0 évaluation0% ont trouvé ce document utile (0 vote)
268 vues32 pages
Myanmar Business Today is Myanmar’s first and the only bilingual (English-Myanmar) business newspaper, distributed in both Myanmar and Thailand. MBT covers a range of news encompassing local business stories, special reports and in-depth analysis focusing on Myanmar’s nascent economy, investment and finance, business opportunities, foreign trade, property and real estate, automobile, among others. MBT also provides detailed coverage of regional (ASEAN) and international business stories. For more information please visit www.mmbiztoday.com.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MyanmarBusinessToday Twitter: @mmbiztoday
Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/107379179269023670071/posts
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/company/myanmar-business-today
Myanmar Business Today is Myanmar’s first and the only bilingual (English-Myanmar) business newspaper, distributed in both Myanmar and Thailand. MBT covers a range of news encompassing local business stories, special reports and in-depth analysis focusing on Myanmar’s nascent economy, investment and finance, business opportunities, foreign trade, property and real estate, automobile, among others. MBT also provides detailed coverage of regional (ASEAN) and international business stories. For more information please visit www.mmbiztoday.com.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MyanmarBusinessToday Twitter: @mmbiztoday
Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/107379179269023670071/posts
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/company/myanmar-business-today
Myanmar Business Today is Myanmar’s first and the only bilingual (English-Myanmar) business newspaper, distributed in both Myanmar and Thailand. MBT covers a range of news encompassing local business stories, special reports and in-depth analysis focusing on Myanmar’s nascent economy, investment and finance, business opportunities, foreign trade, property and real estate, automobile, among others. MBT also provides detailed coverage of regional (ASEAN) and international business stories. For more information please visit www.mmbiztoday.com.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MyanmarBusinessToday Twitter: @mmbiztoday
Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/107379179269023670071/posts
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/company/myanmar-business-today
mmbiztoday.com mmbiztoday.com July 3-9, 2014| Vol 2, Issue 26 MYANMARS FIRST BILINGUAL BUSINESS JOURNAL Myanmar Summary Myanmar Summary Inside MBT GSP Negotiations with US in Final Stage T he Ministry of Commerce has announced nego- tiations with the United States regarding My- anmars GSP status are nearing the end. GSP, or Generalised System of Preferences, is a system where up to 5,000 products may be exported by a nation to the United States (in this case) duty-free, absolving them of entry duty fees. These negotiations come after the United States extended limited trade sanctions on My- anmar for another year, which includes a ban on doing business with indi- viduals and companies on the SDN list, as well as a ban on the importation of jadeite and rubies. The sanction exten- sions were carried out according to their [USA] protocols, as set require- ments have not been met. GSP is a commerce-re- lated issue, and negotia- tions regarding that have reached the last stage, U Toe Aung Myint, direc- tor of International Trade Promotion under the Htun Htun Minn Ministry of Commerce, said. The visit to Myanmar last month by United States Secretary of Com- merce Penny Pritzker saw agreements made for My- anmar to apply for GSP status as soon as possible. The US Ambassador und om cIuIs ussured us that the decision to grant GSP sLuLus wus noL uecL- ed by existing sanctions, said U Toe Aung Myint. Myanmar currently has GSP status with 38 coun- tries, including 28 in the European Union. Advisor to the minister for commerce, Dr Maung Aung, said while its likely Myanmar will be granted GSP status, it will not be soon. Myanmars exports re- ceived GSP status in the past, however, it was withdrawn in July 1989 due to non-compliance of standard regulations. ~..q~,.. Sanction . .. :..q.. ~ . . ,~. . . . ~ . ...:._. GSP ~,.e. ~ .~. ~.q.,qq .~: .. . .. .. . : .,:~ . .~. ~ .q:~q_._e.._~:. ...:..q. .~..,..q:.~e.q.~,_~. _:,. .q._. Sanction ~ .~e . ~: . ~ q . . .. . ,_ .~q ~...~._~. .~..~ Process ._._q .~~.~:. GSP .~:~ ~,.e.,. ~:_e.~~~~ GSP ~.~: . ~ , .,:~ . .~. . .. ... . ~ ~. .. :q .,.|~e ''e . .. :. .q.. ~ .., ..q: .~e .q. ~, _~ ._:, ~ , . e . _. ~ .q. .. ._:,_ , _ ~:..q.. .. . .~..~:_.~ ._.:._. ~_ . e. .~~ .~ ~..q ~, ~ , . e .q.~, _~ . .:.q:~ . , .. ... .. . ~._ . ~..| GSP ~_.,..qq . q, ........_. Sanction q.,. GSP . .~ .....|..~:...~:.e~ .|.. .~.~ .~.~_~. .q: . ~ . ~~:~, q ~ . .~ .q: ._.:.|~e ''e .~ ..~: _.~ ._.:._. .~q _.,.: . ._ .q:... . . . ~_.:.. .:.~.|~~ . ..|. ,, .. GSP qq:. _. ._e. ._~: . . .. :..q.. ~ .., . .q: .~e .q.~, _~ .-~_~ ... ..|~~:..:.~:~ ._.: ._. Myeik Economic Zone Master Plan Proposed A plan for an eco- nomic zone in Myanmars South- eastern Tanintharyi re- gion has been submitted to the regional govern- ment, according to the Ministry of Electric Power and Industry of the re- gion. The Myeik Economic Zone will be privately owned and will include a harbour and adjoining in- dustrial zone, in addition to zones that will stream- IIne LIe ow oI goods between the harbour and adjacent warehouses and businesses. The implementation of the project is being led by young people and thats why the regional- govern- ment is supporting it, Dr Win Aung, Tanintha- ryi Regional Minister for Power and Industry, said. We wouldve needed to apply to the Union Gov- ernment if this project was larger, but it is on the scale of a small-medium enterprise, he added. The Myeik Future De- velopment Public Compa- May Soe San ny (MFDPC), which was set up in March, intends to start implementing the project within this year, however, they requested revisions to the existing master plan. The 1,000-acre project, which is to the east of Myeik Airport, will still require negotiations with local residents regard- ing compensation for the land required in the pro- vision of the master plan. Previously 1,500 resi- dential plots were allo- cated but there were no market or public spaces included, except for one school. We asked that the plan be re-drawn as it had many issues, U Aung Myo Lat, managing direc- tor of the (MFDPC), said. He said that although the company has received K100 billion for the pro- ject, and has invited other businesses to invest, it will take many years to complete. . . ~. ~.,_ e .~ ~.~:~_.e:..:.:. ._ .~.~,. ..~...:. .|~._ _.~...:..q.~,~:. Master Plan ~...q.._ ~,.: q ~ ...._ ~ .~. .q . ~ _.:.._~: . ~,. :q ~ ...._~ . .. .. . .~ . ~,_~._:,. .q._. _. ~ . .. :..q.~ . . ~ , .~ _. ~ ~,:~e_e.~.~~.q.~.:. . ~ . ~ . e. . . ~~ .~.~: Contd. P 9...(Myeik) The Missing Middle Ground: US Invest- ment Reporting Requirements P-3 Myanmar: Professional Skill Gaps, and Rising Wages P-4 Myanmar for The First Time Allows Registration of Secured Loan on A Local Asset P-7 July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com 2 LOCAL BIZ MYANMARS FIRST BILINGUAL BUSINESS JOURNAL Board of Editors Editor-in-Chief - Sherpa Hossainy Email - sherpa.hossainy@gmail.com Ph - 09 42 110 8150 Deputy Editor - Aundrea Montao Email - aundrea.montano@gmail.com Editor-in-Charge - Wai Linn Kyaw Email - linnkhant18@gmail.com Ph - 09 40 157 9090 Regional Editor - Tom Stayner International Editor - David Ross Reporters & Contributors Htun Htun Minn, May Soe San, Kyaw Min, Wai Linn Kyaw, Aye Myat, Aung Phyo, Zwe Wai, Phyo Thu, David Mayes, Sherpa Hossainy, Aundrea Montao, Tom Stayner, David Ross Art & Design Zarni Min Naing (Circle) Email - zarni.circle@gmail.com Ph - 09 7310 5793 Ko Naing Email - nzlinn.13@gmail.com Ph - 09 730 38114 DTP May Su Hlaing Translators Wai Linn Kyaw, Phyu Maung, Bone Pyae Sone, Aye Chan Wynn Advertising Seint Seint Aye, Moe Hsann Pann, Htet Wai Yan, Zin Wai Oo, Nay Lin Htike Advertising Hotline - 09 420 237 625, 09 4211 567 05, 09 31 450 345, 09 250 411 911, 09 2500 18646 Email - sales.mbtweekly@gmail.com Managing Director Prasert Lekavanichkajorn pkajorn@hotmail.com 09421149720 Publisher U Myo Oo (04622) No. 1A-3, Myintha 11 th Street, South Okkalapa Township, Yangon. Tel: 951-850 0763, Fax: 951-8603288 ext: 007 Shwe Naing Ngan Printing (04193) Printing Subscription & Circulation Aung Khin Sint - aksint2008@gmail.com 09 20 435 59 Nilar Myint - manilarmyint76@gmail.com 09 4210 855 11 Khaing Zaw Hnin - snowkz34@gmail.com 09 4211 30133 Business News in Brief MEP calls gas tur bi ne tender The Ministry of Electric Power has invited foreign and local investors to submit proposal for renting gas engine or gas turbine generator at Kyaukphyu in Ra- khine state, a ministry announcement said. Natural gas resources Ior LIe projecL wIII be SIwe ProjecL`s osIore gas. The deadline for submission of technical and com- mercial terms of the proposal is 15 July. Yomo mulls lond oer from Mgonmor shore- holder Yoma Strategic Holdings said it has received a written noLIce Irom Myunmur`s Serge Pun & AssocIuLes oerIng LIe rIgIL Lo ucquIre LIe economIc benehL oI ;o percenL of the land in Pun Hlaing Golf Estate (PHGE), accord- ing to Singaporean media reports. The 250 acres of land comprises a 222-acre golf course and country club and 27.5 acres of land development rights, alongside some related businesses infrastructure and facilities. Yoma estimates the land value of 100 percent of PHGE and the related businesses, infrastructure and facilities to be ubouL $1oo mIIIIon. I IL uccepLs LIe oer, LIe group intends to undertake a rights issue to fund the transac- tion. Mgonmor to introduce copitol morket for eco- nomi c gr owth The Myanmar Ministry of Finance will shape a capi- tal market in the country after joining the Financial Services Agency (FSA) and the Japan International Agency (JICA), state-run media reported. The develop- ment of capital markets depends on the Yangon Stock Exchange, which is expected to come into practice in 2015, Deputy Minister of Finance Dr Maung Maung Thein said. Tatsushi Terada, deputy secretary general of Financial Services Agency, pledged Japan will share its experience on stock exchange with Myanmar so that the country can boost its economy through capital mar- kets. Myanmar , Si ngapor e J V to bui ld Thi lawa j etty A joInL venLure compuny Ius goL LIe om cIuI nod Lo build a jetty and petrol storage tanks at Thilawa port in Yangon. Singapore-based Puma Energy Irrawaddy PLe Ld und IocuI hrm AsIu Sun Energy Iormed u new company, Puma Energy Asia Sun, for the project under a build, operate and transfer agreement with the gov- ernment. Coterpillor ossists in $qo.g-m Mgonmor pouer plant pr oj ect American machinery manufacturer Caterpillar Inc is assisting in a project that will help meet Myanmars in- creasing power demand, with the 52MW Ywama Power PIunL IocuLed In Yungon, LIe hrm suId. TIe $q6.-mII- lion facility entered commercial operations in Febru- ary, and was delivered on a turnkey basis by Caterpillar Energy Solutions local dealer, Myan Shwe Pyi Tractors Ltd (MSP CAT). Caterpillar delivered turnkey power plant supply, project management and commission- Ing oI u IucIIILy LIuL Iouses 1 CAT CGz6o-16 gus gen- erator with complete electrical and mechanical balance of the plant equipment. MSP CAT is also supplying a long-term operation and maintenance contract for Singapore-based UPP Power Ltd the owner of the site. The power plant is delivering electricity to the Myan- mar Electric Power Enterprise (MEPE) under a 30 year contract. WongP sets up Myanmar uni t, bui lds ASEAN pr esence WongPartnership has become the latest Singaporean hrm Lo open un om ce In Myunmur, us LIe hrm IuuncI- es a regional strategy. WongPartnership has opened a base in Yangon, its second in the ASEAN region. The buse wIII InILIuIIy be sLued by u IocuI Myunmur puruIe- guI und u SIngupore-quuIIhed Iuwyer, wIo wIII reIocuLe from Singapore. WongPartnerships co-managing part- ner RucIeI Eng suId LIe hrm`s sLruLegy Is Lo Iocus on growth in the ASEAN region. Myanmar has been a hot spot for foreign investments, and weve been advising a growing number of transactions and projects, said Eng. TIe hrm Ius recenLIy udvIsed Myunmur GoIden Star Beverage on its joint venture with South Koreas oLLe CIIsung Beveruge, ucLed Ior Pun PucIhc HoLeIs Group in its Yangon hotel development joint venture and assisted Amara Communications in its bid for a public telecommunications licence as part of a consor- tium. Myanmar Summary .... ...~:.~,_~._:,._ q._._,e .~:~_e_.~ .:~. ~ ..e~ .:~.~:~:.q..q,~~ ~ _._ ~. _ ._.q..._.....:.~:. ~.|..'e:._.. ,_.._:. ...:..q.~..:.:.~..q._ .,:~..q~.: ~.. ~ q~.,_e.._. ,..~.~..~~._ _.,.: Serge Pun & Associates . .,...|~~.~.e:- ~ q:..,.~~~ ...:..q.~~. ~_.~~qeq, .:.~......:.~ .~.qq:.._~:. .q ._. .,..~.q:- ~~~ q:..,.. .~....,. ~._.. ~..:~ ~~ . ~, ..: . _:,.:.-~, e.. : ..'.: ., . ~~~ q ._e ,..~ .,.,.:.._. July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com 3 LOCAL BIZ Myanmar Summary US Govt Needs to Clarify Its Investment Reporting Requirements A merican business- es had until the end of the June to hIe un unnuuI reporL wILI the US government de- tailing their investment activities in Myanmar. Under General License 17 (GL 17), US businesses engaging in new invest- ment in Myanmar must report their investment activities to comply with the Reporting Require- ments on Responsible In- vestment in Burma. Any US person investing more than $500,000 in Myan- mar, or investing in the oil and gas sector, is required to submit a report. On her recent commer- cial diplomacy mission to ASEAN, US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritz- ker celebrated the grow- ing relationship between Myanmar and the United States and encouraged American companies to consider Myanmar as a destination for invest- ment. Often viewed as the gold standard for in- vestment, American com- panies not only produce high quality products and services, but are also known to institute vigor- ous standards in terms of sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and respect for human rights helping to facilitate broad-based economic growth and prosperity. According to the US Em- bassys website, American companies have invested $zq.6 mIIIIon (Kzq.6 billion) in Myanmar and have planned or already implemented dozens of Aundrea Montao corporate social responsi- bility programs. In order to reconcile American business in- creasing interest in My- anmar with the countrys rocky past, the United States government insti- tuted the reporting re- quirements as a means to maintain this gold stand- ard and encourage re- sponsible investment. The reporting require- ments have been met with mixed responses from both the business com- munity and human rights organizations. On the busi ness si de The added duty of the reporting requirements is made more complex with LIe IncredIbIy dIm cuIL business environment, which makes account- ing for every operational component if we are honest nearly impos- sible, and in many ways erodes the competitive- ness of US companies. Some businesses also fear becoming a target of unwarranted scrutiny that could damage glob- al brand identity, while others feel the reporting requirements do not rep- resenL LIeIr specIhc Lype and level of investment. Anthony Nelson, direc- tor of public relations at the US-ASEAN Business Council said, US com- panies view responsible investment and the per- formance of CSR as part of our competitive ad- vantage. US business is committed to investing in Myanmar the right way, but the reporting require- ments add an additional layer of bureaucratic and legal complexity to US investment in Myanmar, that taken along with re- maining sanctions and IImILed EX-M hnuncIng, give a head start to com- petitors. We encourage the US government to continue clarifying the re- quirements. While the requirements are meant to address key foreign policy concerns in Myanmar in regards to hu- man rights and responsible investment, and even as- sist US companies in plan- ning strategic engagement and due diligence policies, they are not a catch all re- porting mechanism. In early June, the US Campaign for Burma re- leased its Report Card: US Companies Investing in Burma. Coca-Cola was the shining star of the re- port, and it makes sense given the companys in- ternal infrastructure de- veloped over decades of working in high-risk countries around the world. With physical op- erations and distribution in Myanmar, Coca-Colas investment in the country is clear and transparent a true representation of American business. However, not every type of investment in Myan- mar is as clear and clean cut, and may pose a chal- lenge to the reporting requirements in its cur- rent form presenting uddILIonuI dIm cuILIes Ior American companies. In the same report, Cap- ital Group was labeled an irresponsible investor, and cited by the report as refusing to answer es- sential questions about human rights due dili- gence policies and proce- dures, and that it has no responsibility to answer because its investments are passive. When asked about how the State Department deals with incomplete, inaccurate or potentially troubling information in submitted reports, Pub- IIc AuIrs Om cer SuLrujIL Sardar at the US Embassy in Yangon, did not want to speculate on hypothetical situations, but did note, The reports posted thus far have adhered to the instructions laid out in our FAQs. The FAQs re- fer to the frequently asked questions found at www. humanrights.gov, which also states the reporting requirements). According to its pub- IIc reporL hIed In AprII oI this year, Capital Group is a minority investor (less than 1 percent) in Yoma Strategic Holdings Ltd a conglomerate incor- porated in Singapore and traded on the Singapore Stock Exchange and posses no controlling stake in the company, nor does itself have opera- tions or a supply chain in Myanmar. The US report- ing requirements do not address how to deal with such passive investments an emerging limitation in a process meant for good that could result in the misinterpretation of a companys investment intensions. Even though Capital Group has been labeled an irresponsible investor, they have fully complied with US law per GL 17 and the Responsi- ble Investment Reporting Requirements. On the human r i ghts si de Rights groups view transparency in US in- vestment as the para- mount concern. Ad- vocates look at the US reporting requirements as zero-sum, which re- ecLs LIe reporL curd`s de- sire for Capital Group to dig deeper. Rights groups have a legitimate desire to present a transparent view of American invest- ment in Myanmar so that civil society can play an active role in the coun- trys economic develop- ment. As such, human rights groups want the re- porting requirements to go further to account for every possible scenario. However, at this point and time there exists no middle ground that ac- counts for every invest- ment scenario. Clorifging US report- i ng r equi r ements In order for the report- ing requirements to be eecLIve und reLuIn LIeIr value, the United States government needs to ad- dress how to make the process less onerous, while maintaining high standards, and work to clarify the requirements on how to deal with indi- rect investment. First, the US govern- ment must seek input from companies interest- ed in entering the coun- try, but remain hesitant. This input, combined with information ob- tained in current investor reports, can help guide US poIIcy LIuL Is more eec- LIve und em cIenL Ior boLI American companies and human rights stakehold- ers. A balanced approach that addresses the needs of both the business com- munity and human rights organisations should be the goal. While seemingly incompatible, we must pusI LIrougI Lo hnd com- mon ground, understand- ing that no one group will get 100 percent of every- thing they want its just the reality. Second, cIurIhcuLIon on how to report passive in- vestment should be intro- duced in the near term. Reporting standards for passive investment could be determined by the de- gree of stakeholder con- trol, an investors ability Lo uecL compuny decI- sions and operations, and the percentage of a busi- ness operations that are physically in Myanmar. If the United States wants to encourage in- vestment in Myanmar, then clarifying the report- ing requirements sooner than later will help make this goal a reality pro- viding strategic economic advantage to both Myan- mar and the US. _., .:. q ~..q ~, . . , . .:.._ ~..q ~, _._.: . ~..q ~,..~,. ...~ ._ ~. q . .:~ . .q._ _e.._. ~.... ~ (GL 17) ~q _.,.:~ q..._.... ~...:._....,..: ~.. q ~, . . , ..:.~.,_e ~:~, e.q..: q..._.....q: ~ _.. . ~. .~ .:.. _ ~ q, ,.~-q..._......: q~.~.:.~ ~_.q.__e. ._ ._., .:~ ..'.: ~~,~~~ ..:~~ . _q .. ._. . . . .:. . .e ~ .q, . .:~ . ~_ .:.~ q..._.....:.~., _e ~. q . .:~ . .q._ _e. ._. ~:. e . . ~., .q.~q .:.q:~. ~..q~,...:. .q.~, _~.., , .q. ~:~ _., .: . ~..q ~, _._ .: . ~_~:. q .~ . .q..~: .. , e _e ..: _..~ ~...~._.. ~..q ~,~.~.:.~.,_e _.,.: .~:. q..._.....~_ .~ ~_e. . ..:.q, ~ ~ ~ , .. ._..q~.q..._.....:. e ._ ~:.~,_. . q..: ~.. q ~, ~ . ~ . :.._ ~q_ ~.. ._..._..:.~.., .:.~ .qq _ ~_ ~ , .. . . . ..,._~..q: ...q. ~:~, e . . . ~. ~.q. .~,:_..~~._. ~. _~...:..,..:.:.q._e . . .:.._ .
