Democratic Voice of Burma

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• Hundreds join protest against big oil and gas in Kanbauk
• Sizing up the energy giants
• ASEAN Rice Federation in the works
• President’s Office douses notion of Women’s Ministry
• Rohingya crisis: Burma govt implicated in ‘Crimes against Humanity’
• MAI spreads its wings to Pusan
• CB Bank to open in Chin State

Hundreds join protest against big oil and gas in Kanbauk Posted: 25 Feb 2014 02:34 AM PST Residents in Kanbauk, Tenasserim Division staged a protest against several oil and gas companies who are operating in the area. The protestors said the companies should take responsibility for respiratory problems allegedly caused by heavy trucks tearing up the dirt roads, which also create dust clouds and damage the environment. PTTEPI, PETRONAS and Total operate in the area and locals are demanding they tarmac the roads. "There are several companies operating in the area, and they have been frequently using the dirt roads," said Wunna Toe from the Regional Development Network. "They are creating clouds of dust, which we have to inhale on a regular basis and it is causing health concerns". The protest was organised by local civil society group the Regional Development Network and they initially issued three demands. The group are calling on the three companies to tarmac the road and ensure effective environmental conservation measures are in place. Related Stories Burma's offshore block winners to be announced in Feb Acid factory “burning our eyes,” say residents UN pledges support in Burma's fight against malnutrition A third demand to supply 24 hour electricity to the local villages in Kanbauk was dropped as local authorities said the electricity supply was the responsibility of the local government, not the companies. Hundreds of residents from 20 villages in Kanbauk joined the protest saying PTTEPI, PETRONAS and Total's operations in projects in Ohnbin Kwin village were damaging their livelihood. A main road leading to the Yetagun offshore gas field runs through Kanbauk and relay stations for the pipeline, which transports gas to Thailand, are dotted throughout the area. "They haven't done much with our problems for the past 20 years," said a local Buddhist monk. "Yet they are investing so much in the projects. We are protesting here to highlight the problem the public has to face." The companies have been running social and economic development projects for over 30 villages in the area, and in 2013 invited opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to observe their work. This is the first mass protest in the area against oil and gas companies. Organisers sought permission to protest seven times before it was granted.

Sizing up the energy giants Posted: 25 Feb 2014 12:51 AM PST Dr. Nigel Finch of the University of Sydney Business School.(PHOTO:USYD) Associate Professor Dr. Nigel Finch of the University of Sydney Business School is an expert on economic development in South East Asia with a particular focus on extractive industries. DVB reporter Angus Watson spoke to Dr. Finch about transparency in foreign investment in Burma and the relationship between the extractive industry and the Burmese people. Q: What do tender bidding processes say about the development of the political economy of Burma? A: It says much about improvements in the political economy especially in the areas of transparency and accountability. This, in turn, greatly improves Burma's ability to compete for and attract foreign capital. Q: Have Chinese firms lost their advantage in Burma? A: China has benefited from early involvement in Burma's economy and played a pivotal role in the growth that has been realised to date. China will continue to have an important relationship both as a trade partner and as foreign investor. However we shouldn't presume they want to participate in every corner of the economy. For instance, last year Burma set about a bidding process for 16 onshore oil and gas blocks and China did not submit a bid. I think Chinese firms will compete where they have an advantage. While they clearly have experience and capability in oil and gas exploration, they may not be ready for the disclosure and transparency obligations that may accompany ownership of a license, whereas many Western firms may claim that their disclosure practices form part of their competitive advantage. Q: Do such open processes spell an end to cronyism? A: Open processes such as tender bidding don't spell an end to cronyism but they are certainly a step in the right direction. Tender selection criteria and processes are still subject to political interference but a consistent and transparent approach is welcome. Burma has come a long way and experience and capabilities need to be built up in these areas and there is still much to do. Q: Are we likely to see an improved relationship between local people and international firms operating in Burma? (With reference to the ongoing petition by local individuals and groups against extractive sector projects such as Latpadaung, Myitsone, Dawei) A: Relationships with extractive industry firms and the communities they operate in are often troublesome. Where the expectations of government and stakeholders on the activities of the mining firms are realistic, the relationships will inevitably be easier to manage. What will influence this the most is fairness in education, media and politicking. Q: Australian firm Woodside Energy is among the bidders for a 30-block offshore gas exploration award announced this month, how do you rate their chances? A: Woodside is an experienced and credible firm and, in my view, has just as good a chance as every other world-class firm. These exploration licenses have attracted much attention and the bidding is likely to be very competitive. Last year's onshore license bidding attracted 78 foreign firms for only 16 blocks, and in this round, 30 offshore blocks are being offered. Regardless of the outcome for Woodside they will benefit from the experience of continued participation, which will only assist them in bidding for future projects. Q: The potential for growth in Myanmar's labour market has been noted as an opportunity for foreign investors. How can Australian businesses, promote fair and equitable growth? A: Australian firms have a good record in the area of labour development especially through mining and infrastructure projects. The opportunities include skills training in areas as diverse as engineering, transport, workplace safety and even administration. The vocational training sector in Australia can play a role in building an apprentice-style training culture in Burma that infuses practical training and knowledge embedded with real workplace experience. By developing greater skill in Burma's human capital, foreign firms will increase their ability to deliver projects at lower costs and assist is reducing execution risk. Related Stories ASEAN Rice Federation in the works MAI spreads its wings to Pusan The plight of internally displaced Kachin war victims

