English Edition
![](/images/eeeee.jpg)
- By CNI
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 402
CNI News
4 August, 2022
Khaing Paulin, a member of the Central Executive Committee of the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) was reportedly captured by Rakhine Army (ULA/AA) according to the announcement published in August 3rd.
ALP’s report mentions that ULA/AA arrested Lt. Col. Khaing Paulin in his home on August 2, an arrest involving an Eighth grade student, Maung Soe Min Naing alongside him.
However, it was not mentioned in which region the arrests were made.
The ALP said, "This process has undermined Rakhine national unity and our party views it as an event that should never happen between the Rakhine Revolutionary Organizations.
Announcement of ALP (ALP-fb)
The ULA/AA team also voiced that some leaders of their party as well as their comrades who were arrested in the past still have not been released until today.”
ALP then issued a statement saying to abstain from all actions that attempt to corrupt the sanctity of national unity since ALP/ALA and ULA/AA are of one nation, marching in unity to the same goal. The ALP then strongly demanded the release of the previously arrested party leaders and party comrades including Lt. Col. Khaing Paulin and Eighth grade student Maung Soe Min Naing.
ALP is an Arakan armed group which has signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) whereas AA is the one that only has had negotiations but has not entered into the NCA yet.
![](/images/NUG_1.jpg)
- By CNI
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 410
CNI News
4 August 2022
Victory of the ongoing Spring Revolution was sure for them who were brave for the truth, Prime Minister of the National Unity Government Mahn Win Khaing Than said.
He said at the 62nd Meeting of the NUG that the people of Myanmar not only were brave but also showed their perseverance for 17 months of the revolution.
The NUG prime minister said, “Only the just will win victory, which is sure for us, who are brave for the truth. Our people not only are brave but also showed their perseverance for 17 months. It is the bravery, perseverance and morale of the people that meet the criteria. As we have fought but for the firm conviction that we will never back to the military slavery based on the self-worth without any assistance from other countries since the beginning of the revolution, we can now assess the level of the revolution by looking at the serious deterioration of morale on the side of the junta.”
Protestors staging demonstrations by holding placards that read “The military must never be allowed to rule the country.” (ISP-fb)
After the ouster of the civilian government by the military on 1st February, 2021, the NUG started the armed struggle along with the protest movement against the military.
Political Analyst U Than Soe Naing told the CNI that the resistance forces of the Spring Revolution had controlled 48 percent of the country.
U Than Soe Naing said, “ It is a general concept that the just will prevail over the unjust in the long term. Today’s struggle was born out of the brutal crackdown of peaceful unarmed people who opposed the coup of the junta. And the struggle has gained momentum and violent fighting has erupted between junta troops and resistance forces of the NUG, the PDF and EAOs in the entire country. This is a reality. In terms of territorial control, the forces of the Spring Revolution have controlled 48 percent of the area of the country and only 51 percent was left in the hands of the SAC.”
Currently, fighting has been raging between the junta troops and alliances of the PDF and EAOs in Karen State, Kayah (Karenni) State, Sagaing Region and Magway Region.
Meanwhile, over 1.2 million civilian population have been internally displaced by the fighting in the entire country, according to a report released by the UNOCHA Myanmar on 31 July.
![](/images/beam_1.jpg)
- By CNI
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 338
CNI News
4 August 2022
Due to the gap between the official exchange rate of US$ set by the Central Bank of Myanmar and market exchange rates, illegal export of pulses and beans increased, pulses and bean merchants told the CNI.
Pulses and beans, which fetch as much as US$ 850 per ton depending on their kinds, are mainly exported to China and India, and about 90 percent of pulses and beans exports is traded illegally, U Aung Moe, a pulses and beans merchant, told the CNI.