In order for the reporting require-
ments to be effective and retain their value, the United States gov- ernment needs to address how to make the process less onerous, while maintaining high standards, and work to clarify the requirements on how to deal with indirect investment. A man working in the Coca-Cola bottling plant near Yangon. Coca-Cola is among dozens of American companies investing in Myanmar.Coca-Cola came out as a responsible investor in the US Campaign for Burmas recently released report Report Card: US Companies Investing in Burma. It makes sense given the companys internal infrastructure developed over decades of working in high-risk countries around the world. However, not every type of investment in Myanmar is as clear and clean cut, and may pose a chaIIenge to the reporting requirements in its current form presenting additionaI difcuIties for American companies. L y n n
B o
B o / E P A July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com LOCAL BIZ 4 Myanmar Summary Myanmar: Professional Skill Gaps, and Rising Wages W ith the relative- ly rapid open- ing of Myanmar to the international econ- omy following the coun- trys 2011 liberalisation, LIe posILIve benehLs Ior the domestic and interna- tional business communi- ties in that country has oft been trumpeted. However, there are of course notable side-ef- fects to this change that are, for the people of Myanmar, more harmful than not. In particular, one of these addresses LIe wuges oered by com- panies to trained profes- sIonuIs, und ILs eecLs on the Myanmar job market. As with any country that Ius been cIosed o Irom the outside world, the so- cialist regime of General Ne Win and the subse- quent SLORC adminis- tration did more than de- stroy hints of democracy and rule of law in Myan- mar. Rather, they reduced Yangon (then Rangoon) from a shining beacon of educational excellence in Southeast Asia, to a literal backwater. In established disci- plines, the people of My- anmar were no longer learning at the same level as their regional or inter- national counterparts, und In heIds IIke T und programming there was Gregory Arnold virtually no education available. The results oI LIIs were uppurenL; when Myanmar opened up in 2011, its own do- mestic workforce could not match the skills or abilities of those people (either from Myanmar or foreign) who had studied abroad. Companies proceeded, and have continued, to re- spond Lo LIIs by oerIng sIgnIhcunLIy IIgIer suIu- ries for more-skilled em- ployees. And while this is a logical trend, it ignores that the educational sys- tem of Myanmar, while improving, will continue to lag behind the needs for talented employees for quite some time. As such, the responsi- bility ultimately falls on the company, with no real cheap options available. While Myanmar employ- ees may be willing to work for less than their foreign colleagues, said company must then be willing and able to train these individ- uals, which costs time, if not money. Similarly, there are likely very few foreign professionals willing to work for wages that Myan- mur empIoyees mIgIL hnd more acceptable. Ultimately, until the education system of My- anmar reaches a level where it can compete with the neighbouring ASEAN states, let alone on a glob- al level, the main source of skilled labor in the ser- vice sector will come from a number of sources. First, as has been seen so vibrantly in the current Yangon business commu- nity, the number of My- anmar citizens who have returned from abroad. From Singapore to the United States, the Myan- mar diaspora has proven to be willing and able to take what theyve learned abroad to aid the country of their birth. Similarly, there are siza- ble expatriate groups that have sought to provide international skills to the Myanmar business and economic communities. As an example, the inter- national student business AIESEC provides compa- nies access to young pro- fessionals from over 125 counLrIes; muny oI wIom have the ability to not only meet the needs of the Myanmar business world, but also to impart these skills upon local employ- ees. Gregory Arnold is a re- cent graduate of George Washington University. He is currently serving as the Sales Director for AIESEC Myanmar. _.,.:.~ ~~~ ... ._e..: . .:._.. . _. ..,:~ . ~~:. .. :..q.~~ .. ~~, ~. . _., . : ~ .|.e ~ .q:~ .:. . ~~ _._ ~ . . _._....:..q.~.~~~,. -~~ .~_.~ .:.~._~: . ~ e . .: . : . _ . : . .:_~._ . .q:~ ._.:...._~: .. ~ . .~ ..:.._ .q _. . _.,.:_._..:.~~~ ..~. ~ . _. :.._ . ~ .._ e ~. .~._:q.:.~:. .._. ..:..:. _., .: ~. . ~~ .. .~ ~ ~..' .~ .q:~ . .:...~.~__e.._. _..~.:. ~.~_e~:. ..:. .:. ,_ . ~ - . ...,~.-...~..q ._ ~._._~..~.q. . ~ q:..... .. ..q.~ e ~ . . , .:.~. _. .q :.. : . ~ .. .._. ,.~._ q,~,~:. ~.q .~: ~:q - ._:.q. . ., .~, ..: ~_e. . ..~ .,:~ ~ ~ , . ..:.,q:~ _e. . ,...._. ~q:. ~ . _ ~:. .,..: ._:q. .:.~ _., .:_._ . .:. . _ ~:.q._ . : ...~ . ..e~ .~~:.e. ,.~.,_.. IT ~...:~_ .:.~ ._~:.....:. .q ...:~ . _ e. ._ . ~~ . .~~_e. _.,.:. ~~~ ...~ ....:._~. , ~ _ ._ ~ .. . .:..:.. : _._.~ ._:._~:..:. .:. _.,.: ..e~ ._.:. .:., . ~..~.. ~q_ ~. ..:.~ e . _. ..q .~:... ~.~.:.~._. ._~.. ~ ..:. . .:..:.~:. .:.. : _..:...:..:.:...._.._e _~. ~ ~..'~ _ ., _ ~ ._. _...:q~_.. . : ~ .._ ~: .. ..: ..: ._ . _., .:. ~ ._:.q. .,:~ ~ ~, . ..:._~: ~ q_ ~.. . _._ . . .:..:. ..' ~ . q, ~. , e q._ . ._ ~ .. . ,:.._. ._~: ~.~.:.~..' ~:~, . :. ~ .q:~ .:_ . . _ ., .:. . .:. .:. ~.,_ e ._.:..:..:.~,_...: ..:_ e . . q, .. q ..: ._ . ~.~.:.~.,_e ..e~ ...:. ~.,~,._ ...:..:. ..~._~:. ...q, ..qe..__e.._. ~...,~:._e _.,.:.- ._:.q.~._.~.,.: ~.: ~..e~... ~.,... ~:.e..:.~.~ .. ... ~..~...:..,q: ~~~ ~q.~_...: .,q:. . e.,q..__e.._. . _.:.. _., .:.:. _., .q:~ .:_..~._. q,~,...:. .q.~..~~.~ ~~_~ e e q:~_ e. ,_ . . q._ . . ~:. . ~..q ~, _._ .: . ~ . _ .:.~ ._ ._ . :.. _.,.:.:..: _._.~.e. ._.:._e ...q.._.~_., ._ ~. ... ._~: . .~ ._. .,_~._. ,_ .~ _ ., .:. .. :..q. ~..~~.~ .~~: ~q_~....:._e_._.... q, _~ ... ..,._ _._ .. .: .q:~ . ~.q~~ ~ ._ . .~:~.._. ..:~:._e .~~:.~:..:...,. AIESEC ._ ~.~.:.~:. . ~ ..~:q eqe ..:~. .~ ._:q .:.. . ~ .~ ....,_. . . ~.:. ~_.:.. : _., .:. .. :..q.. . , . .:.- .~..~~ _e_._. ..~._~:....._ . Students attend an Android OS course in the Myanmar ICT Park in Yangon. S o e
Z e y a
T u n / R e u t e r s July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com LOCAL BIZ 5 Commercial Tax Cut Necessary to Protect Local Businesses: IRD T he Internal Rev- enue Department (IRD) said a com- mercial tax cut is essential despite criticism from for- eign tax analysts that the initiative is overprotective of local businesses. Commercial tax is a monetary levy, paid to the government indirectly by consumers, on the sale of locally manufactured goods and services. The government low- ered the commercial tax ruLe Lo z percenL LIIs hscuI year cutting it from the percenL LurI Imposed in previous years. Since President U Thein Sein came to power in 2011 his government has introduced sweeping eco- nomic and political re- forms, opening the coun- try up to foreign trade and investment. May Soe San IRD Director U Tin Tun Naing said the countrys commercial tax reforms have been critical to help- ing local businesses com- peLe uguInsL LIe Inux oI foreign businesses enter- ing the country. Cutting commercial tax for domestic prod- ucts, while imposing 5 percent commercial tax on imported goods, helps maintain the demand for locally produced goods and services, he said. U Tin Tun Naing said wILI LIe excepLIon oI 16 items, the tax is imposed on all locally manufac- tured products through- out Myanmar. It doesnt matter where these products are pro- duced, whether in an in- dusLrIuI zone or ouLsIde; if the manufacturing business is registered as a state-owned or a public business the tax applies, he told Myanmar Busi- ness Today. Emergent Services CEO and economist U Myint Thaung said the countrys commercial tax cut ben- ehLs IocuI IndusLry und means consumers have to pay less for products. By decreasing the price of local goods and servic- es consumers are encour- aged to choose locally manufactured products over more expensive for- eign imports, he said. Currently, tax revenue in Myanmar comes from commercial tax, income tax, stamp tax and lottery tax. U Myat Thin Aung, chairman of Hlaing Thar Yar Industrial Zone, said despite the loss of income from commercial tax cuts, state revenue is being supported by other sourc- es of revenue. According to the IRD, LIe 16 specIuI ILems ex- cluded in the commercial tax cut include tobacco, betel, beer, teak, logs, gem, car, fuel and natural gas, among others. Myanmar Summary ~.~,._ ~' ...._ ~,..:~~,.:.~:. ~, . e . , q:. . , .~ ..: . ...._ _e. ._~: . _._ ~ . ~. , .:. .. ._:,. .~ .qq ._. ~.~,._ ~' ..~. q ~:.....:~,._.~~ e.,q:.:.~.. ~ . . .~ . ~ , ~~ .. :..: ._ . .~: . _ . .. :..: ._..~:. _._~.. .,. ~~ .~.~:.q.e ~. q..:...,.q~.. ., ~.:.. . :...:. . , . ._._e..e.q q:..,. . ~ , . e . . , .. , ~. .e '' e _._~.~.,.:...._:, ~.~.:..q:~.,,.. , _~:..q.. . .~ , .. ~ ._.:._. ~ , . e . . , .. , ..: . ..._ . .. : e. _:. . ~ .~ ~~.~.__e._.. e. ...:.~ _ ._~.. ~.. ..: ~,._.:.~:. ~,.e ..,.., q:..,.~ .~:~..._._._...:. . ~.,......:.._:q .:.~ _ ._ ~ . ~ ~ , ._ .:.~..' ~.,..:...._.. _._ ..~ . ..:..:~ , ._ .:.~..' ~,.e..,.., q:..,.._._~..,_...: _ ._ ~ .. .. :..q.~ ~. , ~:~e._~._.~.,. ._e. .,._e .~e,..:.._.q .,._~:. ,.~ ._.:._. ~ , . e . . , .. , . ._ . : . e ~ ~ . , ~. .~.:. ~ .|~ _. ..:.. .. . .....: q ..:~.,~..~.:._e.._. e .~ . ~. , .~:~ . . .:. . : . ~~:~ ._ . ~e _., .: ~...,._~:. ,.~ ._.:._. ~ , . e . . , .. , .. : . ...._ ~ ~ ..|~ ._ ~.~,._ ~' ...: ..~ q~ ...q~_~. -:.,.e:. ..|.~_..... .....|.. ..._ . .. . ...~ ..:~ ....:. ~...:....~.... ~q~~.... e:~.... ~, . .. .: .. . .. ~._.. ~..: ..~:...:... .:..:. .~:~... .~_.:. ,.: _. .,. ~_.:.~e.~, .~:~ .~ q~,:~, ._ .:. ~..:_ .:.. .~ ~~ q~,:.:. ~~~ CC ~~ -~:..:. ..,. ... ~~ , .~:..:. ~ .. (Coupe) ~:..:. .:~. .~e.~ ..e:...:~.:~. ~ _e. ._~: . _._ ~ .~. , .:. ..._:,. .q._. Myanmar Summary Chin Industrial Zones to Go Live by FY14; Set to Boost SMEs May Soe San I ndustrial zone devel- opment projects in Chin states Hakha and Tedim are expected to be completed by the currenL hscuI yeur LIuL started in April, a minis- ter said. The projects are aimed at supporting the devel- opment of small and me- dium enterprises (SME) in Myanmars impover- ished Chin state, U Ram Mann, Chin state minister for planning and econo- my, told Myanmar Busi- ness Today. The projects will priori- tise businesses relating to automobile, and the elec- tricity for these industrial zones will be supplied through the national grid in Hakha, the minister said. Land negotiations are currently under way for the industrial zone pro- ject in Hakha, which will have an area of at least 25 acres, U Kyin Hlyan Paung, Chin state minis- ter for electricity and in- . ._._ ,e q e:..|.. ~.~ , _. ~ ~ .~ . ~ , . . ~ , .~ dustry, said. The projects will be ini- tiated with small enter- prises and required fa- cilities will be developed In zo1q-1 hscuI yeur, Ie added. A 20-acre industrial zone project is also be- ing developed in Tedim, which will become the hrsL IndusLrIuI zone In Chin state and is expected to create employment op- portunities for the states citizens. U Salai Kyam, secretary of Chin National Demo- cruLIc PurLy, suId: ProhL sharing is an important element when a special economic or industrial zone is being developed. The zones should be developed according to international standards while socio-economic standards should also be considered. Contd. P 11... July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com LOCAL BIZ 6 Myanmar Summary Purliument Pusses Bill to Tuckle Inutionury Concerns C entral Bank Deputy Governor Daw Khin Saw Oo said the governments newly pro- posed bill on monetary policy will help curb ris- Ing InuLIon LIrougIouL the country. On June 20, Upper House representative My- int Kyi made the propo- sition to introduce more government policies to tackle Myanmars grow- Ing hscuI probIems. Since President U Thein Sein came to power, the countrys sweeping eco- nomic and political re- forms have helped My- anmars economy rapidly expand. However, the increase In cupILuI ows Irom Ior- eign investments coming into the country have also undercut the value of My- anmars currency. In June, the IMF re- leased a report estimat- Ing LIe counLry`s InuLIon ruLe wIII remuIn uL 6. percenL over LIIs hscuI year, ending March 2015. The IMFs Myanmar mission chief, Matt Davies, said without re- forms to the countrys monetary policy, the high InuLIon ruLes couId un- dermine Myanmars fu- ture economic growth. Fiscal and external buers remuIn LIIn und Tom Stayner demand-side pressures on InuLIon und Iurge cup- ILuI Inows wIII sLruIn LIe stillinfant macroeconom- ic management tools, Matt Davies said. New government poli- cies targeting this con- cern include work with the World Bank to man- age Myanmars budget and engagement with pri- vate banks to protect the countrys monetary re- serves, Khin Saw Oo told reporters. Khin Saw Oo said al- LIougI hscuI meusures ure already in place to man- uge LIe counLry`s InuLIon problem, the majority of parliament members voted that more monetary policy is needed. TIe InuLIon ruLe Ius rIsen Lo .;6 percenL In April 2014, from 5.53 percent and 1.48 per- cent respectively in the same months in 2013 and 2012, Khin Saw Oo said. Over 90 government members supported the bill, while only 10 parlia- ment members vetoed the proposal. The Myanmar Kyats value has stabilised in recent months but the increase of foreign banks into Myanmar could see international capital drive down consumer interest in the currency. Davies said Myanmars macroeconomic manage- menL LooIs ure InsumcIenL to address the countrys InuLIonury pressures. Parliaments agreement on the monetary policy bill shows authorities are taking action to manage LIe counLry`s InuLIon concerns. However, the IMF warned continual im- provements to macroeco- nomic policy are needed to protect Myanmar from hscuI pressures. Ensuring this growth is sustainable and in- clusive requires deci- sive implementation of a broad range of policies and structural reforms, Davies said. The current exchange rate of Kyat and the US dollar is approximately $1 to K975. The Central Bank of Myanmar adopted a man- uged ouL Ior ILs currency, scruppIng u -yeur hxed exchange rate in April 2012, setting a daily rate of K818 per dollar, near the black-market level at that time. TIe prevIous omcIuI ruLe, pegged to the International Monetary Funds special druwIng rIgILs, wus K6.q, 125 times stronger than the black market and available only to state-owned com- panies. ~..q~ .~~..:~._. .._ .._~..~|.~..._ _., .:_._ ~ .~ ~..:_e. . :. .~ q ._ . . ._~..e: .. . .:.~ , ... q:_ ~ _ . . . ._ e -e ~ . ~ e~ _ ..'...:.~ ._.:.._. . , . ._ ~ , . ~ q~ ., ~ _._..~.~:~e.:..e ._. _~_ ~ _., .:. ~ _~ .~ .,q._ _:.q._..,: .:.~ ~~e,....q, ~~~ .~|.~.. ..~.q, ~.~...._. . .~: .. ~ .. , .. , ~:~:qq._...,:~.. . - . .q.. . .. :..q._._. ._.: .. . .:.._~: . - ...:..q..: ~.e,.~.~~ .:.._. ...: _._.q... _. . . . .:.~.:.~_.:.~ .q:~ .:._ . ~. _._ ~ .. ._~..... , .. :._ . .e: .. .:.._. IMF - ~_.,...:~. q..:-.,.,..~~q ~~ . . . .~ .~ . ._~..e: .. ..,.~ ' ... q:..,. ~ q .,._ ~: . . q._ . IMF _ ., .:. ~_ ~ .~~ Matt Davids ~._. _.,.: .-.._~..q: .~|..:. ~ ._.: .. . ._.. . .|~ .~ q _e...'.,..: _..:.._. ._~..e:...._ ~._._- . .. :..q.~ . ~ ... . ._ e ._.:.._. . ._ ~..e: .. . . , .._ ~~ .... ~~, ...~ ~ ... , q:..,.. ~ ... , q:..,..:q. ..:._. ~~, ... -_.. ~ ... ' q:..,. _.~~.:.._. . ~ .~: ~ ~ _.. ._ ~. .|. ._~.. ~|.._.: .. _. . . q:..._~..~:. . ~ .~: ~e.:..e ~ q:..,.~ .:~..:._.. ~~ q:..,. .,~.: ~,~~.._. _.,.:~. . ~, e .._ . , . ._..:.~~. ~__.. ..: ._ . . _.:.~ .:. _ ., .:. . ~ .q:~ . _ . . .,:~.. ...~~~__.. .q .~: . ._ ~..e: .. . .,. _.,.__.~~.._. 2014 Tourist Receipts Expected to Top $1 Billion M yanmars tour- ism industry is expected to earn more than $1 billion this year, said U Thet Naign Toe, vice chairman of the Union of Myanmar Travel Association (UMTA). In 2012 and 2013, in- come from tourism re- ceipts were $534 million und $qz6 mIIIIon respec- tively, according to sta- tistics published by the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism. Between January and May of this year, Myan- mars tourism industry brought in more than $552 million with more than 1.05 million tourists visiting the country last year. This year, Myanmar ex- Kyaw Min pects more than 3 million tourist arrivals, U Tin Tun Aung, secretary of UMTA said. Arrivals from China and Japan make up the majority of tourists from Asia, while arrivals from France, Spain and Brit- ain make up the largest number of tourists from Europe. Tourist arriv- als from Thailand have slowed this year. Myanmars tourism in- dustry is going to contin- ue Lo deveIop; Iowever, the hotel and service sec- tor for tourists needs to be upgraded. Only then will more tourists visit Myan- mar, he continued. According to UMTA, tourist arrivals have in- creused sIgnIhcunLIy sInce 2012. _., .:. ~ . _.:..q.. :. ..,.. e...~ ~. Myanmar Summary ~..q~, ..'.:~..e .~:qqq, .,.,.:.._~:. _., .:. .q .. :.. . , .q .:. ~.. .~_ ..~.~.~ ._.:._. ~~ ... .q..:. q:. ~ .q .. :.. . , .. ~.. q~,..'.: ,, .,.. ~~, ...~ ~..q~, ..'.: ' .,.qq.._~:. e ~e . .q .. :..:.q.~, _~ . _:,. ~_.,:..~.:.~q .q._. _.,.:.~~.. ._.:. .q..:.-_._~.q:~..: e...~ ... .q..:. -_ ._ ~ .q:~ . ,_ ..|..~ q_.. ~:q~ ~,~..,~ ~.:....:.q:~_.. .q:. .. _... ..,. ~., .~. ~.:....:.q:~_~ ._~:. .q._. ~~, ... ~,,~|q.. .~ :.~ _.,.:.~~.. ._.:..q..:.-_._ ~ .q:~ . ..:~. : , ., .., .: .q:~ ._ e .. : . , .:._ . . ~~ .....~~: ... . . ~ . . _.:..q .. :.-_ ._ .:.q:~ . .: ~. .~ ~. .~ . ~~ .:._ ~: . .q._. A cashier carries piles of kyat banknotes in a private bank in Yan- gon. S o e
Z e y a
T u n / R e u t e r s A tourist looks at lacquer-ware, a famous handicraft in Myanmar, at a workshop at Bagan in Mandalay region. U A u n g / X in h u a July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com 7 LOCAL BIZ K7.3 Billion Worth of Illegal Goods Seized over Eight Months Htun Htun Minn A cargo inspec- tion team seized K7.3 billion ($7.3 million) worth of ille- gal goods at the Yangon Port over the last eight months, said the Ministry of Commerce. This operation is car- ried out to control smug- gling and to protect con- sumers in the Yangon regIon, suId un omcIuI from the Department of commerce and Consumer AuIrs. Liquor, beer and food products were the most commonly seized items. The mobile team made arrests in 12 cases, which included four customs of- fenses, six police cases. The mobile teams ob- jective in examining cargo for illegal goods will pre- vent the loss of state in- come, said Dr Thein Na- ing, an exporter. Mobile teams examin- ing cargoes at Myanmars ports are relatively new. Previously, mobile teams only inspected goods being transported across Myanmars bor- ders via vehicle transport. Myanmar for The First Time Allows Registration of Secured Loan on A Local Asset Htun Htun Minn M yanmar reached unoLIer hnun- cial milestone in its path to economic re- forms as local authorities upgraded their existing administrative practice to accommodate the reg- istration of international secured lending. In a landmark test case, a wholly foreign owned Myanmar company which ruIsed hnunce LIrougI u cross-border loan, was al- lowed to register security for that loan on its assets in Myanmar. Previously, lenders were essentially only able to take security on any as- seLs LIe borrower Iud o- shore. Myanmar law and tax udvIsory hrm VDB oI us- sisted on the completion oI LIe hrsL regIsLruLIon oI a secured interest on My- anmar assets for a foreign loan in modern times. The names of the parties have not been disclosed. Myanmar has improved its regulatory framework oI InLernuLIonuI hnunc- ing as part of the Foreign Investment Law and the Foreign Exchange Man- agement Act, which were enacted in 2012. Nevertheless, the ad- ministrative practice for registering security un- Myanmar Summary der Myanmar law in gen- eral remained untested in modern times as regards international loans. VDB Lois Managing Partner Jean Loi said: This was a genuine test case, with a lot riding on it. It really was a col- IuboruLIve eorL wILI LIe Myanmar authorities to revamp administrative practices and processes. Senior partner Edwin Vanderbruggen, who led the team which handled the matter, said: We are very pleased with the re- suIL. TIe hrsL LIme Is uI- wuys u bIL dImcuIL. L`s tough, but also very inter- esting. Anyway, the door is open now, so it should be eusIer Ior LIe nexL h- nancing deals. Until now, lenders would have to take securi- Ly on osIore usseLs, sucI as shares of the parent of a Myanmar company. Now LIuL LIe hrsL Iorse has left the barn, the gates are open to do so much more, such as a mort- gage on land lease rights, a pledge on shares or a hxed und ouLIng cIurge on movable assets, cash and contractual rights in Myanmar. The re-vitalising of the countrys administra- tion of secured interests comes at a very timely moment when the Cen- tral Bank of Myanmar is pondering the issuance of a number of corporate banking licenses to for- eign banks. A process is underway for the selection of the banks that will receive the hrsL bunkIng IIcences. A strengthening of the countrys practice with re- spect to creating and en- forcing security on loans is a welcome develop- ment from that perspec- tive as well, Edwin said. Myanmar Summary Myanmar Summary q, ~ , . . ~. .,e ._.~~ . Mobile Team ~e. q.. .~: ~:.~~ . ~, .~ ~ , .. _..:.. ~q:..~ ~.~:~ . , . .. _ ..:. ~. . , ...| . ,,~~~ .~: e....q. . ._~: . . .. :..q.. ~ .., ..q: .~e .q.~, _~ ._:,. ~ _., .~ .:. ~q .q._. e..e....q....: ~q:. .~~,.._..:.~ ~q~ e:. .:...:~~,.._. .:~.:.. .e....q.._~:.. q._. _.,.:~:~:..:.~ . ~~:....~~~ ~..|. :.q, . ~ . ~ _..~:. .~ q ..~.~...,.~ _ . .. ~ _. .._~: _., .:. ._ ...:..q._._.._.:... .. .._~: ...'~ . ._ ~.. q:.~~~.. .~.~. _._e.._. .. ... ~ . ~. q. ~ . _.:. . ,e.._e~.~: ...._e .~_:...: _.,.:~.~ ~..~:. .....:.~~~ _., .:. ~~ .q . . . .:. ~ ~:.. ~_e. :.q q, . ~ . ~._..~._. _.,.:.._ ~~ ... ~ _._:, .. ..: . _.:.q .. . _. . . . .... . _ .:.. ..e....,..q....~- ~. . ~ ~. . ._e. ..: . ~~:. ._~._e_ ._ .. _~ ._~. .q.~._.. . .: ~:. ~. _.~.._.._e.._. S h e r p a
