Burma Business Focus
A digest of key business news & information regarding Burma / Myanmar
27th November, 2012
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A selection of key articles, information and links of interest from the last 7 days regarding the business and risk environment of Burma / Myanmar compiled by analysts at EBM Consulting ( www.ebmconsulting.com.hk ). We specialize in providing pre M&A, pre JV, enterprise risk due diligence and competitive business intelligence services in frontier markets across Asia including Burma / Myanmar. Some recent projects we have undertaken in Burma include a substantial pre-investment brewery investment project, healthcare market entry research, and a soft drinks industry related market research project.
Risk management due diligence business intelligence analysis
Sections:
- Business & Economy
- Burmese Language Media News
- Politics
- Security
- Upcoming Events
Business & Economy
Singapore firms eye Burma?s telecommunications market
(Ref: Mizzima, 27 Nov, 2012) Singaporean telecommunications giant MDR Ltd announced on Monday that it was making plans to establish a joint-venture company with three other firms with a view to penetrating the nascent telecommunications market in Burma.
Myanmar Payment Union Signs MOU with JCB International
(Ref: IT News, 26 Nov, 2012) JCB International (JCBI), the international operations subsidiary of JCB, the only global payment brand based in Japan, and Myanmar Payment Union (MPU), the national payment network of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (Myanmar), have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for building JCB card acceptance network and for issuance of JCB cards in Myanmar through the member banks of MPU.
N.Korean Aluminum Shipment to Burma Foiled
(Ref: Chosun, 26 Nov, 2012) The Japanese government confiscated what appeared to be North Korean aluminum alloy bars from a Singaporean cargo ship at the end of August, the Asahi Shimbun reported Saturday. They were apparently bound for Burma and could have been used in centrifuges for uranium enrichment.
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Myanmar: Open for business
(Ref: Metro, 26 Nov, 2012) Htay Aung, Myanmar?s new minister for hotels and tourism, is busy trying to attract new airlines and hotels. ?And our employees have to learn to speak English,? he says. Aung?s position illustrates Myanmar?s remarkable transformation from international pariah to budding Asian tiger. ?We?ve become transparent, we believe in change,? he says. And change they have: The country (which is also? known as Burma) was ruled by military leaders until early 2011; for decades it was cut off from the rest of the world both politically and economically.
Korean banks eye Burma
(Ref: Mizzima, 26 Nov, 2012) South Korean banks are pushing to make inroads into the Burmese market in a bid to find new sources of income amid a saturated local market, The Korea Times reported on Monday, citing Korean officials. South Korea?s third largest lender, Shinhan Bank, is seeking to open an office in Burma as early as next year assuming that regulations banning foreign banks from operating in Burma are eased, the report said.
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Eased Myanmar sanctions no gold rush for US firms
(Ref: Gulfnews, 24 Nov, 2012) Myanmar got a further boost this week from President Barack Obama, who became the first serving US president to visit the long-isolated nation, an endorsement that has not gone unnoticed by global investors. But despite America?s leadership in welcoming Myanmar back into the international community, US companies have so far not signed any big deals ? a situation few expect to change soon.
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Japan pursues growth in Myanmar, despite ordeals and rivalries on Asia?s last frontier
(Ref: Asahi shimbun, 23 Nov, 2012) Myanmar?Planning for one of the largest industrial parks in Asia is under way in Myanmar, a country taking steps to end its military dictatorship, institute democratic reforms and open its economy.
Burma?s GDP Growth to Rise to 6.25 Percent Next Year, IMF Says
(Ref: Irrawaddy, 22 Nov, 2012) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday projected a rise in Burma?s economic growth rate to 6.25 percent next year as a result of recent economic reforms and increasing foreign investment in natural resources and commodities exports. It praised the reforms and said new policies could turn Burma into ?Asia?s next rising star.?
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Burmese Language Media News
News article translated from the original Burmese by EBM researchers.
Dawei Deep Sea Port invites third countries investments
(Ref: News Eleven, 23 Nov, 2012) The State minister of the Department of National Economic and Projects Development Dr Kan Zaw said that Myanmar invites third party countries other than Myanmar and Thailand to invest in Dawei Deep Sea Port.
During a press conference at the Cambodiana Hotel at Phnom Phen, Cambodia, Dr Kan Zaw first stated the investment plan for the Dawei Deep Sea Port Project.
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Currently at the Deep Sea Port project there are only Myanmar and Italian Thai Companies working in cooperating, and we hope to gain more foreign countries participation and hence we invite third party countries? involvement other than Thailand and Myanmar.
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The third party countries mean Asean countries, Asia- Pacific region as well as Europe and America, and we have invited investors from those countries.