“If exported legally, one truckload of pulses and beans can result in a loss of MMK 15 to 20 million. So, merchants have to find a profitable way for themselves and most pulses and beans are exported illegally. Exchange rates do not increase in other countries but MMK’s exchange rates against US$ have risen to about MMK 2,500 per US$ in the market. Indian Rupee’s exchange rate hovers around 79 rupee per US$. Responsible officials should consider narrowing the gap between the official exchange rate and market exchanges. If they can raise the official exchange rate to about MMK 2,050 per US$, more US$ will enter the market and will be available for imports. By September and October, monsoon crops will be harvested and more US$ will be available in the market. Then, the CBM can reset the exchange rate at about MMK 1,950 per US$ before floating the exchange rate. Now, the CBM has set the exchange rate at MMK 1,850 per US$ for a long time. So, merchants try to survive by illegal means. If they do not dare to break the law, they will have nothing to do,” he said.
The processing of pulses and beans.
The official exchange rate negatively affects merchants in the long term and illegal trade will be rampant, he added.
If illegal trade is rampant, the government will lose revenues and it is impossible to collect correct statistics on trade volumes and values, an economist told the CNI.
“It can be said that merchants from formal trade have turned to informal trade. In the past, Myanmar had to exert great efforts to encourage merchants to engage in formal trade. Now, it is estimated that the ratio of formal and informal trade in Myanmar stands at 50:50. At present, merchants from formal trade are turning to informal trade and this doesn’t bode well for the country. The amount of foreign exchange transferred from the formal banking sector will drop. This is not a good prospect for the country,” he said.
The stock of pulses and beans in the hands of farmers in rural areas was running low but merchants in towns still had the crops in stock and the demand was growing, U Kywe Oo, a pulses and beans merchant, told the CNI.
“The demand for pulses and beans has not dropped. Merchants from Yangon came to us to buy pigeon pea from us. In our Pakokku, prices of green gram, mung bean and pigeon pea stand at about MMK 45,000, MMK 50,000 and MMK 49,500 per bag respectively. As some pulses and beans are locally consumed, their prices do not fall,” he said.
Furthermore, entrepreneurs were not able to import goods from other countries due to the exchange rate gap and merchants said that shortages of imported goods were likely.
![](/images/296313714_6184338728248537_1648320246038062026_n.jpg)
- By CNI News
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 399
CNI News
3 August 2022
To hold peace talks with the State Administration Council, an SSPP delegation led by Vice Chairman and Chief of Staff Sao Khay Tai arrived in Nay Pyi Taw today.
The delegation includes the vice chairman and chief of staff, Vice Chairman (2) Sao Khun Sai, Central Committee Members Sai Naw Leik and Sai Phone Han.
The delegation is scheduled to meet SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on 4th August.
Delegations of the SSPP and the Tatmadaw hold talks on 14th July, 2022.
After the meeting with the SAC chairman, the delegation will hold discussions with a peace team comprising Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, Lt-Gen Moe Myint Tun and Lt-Gen Win Bo Shein.
Recently, tensions have arisen between the Tatmadaw and the SSPP after the former asked the latter to withdraw troops from three camps in Monghsu Township, Shan State (South).
After the tensions, the delegation arrived at Nay Pyi Taw to hold talks.
RCSS Chairman Gen Ywet Seik and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing hold talks on 20th May, 2022.
The SSPP is one of the EAOs that replied to the invitation of SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on 22 April 2022.
Other EAOs including the RCSS, the UWSA, the NDAA (Mongla), the NMSP, the PNLO, the ALP, the KNU/KNLA (Peace Council), the DKBA and the LDU held talks with the SAC between 20th May and 7th July, 2022.
#SSPP #EAO #armed group #SAC #Senior General Min Aung Hlaing #CNImyanmar #cninews
![](/images/photo_2022-08-03_12-20-18.jpg)
- By CNI News
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 307
CNI News
3 August 2022
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held discussions with SAC Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin this morning.
The Russian foreign minister arrived in Myanmar this morning.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on 2nd August that the Russian foreign minister would discuss international and regional affairs with his Myanmar counterpart.