H o s s a in y July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com LOCAL BIZ 8 Myanmar Summary GE to Assist Govt with Energy Infrastructure Phyo Thu D eputy Minister for Electric Power U Maw Thar Htwe said that US-based power solutions giant General Electric (GE) is helping Myanmar develop its en- ergy infrastructure and improve the countrys electricity woes. Experts have expressed concern Myanmars pow- er infrastructure is strug- gling to keep pace with the countrys fast-paced economic development. Currently, Myanmars electricity sector is unable to generate enough power to meet national demand, with about 70 percent of the country getting no electricity, according to ADB estimates. On June 17, we received GEs assessment and we are preparing to work with the company to sup- port the countrys current electrical improvement plans, the minister said. The companys evalua- tion provided a roadmap on procedures to help Myanmar overcome their power infrastructure and supply shortcomings. Stuart Dean, GEs ASE- AN regional CEO, said his companys assessment is designed to assist the gov- ernment in implementing proposed generation, dis- tribution and rural elec- LrIhcuLIon reIorms. GE has held discussions with Myanmar engineers regarding the facilities und hnunces needed Lo meeL LIe power em cIen- cy and storage targets throughout the country. _.,.:.-~,..:.q.~_ .e e . ..: .q. ~_. _:.q.~_~ ~ ~ _ . . :. ... .,..: ~..q ~, . . .. ~ . ~ ~. ._ e. ._ General Electric (GE ) - ,_ ... ._ ... . :.~ _., .: ...~e_e..q...,..:.~ _ . .. . ..: . :.._ _e. ._~:. .......~:.~,_~. _:,. ~ e~, _~ . ...: .:. . ~ q,~,_..~:.....:~ ~:.....~.q.~e- ~,:~ _., .:. . .~ ~_. q:~. . , .......~ ._.:._. GE q ...:.~q..~ ~ ~ , . ~ q~ ., ~._. . q:..|~e ..~ q .. .. ~_ ..,..~.: _...:.e ~ . . . :.e q .|~e ''e ~. .|.~e~,_~.~ ._.:._. GE - ....:...: ..._. ._ .. ~ .. .:.q.. q: . . , ..:. ~ . ~ _ . .. . . _ e, _ e._ . .~. ~. .. ~ _ . .e ._ .~_ ..:~ _...q:. .~..~.... .q.~~~~.|q._ . .~_.,.~ .q e_e. .q. _._.._.:....~~~~ ~_....e. ..:..| ~e''e GE . ~:.e... ~. CEO _e.. ..~:.,. ~ ._.:._. e .~ . ..._.._.. .,. ~ _.,....~_. .......~ .q: .~.._ ~..:~ ~~ ~...,.. _: .q.. q: ~._ .. . ~. . ~ .:. . . .~ ~. .. _ . .. ...:_...q:..,..:. ~ _., .:. q ~ , e:.:. . .. ... .. . :._ . . . :. ._~:.._. .q._. _ ., .: . . .. ~_._ .~q ~.,~ _._~.~ ...:~..q...q: ~.. ..~~.~~:_e ~ q:. . , .., . : . . .. . . .~:.~ . ..:~ . :.qq ...._~: . .q._. Rare Crane Species Found in Northern Myanmar Htun Htun Minn O rnithologists from British nature con- servation group Fauna & Flora Interna- tional (FFI) found a large sarus crane population in the wetlands surrounding Indawgyi Lake in Kachin state while undertaking a recent water bird census. First we just saw their charismatic red heads sticking out of the tall green grass, but through our telescopes we soon spotted the amazing num- ber of nine individuals, said Ngwe Lwin, who was counting wetland birds together with his team of FFI ornithologists, and Win Zaw Lun, a ranger of Indawgyi Wildlife Sanctu- ary. This species, which at a height of up to 1.8 metres Is LIe LuIIesL oI LIe yIng birds, has been frequently recorded in Rakhine state and the Irrawaddy delta, but is very rare in north- ern Myanmar. Previously only very small groups of 2-3 indi- viduals have been spotted in Indawgyi, but never before has such a large group been seen. Ngwe Lwin, Fauna & Flora Internationals Terrestrial Conservation Programme Coordinator said, Finding this large group of sarus crane in Indawgyi area has shown us that this species, which Is cIussIhed us VuInerubIe on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, is still safe in the Indawgyi area. We hope to see more in the future. Sarus cranes are large non-migratory birds found in parts of the In- dian Subcontinent, Indo- china and Australia. Sarus cranes in Myan- mar belong to the sub- species of the eastern sarus crane Grus antigone sharpii that formerly oc- curred throughout Indo- china. Over LIe IusL hILy yeurs it has been decimated throughout this range, but still occurs in smaller numbers in Myanmar, Vi- etnam, and Cambodia. Eastern sarus cranes in Yunnan Province (China) and Laos are either rare or recently extirpated, while the eastern sarus in Thailand was thought ex- Myanmar Summary _-~,.:~,......:. ~e. .~~:....~. . .,.., (FFI) . ~...: . .:.._ _., .:. ._.:~ . . ~ ..~: _~ .~, .~ ~, .~ ....:.~ q:..|._~._~:~ ~ . . ~. . ~ q :.e .~ q . ._ e .q._. q _ .:.~ _.~ _. . . .. . . .~ _~:.. : ..| ., , q ~ _~ ._~: .~:..:~~ ~,.~:~ .~.~e''e .q~....~ .:...: _~_ .. .:.q.~e ~ ~._:q ...~ ._.:.._. e. .~ q q..:_~ ._~:. .. ~ ._ ~_. ~ ... .~: q _ .:._. . . ., .. ._ _~ ._~: . ._e. ._ . ~. .| ~ .:.~ q. .... -q:~~ ....:. ~ .~q._~:. .~~..~ . ..: ._. e. ~ . _., .:_._ ._.:~......:.~ .~qq ._ . :q :..~: q :..|._e. ._ . e.~ ~..|_ ~._ ~:...~ ~ ...~:. ...~:~.. _e ~..~:_~.....:.~ .~ q q..: ._ . e. ~ . ~._ .:~ ~_ .:..~ qq_. .. . .q ...... Telenor, Samsung Sign Partnership Deal N orways Telenor, one of the winners of Myanmars coveted telecommunica- tions licences, has signed a deal will mobile device manufacturer Samsung to work together in the mar- ket of Myanmar. Both companies will work together in the de- velopment of joint market oerIngs, uordubIe de- vice bundles and promo- tional activities, Telenor said. Petter Furberg, CEO of Telenor Myanmar, said the deal marks the begin- ning of more alliances and teaming opportunities in telecommunications be- tween Telenor and Sam- sung. Sharad Mehrotra, chief murkeLIng om cer oI TeI- enor Myanmar, said, Our interest is to have inno- vative value propositions for the mass market and we consider Samsung as a good partner to work with in achieving both compa- nies strategic ambitions. Through this deal, the two parties agree to Aye Myat strengthen the coopera- tion framework in the Southeast Asian market. Nam Sik Ahn, manag- ing director of Samsung Myanmar, said, We see Telenor and Samsung will complement each other in LIe murkeL oerIngs und LIe partnership will strengthen footprint of both companies in Myanmar. Myanmar Summary _.,.:.~ .~.e.q. . . , . . . qq:. ._ Telenor ._ ..e,..:. ~..._ Samsung . _., .:. ...~ ~ ~ . ...| . ....:.q, ..:~_. qq.._~:. .q._. ~..| ~.~...._ ...~~q:.e .q..q:~.q..:.~_. ~, .. _ .~.q: ._. ~ .q.. . ..:.~.:.~ ....|... ..: . :.._e . q._ . Telenor Myanmar - CEO Petter Furberg ~ e.~. ..:~ _ . ._ Telenor . Samsung ~ ~_~:. .~ . e .q.. . , .~__ . ...| ...: q~..q:~.~....:... qq .:. . ._ e ._.:. ._ . _. e.~. ....|...: q ~ . ._ ~ . ~ . . . . .~~ ~ ~~.~_.~ .:.. . qq .:. ._ e Sharad Mehortra ~ ._.:.._. tirpated in the mid-20th Century. FFI is now planning u specIhc surus crune survey, to gain greater knowledge and help de- termine the threats to the species. We have alerted lo- cal communities not to destroy their nests or to attempt to catch the cranes, said Ngwe Lwin, who is educating local communities. Once survey results have been reviewed, FFI will follow up with con- servation actions in col- laboration with the wild- life sanctuary and local communities to ensure the survival of this charis- matic species in wetlands of Indawgyi Lake, the group said. B jo r n
O le s e n / F F I July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com LOCAL BIZ 9 Myanmar Summary Microsoft Tapped to Assist Myanmar Develop Cyber Security Measures Htun Htun Minn M icrosoft will work with the Ministry of Communications and In- formation Technology to increase Myanmars cyber security, said U Kyaw Aye Naing, executive direc- tor of local IT company Knowledge Centricity, which is the American IT giants market devel- opment partner in the Southeast Asian nation. The companys support aims to increase the min- istrys awareness about cyber crime in the country and help Myanmar devel- op a legislation to prevent LIe spreud cyber oences in the future. U Kyaw Aye Naing said Microsoft has submitted a framework on how My- anmar should conduct the countrys cyber security infrastructure to the min- istry. Microsoft will use their expertise to show Myan- mar what to do when cy- ber security threats arise. There are also plans for the company to support the implementation of cyber legislation through- out Myanmar, U Kyaw Aye Naing told Myanmar Business Today. Attacks on government, company and other im- portant websites through- out the country have prompted Myanmar to become more aware of the need for cyber safeguard- ing measures. In their report, Micro- soft stated, while no cyber crimes have been identi- hed In LIe counLry, In- troducing cyber security legislation will help deter IuLure oences. Executive member of the Myanmar Computer As- sociation, U Zaw Win, said the countrys increased mobile internet usage has made cyber security legis- lation a necessity through- out the country. Although there arent many cyber crimes, as the internet becomes faster the need to educate users and protect their personal information will become more sIgnIhcunL, Ie suId. Enterprises in Asia Pa- cIhc (APAC) ure expecLed to spend nearly $230 bil- lion in 2014 to deal with issues caused by malware deliberately loaded onto pirated software $59 billion dealing with secu- rity issues and $170 billion dealing with data breaches according to a new joint study conducted by IDC and the National Univer- sity of Singapore (NUS). . ~ ., ..:e ~ . ~ . .~ . e .q.. .~ .~. ~ ~.~ ,_.._:~,_~._:,~....|. _ _._ ~ .. ~ :. _. .q. ~~ ~ . ~ ~, ..: e ~ . ~. ._.:.~ ...~_..:q~ ...._ _e. ._~: . . ~ ~, ..: e Market Development Partner KC ~.~ . Executive Director ..~:.~..~ MBT . ._.:._. _.,.:.~ Cyber law .q ...._ ~~ ~ Cyber crime .:.._e. .....q, _~ ~ ~:~ e ..:._......q,~~~ q_ qe_..e.~.~_..._.._e. ._~: ., .~.~ ._.:._ . . ~ ~, ..: e ~. ,_ e National Cyber Security ~~ ~ . ~. ._ .:.~ ..: q~.q,.~:._..q.. q:~._....:.:.~ ._~.. .q.. _.~ . e .q.. .~ . ~.~~.~,_.._:~,_~. _:,. .... :.._ .~, _~ ._:, . ._..,~.|~ National Cyber Security .~_... ..__e.._~:. ..~:.~. .~ ._.:._. .~~,..:eq .~~: ~.~ ~_~ .~ , . ~ : ._..q.~~~ _.,.:..: e . . . . ...: q ~ . ~e.~:.. ...~_...~ ..:.| . ~ :. _. .q., .~.~_.. ._e...,..q.e .~: ~,_~._:,~._. ..| ~e..,:~...: ..,..~ ~ ~.... ..:q~.:. ~ ~.|. :._ . . . .~ _ .... :. eq.|~e''e ..~:.~.. ~ ._.:._. . .e , ._ e ~ ~:,~ ~.._....q.: .:._.:..: _ . . . ~ :. _ . .q.~~ ~ _~ ~ ..: q ~ . .:. q q, . ~. ._~: . . q._ . ~_.e:_.._e._..e..~.~: ~_ .e: q:~ . ..q.. :.._ Master Plan ~:._._._..:q~.:.q,._ . ~_. :.._~:. . q._ . . ~. ~.~.e .~ ...:_. .~.~: ~_ .e: ~:. .| ._~: _:,~~ .~, .. . ....~:.|. ~ , ~_~ ._~ .. q .~: _._ .:.~..q~~q.:..~.~:SMEs..:.|.~...._~. ~..:~q _., .:. q .. ._. . . . .~: .~~ ~_.q..e''e ~,.:q~...._~...... .~.~,_~. ..|~~:~..~: ~ ._.:._. e...~,.~~~.~q~.,~ ..~.~.,_e ._.e: . . . ~_ .. :.. ._eq .q, .....:.~ ._.e:..:._~..:.... q, _....:q~.,_. .~ . q:._.~ ~ .:....._ .,q:. .~.~_._. .~ q ~.. _., ._ .q.. ._ Master Plan ~ _.. :.._~:. .q._. e. ~~ ~ .:.~ ~ . ._. ~~~ q~e..|... .,.~ .~~... ~:.~.:.~..~..|.| .. .|~:~.~: .~. . . .| ~e .. ~. .~ .~ q .,.~: ._.,.q..~:.~e. q .q .._.:qq ~q ~~ . .,q:~.~ . q:~ ~ ~ . .q ..~ ...~.q:~~_.~:._.,.q.~ Master Plan .:._..~ ~~~....~ ~.q: ~~~ ~ .~...q.e ._.:....q..'' e...~,.._ ~.,.:..:e q .._ _e. _. .e .. .. :..q.~ , ~_..:~q,~~~~. ~~~ .e.,~qe:.._~:. ~_ ..:~ .q.. . , ..:.~ ~.:.. ~ . ~ ~.,_e ..: q ~ . :.._ _e. ~:~_.:. .~ . .~ . . .. :..q.. . , ..:.~ ._ .q . . ._. . . ._ . . , .q .:.~ e ~ ..'. :.._ _e. ._~: ._. ~ ~,:~ e_e.~.~~.q.~.:..~.~ ~ . . . . .|,~~: ..~:.. .~. .q._. From page ...(Myeik) R e u t e r s July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com LOCAL BIZ 10 Myanmar Summary Contd. P 12...(Bottlenecks) Contd. P 12...(Bottlenecks) Removing the Bottlenecks on the Road to Middle Income and Making Impact Investible Maximilian Martin A t the shores of Lake Constance in Swit- zerland, the fourth edition of the three-day Impact Economy Sympo- sium & Retreat drew to a close on June 15. The event annually convenes key Inuencers, LIougIL leaders, and practitioners from the worlds of invest- ment, business, govern- ment, and philanthropy in order to showcase the mosL eecLIve soIuLIons, innovations, and opportu- nities that have surfaced in the promotion of im- pact. Myanmar was one of the four focus countries featured this year. Given the magnitude of challenges and opportu- nity the country faces, Im- pact Economy included Myanmar in the EMICs, a new set of key countries that present exceptional opportunities to achieve both impact and value. The EMICs (Ethiopia, Myanmar, Iran, and Co- lombia) are high-stakes, high-opportunity coun- tries whose characteristics allow impact investors to muke u key dIerence In enabling them to prosper. Even so, the EMICs face important infrastructural und InsLILuLIonuI dehcILs, which raise the ques- tion of how a responsi- ble and forward-looking approach to investment and business innovation can serve to drive large- scale positive impact. In this exclusive Myanmar Business Today series, Ill share key content covered at the conference. Overcoming isolation after almost three dec- ades, Myanmar is now emerging as a high growth economy. Given the coun- trys strategic geographic location, its abundant natural resources, po- tential for tourism, more than 50 million popula- tion with a young labour force and competitive wages, Myanmar has the potential to soon leave its current status as Asias last frontier behind. Ac- cording to Deutsche Bank research, Myanmar could well become a $100-bil- lion economy by 2018. In terms of fundamen- LuIs, LIe counLry oers exciting opportunities for investors. It is pursu- ing an ambitious develop- ment strategy that aims to achieve both high and inclusive growth, and has started laying the corre- sponding building blocks physical, legal and in- stitutional infrastructure. All of which is needed: 70 percent of the population lacks access to electricity, 80 percent of SMEs oper- ate in the informal econo- my and over 30 percent of cIIIdren suer Irom muI- nutrition. FDI i s gr aduati ng beyond extr acti ve i ndustr i es Capital is needed to deliver on the countrys middle-income ambi- tions. The landmark pas- sage of the 2012 Foreign Investment Law (FIL), the recent termination of international sanctions and the passage of nearly 20 additional pieces of legislation that govern private investment have all helped to almost dou- ble foreign direct invest- ment (FDI) since 2008. Historically, over 80 percent of FDI volume has been in deals within the oil and gas, hydroelectric and mining industries. The most active areas of recent investment have been in the manufactur- ing, hotel and tourism industries. At present, most foreign investment- comes from Myanmars neighboring countries in East Asia: China and Hong Kong, Thailand, Korea and out-of-re- gIon - LIe UK ure LIe hve topinvestors. As per the recent OECD Investment Policy Review, approved Chinese investment has however decreased rap- idly over the past year, declining from $8 billion In hscuI yeur zo1o Lo $qo; million in 2012, though LIe hgures muy under- state investments as they do not aggregate invest- menLs mude LIrougI o- shore locations such as the British Virgin Islands or the Cayman Islands. Bottlenecks need to be over come Opening the economy is showing results, but a number of bottlenecks limiting foreign invest- menL persIsL; LIe gen- eral business climate has room for further im- provement. In 2014, the European Commissions Report to the EU on My- anmar/Burma Invest- ment Relations expressed concern about Myanmars legal environment as well as changing requirements placed on foreigners for licensing. Work lies ahead on investment protection standards, restrictions on investment in several sectors, local partner re- quirements and capac- ity levels at the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC), which reviews all foreign proposals to grant licenses to operate. The OECD ranks Myan- mar as the 2nd most re- strictive country globally in its FDI Restrictiveness Index. Next to the quality of regulation, corruption remains a chief concern in Myanmar. The World Bank ranks Myanmar the 2nd most corrupt country globally, particularly in relation to the procedure of receiving licenses to operuLe, pIucIng Lux hI- ings and opening land leases. Transparency In- ternational ranks Myan- mar 157/177 in their cor- ruption perception index, more favourable than the World Bank rating. With the recent passing of laws governing investment, the OECD has cautioned that government capacity levels might prove insuf- hcIenL Lo cope wILI IIgIer levels of investment, par- ticularly given the cen- tral role of the Myanmar Investment Commission. In order to operate suc- cessfully in Myanmar, stakeholders must have competent and well- connected legal advice in order to manage the com- plex legal environment. There are several pathways to dr i vi ng i mpact In consideration of the tremendous catch-up po- tential to investment, the question that emerges concern show to drive investments that have a wider positive impact on the country. For those in- vesting for impact rather LIun pursuIng IurgeIy h- nancial bottom line driv- en deals in sectors such as infrastructure or mineral extraction, it is key to be aware of the realities of the small and medium en- terprise and social busi- ness landscape in Myan- mar. There are still only a few examples of impact investing and very limited data and track record. The relatively undevel- oped banking sector and a general lack of funding options for enterprises seeking between $50,000 and $250,000, paired . . ~:., . ~ . .q~ _~: ~ ....: .~ .q:~ . . .. :..q. .:~. .e~ . . . .~.. . : ~ , . ~ q~ ., ~ _. .. .. :.. ._ . . . :. . . ~. :~. ~, .q q .. . _. . . . . .. :..q. ~. .q .qe ~ ~_.._ ~ . ~. ~_.~:q . .:. ~.~.~..'..|...: .:.. .~.~..~.,. .:.~ . ._ .....~ q ._ .e. ..~ ~:, .~........: . .... ~ _., .:._ . .|~.._. .~.q:~.. ~,e..... . ...: _~ ..... ..:~. ~.. ...| .. :.. :q .,._ EMIC..'~ . e .. .e:. _., .: ~ q, . ~ .. e:.... ~ ~.~~:,.~._~_.. . ~._.~.,.:.~ .~ .q:~ . q .. ._. . . . .:.~.,_e ~._.:. ~. .:. .e: ..: . _. . .~: _ . _ ~ . . : . . . _ ~: . .q._. .q:~ EMIC .... ._ ~.q..|..:~._.. ~..:~ ~~..,....q: .e. .~ .:.q .,..:._~: ~:~, e _ .q . .~_ ..: . .~. . ~ .~:..,..:.~.q:~. ._ . e, ~ ..... ._ . . ._ .... , . ~ ..'.:._ ._ .:. ~ .~:~.|~.~~.~.:. ~ ....._~._. . . . ..e .~: _~:~.~, q. ~_ .:. ,, ..:..: _.,.:.~ ~.~....:. . :q .,_. . q_ . , ..~ _~ ..:. ..: e_e..q..e:-e:.:.~ .e: ..: .~ q ~:. ~. ..: ~._.. ~ ~ _.. .:._e. ..:, . . . .... .,. . .~ ~._.. .:. .e:..:.:.~q._.. . ..q-~ q:. . , .. :.. .. . ..qq ... ~....:.~.~ .:.. . , . ~ q:. . , .. : ~q:. .~...:..q.~ ..q:..~ q~: ..~~,..:..:.-~. .~ .:.~ .e: ..: . q, q .. . .~_ . . ~. . ~ q ._ . ...~ ~~ ._.:.q... _. . . . ..._._:, ._. .. ~_.:. ..~q..._........:. _._:,..._~: _ ._.~~,~ q .. ._. . . . . :~~. . . . e.~...,.|.~. .:. ._. ~.~:~q FDI - ~ q:. . , ..~: . :.q, . .:~ .:~ . .q~:... .. . .~
