint Myat, set off by foot for the summit on 31 July. They scaled the peak at 5pm on 31 August. DVB reported on Tuesday that the expeditioners had decided to leave the summit immediately as it was nearly dark when they arrived. They were expected to have descended the mountain to base camp by 8 September. Related Stories Burmese mountaineers scale Hkakabo Razi Burma prepares for ASEAN foreign ministers' summit Bullet Points: 24 July 2014

Karen State parliament closes with passage of two laws Posted: 05 Sep 2014 02:07 AM PDT The ninth session of the Karen State parliament drew to a close on Thursday with the passage of two new laws, according to regional Transport Minister Saw Khin Maung Myint. The laws, one governing freshwater fisheries and one related to loading and unloading goods, were approved during the three-day session, which convened from 2-4 September. “The laws were proposed on the first day of the session, then three or four MPs discussed them. We approved them on the last day of our meeting," said Saw Khin Maung Myint. The southeastern coastal state's new fishery regulations include 40 articles, mostly pertaining to guidelines for acquiring operating licences. State MPs also raised several concerns during the session regarding disruptions to telecoms development in the region. About 20 telephone towers are slated for Karen State, which has remained geographically isolated and undeveloped throughout decades of civil war. Related Stories Ethnic bloc hopeful of KNU return Karen soldiers in stand-off with police over weapon seizure UNFC opens 2 top positions for KNU Karen civil society groups have long been at odds with the country's two new telecoms developers, Ooredoo and Telenor, over their lack of transparency about how they will quickly enhance service infrastructure in areas still subject to conflict and littered with unexploded ordnance. Some politicians inquired about one particular tower that remains unfinished in the Leiktho sub-township in the northwestern part of the state. The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the armed wing of the Karen National Union, prevented construction of the tower early this year because of a territorial discrepancy. "The tower construction was delayed because the KNLA stopped it. It was a land problem. A few parliamentarians and I negotiated with the group, which is under a ceasefire with the Burmese government, and the problem was resolved," Saw Khin Maung Myint said, adding that the tower is expected to be completed during the coming dry season.

Burma ranks near bottom in global competitiveness report Posted: 05 Sep 2014 01:23 AM PDT Burma was ranked 134 among 148 countries in a Global Competitiveness Report 2014-15, released by the World Economic Forum on 3 September. The report reviewed the competitiveness of countries based on the paradigms of education, governance, technology, institutions, market efficiency, infrastructure and innovation. Within these paradigms, Burma scored extremely low in harnessing the latest technological advances and the capacity to retain talent within the country. According to the report, some of the most "problematic factors" that hinder business growth in Burma are political instability, corruption, inadequate educated workforce and access to finance. Related Stories Sagaing students protest controversial Education Bill Mandalay students protest education bill Education would help stop child labour, say experts Despite President Thein Sein's proposal to increase health and education budget earlier in January this year, the list indicated a severely hit health sector, as well as diminished primary and higher education, contributing to an overall low ranking in global competitiveness. The only segments where the report showed Burma in positive rankings were primary education enrollment and the ratio of women in the labour force. Decades of military rule and a repressive political atmosphere led the country into a downward spiral in modern times. Despite a series of political and economic reforms enacted by a new civilian government since 2011, economic growth and balanced development are yet to gain traction in Burma. In 2013, Burma ranked 134 among 144 countries. Burma sits among a grouping of failed and impoverished African states on the chart, as well as Southeast Asian neighbours Cambodia and Timor Leste. In contrast, Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong featured among the top 10 countries listed in the report.