The two foreign ministers planned to discuss cooperation in the economic, hotels and tourism and foreign investment sectors as well as current domestic politics, according to sources close to the SAC
#Lavrov #Russia #SAC #Russian #CNImyanmar #cninews
![](/images/rdyrd3.png)
- By CNI
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 340
CNI News
3 August 2022
A bank officer from the Central Bank of Myanmar told CNI that the ministries under the Foreign Exchange Supervisory Committee are working to control the dollar price hike which is up even to 2,500 MMK per dollar.
Due to the dollar price increase outside in foreign currency exchange counters at the moment, they will handle in this way, he said.
“Therefore, the current situation shows that the price in the market is higher than that set by the Central Bank. There are a lot of reasons why the foreign currency rises. Based on these factors, the review is analyzed, the necessary policies are prepared and only then, it can be implemented. Not just the Central Bank, there is also the Foreign Exchange Supervisory Committee where the related ministries integrate. The in-charge ministers from this committee coordinate with the other ministries and are trying to resolve and control this issue,” he said.
The surge of the dollar price like this depends on the foreign currency flows. It is reported that the influx of the foreign currency through the sources of foreign currency inflow to the country will be performed.
Currently, the dollar exchange rate in external means is nearly 2,500 while the rate set by the Central Bank is 1,850. If this situation cannot be controlled well, it will lead to trouble, U Win (name changed) who is a businessman, told CNI.
While seeing the Containers
“If it takes too long, it will definitely be a huge problem. Now, some sailors open bank accounts abroad like Singapore and Thailand. They no longer send the money back to Myanmar, will just deposit in foreign accounts. And after that, they will either sell those there or bring cash. So, I think the foreign currency inflow to the banks here will go down gradually,” he said.
As the Foreign Exchange Supervisory Committee, it is reportedly known that it is being supervised to ensure that there is no unnecessary outflow of the foreign currency from the country and to just allow the required outflow.
U Win (name changed) who is a businessman said that in order to control the current situation, it will just be possible with the use of the Export Fact Policy which the previous military regime used and that policy should be applied for this situation.
“That policy is like it is only allowed to apply for the import based on the export earnings. And there is so-called export earning exchange rate. It is the highest in the past. And that export earning will be sold. Then, the importer buys that export earning and has to import. That way, dollar flow can be controlled. There, it is not like it allows importing for the whole percentage if the export is 100 percent. It just gives only 80 percent back out of 100 and permits to import. The Central Bank wants the remaining 20 percent to leave for the import of the important goods such as gasoline, diesel and palm oil. With this method, there will also be an incentive for the exporter and dollar flow can also be controlled,” he said.
Because of that policy during the previous military regime, as more dollars came into the bank, it didn’t cause trouble. As the dollars coming in were valued with 1,850 MMK from the Central Bank now, exporters also do not want to export anymore, according to the businessmen.
![](/images/296150403_359037199752052_579912041479081883_n.jpg)
- By CNI
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 509
CNI News
3 August 2022
NUG Japan Office published a statement that the representative office of the National Unity Government (NUG) in Japan has opened operations on July 31, 2022.
U Moe Zaw Oo, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the NUG and Daw Susanna Hla Hla Soe, Minister of Women, Youths and Children Affairs Ministry, delivered an online speech in that representative office opening ceremony.
Then, it also mentions in the statement that the interim parliamentarians, police officers who have been assisting the Myanmar democracy activists and media attended.
It is known that NUG representative offices are opened in South Korea, Australia, the Czech Republic, etc.
![](/images/fertg3.8.png)
- By CNI
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 309
CNI News
3August 2022
Prices of Pawsanhmway paddy recently hit MMK 1.4 million per 100 baskets in the market, according to merchants in Ayeyarwady Region.
Prices of fine grain Pawsanhmay variety reached as high as MMK 1.4 million while its rough counterpart was traded between MMK 900,000 and MMK 1 million per 100 baskets, Chairman U Thein Aung of Myanmar Farmers Development Association told the CNI.