Work lies ahead on invest-
ment protection standards, restrictions on investment in several sectors, local partner requirements and capacity levels at the Myanmar Investment Commis- sion (MIC), which reviews all for- eign proposals to grant licenses to operate. For those investing for impact rather than pursuing IargeIy nanciaI bottom Iine driven deaIs in sectors such as infrastructure or mineraI extraction, it is key to be aware of the realities of the small and medium enterprise and social business landscape in Myanmar. There are still only a few examples of impact investing and very limited data and track record. S o e
Z e y a
T u n / R e u t e r s July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com LOCAL BIZ 11 Myanmar Summary Damco Launches First Container Freight Station in Myanmar Zwe Wai T hird-party logistics provider Damco has started operat- Ing LIe hrsL InLernuLIonuI warehouse and Container Freight Station (CFS) fa- cility in Myanmar, the Netherlands-based com- pany said. This brand-new 4,000 square metre facility is C-TPAT compliant and located within 15 kilome- tres from Yangon Port and major industrial loca- tions, Damco said. The facility is suitable for import and export activi- ties for Fast Moving Con- sumer Goods (FMCG), consumer electronics, ap- parels, components, ma- chinery and project cargo, LIe hrm, wIIcI Is subsIdI- ary of Danish conglomer- ate Maersk, said. This state-of-the-art, international standard CFS facility enables us to provide superior service to our customers through direct control and man- agement of the entire operation and service de- livery process, Kiattichai Pitpreecha, managing director of the Thailand, Malaysia and Myanmar cluster. Since international sanctions were lifted in 2012, Myanmar has es- tablished itself as a new frontier market, with po- tential to become a ma- jor sourcing country and consumer market. The countrys strategic location between three drivers of global eco- nomic growth China, India and Southeast Asia makes it one of the most unique emerging markets in Asia. Emerging markets have always been one of Damcos focus areas and core strengths, with many of our key customers sourcing their products from or operating in these markets. TIey wIII benehL Irom the same service quality for cargo shipped out of Myanmar as any other country in which we oper- ate, Kiattichai added. Damco has 11,400 em- ployees in more than 300 omces In ubouL 1oo coun- tries around the world. In 2013, it had a net turnover of $3.2 billion, managed 2.8 million Twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) of ocean freight and sup- ply chain management volumes and air freight- ed more than 225,000 tonnes. .e: ., ~._.. ~ Logistics ~.~~.._e.._ Damco ._ _.,.:.~ ,.~- .....~~:~,..:, ~... ~,~,,:~.~..~ q, ~ , ~ .. . . ~. ._. ,e ~ .~ e . . . ._~: . . q._ . ~..|~,~,,:~.. ~, . .. : , ._ q, ~ , _. - .~.~,.:.. ..~... ~ ~ . . ~:~~ :~.~.~ ~_ q _.. .~ q, .. ~: ,~~~ ~e ~, . ._~:. .q._. e .~ , . .. : .~ , ._ .:...:~ ~ , .. _ .. :.. ......_..:. ~.~~.. .:. .~.._..:. ~... ~....:.~~~ ..~: ._ e , .-. ., .~ .e: ., ~.~ Maersk ~ ._.:. ._ .~~, . . . . .. :..q.. ~. . .:.._e..: . _. ..,:~ . .~ _., .:. ._ q .. ._. . . . .:. ~~ ~ ...~ ~ ~. . _e. .:_. . .,:~ .:.......~~~_q q: ~.~~q.~_..~.._e. .:.._. ~~,~~ . . . ~~ . .~ ~.~: ~_ .e: ._ _e. _. . ~.~~:._e ~:...~.~ ._ Work Shop ..,. .:.~~~ ....:.:.._ _e.._ ~:. .._._,e..~,. . ...:..q.~,_~. .q..,.~ MBT . ._.:._. ~. .|. . ~ , .._ ~....:. . ~.~.:..~...,..:. e_e.~.~~.q.~~~..: q ~ _. ._e. _ . . ,..~ . ~ , ~~ ~ . ~. ._ .e:.:~ ~:. ..~ ._ .e:..|._. . ~. . .... ~ q,. . ..: q ~ . .:.q._. ~:...~.~~ Work Shop . . , ..~ ~ ~.~:. ...:_e.~e.SME ..: ...:_e.~e. .~q.: ._. .,q:..,. .|..~ . ~ , . . .e . q .~: ..'..._ e. ~ ~~~ ._._.,~q :.~e.._. -~.~ ~ . _...~: . . . :..e . National Grid ~ e:..|.~ .q:~.:eq.|~e''e ~,_~. .q..,.~ ._.:._. .~ . ~ , . . , ..:.~~ ~ . ~. ._ ._.~ ~.:.~ -~ .~~ .q..eq, .::. _. . .~ . ~ , . . ~ , ..:.~ ~... .:..~...,..:._e .~ ..~.__e._.. ,..~.~, .:.~~~ .~.._.~.~, .:.~ ~~,~~ ~ qq ._ .e:.:~ ~:.. ..:.. ~. ._.. :.._ _e. ._. From page ,... D a m c o July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com LOCAL BIZ 12 Myanmar Summary From page o...(Bottleneck) From page o...(Bottleneck) with a high unmet de- mund Ior mIcrohnunce lending in rural agricul- tural regions is part of the explanation. In addi- LIon Lo IImILed hnuncIuI options, businesses who seek to target social and environmental perfor- munce uIongsIde hnuncIuI returns part of their DNA need to acknowledge in- stitutional limitations, which include that fact that Myanmar currently enforces health and safety laws in an unsystematic manner. Moreover, im- pact investors also need to deal with the perception that social enterprises en- LuII u Lrude-o beLween ImpucL und hnuncIuI sus- tainability. There is some indication that conscious eorLs need Lo be under- Luken Lo hrsL muke ImpucL investible in the country on a wider scale. At the current develop- ment stage, a focus on im- plementing corporate so- cial responsibility practices that align with internation- al standards could be an interim step and a lower hanging fruit. Beyond ag- riculture with rice as the key crop accounting for over 90 percent of the food grain production in the country and covering ubouL 6o percenL oI LIe countrys cultivated land area improving social and environmental perfor- mance in the extractive in- dustries is another key the- atrefor achieving progress, which will be examined in the next article in this se- ries. In 2012, the value of the global metals and min- ing industry approached $1 trillion, while accounting Ior sIgnIhcunL revenues In 53 mining countries, three quarters of whom were low or middle income. In Myanmar, jade is often assumed to lead the countrys mineral ex- porLs In Lerms oI vuIue; uILIougI reIIubIe hgures for the industry are hard to identify. The Harvard Kennedy School assumes exports of the stone runged beLween $6-q bII- lion in 2011, but this is just an estimate. Raising the industrys social and environmental performance is possible, and Myanmars many ef- forts also includes plans to join the Extractives In- dustries Transparency In- itiative (EITI), which pro- vides a methodology used by 44 countries around the world to improve the transparency of their ex- tractive industries. Those looking to invest for im- pact in Myanmar to help remove the bottlenecks on the road to middle in- comeare well advised to assess how impact inves- Lors hL In LIe overuII In- Electricity Master Plan Hopes to Solve Myanmars Electricity Woes vestment picture as more foreign capital is deployed in the MICs priority sec- tors, where their compar- ative advantage as long- term, smaller ticket size, holistic investors truly lies, and how the ventures they fund can have a wid- er demonsLruLIon eecL helping to make impact investible in the country. Maximilian Martin is the founder and global managing director of Im- pact Economy, an impact investment and strategy jrm bcsed in Lcuscnne, Switzerland. D eputy Union Min- ister for Electric Power U Maw Tar Htwe said Myanmar plans to increase the countrys electricity reserves by 30 percent to combat nation- wide power shortages. Myanmars annual elec- tricity consumption rate is expected to increase 13 percent per year, current- Iy LoLuIIng q,6z megu- watts (MW). The governments Electricity Master Plan (EMP) aims to produce z,qqMW by LIe hscuI year of 2030-31 to meet the countrys rising power demands. Currently, Myanmars electricity sector is un- able to generate enough power with 70 percent of the countrys population deprived of electricity. Hydroelectricity will produce over 37 percent of the plans power out- put, with 20 percent com- ing from natural gas, 33 percent from coal and more than 9 percent from other renewable energy sources. Myanmars Electric- ity Master Plan includes over 40 projects spread throughout the country, according to the Ministry Htun Htun Minn of Electric Power. The World Bank will provide loans for the project in phases and es- timates the cost of Yan- gons power infrastruc- ture upgrade at around $214 million, according to U Maung Maung Thein, union minister for electric power. Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Word Bank started assessing the governments EMP in 2012 and have provided technical support to the project ever since. Union Minister U Maung Maung Soe said based on the banks eval- uations, the governments EMP will be unviable without investment from foreign companies. We Iuve InsumcIenL technology, funds or state budget to complete the EMP on our own, thats why we invite invest- ments, U Maung Maung Soe said. Myanmar will imple- ment electricity projects throughout the country in three ways construction by state, local business und IoreIgn hrms. U Maung Maung Soe- said more than 90 per- cent of international com- panies showing interest in the countrys Electricity Master Plan have come from China Many Chinese compa- nys have business inter- ests in the country so we wIII work wILI LIese hrms to implement the Elec- tricity Master Plan, U Maung Maung Soe said. The government has taken out $200 million in loans from the World Bank and Asian Devel- opment Bank to address the countrys 15 percent decrease in nationwide electrical output this year. RegIons uecLed by LIe power shortages include Yangon, Mandalay, Saga- ing and Magway. U Maw Tar Htwe said Myanmars cheapest form of power, hydroelectric- ity, cant always be relied on to meet the countrys power shortages. Hydropower supply increases in the rainy sea- son but decreases in sum- mer. We need to build up our coal and natural gas supplies to be able to deal with these changes inour water-based economy, the minister said. A 6,oooMW dum pro- ject in Myitsone, Kachin state has been suspended for months due to public opposition, according to the Ministry of Electric Power. However, authorities pIun Lo sIgn o on Iour more projects, generat- ing an extra 390MW, in hopes of securing the countrys Electricity Mas- ter Plans future. _., .:. ~ .. .. . ~. .~ _ e_ ._ . ... q, ~_ . ~q, .:~ ~:. ,~q:. . , .~. ..: .:.q . :.._ _e. ._~: . .......~:.~,_~._:,_._ .:..~e~,_~....:~: ..~ e. ~ ...,..: . ~ .~: ~._ .~.~.~ ._.:._ . _., .:. _ .~ q ~. , ~ .. .. .:~ ~:.. .. . . : ,,' ... q_.. ....:~~:. ~.~~.... ~, q:..,.q ._e.~.~_ e.~q, .:~ ~:...:~~ :.q q, Electricity Master Plan ~ _ . ..q.. :.._ e .~e~,_~.~ ._.:._. EMP ~ .....:~~:. ~..q,~~~ ~..q~_ ..:~ ._ . . ~ , . ' .. .:~ ~:. ~', .|~. BOT .,.~_..:~._ ..~,. , .. ~' ... , .|~. ._.:.q..._.... J V/BOT .,._e ..~,. , .~~~ .. .. .:~ ~:. ,,~ . |~. ~ . . q, . ::.._ ~: . .......~:.~,_~._:,. .q ._. EMP ~ ~.:~~:qe_e. .q.~ (ADB) ~. ,_. ._:~~ ~_ ..._. .EMP .q.. q, ~~ . .~ _ .. .:. .:. _....._. ~ .. . , ..:.~ .: ._ .~ . ..: ._ . ._~:.... ~q .. . _. . . . ~.:.. ._e. .:..: ,e .e.:.. :~ , ~ . . , .e ~e . .q..:..:.q.~_.:._e. ._. ...:..q.e....~_.. ._~: q.. .:. ~ ..'.: ..: ._ . . _.:.q .. ._. . . . ~ ~,.~._ ~~:.~.. ~.:.~_.:.~, q ...._~: . . q._ . . . , .~_-. . . .:~ .~ ~, .~ . q: ~ ~ e . .:.~_.~q,.: _e..._ ~._.~.,_e. _. . _., .:. ._ ~q ._ .. ~ e . . , ..:. ..._..:.q.q.~,.._. ... (EITI) . ~.q:~q, ._. _~.....~q_.. ~e ~ . ,, .~ ~.._. .,..:,_.....:.~ _e_ ._ . ....__e.._._.,.:.~ ~.e ~.~ ~ . qq .q.... ._ ~: .. ~~:.~. ..:.~ ee q :.q .. ....q, .~ .q:~ . ~..' ~ .q:~ q .. ._. . . ._ ..:.~.,_e ~.~~_.:. ~ _ ._ .~q .~. ..:.~ .q:~.:._~. ,~ .~ .q:~. q..._.....:. ._ . . ~ ..:_ . .|~ . ._ ~ ....q.__e.._.
At the current develop-
ment stage, a focus on implementing corporate social responsibility prac- tices that align with internation- al standards could be an interim step and a lower hanging fruit. A t h it
P e r a w o n g m e t h a July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com REGIONAL BIZ 13 Myanmar Summary China Urges Peaceful Development of Seas, Suys Conict Leuds to "isuster" Adam Jourdan C hina, involved in a growing dispute with its neighbours over the energy-rich South China Sea, wants to promote peaceful de- velopment of the oceans, Premier Li Keqiang said, wurnIng conIcLs In LIe past had only brought disaster for humanity. China claims almost the entire ocean, rejecting ri- val claims to parts of it from Vietnam, the Philip- pines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei in one of Asias most intractable disputes und u possIbIe usIpoInL. It also has a long-running dispute with Japan in the East China Sea. China will unswerv- ingly follow the path of peaceful development und hrmIy oppose uny ucL of hegemony in maritime uuIrs, I suId uL u murI- time summit in Greece on Friday in comments car- ried by Chinas Foreign Ministry website on Sat- urday. Developing the oceans through cooperation has helped many nations ourIsI, wIIIe resorLIng Lo conIcL Lo hgIL over LIe sea has only brought dis- aster for humanity. Concern over Chinas motives has risen in the re- gion after China sent four more oil rigs into the South China Sea, less than two months after it positioned a giant drilling platform in waters claimed by Vietnam around the Paracel Islands. The lack of any break- through in the dispute suggests China and Vi- etnam are far from re- solving one of the worst breakdowns in relations since they fought a brief war in 1979. Among the obstacles is Beijings demand for compensation for anti- Chinese riots that erupt- ed in Vietnam after the drilling platform was de- ployed at the beginning of May. Speaking at a forum in Beijing on Saturday, Chi- nas top diplomat, State Councillor Yang Jiechi, who visited Vietnam this week to discuss the rig dispute, said China had both the patience and sin- cerity to push for talks to resolve such spats. But China would not sucrIhce ILs sovereIgnLy, he added. China will not trade its core interests and will not swallow the bitter pill of harming Chinas sover- eignty, security and de- velopment interests, said Yang, who outranks the foreign minister. Chinas state news agen- cy Xinhua, in a report late on Friday, accused Vietnam of encouraging LruwIers Lo hsI In dIs- puted waters around the Paracel Islands by using hnuncIuI IncenLIves, suy- ing the problem was ram- pant. Vietnamese seized by Chinese law enforcement uuLIorILIes Ior IIIeguI hsI- ing confessed that they were given large subsidies by the Vietnamese gov- ernmenL Lo hsI In 'dIspuL- ed waters, Xinhua said in the English-language report. In addition, armed Vi- eLnumese hsIIng vesseIs have repeatedly looted CIInese hsIIng bouLs, posing a serious threat to LIe suIeLy oI CIInese hsI- ermens lives and prop- erty, it added. The Philippines said this week it will ask an international arbitration tribunal in the Hague to make a speedy ruling on its dispute with China over exploiting waters in the South China Sea af- ter Beijing refused to take part in the proceedings. Reuters Philippines May Loosen Rice- Import Curbs as Prices Soar Adam Jourdan T he Philippines is considering easing rice-import curbs as Asias second-biggest buyer battles record-high domestic prices and seeks to limit losses at a state agency, Economic Plan- ning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said. Policy makers will con- sider a proposal next month to adopt a free market and allow pri- vate traders to import as much rice as they want, BuIIsucun, 6, suId In un InLervIew In IIs omce In- Manila yesterday. The government would in- sLeud coIIecL LurIs on LIe imports, he said. We need to get our trade policy right to ad- dress rising rice prices, Balisacan said. Our ap- proach in restricting rice imports without an ade- quate assurance that local rice production would be sumcIenL Lo meeL demund was the main factor that led to higher prices, he said. President Benigno Aquino is seeking to curb InuLIon runnIng at the fastest pace since November 2011, boosted by the higher cost of rice, a staple in the Southeast Asian nation. Debt at the National Food Authority, which subsidizes farm- ers by buying their rice at higher prices, will prob- ably climb to 180 billion pesos ($4.1 billion) by end-zo16 wILIouL uny changes to the program, Aquino said, or twice the nations defense budget this year, according to Bloomberg calculations. Moving to a free market allows the government to plug its cash leaks stem- ming from rice subsidies, said Jonathan Ravelas, chief market strategist at BDO Unibank Inc. in Manila. It also provides more market access for people to buy rice. Recor d Pr i ces The government had planned to import 1 mil- lion metric tons of rice this year, including 200,000 tons secured last year after Super Typhoon Haiyan struck in Novem- ber. Separately, it allowed private traders in Febru- ury Lo buy 16,ooo Lons oI rice from overseas. Consumer prices climbed 4.5 percent in May from a year ear- lier. Retail prices of well- milled ricerose 20 percent from a year earlier to a record as of the second week of June, according to the Philippine Statis- tics Authority. Thats in contrast to prices of Thai 5-per- cent broken white rice, an Asian benchmark, which Iuve LumbIed z6 percenL in the past year as the Thai government acceler- ated sales of stockpiles to make payments to farm- ers. Thai reserves have more than doubled to al- most 14 million tons from .6 mIIIIon Lons In LIe 2010-2011 crop year prior to the start of the govern- ments rice purchase pro- gram, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Reuters . . .~ _ ~e ~..: .~: ~, ~ . .e . .~ .~ _ ~.,.....:.. _~.:. .:..: ~_..:..~ .|~ .,._ ~, ~ . ._ . .e .:.~.q.~ _ . ... .. :.: ..:q~.._~:.. ._.~ .:.. :. .:..:.~~ ~ ~. . . .:.''~ .:..: _~ ....._~: . ~, _~... . ~ ~ .~ ._.:_~:. .._. ~, ~ . ._ .. . q:~. . ..~:. ..._~:. ._~_: :._. . ~. ~ ~. .~. ~~ ~ -e~,. e... ~. ....q:..,..~... ._~: . ~_. ._~_:.~ .:.~ ~.~.~_._...q... ~,~ ._ ~.q ~,~..e~ ._. .,. ~:.q__~: ~_..:..~q._. -e~,._ ...~...~ ..'..|~ . ..: ~, ~ ., ~ .q.~. ~, ~ ..:.~~ ~ ~, ~ ~ _., ._ ..... q, .~: .. :..~._. _..,:._eq. .q.~~:.~. ..:. . ~. . _e.._. e .. . . ~ _._ ~ .~ , ....,..:. ..,~_.~~ .,_.. ...~.~..- ..,...:.~ ,...q, ., ~...~,.~.~.:.~:. ._e..:...q, ...:..~q ._~:. .q._. . ~ .. ..:...~ ~ ~ . . _. . ~~ , ._ .:.~:. .. q...:~ .,~..._. q,~.~ .~|...~..:.~ . ..:.._ _e. ._ .., .... , . ~~.._~: ~~~ ...~, Protesters display placards during a protest in front of the Chinese consulate in Makati city, metro Manila. R o m e o
R a n o c o / R e u t e r s Myanmar Summary . .. ._ ~_., . .. , ._e . ~ .| _.~~.:..:~,....,.~ , .. . q, .. ~~~ . ~ ..:q~.~q._. .....|..:~...,.:. ._~: . ~ . ..: .e ..:. .:.~~~ ~..q._ .q.. ._._.:..,..:. ~._. _.. ~~.~:.._ ..|. ...:. .e:~_.. ~._~. .,....~....q,_e_._. _... ~... ~..~ ~._._..~..:q~._ e .q._. National Food Authority (NFA) workers walk atop sacks of rice as they make an inventory of rice stocks at a government rice warehouse in Taguig, Metro Manila. E r ik
D e