Thousands protest against mines in Namhkam Posted: 05 Sep 2014 12:07 AM PDT Thousands gathered in Namhkam, Shan State, on Friday morning to protest against commercial mining operations. The locals said that large-scale silica mining projects have resulted in permanent damage to streams and farmlands, ultimately ruining the livelihoods of thousands of people in the township. Demonstrators convened at the Nam Seere bridge at around 8am, then marched to downtown Namhkam shouting slogans. Concomitant to the rally, seven local politicians submitted a formal complaint listing the demands of the local community to the township authorities. Sai Ye Tun, director of the Namhkam Township Farmers Group, spoke to DVB from the rally site. "There are more than 2,000 farmers. here in Namhkam. We have four demands, including compensation for farmers' losses," he said. The farmers’ demands include: an immediate moratorium on all mining operations in the area; repair of several streams and canals; full compensation for damaged farmlands; and restoration of land so that farming can resume. Locals said that metal byproducts from mines operated by the Ngwe Kabar Kyaw company has contaminated streams and ruined farmlands. Moreover, they said, in some areas the waste has built up and affected water flows, resulting in a drought. The damages are said to have affected at least seven villages so far: Ho Na, Kaung Paing, Mann Kham, Mann Naung, Pan Hto Lein, Se Hai and Waik Ho Sai. Related Stories Fighting breaks out between Pa-O and Shan armies Over 1,000 in Mandalay protest mining activities Shan villagers call for withdrawal of Burmese troops Two of Shan State's leading political parties, the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP) and the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), have both suggested that the villagers ask them directly for assistance. As per the advice of local politicians, the villagers sought and were granted permission for Friday's demonstration. "The villagers are upset because authorities haven't done anything about the destruction that has occurred as a result of these mines. That's why they are protesting. Both our White Tiger Party (SNDP) and the Tiger Head Party (SNLD) have vowed to help them. We told them they need to go about this in accordance with the law," said Sai Htun Hlaing, secretary of the SNDP. Permission was granted for 300 people to rally, but the actual turnout was estimated around 2,000. No arrests were reported. Mining projects began in Namhkam in 2013, the villagers said, when six companies entered the area and began extracting silica. Locals said that they have consistently opposed the projects because of early signs of pollution. Despite repeated pleas with local authorities, no effective action has yet been taken. Silica mining is common in several parts of Burma, typically in the form of large stone extraction. The extraction process, of which local people are largely unaware have difficulty describing, sometimes employs chemicals and results in byproducts that can lead to severe health problems like silicosis.

Arakan officials snub OIC offers of help Posted: 04 Sep 2014 09:27 PM PDT An eight-member delegation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), led by Malaysian former Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar, wrapped up a two-day trip to Arakan State capital Sittwe on Thursday after visiting camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and meeting with local Arakanese officials and civil society groups. But local authorities have complained that they were not properly informed of the OIC's visit and again turned down the Islamic bloc's request to establish a presence in the state, which has suffered from deadly bouts of interreligious violence between Buddhists and Muslims for more than two years. The OIC has made no comment about the trip. Arakanese State officials have told DVB that they were told an informal group was due to visit the region, but had not been prepared for an official delegation from the 57-member state bloc. Related Stories Population shortfall forces rethink Bullet Points: 1 September 2014 Arakan govt moves to protect heritage sites "What we were told was that a group led by the former foreign minister of Malaysia was coming to meet with us," said State Information Officer Oo Oo Hla Thein. "They didn't tell us they were here on an official OIC mission – only that they were representatives who wanted to listen to local views about the OIC. The last time they came protests broke out, so I really don't know what they were thinking." Arakan State Chief Minister Maung Maung Ohn, who met with the delegation on Wednesday, said that the Arakanese people could not yet accept OIC's presence there. "The Chief Minister updated them on the situation in Rakhine [Arakan], and explained that we are not yet ready to accept OIC," said Oo Oo Hla Thein. "We are currently working on nationality verification. If that is successful, we will start working on IDP rehabilitation. "When we come to the issue of rehabilitation, we will seek opinions from the public," the Chief Minister said. "If they are willing to accept OIC assistance, then we will permit them to become involved." He said the OIC delegation did not discuss details, but listened to local opinions, including input from town elders, women's groups and a youth network. Radio Free Asia reported on Thursday that the OIC had offered to build a hospital and other facilities, but that the local government said the projects cannot be implemented until stability is restored following communal violence.

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