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Dr Kan Zaw mentioned that Dawei Deep Sea Port Project is a huge one and in order to build different categories at different areas, we must invite third party countries that include Asean countries, East Asia counties, Australia and New Zealand as well as European and American investors.
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The key developer at the Project is Italian-Thai Company from Thailand. For the Myanmar investor, we will set up Da wei Development Public Company and we will invite portfolio investment. Thus, the public will be able to participate in the project development investment. But the portfolio depend on the available amount of shares.
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According to the 21st? ASEAN Submit in Cambodia, Myanmar President U Thein Sein? and Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had a special meeting on the 19th Nov, 2012 at the Peace Palace building in Phnom Phen. From that the meeting it was confirmed that the Dawei Deep Sea Port Project and Special Economic Zone Development will be completed in 2015.
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From this important meeting, both Governments stated this agreement. As for the Myanmar Government, they will take full responsibility for safety at the sea port development, security and administration procedures under the stated law and regulations.?
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To implement the investment, the Foreign Investment law had been established. The provides secure and protected principles, the support of cooperative committee procedures, and favorable and attractive investments were stated in the law.
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As for Thailand, the government will provide technical support, specialize the constructions cooperation and collaboration- especially financial flow. In addition, the government will create employment at Dawei region.
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Furthermore, the special envoy including Thai Entrepreneurs and business men accompanied by the Thai prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra will observe the Deep Sea Port development in mid-December 2012.
Politics
Shans gather in Rangoon for peace conference
(Ref: Mizzima, 27 Nov, 2012) Some 150 Shan representatives from across Burma are currently gathered at Shwe Gondaing Road in Rangoon for the November 26-28 ?Shan Conference on Trustbuilding for Peace.?
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Myanmar revises Child Law, childhood status extended to 18
(Ref: Myanmar Times, 24 Nov, 2012) Myanmar is about to revise its laws governing the status and treatment of children, including the very definition of a child. The revision has been prompted by Myanmar?s adherence to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), to which the country has been party since 1991.
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Burma turns on the dazzle
(Ref: the New Zealand Herald, 23 Nov, 2012) Burma?s capital, Naypyidaw, turned on an extraordinary welcome for Prime Minister John Key?s visit yesterday. Thousands of young Burmese lined the road from the airport to Parliament, waving New Zealand and Burmese flags for the first visit by a New Zealand leader.
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Burma to open up for nuclear inspection
(Ref: Brisbane Times, 23 Nov, 2012) THE Burmese government has said it will open the country to comprehensive international inspection in an effort to demonstrate it does not have a covert nuclear program. The regime said it would sign an agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency that would, if implemented, be a key breakthrough in Burma?s relations with the rest of the world, and could help dispel suspicions that it is pursuing a clandestine program with North Korea aimed at building nuclear weapons.
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EU Parliament Concerned About Human Rights In Burma, Iran And Libya
(Ref: Albany Tribune, 22 Nov, 2012) The European Parliament expressed grave concerns about the human rights situation of refugees and migrants in Libya, mass executions in Iran, and the resurgence of ethnic violence in Burma, in resolutions passed in Strasbourg on Thursday.
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Burmese ministries ordered to repay missing cash
(Ref: Democratic Voice of Burma, 20 Nov, 2012) Burma?s president has ordered more than a dozen ministries to repay tens of thousands of dollars ?embezzled? by staff, in a rare public move to tackle graft in one of the world?s most corrupt nations.
Burma?s Rohingya minority get attention from Obama?s visit
(Ref: the Star, 20 Nov, 2012) For decades, Burma?s Rohingya Muslims have suffered discrimination and harassment, and recently, arson, rape, violent attacks and murder. Dozens have drowned in an effort to escape by sea; others have been pushed back from Bangladesh, or kept in bleak camps where malnutrition is rife.
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Security
The first of two UNHCR airlifts arrives in Burma?s Rakhine state
(Ref: Radio Australia, 26 Nov, 2012) The first of two aid airlifts by the UN?s refugee agency for thousands of people displaced by sectarian violence in Burma has arrived in Rakhine state. Two flights were despatched from Dubai over the weekend, to deliver 3,500 family-sized tents.
India aims to ramp up military ties with Myanmar
(Ref: the Times of India, 25 Nov, 2012) India is aiming to ramp up its military ties with Myanmar, after PM Manmohan Singh set the stage for greater bilateral economic cooperation during his visit to Naypyitaw last May, as part of the overall policy to stem Chinese strategic inroads into the energy-rich south-east Asian country.
