The Irrawaddy Magazine |
- The Irrawaddy Business Roundup (Sept 17)
- Kachin Rep’s Speaking Time Cut from State Counselor Meet-and-Greet
- This Week in Parliament (September 12-16)
- Dateline Irrawaddy: ‘Our Economy Will Not Pick Up Unless and Until Economic Sanctions are Lifted’
| The Irrawaddy Business Roundup (Sept 17) Posted: 16 Sep 2016 08:11 PM PDT  Prospectors search for jade stones at a mine dump at Hpakant jade mine in Kachin state, November 2015. (Photo: Zoe Zeya Tun / Reuters) Lifting of US Sanctions Welcomed The announcement that most US sanctions against Burma will be lifted was the hottest topic among the business community this week. The move, which includes the reinstatement of Burma under the US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) tariff system, is expected to provide a boost to exporters and increase foreign direct investment. A representative from a leading foreign law firm in Rangoon said that closer cooperation between Burma and the US has the potential to fuel a boom in infrastructure development and consumer spending in this country. To date, American investment in Burma has lagged behind many other countries. "As sanctions have eased over the past two years, we have seen a range of multinationals looking to set up Myanmar-specific investment vehicles, or to include Myanmar as part of their wider emerging markets investment strategy. US multinationals have not featured as prominently in these discussions as other economic powers such as China, Thailand and Japan have, in part due to the complex sanctions regime," Jo Daniels, Myanmar Managing Partner of Baker & McKenzie, added in a statement. The company was hopeful that easing sanctions would mean that more US investors would begin to see opportunities emerging in Burma. UMFCCI to Hold New Members Election this Weekend Fresh faces are expected to emerge in elections for key leadership positions in Burma's most influential business federation. Voting for membership of the new central executive committee of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers and Commerce Industry (UMFCCI) will take place on Saturday, Sept. 17. The organization's current chair, U Win Aung of Dagon International Group, told media that he would not be seeking reelection. The non-profit federation was created in its current form in 1999 with objectives including the promotion of economic activity and economic development. Singapore Business Group Visits Burma A delegation of business representatives from the second-largest investor in Burma after China visited the country this week. A total of 45 representatives from Singapore joined a six-day mission to Rangoon, Mandalay, and Naypyidaw in the first such trip from the island state since President U Htin Kyaw took office in March, according to a report in Today online. Delegates from the property, accounting, publishing, shipping and logistics, legal, civil engineering, and construction sectors, among others, were led by SS Teo, chairman of the Singapore Business Federation. The group took part in networking activities with local businesses in Rangoon and Mandalay. In Naypyidaw, they were briefed by key ministries, the Myanmar Investment Commission and economic development agencies. Mr. Teo told Today, "The high participation rate of Singaporean companies in Myanmar-related events such as this business mission reflects a growing interest in the country. Indeed, our SBF National Business Survey 2015-16 showed that Myanmar is the most popular country for Singaporean companies venturing overseas." Singapore accounted for US$13 billion worth of approved foreign direct investment as of April this year, according to data from the Myanmar Directorate of Investment and Company Administration. Bilateral trade increased 9.6 percent from 2014 to US$2.6 billion last year. Jade Prospectors in Conflict with Mine Operators A rise in the numbers of hand pickers scavenging for raw jadestones has resulted in tensions around the Nam Shi Pon jade mine in Kachin State's Kani Township, it was reported this week. Eight companies operate at the jade mine, and conflicts have emerged between company officials and hand pickers. The number of scavengers in the area had reached 800 as of May this year and continues to rise, according to a report in the Global New Light of Myanmar. Bamboo fences erected by jade companies to keep out further arrivals have not stemmed the influx. A company official said that some workers had thrown stones at the vehicles of mine operators. "We have informed the regional authorities, who responded that since the site is not a fixed living space it is difficult to take action against them," the official said. Jade hunting is a highly dangerous occupation in which workers sort through piles of mining refuse seeking overlooked stones, which are then sold back to the companies. The often extremely hazardous conditions of the work made headlines in November last year when mining rubble collapsed on miners' makeshift homes in Hpakant, Kachin State, resulting in the deaths of 116 workers and their families. Yoma Gets Exclusive Construction Distribution Rights Yoma Strategic Holdings has signed an exclusive deal with J C Bamford Excavators (JCB), the world's third largest manufacturer of construction equipment, to distribute its machinery in Burma. Yoma's subsidiary, Convenience Prosperity Company Limited (CPCL), will be the sole distributor of JCB equipment in Burma, according to a