ASEAN Rice Federation in the works Posted: 25 Feb 2014 12:49 AM PST Five member states of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including Burma, have agreed to establish a regional Rice Federation, according to Soe Tun, joint-secretary of Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF). Plans for an ASEAN Rice Federation (ARF) began in November last year when agricultural ministers and industry leaders from Burma, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia convened in Bangkok. The concerned officials finalised an agreement last weekend in Rangoon. Soe Tun said the ARF will focus on regional and global food security, global rice market stability, mutual assistance for technological advancement, and improving trade. The ARF will also prioritise bettering the lives of farmers, and the agreement contains an inclusion clause mandating that the federation have a branch of farmers. Burmese representatives also proposed an information-sharing network among regional farmers and promoted an insurance system to cover losses caused by natural disasters. Low-interest loans and technical assistance for developing waste reduction systems were also suggested. Terms of the agreement will be presented in a minister-level meeting to be held in August. Related Stories Sizing up the energy giants Burma Business Weekly – 21 Feb 2014 Timber ban, effective in April, leads to wood export rush Soe Tun said being a member of the ARF will allow Burma a place in the international market, which will benefit farmers and traders. Burma is still developing a national rice strategy, which is expected to be ready for implementation in about six months. Despite Burma's reliance on the agricultural sector – which is thought to support more than 60 percent of the population – farmers still face an uncertain future. Decades of land confiscations remain unsettled, while new reports of unfair or unlawful acquisitions steadily surface as new industries enter the country. Thailand and Vietnam, included in the ARF, are the biggest exporters of rice in the world, shipping off 8.5 and 6.5 million tons respectively last year. Before succumbing to military rule in 1962, Burma was the world's largest leading rice exporter, widely referred to as the "Rice Bowl of Asia".

President’s Office douses notion of Women’s Ministry Posted: 25 Feb 2014 12:38 AM PST Following a question by Chin National Democratic Party MP Zartalam on Monday in the Lower House as to whether plans were afoot to establish a Ministry for Women's Affairs, President's Office Minister Soe Maung responded that no such plan has been discussed because "Burmese women already enjoy better rights than women in other Asian countries". Soe Maung said a Women's Ministry was therefore unnecessary, and noted that women in Burma live free from discrimination thanks to the culture and traditions prevalent in Burmese society, and constitutional provisions guaranteeing gender equality. "Minister Soe Maung cited the fact that two females were ministers in government and were in numerous positions among the civil service," said Zartalam, who is one of the two female ministers. Related Stories Census 'needlessly divisive' in ethnic areas: ICG Women urged to take part in peace process Burma’s emerging women leaders But Tin Tin Nyo, the secretary of the Thailand-based Women's League of Burma, said it is necessary to open a Ministry for Women's Affairs but that it would require a constitutional amendment. "The constitution must be amended first, and specific provisions must be introduced in order for a Minister for Women's Affairs to function effectively," she said. The other female minister, Lower House MP Than Ngwe, from Karenni State's Kalaw Township, said it would be ideal to have a government body dedicated to women's affairs, but it is not essential at the moment. "In my opinion, it is not essential for now, as there are evidently many women within the ranks of almost every government ministries," she said. "This indicates that empowerment of women has increased, even though we still don't see many women in leadership and decision-making positions. But I expect that will also improve too. "In Burma, more women are educated than men, and women are more far-sighted," she said. "So I assume the role of women will improve over time even without a government body dedicated to women's affairs." Currently, there are women's ministries in very few countries, among them New Zealand, Canada and Cambodia.

