News
Myanmar journalists fined for defaming President Thein Sein
A Myanmar court has fined two journalists 1 million kyat ($800; £514) each, after finding them guilty of defaming the president. Nine other staff from the Myanmar Herald were acquitted in the case, which was filed by the information ministry last November. Keep reading ...
Myanmar soon to be visa-free for Thais
The cabinet has approved the signing of a new reciprocal agreement with Myanmar to allow visa-free visits by citizens of both countries with ordinary passports for up to 14 days. Keep reading ...
Protecting biodiversity: Transparency a major concern in maintaining Inlay Lake
Inlay Lake is one of Myanmar’s natural beauties and a tourist draw. But the ecological situation of the lake is deteriorating at a dramatic rate due to the run-off from the use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides, deforestation and climate change. The lake is an important ...
Dagon City’s demise casts doubts on real estate investment in Myanmar
A government decision to ax a luxury development project and four others amid opposition from Buddhist monks has left developers wondering if their investments are safe in one of the world’s fastest-growing real-estate markets. Last month the government axed plans for the $300-million Dagon City luxury development. ...
Myanmar's strongman gives rare BBC interview
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has given a rare BBC interview. The commander-in-chief has control over how and where the army wages war, coupled with far reaching political powers. In accordance with the military drafted constitution the 59-year-old has the right to appoint key ministers, choose a quarter ...
KFC shows how to change Myanmar's eating habits
Myanmar’s first KFC opened July 7 in the Yangon commercial hub of Bogyoke Aung San Market. Since then, Japanese trading house Sojitz Group announced a partnership with a Myanmar company to provide logistics for refrigerated deliveries of temperature-sensitive foods. Yoma Strategic Holdings, a real estate development conglomerate, ...
Myanmar minimum wage gathers support from abroad
International labor groups and multinational companies have urged the government and recalcitrant garment manufacturers in Myanmar to accept a daily minimum wage of 3,600 kyats (US$3.20), a proposal put forward by the National Minimum Wage Committee last month. The US-based Fair Labor Association, a coalition of labor ...
Myanmar's imports continue to outpace exports in Q1
Burma’s export volume rose slightly in the first quarter of the 2015-16 fiscal year compared with the same period last year, but failed to keep pace with increasing imports in an indication that the weakening of the country’s currency in recent months has failed to ...
Myanmar rice traders hope slowdown of Chinese buyers is temporary
The arrest of several Chinese buyers for tax evasion and the weakening Chinese economy is hurting trade with Myanmar’s largest rice export market, said U Soe Tun, vice chair of the Myanmar Rice Federation. China is the destination for over half of Myanmar’s rice exports. This ...
165 Bangladeshi boatpeople due for July 22 repatriation: Arakan official
The Burmese government says it will repatriate 165 out of what it claims are more than 500 Bangladeshi nationals who were found abandoned at sea off Burma’s coast in May and have been living at temporary camps in Arakan State. Soe Naing, deputy director of the ...