report in the Singapore Business Review. The agreement with JCB will complement Yoma's offerings in the group's automotive and equipment division, the group said. CPCL has 11 branches in Burma and also distributes Case New Holland, an agricultural equipment brand. The post The Irrawaddy Business Roundup (Sept 17) appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| Kachin Rep’s Speaking Time Cut from State Counselor Meet-and-Greet Posted: 16 Sep 2016 08:03 PM PDT  Women and children pictured in an internally displaced persons camp in Kachin State in early June 2016. (Photo: Moe Myint / The Irrawaddy) Members of the US-based Kachin community were disappointed by the removal of their representative from a set of speakers at a New York meet-and-greet on Saturday with State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Gum San Nsang, president of the Kachin Alliance advocacy group in Washington, was invited by Burma's Permanent Mission to the United Nations to the event as an ethnic Kachin representative. The invitation indicated that representatives from different designated groups would be allotted a time slot for a speech to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who will be in attendance. "We were told that we would have two minutes to talk," Gum San Nsang told The Irrawaddy on Friday. But on Wednesday, staff from Burma's Permanent Mission to the UN called him to let him know that he would not be given time to speak at the event, due to limited space. At the time of publication, The Irrawaddy was unable to confirm which speakers retained speaking privileges. Ja Mai, also of the Kachin Alliance, told The Irrawaddy that the move was symbolic, leading her to "question the level that ethnic minorities like us are allowed to truly participate in the process of rebuilding the country." Gum San Nsang explained that, had he been given the opportunity to speak to the State Counselor, he would have highlighted the crisis created by ongoing conflict with the Burma Army in Kachin and northern Shan states. "I wanted to request that she visit Kachin IDP camps and demand an opening of aid relief to border camps," he told The Irrawaddy, referring to 120,000 civilians uprooted by war and spread across more than 100 displaced people's camps in northern Burma. The Irrawaddy reported in June that Kachin IDPs must survive on assistance of just US$0.25 per day. Gum San Nsang was told by UN mission staff that it was Burma's permanent representative to the UN in New York—and not the State Counselor—who had made the decisions regarding event speakers. The Irrawaddy made contact with staff from Burma's UN mission in New York, but they would not comment on the situation or provide additional information regarding Saturday's event. Tu Aung Myitung, general secretary of the Kachin Alliance, regretted that the group had lost "a great opportunity" to speak on behalf of their community, and he remains puzzled by the permanent representative's decision. "It does not make any sense that they don't want to give us any chance to speak with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi during the meeting," he added. The change to Gum San Nsang's invitation came only one day after the White House pledged to lift remaining economic sanctions on Burma after meeting with the State Counselor in Washington. On Monday—only two days before the announcement to eliminate most sanctions—the Kachin Alliance had penned an open letter to US President Obama calling any move to abandon economic restrictions "extremely premature" given ongoing military abuses in Burma, including the systematic use of rape and torture against civilians. The letter was highly critical of the Tatmadaw—the Burma Army—and their "lack of progress" toward adherence to international human rights standards and democratic norms. While Gum San Nsang was told the reason given for the cancellation of his speaking time was "limited space," others speculated whether the decision was connected to the publicity that the Kachin Alliance's letter received. "One could question [whether] this is because of our statement," said Ja Mai. "We feel our voice is being silenced and that the concerns and input of the Kachin community in America are being disregarded." Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been criticized for her failure to condemn Burma Army abuses in Kachin State since a ceasefire between the Kachin Independence Army and the Burmese military broke down in 2011. "The army which she repeatedly claims is [her] 'father's army' is the army which her country's villagers flee from," Gum San Nsang said, referring to the late Aung San—Burmese independence icon and the founder of the country's military—who was also the State Counselor's father. On a weekend in September 2012—almost four years ago to the day—Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, then a member of Parliament, first spoke to members of the US-based Burmese community at Queens College in New York. When asked about fighting in Kachin State, she had said that she "did not want to add fire to the conflict" by criticizing any of the players involved. To protest what they described as her "silence on the humanitarian crisis in Kachin State," members of the Kachin Alliance did not attend Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony in Washington in 2012. "Taking a stand of impartiality in aggression by an elephant against a mouse is not taking the side of justice," Gum