Rohingya crisis: Burma govt implicated in ‘Crimes against Humanity’ Posted: 24 Feb 2014 10:17 PM PST Regional orders issued in Burma's western Arakan State amount to persecution, one of the highest offences in international law, says Southeast Asia-based NGO Fortify Rights. A report entitled "Policies of Persecution: Ending Abusive State Policies Against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar", released by Fortify on Tuesday, implicates authorities in crimes against humanity by virtue of explicit targeting of Rohingya Muslims in policies restricting marriage, childbirth rights and movement. "The policies explained in this report appear to be designed to make life so intolerable for Rohingya that they will leave the country, and indeed many have," reads the executive summary. The 79-page report is based on 12 leaked documents, eight of which were made public for the first time in the publication. Four remain undisclosed for security reasons, said Fortify. Three regional orders disclosed in the report detail restrictions on the rights of Muslims to marry, reproduce and reside, establishing strongly prohibitive registration and approval processes. Addenda to the orders detail and intensify restrictions, explicating punishments for offences. Some carry prison sentences of up to ten years. The regional orders exposed in the report date from 1993 – 2008, and are accompanied by five addenda issued prior to 2007. One of the orders outlines restrictions on childbirth. While the order itself does not specify a numerical limit to the number of children that a Muslim woman can have, the report suggests that, ""Regional Order 1/2005" appears to lay the foundation for the two-child policy." A controversial two-child policy has reportedly been imposed on Rohingya women for nearly a decade, which Fortify suggests has led to illegal abortion and maternal deaths. Related Stories UN envoy remains 'convinced' of Maungdaw killings Quintana slams Maungdaw investigation Protestors greet UN’s Quintana in Sittwe Fortify Rights is a non-governmental organisation providing technical support to human rights defenders. Board members include UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights to Burma, Tomás Ojea Quintana, and Phil Robertson, the Asia Director for Human Rights Watch. The group issued recommendations to the government of Burma including: the abolition of all regional orders restricting the lives of Muslims in Arakan State; support for an international investigation into the events in Arakan State from 2012 to present; amendment of a 1982 citizenship law that renders the Rohingya stateless; and ensuring public access to laws and policy, which must meet international standards. At least 200,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled their homes since June 2012, when riots erupted in northern Arakan State that left entire villages razed to the ground and triggered a rash of similar episodes spanning Arakan State and eventually spilling over into central Burma. An estimated 138,000 Muslims (which includes Rohingya and other ethnic minorities affected, such as Kaman Muslims) are currently displaced within Burma, living in isolated and impoverished camps which they are not allowed to leave. Read full report: http://www.fortifyrights.org/index.html

MAI spreads its wings to Pusan Posted: 24 Feb 2014 08:21 PM PST Burma's national carrier, Myanmar Airways International (MAI), launched its first charter flight from Pusan, South Korea, to Rangoon on Friday. MAI began charter flight services operating as a code share with Korean Air as well as Asiana Airlines last year. Aye Mra Tha, MAI's marketing executive said, "We began introducing code-share flights to South Korea and Japan last year and on 21 February. We ran our own charter flight from the Pusan International Airport." Related Stories Sizing up the energy giants DVB talks to Vicky Bowman, MCRB Burma preps for tourist boom Aye Mra Tha said that the charter flights are now available to South Korea and Japan at a fee of US$6,000 per hour. However the cost may vary depending on the airport of arrival. "We have airbuses with a 120 and 180-seat capacity, available for the charter flights depending on the number of passengers." She said the MAI is looking to run regular flights to the two countries. The MAI currently operates daily flights to Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Guangzhou, Gaya, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

CB Bank to open in Chin State Posted: 24 Feb 2014 07:19 PM PST The Co-operative Bank Ltd, better known across the country as CB Bank, is set to open a new branch in Hakha, Chin State, next month. It will be the first private bank to provide financial services in the capital town, currently having only the government-owned Myanma Economic Bank, [which is situated] elsewhere in Chin State. Pu Chum Ling, of the Rung Construction Company that has been in charge of constructing the bank’s building since November last year, said in the Hakha Post that it would be completed soon and that an official opening ceremony would be held. Recently, Kyaw Myo Oo, one of the bank’s directors from Naypyidaw, travelled to Hakha and inspected the construction in preparation for the opening event. Related Stories Poverty: a pressing human rights issue for the Chin BURMA BUSINESS WEEKLY: 1- 7 FEB BURMA BUSINESS WEEKLY Originally operating under Burma’s Ministry of Co-operatives, the bank was a merger of three cooperative banks, namely the Co-operative Bank, the Co-operative Farmers’ Bank, and the Co-operative Promoters Bank. Since June 2004, the merger has started its operation as a Public Bank Company Limited although the CB Bank itself was established in August 1992. The CB Bank, headquartered in Rangoon, has now over 70 branches with ATM (automated teller machine) services and also runs Foreign Exchange Counters across the country. In Burma, the State-owned Myanma Economic Bank has existed since April 1976 after being changed from the State Commercial Bank founded in 1954, providing commercial banking as well as treasury banking services, according to its official website.   This article was originally published in Chinland Guardian on 18 February 2014.

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