U Thein Aung said, “Paddy prices have hit MMK 1.4 million per 100 baskets for fine grain varieties like Shwebo Pawsan and Pawsan Baygyar in the lower parts of the country. Their rough grain is traded between MMK 900,000 and MMK 1 million per 100 baskets. For example, the Thukha variety is traded at MMK 1 million per 100 baskets while the DW11 variety is available at MMK 900,000 per 100 baskets.”
It was learnt that paddy traded currently in the market was harvested in December and purchased by merchants at MMK 900,000. Now, the stock is running low and prices have hit their current levels.
Harvest of Pawsanhmway paddy
On the other hand, farmers have faced high cultivation and input costs while fuel oil prices are rising.
Traders who stored paddy raised the prices after adding higher transportation charges, storage costs and returns from their financial investment.
As new Pawsanhmway paddy cannot be harvested until December, paddy prices are likely to rise further, added U Thein Aung.
U Thein Aung told the CNI, “Prices of fine grain paddy are likely to rise further until October and November because new paddy cannot be harvested. Although rough grain paddy consumed by lower social classes and farmers can be harvested in the next two months, it will take another four months to harvest Pawsanhmway.”
Prices of Pasanhmway paddy were likely to fall from MMK 1.4 million currently to about MMK 1 million per 100 baskets during the upcoming harvesting season, U Aye Naing, a farmer from Bogalay Region, told the CNI.
Farmers thresh paddy
U Aye Naing said, “Prices of the Pawsan Baygyar variety in Bogalay are as high as MMK 1.5 million per 100 baskets but when new paddy is harvested and available in hube volumes in the market, prices tend to fall considerably.
However, farmers expect to sell their new paddy at about MMK 1 million per 100 baskets. and have grown paddy. As farming is their livelihood, farmers will have to grow rice, whether it is profitable or not. They have no other jobs.”
Farmers had to reduce the use of inputs like fertilizers last year due to higher cultivation costs and paddy yields dropped.
As input costs this year were three times as high as last year and farmers had to reduce the use of fertilizers, this year’s paddy yields are likely to fall, according to farmers.
![](/images/Photo-_News3.8.jpg)
- By CNI
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 364
CNI News
3 August 2022
Dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi could not solve the current Myanmar political crisis, Political Analyst U Than Soe Naing told the CNI.
The SAC agreed to allow the ASEAN special envoy to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. On the other hand, the National Unity Government and democracy activists had abolished the 2008 Constitution, he said.
He told the CNI, “The SAC is hinting that it would allow the ASEAN special envoy to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. However, overcoming the political crisis requires more than dialogues with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. It is questionable whether Daw Aung San Suu Kyi can still move forward with her national reconciliation approach. Another factor is that the NUG and democratic forces have already abolished the 2008 constitution. So, it is important for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to review whether it is possible to overcome the current issues based on the 2008 constitution.”
The SAC was condemned by local and foregin organizations after its executions of four democracy activists including Ko Jimmy and Ko Phyo Zeyar Thaw and democratic forces in the Spring Revolution closed the door for dialogues, he added.
Security forces warn protestors not to cross the second line. (AFP)
Political Analyst U Ye Tun told the CNI that he did not think executions of the activists would not change the ASEAN special envoy’s policy to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
U Ye Tun said, “If the special envoy refuses to visit Myanmar and does not meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, it is an indication that the policy has changed. If he visits the country as usual, he will meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. So, I don't think the executions will have an effect on his original intention, objective and tasks.”
There are concerns about further violence after the announcement of the executions of Ko Jimmy, Ko Phyo Zeyar Thaw, Ko Hla Myo Aung and Ko Aung Thura Zaw on 25th July.
ASEAN Special Envoy Prak Sokhonn said in his interview with Channel News Asia that he wanted to use the influence to end violence in Myanmar.