San Nsang said of her position on the conflict. The Kachin activists—who have opted out of attending the event on Saturday—said it is unlikely that the war and displacement in northern Burma will be a topic of discussion. The post Kachin Rep's Speaking Time Cut from State Counselor Meet-and-Greet appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| This Week in Parliament (September 12-16) Posted: 16 Sep 2016 07:22 PM PDT  Lower House Speaker Win Myint seen pacing through Parliament on Feb. 4. (Photo: The Irrawaddy) Monday, September 12 In the Lower House, Nang Kham Aye of Shan State's Namtu Township asked what measures authorities were taking to address the safety concerns of innocent civilians regarding the widespread use of powerful munitions. Deputy Minister for Defense Maj-Gen Myint Naing said that Chapter 3, Article 5(e) of the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) states that joint mine clearing will be carried out by the military and ethnic armed groups according to peace process developments, and that the military was working to ensure the safety of people in places where clashes have ceased but mines may still be located. The Upper House voted down a proposal by lawmaker U Khin Aung Myint to expand ethnic minority language education on Monday, citing a need to first "prioritize nationwide peace." It also debated and passed the Science, Technology and Innovation draft law. Tuesday, September 13 No parliamentary session was held, due to the observance of Eid. Wednesday, September 14 In the Lower House, U Aung Kyaw Kyaw Oo of Hlaing Township asked if the Union government planned to ban private logging companies and take a tough stance on illegal logging. Minister for Resources and Environmental Conservation U Ohn Win replied that exporting raw logs has been banned since April 1, 2014, and that his ministry—in cooperation with concerned departments, administrative and security authorities and the military—would take action against and prevent illegal logging and the smuggling of logs. In the Upper House, lawmakers debated the draft law that annuls the 1950 Emergency Provisions Act and Parliament decided that the Bill Committee should review the draft law. Thursday, September 15 In the Lower House, lawmakers debated a proposal by U Nay Pu Ba Swe calling for more effective implementation of an e-government system that would allow for easier accessibility to information about government services. The Upper House debated the draft law to amend the Peaceful Assembly and Procession Law. Due to differing views between the two houses, the draft law will be put to a vote in the Union Parliament. Friday, September 16 The Lower House recorded U Nay Pu Ba Swe's proposal, after 24 lawmakers debated it. In the Upper House, U Htay Oo of Rangoon Constituency 2 asked about the fundamental rights of disabled people and Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr. Win Myat Aye replied that a national level committee to help disabled people cannot be formed for the time being because the process calls for greater cooperation between disabled persons' associations. The ministry plans to adopt bylaws regarding the rights of people with disabilities before next March. The post This Week in Parliament (September 12-16) appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| Dateline Irrawaddy: ‘Our Economy Will Not Pick Up Unless and Until Economic Sanctions are Lifted’ Posted: 16 Sep 2016 07:14 PM PDT
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is traveling to the US via London. This visit to the US is different from her previous visit, when she was welcomed as a champion of democracy. This time, she goes as the state counselor and foreign minister. She is going to the US amid the peace process and a transformation in Burma. Ko Khine Win, what do you think will happen to US economic sanctions against Burma? Khine Win: Like many people, I expect that the US government will lift some sanctions such as the SDN [specially designated persons] list during the visit. I think this because national reconciliation is one of the economic policy priorities of the National League for Democracy (NLD)-led government. Our economy has been failing to the extent that it will not pick up unless and until economic sanctions are lifted and international investments come in. I think that she will try for this. YN: Some argue that she used sanctions as a bargaining chip throughout the struggle for democracy and might do it again in building democracy and rebuilding the nation. Ma Yamin, what do you think? Yamin Myat Aye: I would like to note two things regarding sanctions. One concerns the economy. Burma cannot do bank-to-bank transactions, which impedes trade and foreign investment. This will only be possible when there are no sanctions. Financial sector reforms—including banking reforms—cannot be carried out while there are sanctions. It is necessary to reduce sanctions over time. Officials from the Central Bank of Burma are accompanying Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on her trip to the US and, as Ko Khine Win mentioned, because the national economic policy seeks national reconciliation, I think she will push for the removal of many of the sanctions. Only then can the country receive foreign investment. Currently, US companies invest in the country, but they do so indirectly through Singapore. Regarding the Burmese military and cronies, an arms embargo is imposed against