C a s t r o / R e u t e r s July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com REGIONAL BIZ 14 A Flying Beetle in India Threatens to Push up Latte Prices I ts 10 oclock in the morning and a dozen workers are uprooting coee pIunLs, pIIIng LIem In LIe corner oI u heId uL M.G. Bopannas planta- tion in southern India where they lie ready to be burned. The plants are bursting with green cherries but inside their hard bark lurk destructive white stem borer beetles. The bushes have to be destroyed to prevent the tiny winged creature from threatening Bopannas entire crop of urubIcu coee. The beetle, which bores through plants bark and feeds on their stems, is thriving this year due to unusually warm weather and scant rains in arabica growing areas in India, the worlds sixth biggest coee producer. If the hot spell continues and the pest continues to spreud, ndIu`s coee crop could fall to its lowest in 17 years when the harvest starts in October, push- ing up global prices that are already rallying due to drought in top exporter Brazil. The damage caused by the beetles is so severe that Bopanna has hired an excavator to uproot uecLed busIes on IIs 6 acre plantation at the hill station in the tropical for- est of the Western Ghats, west of high-tech hub Bangalore. Rajendra Jadhav Every time we think we have uprooted all the in- fected plants, then after a Iew weeks we hnd more, suys Bopunnu, 6q, wIo has tended the plantation bought by his father for nearly four decades. Earlier whenever there was an outbreak, we used Lo uprooL hve Lo 1o pIunLs per acre. This year I have uprooted more than 200 plants per acre, he said. TIere Is no eecLIve pesticide to control white stem borers, so the state- run Coee Bourd udvIses farmers to uproot and burn infested plants to limit their spread. You may take all precau- tions, but if your neighbour is lethargic then white stem borers wIII y Irom your neighbours plantation, said N. Bose Mandanna, a grower from Madikeri who Ius removed uII uecLed plants from his 34 acre pIunLuLIon, hve kIIomeLres wesL oI Bopunnu`s heId. SCANT RAI N In most years heavy rainfalls and low temper- atures restrict the spread of the white stem borer. But this year southern Karnataka states Kodagu and Chikmagalur dis- tricts, which account for two-third of Indias total coee producLIon, Iuve received half the usual rainfall since the start of monsoon season on June 1. The state run weather department said earlier this month that rainfall in July and August is ex- pected to remain below average. The pest infestation will rise quickly if rain- fall remains subdued in the next few weeks, says Mandanna, a fourth- generuLIon urubIcu coee planter. ndIu`s urubIcu coee production could drop as much as 20 percent in the 2014/15 season to 6o,ooo-;o,ooo Lonnes, said a spokesman at Ruchi Soyu, u coee exporLer. That would pull down ndIu`s LoLuI coee ouLpuL, three quarters of which Is exporLed, Lo z6o,ooo tonnes, the lowest level since 1997/98, estimates Ruchi Soya. Italy, Germany and Bel- gium are the main buyers oI ndIun coee und usu- ally pay a premium for it over global prices. Star- bucks, J.M. Smucker Co and Kraft Foods Group are leading buyers of arabica. Bopanna and other farmers are replacing af- fected plants with new seedlings, cultivating instead a robusta vari- ety that is cheaper than arabica but resistant to white-stem borer. I would love to have an enLIre coee pIunLuLIon with arabica, but I have to consider earnings as well. How I would pay workers if the pest damages my entire arabica crop? asks Bopanna, who is planning Lo converL 16 ucres Lo ro- busta this year. ArubIcu coee Is LypI- cally roasted and ground for brewing and can range widely in quality, with some reaching the high- est levels. Robusta, on the other hand, is more bitter and either processed into InsLunL coee or udded Lo a roasted blend to reduce the cost. Reuters China Charges Former Head of Planning Ministry With Bribery C IInu hIed gruIL charges against the former deputy di- rector of the economic planning ministry, saying he illegally received mon- ey and goods in bribes. Liu Tienan, 59, former deputy head of the Na- tional Development and Reform Commission, was accused of seeking gain for others, a statement on the Supreme Peoples Procuratorate saidye- sterday. The case was Henry Sanderson hIed wILI LIe PeopIe`s Intermediate Court in Langfang city in central Chinas Hebei province, it said. The procuratorate described the bribes as extremely large. The prosecution of Liu, which will almost cer- tainly result in conviction, could vindicate public claims made against him by a journalist months before his downfall from a ministry with control over a vast swathe of the econ- omy. Liu was stripped in May 2013 of his position at the NDRC, which ap- proves infrastructure pro- jects and controls energy prices, after Luo Chang- ping, deputy managing editor of Caijing Maga- zine, posted allegations on his microblog in De- cember 2012. Luo, an investigative journalist who has writ- ten a book about corrup- tion, said in his posts that LIe omcIuI exuggeruLed his academic credentials and that his son received payments in U.S. and Ca- nadian dollars into bank accounts from a business executive. The Commu- nist Partys disciplinary body announced via Xin- hua on May 12, 2013 that Liu was the subject of an omcIuI probe. Whistle-blower Crack- down Since Luos case, how- ever, the party has taken a harder line against those using Sina Corp. (SINA)s Weibo service to act as whistle-blowers or ex- press views it considers subversive, even as the partys discipline body has continued with its an- ti-corruption campaign. Charles Xue, a venture capitalist who talked about sensitive topics to his millions of followers on Weibo, was detained in August on charges of visiting prostitutes. Re- leased for medical rea- sons In AprII, Ie wus hrsL seen publicly on June 21, the China Youth Daily re- ported a day later. The government last week released new rules barring domestic journal- ists from writing stories without the approval of their employer or in dif- ferent areas than they normally cover, accord- ing to Xinhua. The regula- tions prevent journalists from setting up their own websites or advertising and public relations com- panies, it said. Bloomberg Myanmar Summary Myanmar Summary ~, ~ . .. :..q.. . ~ , .~, _ ~ . _:,-.~.:~,_~:..q. ...e:.~:. ...._..:. ~q:..~.:e.._e. ~: .:.:.. ..~.:.~ .~._~:. .q._. ~. ..:.e _e ..q.. _._. ._.: .. .q..~: .q -.~ .:~ , _~:..q.. ..e: . .~,, ~.~ ...: ~_ .:.. .:. ~~ ~ ~~ . ~_.~ .:.q :.e ...._ e . . . . q~: ~, ~ . ~.e . . e .._._ ,e ., e, ._. ~q:. ,.~ . .~ ~ . q_. ._e. ._ . ~ . e. .~: . .q .~: e . ..:.~ . . .:..:.. : .~: e ..:.~ ~_... .~...,_~ ._.~..:..: ~....q: ~...:._e _._.,..:._. . ._ ~.: ~ . e~ . .~_e .q: .._.e:~...~:.: .:.q.,._. ...:. ~:.q. .e:. .~: e ~. . .. .. A coffee planter shows white stem borer beetles that have affected his arabica coffee plantation at Madikeri in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. If the hot spell continues and the pest continues to spread, India`s coffee crop couId faII to its Iowest in 17 years when the harvest starts in Uctober, push- ing up global prices that are already rallying due to drought in top exporter Brazil. R a je n d r a
J a d h a v / R e u t e r s ~ ..~ _. ..q ..q, ~. .:. ~ e~ . ... q._~: . . q._ . ~. : ._.._.:~ .~: e ~.:. ..~... ~.e-~:.q. .e:..~: e . ~ . .q:... .:.~ . . , .e ~ . .,..: q:.~. ..,_._..._~: e....~:.:.:. .~...:. ~ ~.~ q ._~:. . q._ . q:. ~ .~ .~ . .. ._. .e~ . . .:. .~_.,.,.|~ ~.e- .~: e ~ q . .: ~ . . ~~ . ~,.... .q:~q._.. ~.: ....,..:. _.~~...._. . .~ , .. . q, .q:~ ..:. ..~ ....q _. . .~: e ~ ~e ~.e ..:. .:.~:. . . :...:~. ~:. .~_ ..,q,.: ~_~_.:. ._. _. .. ._ . . ~.:.. ~ . ..:. _ ~. . , , . _. .._~: . ._ .e:~.._e ...,_..|....: ._. e...~ ~.e- ~. ~.~: e . ~ . .q:.~: . . ~ .~.q:.._...,:~.. .., ..q:.,..- ~.~~.: qq ._~: . . q._ . ~ . . _.~..:.~ ..q:.,...: .. ...~:~ ..: ._ e ~. .q ....~._:,~ ~_.,:. ._.~.e- ~:.q..e:. .~:e~....: ~~,~ q:.~ ~ q:..,.~.._ ~, '~,~~~ . ~,~~~ .:q ._e.q._. .~: e . ~ . .:.._ . . ..:~..:..,q:~~:.q. .e:.~ .. ...|_e .. . .~ . . ..:, ~ . ~:.~: e . ... .:.. ~ ._~: . . q._ . July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com REGIONAL BIZ 15 Myanmar Summary Inspection Tensions Add to Bangladesh Garment Industry's Woes I t took Western safety inspectors only about an hour to tour a fac- tory the size of three foot- buII heIds beIore order- ing a partial shutdown of Sonia & Sweaters Ltd, a Bangladesh clothing supplier to Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N) and Debenhams (DEB.L). Two weeks later, the group that the inspec- tors represented changed its mind and allowed the factory to stay open, even though none of the re- pairs they suggested had been carried out. Such erratic decision- making poses a new set of problems for Bangla- deshs $22 billion gar- ments industry, whose safety record has been un- der the microscope since the collapse of a factory near Dhaka that killed more than 1,100 workers last year. More than a year af- ter the public outcry that spurred Western retail- ers into demanding bet- ter standards from the factories that make their clothes, it also highlights the practical complexities of improving the condi- tions of millions of poor workers whilst also safe- guarding their jobs. Export growth in the sector has slowed as buy- ers turn to India, Myan- mar, Vietnam and Cam- bodia because of concerns over workshop safety, Nandita Bose higher wages and political instability. Now factory owners say they are concerned about arbitrary shutdowns and meeting the cost of de- mands for remedial work, while workers worry about who will pay their wages if their workplace is temporarily closed. We went through inex- plicable harassment dur- ing this whole process, and I am sure they dont care about that, said So- nia & Sweaters Director Mahabubur Rahman, of his experience of the in- spection. But with their trigger- happy attitude, I am left wondering if they at least care about the workers, who they are meant to protect, because nobody has to explain to them what the implication of one factory shutdown is. The garment industry accounts for 80 percent of Bangladeshs exports, and turmoil in the sector has put at risk the liveli- hoods of nearly 4 million garment workers, mostly women. FACTORY I NSPEC- TI ONS The collapse of the eight-storey Rana Plaza building in April 2013 brutally exposed the in- adequacy of the safety regime in Bangladesh, wIere ,6oo gurmenL factories are inspected by dIerenL IocuI ugencIes LIuL oILen Iuck sumcIenL technical equipment and the required expertise. The disaster led to the creation of the Accord on Fire and Building Safety, an inspection group led by European retailers, and the North Ameri- can brands-led Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety, which together are scrutinizing around 2,100 factories. The groups, which have a mandate to recommend the closure of dangerous factories and demand re- pairs, are now embroiled in a debate over the in- spection process and the question of who pays for upgrades and wages while factories stand idle. Making the situation worse, almost all global retail brands have opted to stay out of the argu- ments between inspection agencies and suppliers, according to industry of- hcIuIs. When the inspection groups were set up, retail- ers did not commit to pay for improvements they demanded - some Bang- ladesh factory owners are very wealthy and political- ly connected - but agreed to discuss assistance with wages and improvements II owners couId noL uord them. Wal-Mart spokesman Kevin Gardner said, as a founding member of the Alliance, the companys contributions have made funds available to help factory owners make nec- essary repairs and to sup- port workers who may be temporarily displaced. This includes an ini- tial worker safety fund of nearly $50 million and growing, and more than $100 million in access to low-cost capital funding Lo Improve hre und sLruc- tural safety. Debenhams declined to comment. Reuters ~.,:~ ~ .. ..~ .. .. .... .:.._ .:. .~ . ..~..:q..: .~,~ ~. ,:q ., .:.. ..._. . . ~~: ~. ~ ~ . . .:.. ~~~ ~_ .:. _e_._..,..: .:. .. q . . , . Sonia& Sweaters . . ~~ ~ ~. . ~ ~. . . . ~ q, ~.,..~._. . . .~ _~:_. ..,:~ .. .... .:.~ ~ e .:._...:~e ~. . BangIadesh`s $22 biIIion garments industry`s safety record has been under the microscope since the coI- lapse of a factory near Dhaka that killed more than 1,100 workers last year. D a v id
G o ld m a n / R e u t e r s _e~ .~._.:..~: ,.~~ _~ _.:...:_ . _ . . .:.~. . ... . q...._ ~ .~ , ~_., e . _.. ._ . . ~~: ~.. .. .. .. ..: _ ~_ ., ..: .:... q -..'.: . e ~,e.q ~_.... ,.~..:.e..:.. _e~ . .:.~.,:~ . _..,:~. .~~ ..'..|~..._. .~ , . q .:.. :~. e~ .~ .~...:.. _...q~.:. ~,~.q_..~._~: ..q.. .:.q.,_~~: ~....:..:. ~._ . .~ , .:.. ~ . , ~ ~ . .q ._ ~ . .q . .,_ ~ ._ . ~~, -_.~ q..q..: q:,:..:~:_. ~ _ . . .,:~ .:...q-..,.. .. ~.._..~._.~.,.: ~:, . ~ . .:q._ . _e. q. . . ._~: .q:..~.~.q:. . . . , ..:. ...: ._ ..:~~e. ._.:~~.. q~~.~~...:. ...: ..: .e:.~~e~ e._. .:_~~: .~, ~~~ ~ ....|.......:_~._. .~,.:.~.~_ _._...:. .~:..q, ....q..: ~e .:.._ e. ~.| .. ... .q...,.. _._... .. ~:...:.._ . ~...._ .._ ....,..:._e ..::.~. .~q._..~~:.~. ~. ~ ~ .. ~:.. ., ..|.~._. _....:.~ ..|~q, .._e~:._~_ ~._.~.,.: ._..q:..~q ._. ..... .q.~e .:.e ._ .. , ~ .~ . ~.q:....,.~ ,.~ .~: .. ..:_._. . .:.~~ ~ . ._~._e_ ._.q, ~~ _._. . .q .~,.q.:. .~~. . .:~...:. _....:. q,~~~.~: ..:~_. _~._. July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com INTERNATIONAL BIZ 16 Climate Policies Could Lift Global GDP by $2.6tn/yr: World Bank G lobal economic output could rise by as much as an uddILIonuI $z.6 LrIIIIon a year, or 2.2 percent, by 2030 if government policies improve energy emcIency, wusLe mun- agement and public trans- port, according to a World Bank report released on Tuesday. The report, produced with philanthropic group ClimateWorks Founda- LIon, unuIysed LIe benehLs of ambitious policies to cut emissions from trans- port, industrial and build- ing sectors as well as from waste and cooking fuels in Brazil, China, India, Mex- ico, the United States and the European Union. It found a shift to low- carbon transport and im- proved energy emcIency in factories, buildings and appliances could increase global growth in gross domestic product (GDP) by an extra $1.8 trillion, or 1.5 percent, a year by 2030. I hnuncIng und LecInoI- ogy investment increased, Nina Chestney global GDP could grow by un uddILIonuI $z.6 LrII- lion, or 2.2 percent, a year by 2030, the World Bank said. Climate policies could also avert at least 94,000 premature deaths a year from pollution-related diseases by 2030, im- prove crop productiv- ity and prevent around 8.5 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases being emitted - the same as tak- ing around 2 billion cars o LIe roud. For example, if China de- ployed 70 million low-car- bon cook stoves, it could avoid around 1 million pre- mature deaths from pollu- tion and reap almost $11 billion in economic ben- ehLs, LIe reporL sIowed. These interventions should seem like no-brain- ers to governments around the world, World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim told reporters on a conference call. The report removes another false barrier, an- other false argument not to take action against cli- mate change, he added. In March, a report by a U.N. panel of scientists projecLed LIuL LIe eecLs of global warming could cut global economic out- put by between 0.2 and 2.0 percent a year by damaging human health, disrupting water supplies and raising sea levels. However, many coun- tries believe this is an underestimate because it excludes risks of cata- strophic changes, such as a Greenland ice melt of the collapse of coral reefs which could cause mas- sive economic losses. To speed up action on climate change, United Nations Secretary Gen- eral Ban Ki-moon has in- vited heads of state, gov- ernments, businesses and civil society to a climate summit on September 23 in New York. The summit is aiming to spur progress towards getting a deal by the end of 2015 which binds all nations to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Talks on deal are mak- ing slow progress. An interim U.N. meeting in Bonn, Germany, earlier this month only managed to take tentative steps to- wards an agreement. Reuters BHP Plans to Cut more Jobs at Australian Iron Ore Unit B HP Billiton is plan- ning to cut more jobs uL ILs ugsIIp Australian iron ore divi- sion as it seeks to reduce costs, following a slump in iron prices. A BHP spokeswoman said it was not possible to put a number on how many jobs would be tar- geted, and declined to conhrm un AusLruIIun Broadcasting Corp radio report that the number could reach 3,000. The worlds biggest miner, which employs ubouL 16,ooo peopIe In its iron ore division, an- nounced earlier this year that 170 jobs would go at its Whaleback mine in the Pilbara iron ore belt. A further 100 people have been let go at the divi- sions Perth headquarters. Iron ore prices have fallen more 31 percent this year due to slowing JAMES REGAN demand growth in China, the main market for Aus- tralian ore. This is about continu- ing to safely improve our business and ensuring we are a competitive, world- class operation, BHPs spokeswoman said, add- ing that reducing the pay- roll was part of a wider focus to contain costs. BHP is currently ex- panding its iron ore oper- ations after late last year commissioning its Jim- blebar mine in the Pilbara iron ore belt. However, Chinese buy- ers ure beIng oered discounts by Australian miners to maintain sales as increased supply from major miners has over- whelmed demand growth. The sharp drop in iron ore prices could force China to close up to a hILI oI ILs domesLIc mIne production, which could evenLuuIIy benehL BHP and other Australian pro- ducers, which can mine higher-grade ore and ship it to Chinese steel mills for less cost, according to an analysis by consultan- cy Wood Mackenzie. ProhL Irom Iron ore, Myanmar Summary Myanmar Summary BHPs biggest business, rose 6o percenL In LIe hrsL-IuII oI hscuI zo1q, while petroleum earnings IeII 16 percenL und copper rose just 0.4 percent. Reuters . , ..... , ..:. ~. ._. . .,:~ _..._~... BHP Billiton ._ ,.-~.~ .,.~q:~_~ ...:. .:. ..:.._e .q._. . . .:.._ . .. : . ._ ~ .._.:.._~:. ._.:.q... q.~._.. ,,~~~ ~q._ e .q. e .~ .~. . . -., . , . .~~ ~~__.q, _.., .~._.,.._ ~.:~_~. . ..~:~ ~ ..e: .q.. . , . _e._.. .,.~..e:.q.~ . ~',~~~~ ~. . ...:.._ . ~, ~ . ~e . ~:. ~. . _..._~: .,.....,..:..: e...~ ,~ q:..,..~: ~. .. ._~: . . q._ .. q: ~ _..._~...~..,. .:.._ ~e.~:.~ _e_ ._..~ ...,_ .....: .q:._...:.. _....~q ._~:. .q._. .q.....,..:. ~.._.. ._ ~: ~q ~ _ ._ ~ ..~ ~.._....,.-|..~. ..,.~...q,.~..:._ _e._..~~...~_.:. _.. ._~.. ~ . . . .:.~~ ~ ~~ .q ..._ _ e. ~:, .~ ._~q_~..._..q..:. ~~..e:.q~q~_._q .~. .~ q . :.. . ..: . _ . . ._~:_e.._~:. ...~~.. .:.,....~..- ~.~ q.q._. ~ ~ . . -~_ ~ .. .. . , ._e. ..:. q .~ ..e: .q. ..,..~..:~~, _: ....~.~~~~. '~ q: . . , .~ .~~ .:_ . .~_ .:. ..,._e...:.q,. ~..: ~'q:. . , .~. .. ._~: . .q._. ~. .q. ~| ..:.~ . . . ~ .q:~.:.... ., ...._. . . ., . . . . .e e . ..: .q.~~_.~.|~~.: . .. :. .q.. . ~:.. :~,~~ ~... ...'.: ... ' q .e ..e~ ... q:. . , .~ . . _. ~~ . ._~: . ~.: ~ ~. q ..:~. ._. .qe~~e Climate Works -~. q . .:~ . ~.:.~_.:. _ .e e . ..: .q. .~ . . ~_ ..:~ .q.~_.:.,_ .~ . , .. .. _ .~_.:.~ .. .: _ ~.q..:~_.,._.._e. ._..~..~...~_.:. ~ . . .~ ... . .q q, _.~_... .ee...: .q.~ ~:- , ~ ~ ,_ ...: ,_ ... ..:.. ._.: .. _. ._e ~.: GDP e_e.. ~,~ ~ ~. . . . $ ~ ... . e ..e~ ~ ... q:..,. . . ~ .~~ .:..._ _e. ._~: . ~.q..:~ .._. .._~. . ,_.._:q .. ._. . . . _. ~~ . ~,~ ~ ~.... ..'.: ... ' q.e ..e~ ... q:. . , .~ _. ~~ .:.__e.._~:. ~.:~ ~ .._. ~,~ ~ _. _. ... .~ ...q:|.:.._~:~.,.~ ......~,_... ,,~~~ ., ..: .. ._ _e. ._ . ~. : _ ~ .. .. ..:. ._ ~: ~. : . . .:..q...~:..:... ~ .. ..q:.. , . . ~ . ._~: . ~ ... -.~.~~.~ _., ..:~. q . .:~., . , .:. ._ .q:. ~ ._.: .. ~~ ~ e, ~:...: q ~ .q.~q , _. q, ~ ...~..~~..q. . ... ,~.,.~,e..e:~ ~ .~ ~ :.,_q:. ~ . q:_ .:. ~ ... :. .__e.._. Rail cars laden with iron ore arrive at a receiving facility at Herb Elliott Port in Port Hedland in the Pil- bara region, Western Australia. S e r g io
