The Irrawaddy
Myanmar to Upgrade Urban Infrastructure in State Capitals, Border Town
The Myanmar government is planning to upgrade basic infrastructure and enhance urban management of three major cities in Mon and Karen states that lie along Japan’s planned East-West Economic Corridor for the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). Minister of Construction U Han Zaw said Monday that his ...
Nan Lwin
Survey Finds Decade-High Numbers of Irrawaddy Dolphins
The number of the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins found in Myanmar this year has increased to 79, the highest in a decade, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society of Myanmar (WCS). The numbers include seven calves aged three months or younger. The Irrawaddy dolphins can also be found ...
Zarni Mann
Potential Environmental and Social Impacts of Chinese Mega-Projects in Myanmar Raise Concerns
With more and more Chinese investment flowing into the country, many key government officials are speaking out in support of the projects, which range from a high-speed railway line to special economic zones to seaports. At several local investment forums, they have voiced the view ...
Nan Lwin
Thailand and Myanmar Agree to Push Ahead With Dawei Special Economic Zone
Myanmar and Thailand have published their nine-point agreement to push through the implementation of the long-delayed US$8-billion (12.23-trillion-kyat) Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in southern Myanmar’s Tanintharyi Region, which is set to be Southeast Asia’s largest industrial complex. After a bilateral ministerial meeting in Naypyitaw, a ...
Nan Lwin
Four Trapped in Collapsed, Flooded Coal Mine in Central Myanmar
Rescue workers were trying to get to four coal miners trapped in a collapsed mine in Satpyargon Village, in Magwe Region’s Minhla Township, as of late Monday afternoon. According to police, the mine, operated by the Inn Gyin Taung mining company, collapsed Sunday evening due to ...
Zarini Mann
Shan State Residents, Civil Groups Call for Transparent, Green Energy Policy
Local residents and civil society organizations in Shan State will submit an open letter this week to the Union and state governments with recommendations for Shan State’s energy policy following a seminar on energy strategy held in Taunggyi from July 27-28. The open letter calls on ...
Myat Pyae Phyo
World Bank Puts Myanmar’s Power Investment Needs at $2B a Year
To sustain economic growth, Myanmar needs to invest up to US$2 billion (3.06 trillion kyats) annually in its electricity sector, according to a World Bank report released on Tuesday. In the report, “Myanmar Economic Monitor: Building Reform Momentum”, the World Bank said Myanmar’s economic growth is ...
Opposition to Myitsone Dam Will Be Outgoing Chinese Ambassador’s Chief Legacy
It has been a busy week for the Chinese ambassador to Myanmar. Just a week after Beijing hosted the 2nd Belt and Road (BRI) forum, Hong Liang has been bustling around the government offices in Naypyitaw attending a series of meetings since Monday. So far, he ...
Nan Lwin
China to Provide 1 Billion Yuan Socioeconomic Grant to Myanmar
China will provide a grant of 1 billion yuan (225.39 billion kyats, or approximately US$148 million) for socioeconomic development projects under an economic and technical cooperation agreement signed in Beijing last week. Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release on Monday that the ...
Land Lost, Families Uprooted as Myanmar Pushes Industrial Zones
Than Ei lived in the Thilawa area near Yangon for years, growing vegetables in her backyard and sending her two children to school with money from her husband’s construction job. Then came the government order to move. Than Ei’s family was among 68 households relocated in ...