the military. To what extent sanctions will be reduced in that regard will depend on the level of trust between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the military chief. She has visited the Royal Defense Academy in the United Kingdom, and it is likely that there will be training for military officers and visits between the two armed forces. As for cronies, I am sure that those who are involved in arms and drug dealings will not be removed from the SDN list. Sanctions may be relaxed to an extent that allows for foreign investment but excludes cronies. But, some cronies may possibly be removed from the list. I have interviewed businessmen following this speculation. While there are opportunists who accumulated wealth by working hand in glove with the authoritarian regime, there are also businessmen who got rich because of their industrious hard work. Opportunists have crossed the finish line early because they had an early start in the race. Those who did not work hand in glove with the regimes got a late start and therefore struggled. If all cronies are removed from the list, people will think they can do whatever they like as long as they have money and power. Nobody will want to conduct business fairly and moral values will be undermined. If I were in the shoes of the US government, I would take this into account when deciding to what extent sanctions should be lifted. And I believe the US government will do so. YN: You have made an interesting point. The Kachin community living in Washington, DC recently released a statement calling on the US to continue its embargo on arms deals and avoid military-to-military engagement until peace is established in Burma. But Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has become closer with military leaders and it is because the military has cooperated that we are seeing changes today. Ko Khine Win, do you think Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will speak for military leaders and ask the US to remove sanctions? KW: The US government has to take internal politics and geopolitics into account. An Indian commentator wrote that China would perceive it as a threat if Burma's armed forces and the US get too close. The military-to-military relationship could include things other than military exercises—such as human rights trainings, which the US provides to Burma's military now. They should provide training about the role of the military under a civilian administration. Regarding the relationship between the US and China, everyone knows that America is counteracting China. Commentators argue that the US is trying to contain China by cooperating with its adversaries and that it only wants to allow China's rise within an international liberal order. Our leaders need to find a balance and engage with China since it plays a role in the country's peace process and national reconciliation. On the other hand, it is also important for them to engage with the international community, including the US, to have economic sanctions and embargoes removed over time. The government has to strike a balance, which is not an easy task. YN: Ma Yamin, it seems certain now that the US will grant the GSP [generalized system of preferences] to Burmese exports, and that US companies will invest and smooth financial transactions will be facilitated. How can Burmese businessmen make the best use of the GSP? YMA: If the GSP is granted, duties do not need to be paid when importing things from Burma to the US. So, Burmese products would be more competitive. We can expect lively trade if financial transactions are realized between the US and Burma, but it will also depend on other factors such as the quality of the products and accessibility to the market. Vietnam has gained considerable market share in the export to the US of agricultural and marine products. Burma could export similar items to the US. But it is necessary to connect the producers to the market and it is important that the products are of good quality. The government must think about how it can subsidize producers. I would like to highlight the e-government system here. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi recently visited China and I heard that the company Huawei proposed helping Burma introduce an e-government system. The US voiced opposition to the plan. During her trip, she could ask the US to help Burma's transition to an e-government system—with the help of companies like Google, for instance. Then, online payments could be realized in Burma. This would also create more job opportunities for young people. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi could use her power to get sanctions eased and find a market for agricultural produce. YN: Ko Khine Win, Ma Yamin, thank you for your contributions! The post Dateline Irrawaddy: 'Our Economy Will Not Pick Up Unless and Until Economic Sanctions are Lifted' appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
Ye Ni: Welcome to Dateline Irrawaddy. This week, we'll discuss State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's trip to the United States. U Khine Win, director of the Sandhi Governance Institute and freelance business journalist Daw Yamin Myat Aye will join me for the discussion. I'm editor of The Irrawaddy's Burmese edition Ye Ni.| You are subscribed to email updates from The Irrawaddy. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
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