D io n is io / B lo o m b e r g If nancing and technoIogy investment increased, gIobaI CBP couId grow by an additionaI $2. triIIion, or 2.2 percent, a year by 2U3U, the WorId Bank said. M u n s h i A h m e d / B lo o m b e r g July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com INTERNATIONAL BIZ 17 Myanmar Summary Monsanto Said to Have Weighed $40 Billion Syngenta Deal T he desire to avoid U.S. corporate tax- es has now spread to agricultural giants -- as a dead deal shows. Monsanto Co. (MON), the worlds largest seed compuny worLI $6q bII- lion, recently explored a takeover of $34 billion Swiss rival Syngenta AG (SYNN) in a transaction that would have allowed LIe U.S. hrm Lo move ILs tax location to Switzer- land. The deal, which is now defunct according to peo- ple familiar with the mat- ter, is another sign of how U.S. hrms In muny secLors are trying to avoid corpo- rate taxes by moving their headquarters overseas. U.S. drugmuker Phzer nc. pursued U.K.- based As- LruZenecu PIc, oerIng us much as $117 billion before abandoning the deal, while North Chicago, Illinois- based AbbVie Inc. is chas- ing Dublin-based Shire Plc Ior $q6. bIIIIon. Monsanto and Syngenta held preliminary talks with advisers in the past few months about a com- bination before Syngen- tas management decided against negotiations, said the people, who asked not Lo be IdenLIhed becuuse LIe talks were private. Com- puny omcIuIs uIso spoke informally with each other about a potential deal, two of the people said. There were concerns ubouL LIe sLruLegIc hL, Aaron Kirchfeld, Andrew Noel and Patrick Winters antitrust issues and re- locating the company to Switzerland for tax rea- sons, they said. The talks, which valued Syngenta at more than $40 billion, hzzIed ouL In IuLe Muy, one of the people said. An additional concern was that U.S. politicians would close the inversion loophole, thereby remov- Ing LIuL benehL, unoLIer person said. Cor n, Soybeans Combining the two com- panies would have cre- ated the largest player in the world for both seeds and crop chemicals and a formidable competitor to German rivals Bayer AG (BAYN) and BASF SE (BAS) and Dow Chemi- cal Co. (DOW) in the U.S. Syngenta is the worlds largest maker of crop chemicals and strongest in Europe, whereas Mon- santo is the largest maker of seeds and dominates the U.S. market for genet- IcuIIy modIhed crops IIke corn and soybeans. Investors would love it, it would create by far the biggest agricultural tech- nology company in the world, said Patrick Ra- faisz, an analyst at Bank Vontobel AG, adding that it would be a surprise II LIey puIIed o sucI u transaction. We are not in discus- sions on this particular matter, Lee Quarles, a spokesman for Monsanto, said in an e-mail without elaborating. Paul Barrett, a spokesman for Syngen- ta, declined to comment. Tolks Resurfoce Market speculation about further consolida- tion in the agrochemi- cal market has always surrounded the leading players in the industry, including Bayers Crop- Science, Dow Chemical and DuPont Co. (DD)s Pioneer. Informal talks have been held on numer- ous occasions and Syn- genta explored its stra- tegic options prior to the hnuncIuI crIsIs, uccordIng to two people. While talks between Monsanto and Syngenta are currently on hold, there is a chance the deal could be revived, two of the people said. Cross- border deals, especially those facing antitrust and political resistance, are regularly abandoned before being revived. La- farge SA (LG) and Holcim Ltd. (HOLN) agreed in April to merge to create the worlds largest cement company, the second time in 18 months that execu- tives tried to put together a transaction, people fa- miliar with the matter have said. A Monsanto-Syngen- ta deal wouldve given a recent tax inversion deal a run for its money. Medtronic Inc. (MDT), a Minneapolis-based med- ical-device maker, is the latest and largest company to say it will renounce its American address as part of its planned $42.9 billion takeover of Dublin-based Covidien Plc. The tax-in- version strategy may free up almost $14 billion in cash that Medtronic now holds outside of the U.S., allowing it better use of those funds. Change For Syngenta, change and adaptation is part of its DNA. The com- puny wus spun o Irom Novartis AG (NOVN) in 2000 in order to merge with Zeneca Agrochemi- cals, weakening its links to Switzerland and open- ing up its shareholder base. Moreover, Chief ExecuLIve Omcer MIke Mack, an American, takes a pragmatic approach to shareholder value, with an open view to transac- tions, according to one of the people. Syngenta stock has un- derperformed peers in the past two years, down about 8 percent in 2014. The companys U.S. American depositary re- ceipts jumped 7 percent yesterday in New York. Monsanto was almost unchanged at $122.10, for an advance this year of 4.8 percent. BASF and DuPont have increased 12 percenL und q.6 percenL this year, respectively. Monsanto is scheduled to release its third-quarter results tomorrow. As well as adding the latest technology in agro- chemicals, buying Syn- genta would also allow Monsanto to remove a competitor that was put- ting time and money into building a rival seed business. The Swiss com- pany has made a string of acquisitions, includ- ing the purchase of Sun- heId Seeds, Lo buIId ouL ILs oerIngs, yeL IL Iuced a dominant Monsanto in the U.S. market. Par tner shi ps Combining the seed and chemical companies would throw up compli- cations for the increasing number of research and development agreements between the players. Ear- lier this year, Monsanto established an alliance with Novozymes A/S (NZYMB) for biological solutions, including using benehcIuI InsecLs, Lo Luck- le pests and disease. The U.S. companys partner- ships also include some with BASF. BASF might object to it as they have a long-term R&D collaboration with Monsanto, and it seems like this is getting tight- er, said Bank Vontobels Rafaisz. Antitrust would be a problem, mainly in the seeds business where the two companies would become extremely domi- nant in certain areas like U.S. corn. Bloomberg ..,.~,e. $ ', .eq ..:~. : ~_~ .. .. ... ~ . ~ Monsato ._ _.~ .. ~.~ Syngenta AG ~:. ~e e q, ._~:.... ~. ... .~q_.. ~ee_e.. ..~: ., . ~:. ~..q ~, . . , . _~. Monsato - ~.,..: q:.,q:~_e. ._.:..q.._ _e.._. e. ~.|.~ _.e . :._. e ~~ . ..:.~.._ e.~.q:. ~~e~ ~_..|... ~..q ~, . . , ._ ~ ..:. _ ._ .. _:,.. ._.: ..q _. ._e .~: . q ~ . . , . . , .:. .q: q, _~..:..,._~:. _...~_.. ._._e.._. Monsato . Syngenta ~ ._ ~, ... ... . . .:. _.. . . _. ..,:~ Syngenta ~ . .. ... .. q. . .. ~ ._~:. .q._. ~ . ~ . . . .:..| .._ .. ~ .|~ ~.:..'~ ~_~... ..... ....:~.._.~ ..._ ~.~_e..:~: _. ~ .:.~~ ~ . .q . e e . . , . _~._e..:.__e.._..~.. .q..:~ .. _ ....~ ~ ~ .q ...:..,._~..:.~_~:. ..| .._ ._. .. ...~ ~ ., . , . _..~ ._~:.~..'..|~.. q._.Monsato . Syngent ~ ~_~:. .. ... .. .:.. : . . :...: ._ . _ ., ._ .e: ..: .: . ._ ~: . ~ ~.. .:.~.._. Syngenta ~~ ~._.:. ~..: ~..~.,..e~ ~~~ _._..~ Novartis AG . ~_ Zeneca.~.. .:~ ~ . ~ . . ...| ._ q e e: q ~ ~:.~ . . ._ . Monsato ~.,_e Syngenta ~ ~e e _. ._e . ~ . ..:~ ~ .,:~ . ...',_ .._:.:.~ q. , .:.~. ... . . , .~..' ~.,. .q....~_., ..: _.~..,.~..~:. q.~.~_.._e.._. . ... . .:~ ~ . ~ . . . ..|.._._..._~: ..,. _~.. . . -. .~.,..:~ _ . ~ . :.~_~:. , . . .. .:. ..'..|~ .:. ._~: . . q ._. Monsato ._ BASF . . , .. .qq _ . .~., . ...| ...: q ~ . .:. . ~ .~ :.._e BASF ~.,_e ~~ .| ~. q: . ~~e ~ ~, ~ ~ .:. ._ .q ._ ~: . .q._. ~ . ~ . . . ..| .._ ..|~ ~..q~, ._.: .~ . ..:~_ .:.~ ~. , ~ ~:._~ ._ ......:.__e._ .~.:e _. .q...~.~_ _..,:q .:.._. A Syngenta AC sign stands in front of a eId of soybeans with geneticaIIy modied strains outside of Campo Nueve, Paraguay. N o a h
F r ie d m a n - R u d o v s k y / B lo o m b e r g Syngenta AC Chief Executive Ufcer Mike Mack speaks during a news conference in Basel, Switzerland. R e u t e r s July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com INVESTMENT & FINANCE 18 Myanmar Summary Thai AirAsia X Launches Long Haul Service; Eyes Growth in Myanmar T hai AirAsia X, Thai- Iund`s hrsL Iow-cosL long haul carrier, has launched its inaugu- ruI IgIL Irom Bungkok`s Don Mueang Airport to Incheon, South Korea, which will now operate duIIy IgILs. To complement AirA- sias rapid regional ex- pansion, Thai AirAsia X also plans to include long haul service to Tokyo and Osaka in 2014. Thai AirAsia X operates u eeL oI AIrbus o-oo uIrcruIL LIuL oers 6 economy class and 12 business class seats. Thai AirAsia X CEO Na- dda Buranasiri told My- anmar Business Today LIuL LIe hrsL desLInuLIons for long haul service were chosen based on custom- ers preference for visit- ing other Asian countries because of familiar cul- tural foundations and no visa requirements. The service is targeted at the C generation, or the connected genera- tion, which book travel online and without the as- sistance of an agent, he said. While this year long haul service will only in- clude Seoul, Tokyo and Osaka, he said the car- Aundrea Montao riers medium-term strat- egy includes expanding long haul service to areas outside Asia, including Australia, India, North- east Asia and Eastern Eu- rope. Despite Thailands re- cent political turmoil, Nadda believes that Thai- land is now stable and the new long haul service wIII be unuecLed. The new long haul ser- vice will increase compe- tition among Asias low- cost carriers, especially in SouLI Koreu wIere ILs hve budget carriers continue to lose market share to foreign competitors. In addition to increased competition, low cost car- riers are also facing rising fuel prices, which will in- discriminately increase fairs for all carriers. Mgonmor focus The carrier also bol- stered its operations with Fly Thru service from Yangon and Mandalay, with connections at Don Mueang Airport, to a variety of destinations, all with single baggage checks and immigration passes. Thai AirAsia provides, ex-Yangon, Fly Thru at Don Mueang to eight in- ternational destinations Siem Reap, Chongqing, Jakarta, Wuhan, Macau, Singapore, Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh, as well as to hve TIuI desLInuLIons; CII- ang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Krabi and Phuket. Fly Thru also takes travellers from Manda- lay via Don Mueang Air- port to Phuket and Kuala Lumpur. Fly Thru service is the answer for customers, es- pecially those wishing to travel to Myanmar, as it allows them to check-in their baggage just once and receive it at the end destination. They also pass through immigra- tion just once and trans- fer through the airlines DMK hub with no need for a transit visa, San- tisuk Klongchaiya, direc- tor of commercial for Thai AirAsia, said. Nadda expected it to boost the number of tour- ists travelling between Myanmar and South Ko- rea even though Seoul is noL on LIe IIsL oI y LIru destinations. Over the past year, 6,q;o Myunmur LruveI- lers made their way to South Korea. Thai AirAsia X hopes to provide these travellers with another choice to get to South Ko- rea via a quick connection in Don Mueang. Santisuk said over the past two years trade and travel between Thailand and Myanmar has ex- panded rapidly. AIrAsIu Ies dIrecL Irom Yangon to Bangkok twice daily, Yangon to Kuala Lumpur daily and Man- dalay to Bangkok daily. In the near future the ASEAN Economic Com- munity, or AEC, will be formed and spur even faster growth in Myan- mar. We believe that by creating a strong founda- Thai AirAsia X CEO Nadda Buranasiri poses for a photo following an interview with Myanmar Business Today. W a i L in n
K y a w LIon oI IgIL desLInuLIons, AirAsia will be able to omaintain its leadership in the low fare segment in Myanmar. n LIe hrsL hve monLIs of 2014, the Bangkok- Yangon route saw a pas- senger increase of 15 percent while Bangkok- Mandalay saw 30 percent increase year-on-year, he said. We expect that through our stimulation activities and marketing plan these hgures wIII conLInue Lo rise. ..- .....~,e. ,_ ...._~: .. ._e. ._ Thai Air Asia X ._ ,.- ... ..q .. _e. ._ , .~:~ . , ..: .... . . .~: ~ q . e:.. ~ .. ... . . .. ..~_~ ..~._.... ._~:. .q._. ~. .|.q.. ~:. ., . . ., . ._... . :.._ _e. _..AirBu s-330- 300..e:.:._e ,.,.~,. ,' .. ~.~,. ~ .~ _e ~, ..: . ...._ _e. ._~: . .q._. Thai Air Asia X - CEO Nadda Buranasiri ~ e. .q..._ .e:~._.:.- . ~. .~ . .~: ~ q .e:.. .. ~ ._ e .~.. . . ~ _ ._ ~_. - ~:. ~. .~ .q_..~ e..q... .,.q, ~~ ~ ~.:~ ~~ _ e. .. ._~:. ._.:. ._ . Thai Air AsiaX ._ .~ q ~. ,~ .q..~...,..~., _e .. ~~ ~.:~:~~ ~ .. . ., .q, . . :._. . ~:q _. ._e. ._ _..._ ~..~ . e ~:q ~.q ._.:~ .... .q:. ~.q . .....:.. ~ .. . ., . . :.q, . . :.._ e . q ._. July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com INVESTMENT & FINANCE 19 Myanmar Summary Myanmar Summary David Mayes I have been writing for a while about how dangerous the bond market is. The price a bond trades for in the secondary market is in- versely related to interest rates and we are already starting to see market rates edge higher. There Is u Iuge dIerence In rIsk between individual issues of high grade corporate bonds and investing in a bond fund, and it is slight- ly counterintuitive. Normally we go into a fund to take advantage oI LIe exLru dIversIhcu- tion that can be had by combining the assets of the combined investors. However, when a large number of redemptions can force a fund to sell assets at a loss that could be recouped if only given LIme, LIe dIversIhcuLIon benehL cun be Iur oseL by this added downside risk. This is especially the case Ior hxed Income wIere market prices can trade at a discount to face value, whereas holding any bond issue to maturity will re- sult in the price reverting back to the face value at maturity. This is because a bond always pays face value at maturity, regard- less of what interest rates are doing. Finding Safe Yield in Corporate Bonds With a spread of single issues, however, the com- puny specIhc rIsk Is mucI IIgIer us Is LIe eec- tive potential lock in, but this is the cost to pay for fact that if a bond is held to maturity then inter- esL ruLe rIsk Is eecLIveIy eliminated. This is where getting the highest yield with the shortest amount of time to maturity is the name of the game. As you assemble a portfolio of bonds, you want to pay attention to average ma- turity, but also try to stag- ger maturities. This way you Iuve cusI ows Ireed up from time to time so that if rates rise you can re-invest a portion of the portfolio at the new high- er rate. Pick triple A bonds if you want to be on the safe side, and diversify as much as possible. Even with a top rated company the whole thing can go belly up due to one of any of a number of reasons, so you have to consider the overall portfolio if any one holding, or also sector went into serious trouble (with bonds it is usually no trouble at all or serious, big trouble). You want to make sure the companies issuing the various bonds are in diverse industries as well so a slowdown or new disruptive technology doesnt take a big part out of your retirement fund. While investing safely in a spread of corpo- rate bonds is possible now, my own opinion is that you would be bet- ter in the long run to sit in cash until rates really break free rather than lock in to bonds now. This might be years, dont get me wrong. The length of time governments have IeId ruLes urLIhcIuIIy Iow means there is bound to be a serious overreaction at some point. Obvious- ly a balanced approach somewhere in the middle is what you might want to follow, with a large cash reserve and a portion of funds invested in a di- verse spread of high qual- ity corporate bonds. David Mayes MBA lives in Phuket and provides wealth management services to expatriates throughout Southeast Asia, focusing on UK pen- sion transfers. He can be reached at 085-335-8573 or david.m@faramond. com. Faramond UK is regulated by the FCA and provides advice on taxa- tion and pensions. . ....:.. ...~ ~ . :._ . ~. q:e .:.._~: .~ ~, .~: ~.~: ~~, .q..:. _. ._e. ._ . . ~ e...~ ~ ~ . ....:.. ~.q:.~~e_e...:....,. . : ~~ .. , ..:.. ._.: ._., ~. .~_.. ...~~....,..:. . : _ . ~~ .:.~ q ._ ~ _. .,q._ .~. _. .~: . q ~ ..,._~..:.-.....: .. ~ ~ .q:~ _. . . _. .. . ....:..q,..~ _..._.. ~ ~_~:. .:..:~:e.|._. . . , ~:._e q, . . ~ .q:~ _. . . _. .. : q .. ._. . . . .:. ..|.._._..._~: ... .:. . . _. ._e _e, ~~ q .. . _...._..~:..:.~._~: _e.._..q:~ _.,._.q. . ~ . ~.:.~_.:...'..|~ .|~ q,..-....:.~ ~,.. .q: . ~ q._ ~._.~.,_e. ._.. _~:.,_..~~ _e, ~~q..._...._..~:..: .~~ ..e~.,._. ~. ._e ...~~....,..:.~ ~, e .~q ...: ..._e .q: .. ._.. .....:..~..~ .. .. ,~ ~:...:._. ~, e .~q ... ..: qq ..: ~._.~.,. .~ _e. ._ .~~ . . , ..:.._ .. q ..~:. . ....:.. . :. .. . , ~ ~, e . ~q ..:..._. .._~: _e. ._ . . ...q .. .. ~. . . . _e, ~~ :.. ._ . ~ . ~ ~., _e .~.._. ._.:._.:._.. .....:...: .~~.._._ .,~ ~:.. ~~..,. ~. q:e . .q . q, .q ._ ~~ ~ ...q..: ~e.~.._e.._. .~ ~..~~ . .. ~_.~ ~.:. ..qq,.: ~.~~.~._e. ._......:...:....:. . .... .~~.._._.~ ,.~._.. .~~...:.~ ~..~_.._e...q, .. . ._ ._,_ ._e _~:.~:. .:.~ ...'.q_.. .,.:. .:._.~~. _.,._q... _.....__e.._. .~: . q ~ . . , .. ....:.. .:.~ _e, ~~ _ ~ _. ._e ..~..: q..._......: ._ . . .. ..:. . . :. . ~.._...~._~ . .:.~ :._ . , .:..:. _.~~.:. ,~ ..:_..~ .qq_~~~ ..~:.._e ~, .~: e .._ . e .,_ . .. ..: ...._.~: _~:. ._. ~..q.:.~ .,.:..:. ,..,..q, .~e~..:q~ :.._ ~. , ~:.~ .:~ _ ~..,.,~ _..,..: ~, _ ., .~ .q:~ . q .:. ._~:.. . ._ .~.e ~.~ . .,_e, .~ _ _ _e. :...: ,_..: .~,:q,~.~:... ,_._e._.. ~q,.~.:.~_.:. .,:._.. ~..~~...~ ~e_.,..: ~._. .~:. q ~ . . , .. ....:.. .:.~ _e, ~~q...:..._. Bond traders look at computer screens at their desks. S u s a n a
V e r a / R e u t e r s Pou Chen to Invest $100m in New Manufacturing Base in Myanmar T aiwan-based Pou Chen Group, worlds largest contract manufacturer of footwear by shipment, has decided to invest $100 million to set up its hrsL munuIucLurIng buse in Myanmar. The new plant occupies some 16 IecLures In My- anmars capital, Yangon, and is scheduled to be operational at the end of 2015, with monthly out- put of 300,000 pairs of shoes initially and raised to 800,000 pairs in 2019, Aye Myat according to Pou Chens CEO, Patty Tsai. With gradually higher wages in China, and the recent violent anti-China protests in Vietnam, Tsai pointed out that Pou Chen is eagerly trying to set up production in other coun- tries, besides China, Vi- etnam and Indonesia, as part of its strategy to ex- pand overseas output and hedge risks of concentrat- ing production in a single place, hence leading to its new plant in Myanmar. Meanwhile, Tsai noted, Pou Chen is also enhanc- Ing producLIon emcIency at its existing plants by increasing use of autoro- tation equipment. The CEO indicated that Pou Chen aims to raise the proportion of output from automation equip- ment by 5-10 percent in each of the next three to hve yeurs, Lo resuIL In 1o percent increase in over- all output a year. Based on the estimates, institutional investors forecast the groups an- nual capacity to exceed 400 million pairs in three years from the current 320 million pairs. Fueled by strong ship- ment of athletic shoes by its subsidiary, Yue Yuen Industrial (Holdings) Ltd and banner sales by the umIIuLe reLuII sLore op- erator, Pou Cheng Inter- national (Holdings) Ltd, Pou Chen Group reported $734.5 million in consoli- dated revenue for May, up 6.8; percenL yeur-on-yeur and a new single-month IIgI sInce zoo6. or LIe hrsL hve monLIs, the groups cumulative consolidated revenue to- talled $3.278 billion for a 8.37 percent increase over the same period of last year. ~.:~_~....:.._e e,. .:.~..~...:..,. _e. ._ ~. ~._.. ~ . ., . ~ . . ._ _., .:. ~ .. . . ~ . . .q..~ , ~_ .: q, ..'.: .,. ~~~ q... _. . . e . ._e~ . ~ ._~: . . q ._. e,..~,~..._ q,~, _. ~ ~_q.__e.~: ~' e~ ~:~e ~, ._. .~~~~ , ~ .~ ._ .~ . q, ~. , .~.~:._.. ~...~ ..e,.~q, ,~~,~~~ ~ ..~: ~~ ~ ~.. ~q, ~~,~~~ .~._.~ . . ._ _ e. ._ ~: . . . , .- ~. ..: ~q:q .. .~ ~ . . ~ .._. ~,~.~ ..~:...,. :..:._. ~~ .:_. . - e~ ,. ~._. ._~:....~ ~,~ ., ~ .q... _.. .:. ..'..|~ . _ . ., .._ ~, ~ - e~ ,. . ~.,.q:._....:.~ . . , ..:. ~~ _ ~. :~_ .:.~q ._~:. ..~. ._ . _. q . _. ..~ , .:. ~._. ~.~..:~._ .