Democratic Voice of Burma

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• Poppy replacement in Shan State will take time, money
• Anti-corruption commission to be formed
• IN PICS – Donors rally for evicted Hlegu squatters
• Burma Business Weekly – 21 Feb 2014

Poppy replacement in Shan State will take time, money Posted: 22 Feb 2014 01:55 AM PST In eastern Burma, efforts are underway to hamper opium production in Shan State, which, combined with adjacent parts of Laos and Thailand, produces a staggering 18 percent of the world's opiates. Crop substitution schemes currently being implemented in three townships are unlikely to spread to other areas without a cash injection. A governmental Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC) has partnered with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC) to face the problem, which has far reaching effects for poor, ethnic minorities in the remote area. Poppy substitution is already being piloted in Hopong, Loilen and Panglong townships. Jason Eligh, UNODC Country Manager for Burma, told DVB on Friday that he believes about US$7 million has been spent over the past three years on poppy substitution in Shan State. Considering that CCDAC secretary Kyaw Kyaw Tun has reportedly requested projects in six other townships — Mongnai, Mongpan, Pinlaung, Pekhon, Langhko and Mongton – an effective course of action will come at a hefty price. "That is not enough money at all" said Eligh of the US$7 million already granted by the UNODC. Related Stories Timber ban, effective in April, leads to wood export rush Latpadaung locals air grievances to UN Rights Rapporteur Not enough info about Salween dam, say Shans in eastern Burma An enormous sum would be necessary, he said, for a comprehensive substitute scheme that would canvass all of Shan State, which has nearly 60,000 hectares of poppy fields for a massive drug-producing industry that involves or affects about 200,000 households. "I don't think it should come as any surprise to say we need 15-20 million a year for 10 years," he said. Eligh explained the nuances of tackling the country's drug trade during an exclusive interview with DVB in January, noting that Burma faces unique challenges because so many ethnic groups – armed, unarmed, ceasefire observing and otherwise – will all have to reach agreement with the central government in order to effectively implement eradication schemes. The Shan State Army-South's (SSA-S) Anti-Narcotics Force Chief, Col Hseng Harn, said the group signed a 2012 agreement for cooperation with the government and the UNODC to eliminate drugs, which established a platform for poppy-substitution programs in Mongnai and Mongpan townships that have not yet begun. The SSA-S said the agreement included nine agenda points, but only two of them — the appointment of liaison officers and the conducting of field trips — have been implemented due to lack of further communication from the government. According to the UNODC, last year 57,800 hectares of land were used for poppy cultivation in Burma, yielding 870 metric tons of raw opium.

Anti-corruption commission to be formed Posted: 21 Feb 2014 10:35 PM PST President Thein Sein proposed on Thursday that a commission be formed to begin tackling corruption in Burma. In a letter to the Chairman of the Union Parliament, Thein Sein recommended 15 members; five were selected by the president, five by the Pyithu Hluttaw (lower house) and five by the Amyotha Hluttaw (upper house). Former Maj-Gen Mya Win was recommended as Chairman with former ambassador U Tin Oo also among the proposed members. The list almost exclusively includes former military officials. The newly passed Anti-Corruption Law mandates that the commission be an independent body of respected staff, separate from the legislative, administrative and judicial branches of the government, and that membership should exclude those associated with state-owned companies, those who have declared bankruptcy and those who have been charged with corruption. Related Stories DVB talks to Vicky Bowman, MCRB Govt urged to settle land grab claims by September Literary repression violates basic rights: PEN "As it is meant to tackle corruption, the aim is very good," said politician Thakhin Chan Htun. Emphasising the need for a truly "honest" board, he added, "Having a commission is better than no commission, so there will be a reduction in corruption rather than elimination." Thakhin Chan Htun said that he doubts it is possible to wipe out corruption in Burma. He said that U Nu had once formed a similar anti-corruption team, but that several opportunistic members used their station for personal gain. Burma's Anti-Corruption Law was approved in July 2013, but since that time no action has been taken. Supreme court lawyer Robert San Aung said that he wishes to see results. "A law is in place, there should be direct action," he said. "The commission will take some time, and corruptions will continue. Because the authorities and cronies are now above the law, I would like to see practical changes rather than the forming of a commission.” According to the current law, corruption carries a maximum 15 year sentence for politicians. Other authorities can serve up to 10 years for a guilty verdict, as well as losing their positions. Others found guilty can serve up to seven years in jail. Phoe Thauk Kya, a journalist, said that reporters also have the responsibility to eliminate corruption, and that not enough investigative work is being done to expose corruption in the country. "Journalists are responsible for all the matters which hurt the people," he said. "If we have information, we should reveal it." Last December, however, an Eleven Daily reporter, Ma Khine, was tried and jailed for highly contested charges after interviewing a lawyer for a story on corruption in Burma. Ma Khine was released from prison on Friday after serving a three month sentence that sparked a series of protests by fellow journalists and lawyers. Global corruption watchdog Transparency International has Burma ranked at 157 out of 177 nations in its most recent Corruption Perceptions Index.