Tensions simmer between Burmese and Chinese newcomers
(Ref: the Vancouver Sun, 23 Nov, 2012) A Chinese trader beat a Burmese boy in Mandalay?s jade market last week, thinking the youth had stolen about $574 Cdn from him. The Chinese visitor had to be rescued from a hostile Burmese mob. The incident and protests elsewhere in Myanmar over pollution from a copper mine that exports to China have underlined simmering tensions between the local population, including Chinese Burmese who have been here for more than a century, and tens of thousands of relatively well-heeled newcomers who have crossed the porous 2,185-kilometre-long border with China.
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Myanmar blames Rohingya militants for border attack
(Ref: Ahram Online, 23 Nov, 2012) Myanmar authorities on Friday accused a Rohingya militant group of carrying out an attack that left one dead and three people missing ? including a soldier ? near the Bangladesh border.
UN, Myanmar seek $41m more for Rakhine
(Ref: the Nation, 22 Nov, 2012) The UN and Myanmar are seeking an additional $41million as part of a revised response plan to provide urgent humanitarian relief for some 115,000 people who have been displaced by inter-communal violence in the state of Rakhine and are lacking basic services.
Hundreds protest against Burma copper mine
(Ref: Democratic Voice of Burma, 21 Nov, 2012) Hundreds of Burmese villagers, students and monks have joined protests at a Chinese co-owned copper mine which they allege has forced people off their land and polluted the area, activists said on Tuesday.
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Upcoming Events
Myanmar Mining Investment Forum 2012 (3-6 Dec, 2012)
Touted as the next hotspot for resources, Myanmar is ushering in rapid changes to draw investment into its economy. Featuring top Government decision makers and miners investing in the country, the Myanmar Mining Investment Forum will bring to you the latest insights on mining policy, reserves assessment and market potential, partnership opportunities and success factors for investing in Myanmar.
Venue: Grand Copthorne Waterfront, Singapore
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INTO MYANMAR: Mobile Telecom / Internet Infrastructure / Cloud Computing Global Summit 2012 (3-4 Dec, 2012)
The inaugural summit, ?INTO MYANMAR Mobile Telecom, Internet Infrastructure & Cloud Computing Global Summit 2012? will be held in Yangon, Myanmar from 3 ? 4 December 2012. Hot topics to be discussed at this Summit include: ? Myanmar?s latest Telecom Market Openings ? Myanmar?s Telecom/ICT Infrastructure ? Cloud Opportunities ? Tariffs, Pricing, Telecom Contracting ? Value-Added Services.
Venue: Inya Lake Hotel / Yangon / Myanmar
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OC Myanmar (16-18 Jan, 2013)
OC Myanmar 2013 Overview Myanmar has just announced an offering of 23 offshore blocks for hydrocarbon exploration, inclusive of 17 deepwater blocks and 6 shallow water blocks in the Rakhine, Mottama, and Tanintharyi offshore areas in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea. The government?s determination of promoting the domestic offshore E&P sector to the international investors makes Myanmar the next exploration hotspot in the Southeast Asia region.
Venue: Traders Hotel Yangon / Yangon / Myanmar
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Myanmar Private Sector Investment Summit (28-29 Jan, 2013)
It is one-stop event that provides essential information and relevant contacts for Myanmar investment and doing business in Myanmar. From Myanmar investment law and trade policies to Myanmar taxation laws and currency reform; from how to set up company in Myanmar to Myanmar import, export and employment law; from financing options to repatriating profit, and foreign exchange and banking reforms, MPSIS aims to provide guidance and clarity in the uncharted waters of the Myanmar market.
Venue: Yangon, Myanmar
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Myanmar Hospitality and Tourism Congress 2013 (26-28 Feb, 2013)
Myanmar Hospitality and Tourism Congress 2013 is the gateway for investors, owners, developers and operators of hospitality and tourism products to explore, evaluate and capitalize on the opportunities available in Asia?s last frontier. Gain firsthand knowledge about Myanmar?s tourism masterplan and identify business gaps that need immediate attention.
Venue: Yangon, Myanmar
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About ?Burma Business Focus?
Burma Business Focus is a periodic compilation of news and enterprise risk related articles associated with Burma / Myanmar. The articles are compiled by EBM Consulting?s in-house team of risk analysts. EBM Consulting are specialists in the provision of due diligence and risk management services in frontier markets, including Burma / Myanmar, through our international network of associates located in 55 countries worldwide.
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EBM Consulting contacts:
Tel ???? (852) 3621 0980
Email ? ebm@ebmconsulting.com.hk
Web ?? www.ebmconsulting.com.hk
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Join the Burma Market Entry & Enterprise Risk LinkedIn Group
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Source: http://www.ebmconsulting.com.hk/ebm-news/burma-business-focus-27th-november-2012-2/
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