~..: ~qe:.:...._.. _e ~ . . . . . .q:~ . q ..q, ..: q ~ .,._ ~: . .q._. July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com INVESTMENT & FINANCE 20 Myanmar Summary Myanmar Drug Seizure Decrease Could Foreshadow Illicit Trade Spike Tom Stayner D ecreased drug sei- zures in Myanmar have prompted concerns the plunge could point to a spike in inter- national illicit substance trade. In June, a report from the Transnational Insti- tute (TNI) found South- east Asias illicit drug production is increasing throughout Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, China and India. Drug seizures of meth- amphetamine tab- lets from countries in the Golden Triangle reached 240 million last year, according to the Fi- nancial Times. Myanmar, Southeast Asias dominant illicit drug supplier, is fuelling a resurgence of illegal sub- stance trade in the region. The country contributes 18 percent to the worlds total opium production despite the areas drug output curbing at the start of the decade. Myanmars opium pro- duction has grown for six consecutive years and harvest areas reached over 58,000 hectares in 2013, according to the UN Omce on Drugs und Crime (UNODC). However, UNODC repre- sentative Jeremy Douglas wurned uwed drug-con- trol policies throughout Southeast Asia could be masking the true illicit sub- sLunce ouLpuL oI rehnerIes in the area. Economic integration means there will be a lot more couriers and even more LrumckIng opporLu- nities they are going to mix their goods with le- gitimate trade, Douglas was quoted as saying in Financial Times. OmcIuI cupLure ruLes oI methamphetamine pills and heroin in Myanmar dropped more than 80 percenL In LIe hrsL hve months of 2014. The countrys drug sei- zure hgure goes uguInsL the Transnational In- sLILuLes' recenL hndIng, showing an increas- ing trend in drug trade, throughout Southeast Seafood Slavery: Asian Slave Labour Producing Prawns for EU, US Retailers David Ross S ome of the worlds largest food retailers have been shown to be unwittingly involved In TIuIIund`s IIIeguI hsI- ing industry, which relies on large numbers of traf- hcked und sIuve Iubour. Businesses such as Walmart, Carrefour, Costco, Tesco, Morrisons and Aldi have been impli- cated in an investigation as published in British newspaper The Guardian us deuIIng wILI TIuI hsI- ing businesses reliant on Lrumcked Iubour. Project Issara has re- leased a report detailing reports of barbarity, rape, murder and widespread exploitation perpetrated against migrant workers in many of Thailands ex- port industries. Workers are reportedly brought to Thailand on the promise of well-pay- ing work in factories be- fore they are forced onto TIuI hsIIng vesseIs by brokers claiming they owe fees for transport, recruit- ment and documentation or other services, which often leads to debt bond- uge oI muny hsIermun. Human Rights Watch, in a 2011 report into the LrumckIng oI hsIermen to Thailand, found that use oI Lrumcked work- ers In TIuIIund`s hsIIng industry was widespread and had increased, on trend, since Typhoon Gay in 1989 which saw a mass exodus of Thai nationals Irom LIe domesLIc hsIIng industry. Into their place came foreign nationals, largely Lrumcked Irom Myunmur, Cambodia and Laos, who work noL onIy In LIe hsI- ing industry but also in the processing, handling and canning industries. Workers are often paid either nothing or very lit- tle (THB5,000 or $155) with many attempting to escape facing hostile re- ceptions from local police who will deport them. Charoen Pokphand Foods (CP Foods), named in The Guardians re- port, accounts for almost 10 percent of Thailands 500,000 tonnes-a-year export of shrimp, feed- Ing LIem wILI hsImeuI sourced in part from busi- nesses known to be active In TIuIIund`s IIIeguI hsI- ing industry. CP Foods, in a statement published in The Guard- ian, said it believed the right thing was to use its commercial weight to try Lo Inuence LIe TIuI gov- ernment to act rather than walk away from the Thai hsIIng IndusLry, uILIougI it is putting in place plans to use alternative proteins in its feed so that it can eIImInuLe TIuI hsImeuI by 2021 if necessary. While it recognises that workers on boats are ex- ploited, it added that the Thai Department of Fish- eries continues to deny that unregistered boats are a problem. Asias Golden Triangle. Amsterdam-Based TNI found the regions opium production doubled in the last decade and said links beLween drugs, conIcL and corruption in these countries remains promi- nent. A Myanmar law enforce- menL omcIuI noLed drug- seizure totals show illegal Lrumckers In LIe counLry`s lawless border states are hiding illicit production under the cloud of the ureu`s ruruI conIcLs. The plunge in Myan- mur`s drug conhscuLIons show the governments lack of control of the bor- der states, making it hard for authorities to seize elicit substance entering the market. Methamphetamine cap- tures in the country fell to just 204,000 pills and heroin captures dropped Lo onIy 16 kIIogrums (KG) In LIe hrsL hve monLIs oI the year. In 2013, before meth- amphetamine captures were recorded at 11.9 mil- lion pills, while heroin re- movals made up 239KG. TNI called for drug control policy reforms throughout Myanmar to improve the countrys management of illicit substance use and pro- duction. The danger is that low- er conhscuLIon hgures in Myanmar could lead to a wave of illicit drugs entering the market and the proliferation of in- ternational smuggling throughout the world. The Association of SoutheastAsian Nations (ASEAN) wants to be drug free by 2015, planning to unify economic develop- ments in the area, to help countries deal with na- tional drug problems. However, without the resolution of rural con- IcLs LIuL prohL Irom My- anmars black-market of illicit productions, this goal seems unattainable in the near future. Myanmar Summary _.,.:.~ ..e....~|. .:. e....q...: e.~~ . . .:._.:..:_. . ~ , .~ TNI ~ ~ _., . ..:~. q . .:~q _.,.: .:~ . ~,~. ~ . e. ~ ~ ~q:..~ ..e. ...~|. ~ . . . . : . . .:._.:. .:. ._ e . q._. . , . ._ . . ~ .q _~ ... ~ .~ .e .. ...._.:...| . .,. ,~ ~ e....q.._.. _., .:. ._ ~.q .~: ~:q ...~ ~q:..~..e.... ~.~~...~.:.... ~.._e..,._. _. ~. ~.:..~~..._,. ..:~- ~ q:..,.~ ~...,. ._e.._. UNDOC - .e:_..~~q _., .:. ~ , .. ~ ... ._ ~~, ...~ e~~:..|. ,~~~ ~ q .,._e .q ._. Walmart Carrefour Costco . Tesco ~~. ~.:~_~. . .~.:.~.:.~ . .q: ... .:.._ .~,~... ~.. ......:. ~.:.~_.:._... .,..: .~q:..~ |.e.. . . , .. .~ _.. _. ..q .~ .~ . ~ q ._ ~: . . q._ . CP Foods ~ ~.~.~_. :...:._. .|...,. .. ._:,~. .~ . .~ :...: |.e.....:..: _..,:.e~ e _..:.._. Smoke rises from the burning of seized drugs at an event to mark International Day against Drug Abuse and IIIicit Trafcking outside Yangon. The government destroyed $9.7 miIIion worth of drugs in the event. S o e
Z e y a
T u n / R e u t e r s July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com INVESTMENT & FINANCE 21 Myanmar Summary Myanmar Summary 2015 Report to Chart Myanmars Legislative Overhaul: OBG Group signs deal with Kelvin Chia Yangon Ltd T he wealth of new laws, reforms and incentives, which are being introduced in Myanmar to support the countrys rapid economic development, will be ex- plored in Oxford Business Groups (OBG) upcoming report, the British pub- lishing, research and con- suILuncy hrm suId. The Report: Myanmar 2015, will chart the ex- ponential rise in foreign direct investment (FDI) witnessed since the coun- Lry hrsL begun openIng up just over two years ago, OBG said in a statement. The publication, which marks OBGs second re- port on the country, will also depict Myanmars emergence on the region- al stage, which was rein- forced this year when it Aung Phyo assumed the role of ASE- AN Chair for 2014. OBG has signed a mem- orandum of understand- ing (MoU) on research facilities for the second LIme wILI LIe Iuw hrm, Kelvin Chia Yangon Ltd. Under the deal, Kelvin Chia will use their re- sources and local knowl- edge to prepare the Law chapter of the report. OBGs Country Director, Stephanie Harl, said the Iuw hrm`s conLrIbuLIon would give the groups coverage of Myanmars legislative changes an edge. The government has had to legislate exten- sively in recent months as it attempts to keep pace with the countrys trans- formation. Kelvin Chias team is known to have a thorough understanding of the intricacies of Myan- mars legal framework, she said. Cheah Swee Gim, direc- tor, Kelvin Chia Yangon Ltd, said: The invest- ment climate within My- anmar is on the rise, and it is vital that investors have a good grasp of the legal framework. Our partnership with OBG is focused on informing global readers about the legislative framework in Myanmar as there are many changes in, for in- stance, banking, telecom regulations and mining laws. She said this will help potential investors in making well informed in- vestment decisions. ,_ ...... .:. .:._.:..:. _._.._.:....:.. .~.. .:.._ _.,.:.~ ~q.. e _e ..:.~: _.. . .,._ e OBG Group - ._~:....~ ~_.,...: ~.q..:~q .q._. ~..|~.q..:~q ~~ . . . ._ _., .:. - . _.:. ~~,~q..._......:~.: .,.._..~ ...:..q... . .~_~ . e . . . _. . ~. , ~ ._..q..._.....:. ~.q:~ .:..._e .,.,..._. OBG ~ . ~ e~_~ . ~.~ . ..:~. q . .:~ _., .:. -_e. ..'.,..:.... q: ~._.~.,.:.~ .e:_..._. _. OBG ._ _._~. . .~.,. ...~~ ...: ~ . ~ ~. ._e. ._ Kelvin Chia YangonLtd . ,:.._ . .:., . :.~ . ~ .q. .. ._~: . . q ._. ~..|..:~_.~q Kelvin Chia ._ OBG - ~q .~_.. .:.. _., .:_._ ~ . ~.~ ~_~ .:.~ .... q: ~. q . .:.:. _ . . . q:~ ~. ... ._ _e. ._ . OBG - Country Director Stephanie Harl ~ ~. .|...~, ..: .~.~~.,_e _.,.:.- ..._..q.. q:~ . q. .:.~ .. .:..: _~_ .... . . ._ e ._.:.._. Kelvin ChiaYangon Ltd - .|, ~~: Cheah SweeGim ~ _.,.:.-q..._....q:. ~ . : _ . ~~ .:. _ . _e. _.. ....q.q:. q:. .: .:. ._ q..._.....:.~~~ .q ._e. _e. ._~: .._.:. ._ . UNESCO Listing to Ramp Up Tourism Investments U NESCOs recent listing of three an- cient Pyu walled cities, in Myanmars dry upper Irrawaddy regions, are widely hoped to in- crease sustainable invest- ment in the regions, with the possibility of future tourism to the World Her- itage sites boosted. The cities, Sri Kse- tra, Halin and Beikthano, represent a large stretch of area occupied by the bronze-age Pyu people, before the decline and collapse of their society in the 9th century. However, the UNESCO listing does not include several other well-known walled city sites known to have been part of Ancient Pyu states. The Pyu sites, only 1 of the 15 sites on the register of historical and natural sites, were granted listing June 22, which makes the sILes eIIgIbIe Ior hnuncIuI and technical assistance from the UNs body for the preservation of cul- tural works. Deputy Minister for Culture Sandar Khin wel- comed the listing of the sites, signaling that the Ministry will draw up le- David Ross gal frameworks governing farming and settlement in the new World Heritage areas, currently inhabited by 10,000 people. However, she pledged the new regulations would noL see peopIe Iorced o their land. The Bagan archeologi- cal area, Inle Lake and several other ancient cit- ies in areas of Myanmar featured on the tentative list, however, no such decision has been made by UNESCO regarding their listing. The archeological area of Bagan, with its 3,000 stupas and monuments, has been subject to some controversy regarding listing due to historically inaccurate refurbish- ments or additions made to several temples in the area. Bagan is also one of My- anmars premier tourism attractions, bringing in almost 200,000 visitors last year. Its hoped if Bagan were listed as a UNESCO site, it might attract investment to safeguard its archeo- logical and architectural heritage and cope with in- creasing tourist numbers. However, growing num- bers of foreign visitors risk placing further stress on the internal infrastruc- ture of Myanmar, already struggling to cope with additional power, water and transportation needs after decades of neglect. Myanmar received 2 million tourists last year, double that of the year before, and is expected Lo ecIIpse LIuL hgure once again this year with num- bers rising to almost 3 million. The Myanmar tourism industry is currently ex- pected to earn more than $1 billion this year, up Irom LIe $qz6 mIIIIon In 2013 and $534 million in 2012, according to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism. U Thet Naing, vice cha- riman of the Myanmar Travel Association, says that while, Myanmars tourism industry is going to continue to develop, the hotel and service sec- tor needs to be upgraded. Only then will more tourists visit Myanmar, he said. Jumps of almost 1 mil- lion visitors a year come on the back of the minis- trys release of their My- anmar: Tourism Master Plan in which they fore- cast numbers of almost 7.5 million tourists by 2020. To ensure this number is met the Master Plan calls for investment of $q86.6 mIIIIon over 8 projects, 21 of which it calls critical to success. UNESCO - ~..~.. .:q .~_e. ._~:.... ~ .~ . ~ _. .. . q..:.q .._. .e: . . .. _ e. ._ ..q..~ q: - .. .. e, . .....:.~ .qq_..~._.~q..._... ..:. ~._..:q, ..:.., _~_.. ~,:~~:.~ .q. . :..:.~ . ..: . ._ ~. : e .~.. ~.. ~. . _e. .:.~: ._ _e. ._ . . ..: e ,~ .~ ._ ~_.:.. _. .e: .....:.~ ~. : ~.. ~. . .:q .~ ~_e. ..~.~ ........ .._~: .~q ._. .e:. ~ _.._ .q..e:. ...~...~_e. e,~ .~ ~.~ . ~ q, ~, q .,... ._. e .~ . . ~, _ ~ ._:,. ~ e~, _~ . ..'..:.~ e.~ . ._..e:....~ ~. : e .~..~..~...:q.. _ . .. ~ _. .~..' _~ . ._.e . ~~ ~ ._~: .... ~. . ..:. ~. ..: ..~: ~:. ~. . ~~ ~. ~.. ..:. . . .... .~: ._e ._. ._.:_~:.. ._ . _., .:. ._ . , . ._ . . ~ ~.:._.q.._ . . ., ..~: .~.qq. _. . e...:~._ e. . . ~ . . ..~: ~ .q:~ _.._e.._.. .:._e...~ ~.:._.q .._...,.~ .:.q:~ q, ..: . :.._ . _. _.,.:.q..:...,. ._ e...~ ~..q~, ..'.:~..e.~:qqq, ., ., . :. _ . . . , . ._ ~~~~, . . . .:.~ ~.. q ~, ..'.: ,, ., .. ' ., .~. .. .qq :.._ e _., .: e ~e . .q .. :.. . , . -.:q..:.~q .q._. Thayekhittaya, Pyu city ruins 5th to 9th century. P a u l H o lla n d O B G July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com INVESTMENT & FINANCE 22 Myanmar Summary Schindler Eyes Building Local HR Competencies for Sustainable Growth Maximilian Martin S wiss lift and escala- tor maker Schindler is focusing on train- ing and developing its lo- cal human resources in Myanmar in a bid to en- sure its long term growth in the Southeast Asian country where recent economic opening has handed explosive growth opportunities to foreign hrms. The regions top lift and escalator manufac- turer began in Myanmar in 1999 as the only fully foreign-invested lift com- pany and has operated a long-standing joint ven- ture with British conglom- erate Jardine Matheson for numerous territories In LIe AsIu PucIhc regIon. Jardine Matheson is a dIversIhed busIness group that has operated in Asia since 1832. In Myanmar, their other businesses are Jardine Cycle and Car- riage, which distributes Mercedes Benz, Mazda and Fuso trucks, Acleda MIcrohnunce und JurdIne Engineering Company. Most lift companies op- erate in Myanmar through agents or distributorship to reduce risks or exposure. For us, we believe in the potential of this country. When you are 100 percent invested, then you will make the necessary human capital investment for the long term success of the company, Willis Phua, general manager of Myan- mar Jardine Schindler Ltd, told Myanmar Business Today. Since 1999, we have been present here during good times and bad, re- ecLIng boLI our commIL- ment to the country and our belief in its future. Prior to the reforms and opening up of the country in 2011, Schindler did not regIsLer sIgnIhcunL prohLs in its books. Its primary motivation for continu- ing to operate then was to support its customers in maintaining the lifts they had bought from Schin- dler and to continue to provide jobs for its local employees. Since the quasi-civilian government took power in Myanmar and opened the country for business in 2011, demand for in- frastructure development shot up, new apartments, malls, housing sprouted all over the commercial capital Yangon so up went the demand for lifts and escalators. In October 2013, Schin- dler relocated to a new of- hce uL PurumI roud, wILI a total of more than 100 employees. Sales went up because of the opening up of the country. We increased our sales two to three folds last year. We had the majority of the market share as the property and construction sector increased rapidly, said Willis, who came to Myanmar from Schindler Singapore last year. Willis said Schindler built its reputation in Myanmar on being a pre- mium supplier with good customer service. He said his main challenge now is Lo IuIhII LIe burgeonIng orders timely and contin- ue to maintain the qual- ity and standards that its brand represents. We know we have to build up our competen- cies very, very fast that means investment in a new omce, In peopIe und in training. The objective is to recruit the right peo- ple, invest heavily in up- grading our skills so that we can upkeep premium IeveIs oI projecL IuIhImenL and maintenance stand- urds. TIIs wIII dIerenLI- ate us from the rest of the competition. Willis said Schindler has a strong local network, so the majority of its cus- tomers are local. If they [Burmese] know that you are good, then your name will spread through word of mouth. Thats how we built our business over the last 15 years to a mar- ket leader position. He said being a 100-per- cent foreign company helped Schindler do that. Being fully owned and not operating through agents or distributors, we are fully accountable to our customers. That puts a responsibility on every employee to make sure that our actions live up to the brand. Tr ai ni ng Willis said in the last 12 months that he has been in the country, more than 20 Schindler Myanmar personnel have gone for dIerenL Lypes oI overseus training. The trainings range from product, sales, marketing and logistics to technical, installation and maintenance trainings. He said that as Myan- mars construction in- dustry moves towards LuIIer buIIdIngs, dIerenL products will need to be introduced to cater for such needs. The company also sends its sales people Ior IIIL Lrumc sImuIuLIon trainings, which allow Schindler to help build- ing owners in designing LIe specIhcuLIon oI LIe IIIL system in a building dur- ing planning stage. We are very mindful about developing long term local competencies, he said emphasising the importance of building a skilled local workforce. When you start a com- pany you may choose to bring in expatriates to ob- tain the required exper- tise and to transfer their skills to the local work- force. However, we focus on the skills transfer very early on. We commit to train and develop our local work- force from the early stage of the establishment of Schindler Myanmar. This is to ensure the future of this company lies in the hands of driven and com- mILLed Burmese sLu, Ie said. Willis said most of Schindlers key appoint- ment holders are Bur- mese and many of them have had work experience in Singapore prior to re- turning to their country. The lift company also has an apprenticeship scheme and the applications are piling up, he said. During the apprentice- ship scheme, Schindler gets the apprentices to in- stall 3-4 units of lifts un- der the supervision of its experienced technicians. Our objective is that we teach the apprentice in a manner that he under- stands the importance in installing the lift right the hrsL LIme. OnIy wIen LIe apprentice is able to in- stall the lift in a quality manner, will the person be oered u conLrucL. TIIs provides a strong motiva- tion for the apprentices to do well. On top of its in-house apprenticeship program, Schindler also part- ners with Yangon-based Swiss-run Center for Vo- cational Training (CVT) for some of its training programs. Schindler also plays its part in corporate so- cial responsibility, hav- ing contributed to the rebuilding of the school in Aye Yar Gyi village in the delta region which wus budIy uecLed by Cyclone Nargis in 2008. Willis, who visited the school earlier this year, said, It is very hearten- ing, and humbling, to see the teachers doing every- thing they can to give the students a better educa- tion despite their circum- stances. Gr owth Willis said Schindler will continue to achieve sIgnIhcunL growLI In LIe coming years if the gov- ernment continues its re- forms. However, competition Is growIng hercer - wILI many regional and inter- national brands entering into the market. . . ~:., .:~ .. ~:.. .~ .. ~:. ~ . . . Schindler ._ _., .:. ~ . .:.~q . ~_..e_e.~.~~.q..~,. .:. .....q, ...,._~:. .q._. ~. : .:~ .. ~:. ~ . . . .:.~ ,.|~...,q:~q., ._ Schindler ._ _.,.: .~ ~ .... .~_ . . , .~ _- ~ , ~ . ~ ~. . _e. ._ JardineMatheson ~ . ~ .....|._ q..._.....:. .~ . _. . .:~ .. ~:._e, . .q. . . , ..:.~ .~ ..: q ~ . ._.Jardine Schindler ~ . ~ . . ~~ - _., .:. . q: ~. . ., .,:_e. . Willis Phua ~ ~.~~.:..e: _e,_e..q:...~.,~:., ._ . . . .,_ ~~e . .|... ~, .~: ~ ~.,, .|e:._.. . . .~: .~. q. . . e _~_ ~e . ~~~ q:..,. q..._....e .q ...~~, _._.. ~..'. :._ . . . q .. ._. . . . .:.|''e ._.:.._. _. ~ ...~~_.~ ~. ~.:~ .. ~:.~ . ~ .:. ~ . :. :...: ._ . Schindler ~ . ~ ._ _., .:. _ .~ q .,.._. Schindler ~.~ ._ e. ~ ~. . . . .:~ ..~:. ,~ . ,~ e,.~ .q:......:._. ~..q ~._.: .~. _e. ..'. _. ..,:~ .. e_e..:..:...:..q.... ~ ~ ~q . , . ._ . . ~ .:~ ..~:.e ,. ,~~ ~ .q:.. .._.. ...|. ~~~ .~:~:. ~..~~.:.q:.e..... ._. _. Schindler ._ ~ . . q:. . ., . . . ~, . . :.~ ._ . ....~ q ._ . e. ~ _., .:. ~ ~ . . .....q._ ~..._..:.~ .~:..~ .:..q:~q ._e e. ~ . . ~,..:.. . ...q_.._e.._e Wilis ~ ._.:.._. Willis said building competencies to deliver commitments to custom- ers would be the key to survive in this market. At the end of the day, wIuL dIerenLIuLes you from the rest of the com- petition is the standard of customer service in pro- jecL IuIhImenL und muIn- tenance. Our guiding vi- sion is being the leader in delivering above par cus- tomer service.