IN PICS – Donors rally for evicted Hlegu squatters Posted: 21 Feb 2014 07:57 PM PST Sympathisers from across Burma have been flocking to the Aung Theikdi Buddhist monastery in Pegu Division since news spread that 144 families were sheltering there after their homes were bulldozed and demolished. Donors and well-wishers, including several high-profile activists such as former students leader Moe Thee Zun and activist Nay Myo Zin, have been offering relief supplies and aid to the families who have been sheltering at the monastery since 4 February when their homes were demolished in nearby Hlegu Township where local authorities deemed them illegal squatters. READ MORE: http://www.dvb.no/news/sympathisers-flock-to-aid-evicted-squatters-in-hlegu-burma-myanmar/37527 Related Stories Awaiting eviction, Dagon Seikkan's denizens have nowhere to go Sympathisers flock to aid evicted squatters in Hlegu Court date set for prominent ex-political prisoner

Burma Business Weekly – 21 Feb 2014 Posted: 21 Feb 2014 06:27 PM PST   Ups and downs The Burmese currency's buying and selling rates have narrowed considerably. Street rate for the US dollar is 983 kyat, while the kyat sells at 983.5 kyat to the dollar. Gold is selling at 686,000 kyat per tical; that's 3,300 kyat up from last week. Fuel remains constant: petrol 820 kyat, diesel 950 kyat, and octane 920 kyat per litre. High-quality Pawhsanmwe rice is still selling at Rangoon marketplaces for 1,200–1300 kyat per basket while low-grade Emata rice sells at 850– 900 kyat.   Thein Sein to meet with business leaders Burma's President Thein Sein is scheduled to meet hundreds of businesspeople and investors at the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce office in Rangoon on Saturday, 22 February. According to a UMFCCI official, more than 350 businesses will be represented.   Foreign firms eye Thilawa SEZ About 40 foreign manufacturers have indicated an interest in setting up at the Thilawa special economic zone being developed with Japanese help outside Rangoon, according to a Reuters report on Friday which cited a Burmese official saying that commercial operations could start in mid-2015. Set Aung, vice-governor of Burma’s central bank and chairman of the committee overseeing the economic zone, said the potential investors were producers of clothing, foodstuff, electronic appliances, toiletries and car parts.   24 new hotels given green light in January Twenty-four new hotels offering a total of nearly 1,000 rooms were granted licenses in January to cater for Burma's growing surge of tourists, according an announcement by the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism. With the new additions included, there are now 947 hotels in Burma and more than 35,000 rooms. The announcement said a budget of over 250 billion kyat (US$250 million) was allocated to the Hotels and Tourism sector in the 2013-14 fiscal year.   World's second largest law firm opens office in Burma Baker and McKenzie is by revenue the world's second-largest law firm and now has an office in Rangoon. The "new frontier" office is set to serve the first wave of investors entering Burma's much-coveted energy, mineral and consumer markets. The Rangoon office is Baker & McKenzie's 16th in the Southeast Asia and will employ five local lawyers.   Thai Oil plans $1 billion investment in Burma The largest oil refiners in Thailand, Thai Oil Public Co Ltd, has announced its intention to invest about US$1 billion in Burma this year, according to the Bangkok Post. Executive officer Veerasak Kositpaisal said Thai Oil has proposed two investment projects to the Burmese government including the construction of an oil refinery in Thanlyin, just outside Rangoon, which would produce 40,000 barrels per day.   VP warns Burmese firms against falling under foreign control Burma's Vice-president Nyan Tun has warned domestic companies working in joint ventures with foreign firms in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) not to "fall under foreign control". According to a report by Dawei Project, Nyan Tun said that working together with foreigners will bring more investment, technology and know-how, but local firms must establish "a strategy for all obstacles". Burma is currently implementing three SEZs in Dawei, Thilawa and Kyaukphyu, all with heavy backing from Japan and Thailand.   Maersk makes Burma its port of call The A P Moller-Maersk Group has received a permanent licence to operate container business activities in Burma, according to industry magazine Cargonews Asia. The business will reportedly encompass the three brands: Maersk Line, MCC Transport and Safmarine and it hopes to open its Rangoon agency in May. "Macro-economic indicators signal a continuous expansion of growth in the country due to infrastructure development and investments in industries such as agriculture and garments," said Cargonews Asia.   Timber sales rise as logging ban nears Raw timber export is estimated to rise by 33 percent this year, in the lead-up to a nationwide ban on 1 April 2014. Bar Bar Cho, secretary of the Myanmar Timber Merchants Association, said, "On average, the annual value of timber exports was between US$600 to 800 million, but we are likely to see a rise in the number – estimated between US$1 to 1.1 billion this year — due to high a record of exports in the past six months." Read more: http://www.dvb.no/news/timber-ban-effective-in-april-leads-to-wood-export-rush/37575

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