Sales went up because of
the opening up of the coun- try. We increased our sales two to three folds last year. We had the majority of the market share as the property and construc- tion sector increased rapidly, Willis Phua, general manager of Myanmar Jardine Schindler Ltd. S h e r p a
H o s s a in y July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com INVESTMENT & FINANCE 23 Its All About The Follow Through Mindy Walker T here are days in My- anmar when youre not really sure how progress will ever prevail. But there are just as many days when you think that the rapid change that you are witnessing can never be reversed and histori- cal events are taking place right under your feet. It is this dichotomy that grabs not only the people who live here but also those that spend a week here falling in love with the country and contemplat- ing whether the time is right to invest and bring their business to Myan- mar. I have to admit I was apprehensive when I was approached about organ- ising a delegation to My- anmar this spring. Ive seen many delegations come and go with no real, concrete outcomes for an- yone living here. The top LIer governmenL omcIuIs, business leaders and civ- il society members are overtaxed with meetings of people doing assess- ments. But once theyve gone, nothing transpires on the ground here. The follow through is not en- tirely up to the business tourists, of course, and is shared with the local busi- nesses and NGOs, but the whole transaction feels the same: information was obtained by the for- eigners, lunch was eaten, and never do we hear from any of them again. It seems like a take, take, take game when there is very little left to give. It is with that trepida- tion that I promised to IeIp orgunIse u dIerenL kind of delegation. The delegation was to be co- led by the Richardson Center for Global Engage- ment, Aspen Institute and the US Department of State. Twenty-two del- egates from around the world would be coming to Myanmar on what we call our Partnership Opportu- nity Delegation. Our goal was simple: create part- nerships between Myan- mar and foreign entrepre- neurs Lo benehL peopIe In Myanmar. Luckily, my colleagues were able to pull togeth- er a really unique group of people dedicated to change who have had suc- cess in just as challenging of countries. Our delega- tion was made up of State DepurLmenL omcIuIs, Im- pact investors and social entrepreneurs. They have worked in places such as India, Mali, Haiti, Kenya and China and under- stand a thing or two about lack of infrastructure, rule of law and human capital. They understand when Facebook isnt accessible 24 hours a day and elec- tricity isnt guaranteed no matter how nice the hotel. Theyve seen it all before so we could dive right into talking about the solu- tions, instead of the prob- lems. For example, one of our delegates, Toni Mara- viglia with Eneza Educa- tion, who created a vir- tual tutor and teachers assistant application for mobile phones, works in Kenya where a lot of the same problems ex- ist, but she is excited by the unique opportunity caused by previous lack of development, to leapfrog a lot of what didnt work in development and apply what does work here. We prepped the dele- gates before they arrived, introducing them to some of the players in the area of their interest and sending them informa- tion about the business climate here. It was im- portant that they hit the ground running and hit the ground running is ex- actly what they did. They astutely picked the brains of the US Ambassador, President U Thein Seins economic advisor, mem- bers of the business asso- ciations and the Ooredoo Myunmur CEO LIe hrsL day they landed. They knew it wasnt all rainbows and moon- beams here in Myanmar but they also didnt have a dire outlook of start- ing people-friendly busi- nesses in one of the least developed countries. And thats the best under- standing you could take away. Investment and busIness Is dImcuIL Iere, buL IL`s dImcuIL In every economy where youre the hrsL mover und LIe rIsks sometimes produce great rewards. Our delegates know that because theyve seen success and theyve seen failure in their vari- ous business ventures but all of them share a pas- sion for trying to bring prosperity to people at the bottom and middle rungs of the ladder. Our focus was on real outcomes and we are still trying to make those partnerships happen long after everyone has gone home. Thankfully, we were successful in spark- ing quite a few partner- ships and that will lead to economic development led by small businesses, which will be the real catalyst to change in My- anmar. Maraviglia and her partners now see huge potential in Myanmar to expand after visiting in April. Myanmar was not even on our map in terms of expansion before this trip. But the delegation mude us LIInk dIerenLIy about our strategy and where we wanted Eneza Lo reucI. We ure dehnILeIy looking at Myanmar as a place of expansion, she said. Most exciting was the reaction by entrepreneurs and community leaders who were quick to rec- ommend points of entry, oer up Ideus Lo munu- facture and distribute the products and grow the Myanmar economy from the inside. Our delegates took these ideas and ran with them and now have exciting opportunities on the ground in cooperation with those who know the local economy the best. Mouhsine Serrar with Prakti, a developer, man- ufacturer and distributor of cookstoves, was able to meet with potential part- ners while he was here on the delegation and al- ready has several pilots in the works. In addition to meeting with business and com- munity leaders, we also went to Nay Pyi Taw to meet with various min- isters. Surprisingly, the government did not just pay lip service to our del- egates ideas during our meeLIngs; LIey embruced their models for energy ef- hcIenL cooksLoves, LooIs Lo emcIenLIy LrunsporL wuLer Ior IumIIIes, IorLIhed rIce and cooperative milling. They warmly welcomed the entrepreneurs to start working on the ground Iere und oered Lo be oI assistance if we encoun- tered any problems. And we will hold them to those promises because we are bound to run into some bumps in the road. It wont be easy. It never is. Import issues, manu- facturing products with a touchy electrical grid, unclear rules and regu- lations and a need for increased government transparency, give people little faith in the market. One of our investors on the trip, Mark Quinn- Newall, was concerned mostly about the laws backing up the signed contracts and agree- ments in order to protect ownership and give some clear picture of everyones rights in potential future situations. This is obvi- ously a concern for most investors here and while the government has tried to pass laws clarifying those issues, the major test is what will happen in reality. Luckily for these small entrepreneurs that are entering the market here, the risk is minimal and the reward is not just hnuncIuI buL benehcIuI Lo the manufacturers, dis- tributors and end users. In a meeting with our delegates, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi cautioned us about being overexcited about the near future. While we encourage cau- tion, this is also a time to embrace the new opening of the market, especially for small-scale entre- preneurs. Our delegates main goal is to help peo- ple through economic development. Creating innovative products and hndIng u wuy Lo deveIop and market them in the local economy by provid- ing jobs is the best way to pull people out of pover- ty. Thats true in America and that is true in Myan- mar. We wanted to focus on bringing and developing small businesses in My- anmar, instead of the ma- jor multinationals since small businesses account for the majority of jobs around the world. The needs of small businesses ure very dIerenL LIun those of multinationals, and by bringing those to the attention of the minis- ters while we were there, we hope to have them catered to more, said Mickey Bergman, coordi- nator of the delegation for the Aspen Institute and the Richardson Center for Global Engagement. Instead of letting all the usual suspects create new businesses and reap all the rewards, we must aid the entrepreneurs in jumpstarting their busi- nesses here through part- nerships like these. Our delegates will be back to Myanmar with their in- novation that is vital to the growth of this country and Im excited to help them on this adventure. My worry about just another delegation was quickly put to rest when I saw Cynthia Koenig from Wello Water remove her small model of the wa- ter wheel from her bag to show the minister for agriculture and he imme- diately asked how quickly we could start producing them in Myanmar. Hope- fully she and the other social entrepreneurs from the delegation will soon be on the ground in My- anmar. Its important that people come to Myanmar to understand the barri- ers und benehLs oI doIng business here, butmost important is the follow through and now its all about the follow through. Mindy Walker is a con- sultant for the Richardson Center for Global Engage- ment and is based in My- anmar full-time. The Rich- ardson Centers focus in Myanmar is on trainings, international exchanges and encouraging people friendly business. Myanmar Summary _., .:. . . :..q:~ q, ~e.:..e~.e .._.q._ .._ ~.| ~,...q...,. . :.._ . _., .:. . ~ e.:. .e~e.:..:.:_.. _.,.:. _~..:._. ~,q....:. ~~~ ...,_ .~...~ ~_....:q..:..~, .._~ ~,._..~e.._.. _. .q . . ~ _e ._ .:...: ~ e .:.. e ~. e . ._ .q, ~, .~~ .... ~ ._ .~ e .:. .e~e~ Richard Center Aspen Institute . US Department of State ~~ ..~...:_.. ~.:~.~,.. ~e ~ ..|~ ._ ..~_ .~.: _.,.:. _._..,. ~ . ~ ~_~:. . ...| ._ _.,.:_._..:.~:. ~~._. q,_e.._. ~e~.:..: ~._ .:.~. ~ ~. , ~~e . . _. . ..: q ~ ..:..:..|~_.. e_e... .:.~..~.~q..:._e. ._ . ~ e .:.. e ~e ._ .q:~q._ ....~. ~..q~,.~.~ ..~- . .. :..q.~_ ~ .... ~ q . . _.,.:.~.~~~:. .~._ . ~ . ~ .~ .~ ..._., ... ... . ._~._ . The American delegation co-led by the Richardson Center for Global Engagement, the Aspen Institute and the US Department of State. M in d y
W a lk e r July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com 24 PROPERTY & REAL ESTATE Myanmar Summary Cement Shortage Could Delay Infrastructure Projects Phyo Thu C ountrywide cement shortages could undermine Myan- mars rapid infrastruc- ture development, with projects throughout the nation in danger of being delayed, industry insiders say. Myanmars rapid eco- nomic expansion has seen year-on-year increases in the demand for cement, with national demand ex- pected to reach 10 million tonnes by 2015. However, without for- eign investment in My- anmars cement indus- try, domestic producers wont be able to meet the required national targets, U Soe Naing, advisor to KBZ Construction Co Ltd, told Myanmar Business Today. In previous years, around 8 million tonnes of cement were need- ed, of which 4 million tonnes were imported. Domestic producers lack capital resources to pro- duce enough [cement] by themselves, he added. AccordIng Lo omcIuI data, domestic produc- tion only accounts for 32 percent of the countrys cement stocks, with im- ports totalling 3 million tonnes, mostly from Thai- land and India, making up the remaining supply. However, Ko Ko Htwe of Taw Win Construction said most Southeast Asian manufacturers use cheap machinery incapable of meeting rapidly increas- ing demands of Myanmar and the ASEAN region. The implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 could also see in- creased regulations that terminate the operation of plants using unsafe production methods. Myat Company and Thailands SCG Cement plan to construct new plants capable of produc- ing 5,000 tonnes per day in Kyaukse in Mandalay region and Mawlamyine in Mon state by next year. Electricity shortages have also undermined the capacity of Myanmars domestic cement plants to produce the raw mate- rials needed for the coun- trys infrastructure. Myanmars electric- ity problems are well documented with power outages, brownouts and supply shortages com- monplace throughout the country. U Soe Naing said a ce- ment business associa- tion is being founded in order to tackle the power and resources issues hin- dering Myanmars ce- ment dearth. After the association is created, we will negotiate with the government to purchase electricity at a discounted rate and seek to share technology with international businesses Lo become more eec- tive, he said. e_e...~.._e.._. ~_ ~._..~..:~~.~. .~ _. .:..,. _e. ..:. ~.._e.._ _.,.:.~., _e ......_..~..~ _..:..~ q q: e.~...~: . .~~ ~ .. ._ .~, . , ~~ ., .., . ~. ._ _e. ._~: . ..._...,.q. ..:~ . . .q.. . , .q .:.~ . ... ._. .~ q ~ .. ._..~, ~.. .:.~_ ..:~ q, _.. . .,_.. .:._ ~~ . . . ~~ . e ..~ , .:.. ...~ ~ ~~ . _e,_e..:..__e...:._. . ~~ . ~_ ..:~ q, q ., .....:. . ~ , ..:.._ ~: e.~...._..~..~ _ . .:. q_ . . _ e. ._ ~: . . q._ . ~. _._ ~ .. : ~ . . ~ ..:~, . ..:~ . . .~.q .. ~q..~ ~, .,...:~ . ~. . _. ..~: ~, ...., .~ _._ .~., ~ . .. q~e . . . . .~ ~._. .. . ~. .:. :.|. ...:~~~,.,.:.~.~, ~_ ..:~ . e ~._ . ~q . ~..~.~~.._~: _._~. . . , .q .~ ._ .. ..: q ~e ~ .~ . .|~e . _ ._ .~., . . _. ..~ , .~ .:..:~ e . ~. .,~e ''e KBZ..:~ ...q....._..q:._: q ....~ ._.:._. e .~_. _._ ~ .~ .. ._..~,.:.~~~....... ~ . ..:~ . :.qq _. .._ ._. ~.~~.~.q._e...' .,_. . e .~.~ ~. .:.~~ ~ _., .:. . q: .. ._.. . , . q .:.~. .~ e ._ .q, q ._~:. .q._. Singapores KHG Development Opens Sales Gallery Wai Linn Kyaw K HG Development has opened its sales guIIery und omces in Yangon in a bid to tap the Southeast Asian coun- trys burgeoning property market, the Singapore- based conglomerate said. Real estate develop- ment of the highest stand- ards is an exciting new chapter in our companys history, said Kyi Soe, chairman of KHG Hold- ings. TIe hrm`s new suIes guIIery, IocuLed o New University Avenue road, exhibits the new develop- ment arm of KHG Hold- ings which is branching out into luxury real estate development. As a fresh entrant to the real estate scene, the com- pany is capitalising on the 24-year long reputation of its parent company. Mary Thein, KHG De- velopments executive director of sales and mar- keting, said, Creating and communicating value to all our stakeholders through our quality prod- ucts, services and brand ambassadors is vital to building long-term cus- tomer relationships. KHG is investing heavily in this. At the opening cer- emony, LIe hrm guve u preview of KHG Develop- ments inaugural luxury condominium project, INFINITY. High-rise and high-end, INFINITY, which is situ- ated on Kabaaye Pagoda road, Bahan township in Yangon, is expected to be launched this month. The 28-storey, purely residential development Is LouLed Lo redehne luxury sky living boast- ing views of Shwedagon Pagoda, Kandawgyi and Inya Lake. It engaged architect hrm ONG&ONG Lo Ieud the project and has a pro- ject team of Singapore consultants. KHG said it aims to pro- vide real estate opportu- nities on a par with Singa- pores standards. TIe hrm suId LIIs Is LIe hrsL In u serIes oI reuI esLuLe oerIngs LIuL IL is rolling out, as later in the year there will be the launch of a low-rise, lux- ury boutique-style, devel- opment in Yangon. KHGs other commer- cial ventures in Myan- mar include fast-moving consumer goods, a retail chain and packing and distribution of LPG gas for both domestic and in- dusLrIuI use. TIe hrm wus also appointed dealer of Samsung smartphones recently. KHG Holding-~ . ~ . ~. . _e.._ KHG Development ._ ,.~- ,..,.~... ~.q: ._.. ~.. .~,:.~ ~ , . ~~.~ ~.._....._~:. .q._. . ~:. ~._.. ~ ~ . _. ._. ~ . ~ ~. . _e. ._ KHG._ q,~,_. ~.:.~.q:..... ..'~ . ., q, . ..,_e. ._ ~. .q INFINITY ~,.~ ._~:. ..:~ . . . :.._ e . q._ . _...:~...._ KHG Development- _.,.:.~ ... .._.. . .~. q. ._ . _e.._. KHG Development ._ _.,.:.~ .:....... ~ ~ ~. ~.:qq :.._ . . .~ , . .:...:~ ~ , .._..:. Buy Now ...~e ~,q~ ~e.e,....:. Singtech .~ ~ e , . Laptop . tablet .:. _e,_e..q:.. .q.. . , ..:.~_. Samsung Smart Phone - Master Dealer ~_e.._. ..: q~.~q._~:. .q._. Myanmar Summary K H G O liv e r
S lo w July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com PROPERTY & REAL ESTATE 25 Myanmar Summary Marga Landmark to Invest $300 Million in Yangon Project Phyo Thu M arga Landmark, a joint-venture of companies from Hong Kong, South Korea and the UK, will develop a $300-million mixed-use development project on 22 acres of land owned by the defence ministry in downtown Yangon. Margas maiden project in Myanmar, Dagon City 1, will include branded retail zones, internation- al standard A-grade of- hces, u hve-sLur IoLeI und upurLmenLs, LIe hrm suId. The 22-acre complex, the product of a joint venture between Marga Group und IocuI hrm TIu Kha Yadanar, will be lo- cated at U Htaung Bo Circle, close to Shwed- agon Pagoda, the Yangon Zoological Gardens and Kandawgyi Lake. I am sure that Yangon has all the right ingredi- ents to become one of the top cities in Asia. Myanmar is transparent, progressive, and foreign investment- friendly. Marga is proud to participate in Yangons ex- citing journey to become a true cosmopolitan metrop- olis, said Edgar Kwan, Marga Senior Executive Director and Chief Devel- opmenL Om cer. Previously, Edgar was involved in development projects in Hong Kong, the UK, China, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Australia, oversaw the development of the new Four Seasons Hotel in Shanghai and the Pavilion in Kuala Lumpur. Dagon City 1 is mod- elled after mixed-use de- velopments like the In- ternational Commercial Centre in Hong Kong and Roppongi Hills of Tokyo, Marga Landmark said. The development com- prises eight-storey resi- dential towers with apart- ments in various styles rungIng In sIze Irom 6oo square feet to 2,000 square feet, as well as a selection of penthouses. TIe hrsL pIuse oI resI- dential towers 1-4 will be launched in the fourth quurLer oI zo1q, LIe hrm said. The luxury clubhouse will be equipped with fa- cilities for recreation and entertainment, including u hLness cenLre, ouLdoor swimming pool, restau- rant and indoor golf. Marga said the complex will feature heavy green elements such as energy saving features, sustain- able building materials, a large elevated sky gar- den and a central green area designed to promote long-term, healthy neigh- bourhood living for the citys downtown area. TIe hrm suId IL wIII demonstrate its commit- ment by investing in CSR initiatives and contribut- ing to Myanmars eco- nomic acceleration. Through Dagon City 1, we hope to create over 5,000 jobs for local My- anmar citizens, promote tourism, lift local con- sumerism, attract foreign businesses, and assist lo- cal businesses, said John Barnes, Marga Director. WILI our ugsIIp pro- ject, we can continue to promote Myanmar abroad and help attract foreign capital, he added. Dagon City 1 is jointly designed by lead architect Marga Landmark ._ q, ~ , _. -~.~ ~.:~~. . ..:.,q:~ Dagon City 1 ~_ ..:~ . :. ._ _ e. _ . . ~. .| Mixed-usedevelopment ~ Branded..,..:. . ~~:~. A-grade ,..,. .:. _ ~e |.. ~.e~e . ~ ..~: .. , ..:~ ~ ., .. :..|~ ._ _ e. ._ ~: . . q ._. -~~e_.,..: e. ..:~ . . .q.. . ~ , .._ ..:~~.~,.~~_ q _. ..q ~ ..~ q, ~ , ~ q. :, e:~. .,...~.~ ~_ q ._ .~. .|..:~ . . .q.. . ~ , .~ .e: .~: ~ q .e:. ~ ., . ~. : ~. . ~. .~ ..:.. q.._.....:..|~ ..: Global SyndicateMarga Group . _.,.:.. . . q~,: ~ . ~ ~ -~~ . ~ . ..| ...: q ~ :...:. . ~,._e..|._. ~, .~: ~ ~e ~ .~ ~ .e: .~: ~ ., ~,~ . ~.q ~.e . .....~ , ~.q .~: ~:q ~.q~ ~.: ~.~...: ..:~...q... ,..~~ ....|..:..:~ .~: ~~~~....: . .| ~e. ~, .~: q . ~~: ~.~~_~.~~q q,~,_. .~:e: ~:q~~q .~,. _ . ~. _. _e. .:. . .e . . ~, .~: e_~_.|~e._.,.: .e: ..._..:_.. . ~~:~q .. ._. . . . .~ ~~ ~ _~...~q.,.|~e. Marga ~.,, q, ~ , _. _~. . ~~: _. .~: _e. .:e ..: q ~ q:. : ~. ~.,q:~. .,q:. : .|~ q ~ ~~ ~ .:.. : ~ e . .|~e '' e Mr. Edgar Kwan . ._.:. ._ . Wong Tung & Partners and SPiNE, a local My- anmar design house. The project uses Meinhardt as its engineering consultant and Colliers as its property management consultant. Marga said its team plans to share its international experIence In hnunce, con- struction, and real estate development with local proIessIonuIs In LIe heId. Dagon City 1 will be Yangons new symbol of international progress, said Alex Lau, deputy managing director and head of design of Wong Tung & Partners. He said: The develop- ment epitomises interna- tional cosmopolitan living and modern mixed-use design. Dagon City 1 seeks to promote harmonious integration of modern global architecture with traditional local designs, to initiate sustainable ur- banisation. Online Real Estate Market Booms Kyaw Min Y angons online real estate market is experiencing an in- crease in usage as a means to do research in prepara- tion for purchasing prop- erty, realtors say. There are currently 10 real estate agents provid- ing services through the internet and all are expe- riencing an increase in the use of their service. In the past 10 days, we have received 13 inquiries about real estate. These inquiries are about pur- chasing, not renting. As the companies com- pete with each other to provide online real estate consultancy services, the buyer can choose which company is more suit- able to their needs, said U Win Maung, a spokes- person from Zabu Thitsar Real Estate agency. The number of inquir- ies made is at least three times higher than the number of listed proper- ties, he added. U Win Maung said buy- ers get to compare listed online prices to the pric- es asked by traditional agents, which is often higher, and become well- informed while buying or renting properties. However, some realtors say the online real estate market is yet to pose any sIgnIhcunL compeLILIon to traditional agents, but things will change in the future. Even though the reach is quite limited now, on- line services will be more successful in the future, said U Kyaw Thun Naing of Pyi Gyi Ta Gon Real Es- tate agency. Online real estate mar- ket is likely to be trendier in the future, said U Than U form Man Tai Real Es- tate agency. Myanmar Summary q,~,~,..~._.._.... ~ ~ ~ ~ . _. ._.~e e . . .:. . . . ~ ~ .:.~: ~e e . .:. _...q, _...:_~._~:. ~...:~._.._.~~...: . . , .. . . , .~:~, . ~ ~...:~ ._.:._. q,~,~,..~._.._. ... ~~~~,...~.. ~ ~...:..,._.. . ._ ~.~ ~~ ..~:q_.. ~,.....~~~ ~eeq, ..._.,...:....:..:._~:. .q._. H la in g
M o e A screenshot of an online real estate site house.com.mm. M B T July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com 26 AUTOMOBILE Car Black Box Needs to Be Familiar With Myanmar Phyu Thit Lwin I ncreused Lrumc dIs- putes on Myanmars busy roads have prompted calls for more motorists to install black boxes, in hopes of saving drivers time and money when accidents occur. Black boxes record in- formation relating to car crashes, allowing acci- dents to be reviewed in order to determine how vehicles act in a collision. Few motorists have pur- chased the devices since black boxes were imported into the country in April. P-World Company Mar- keting Manager Ko Phyoe Maung Maung said in- stalling more black boxes would help solve disputes when accidents occur on Myanmars congested roads. When accidents hap- pen, the problem is it costs a lot of money and when people go to the poIIce omce LIere cun be dIerences oI opInIon, he said. Around the world more domestic drivers are in- stalling black boxes to im- prove vehicle safety. These devices are in- stalled in your car and re- cords while your driving and helps improve driver safety more cars should have them, U Tun Myint, whose car has a black box, said. Black boxes are imported from South Korea and have a one-year warranty. The cost of installment ranges Irom K16o,ooo ($16o) Lo K320,000 ($320). Jaguar Land Rover Opens Yangon Showroom Htun Htun Minn B ritish automaker Jaguar Land Rover and its local partner Capital Automotive Ltd have opened the luxury sports car manufacturers new dealership in Yan- gon. Capital Automotive Ltd has completed the deal- ership with an eight-car showroom and 13-bay workshop with factory cerLIhed LecInIcIuns, LIe company said. The opening of the new showroom, service and parts facility means this wIII be LIe hrsL LIme und Rover and Jaguar prod- ucLs wIII be omcIuIIy soId in Myanmar, bringing the products together under one roof in a dedicated Jaguar Land Rover deal- ership. U Khin Tun, manag- ing director, Capital Au- tomotive Ltd, said: We are now open to serve our elite group of customers oerIng un excILIng runge of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles in Myanmar. He said many custom- ers who have visited have expressed interest in the new Land Rover and Jag- uar range, particularly the All-New Range Rover, Range Rover Evoque and Jaguar XF. I am sure we will soon see many of these new Land Rover and Jaguar models on the road in Myanmar. We are very conhdenL LIuL we wIII uIso be able to grow the Jag- uar Land Rover business here. The dealership intro- duced customers with the all-new Range Rover Sport and the Jaguar F- Type at the showroom opening ceremony. Andrew Patrick, ambas- sador of the UK to Myan- mar, I am delighted that Jaguar Land Rover has decided to expand their global operations to this country. They are an ex- ample of British engineer- ing and manufacturing at ILs very besL; LIey pro- duce top quality products, employ and train local people to international standards and deliver the highest levels of customer service. I am looking forward to seeing this famous British brand in this country. The price for Land Rovers will range from $100,000 to $330,000 and Jaguar models be- tween $149,000 and $250,000. In April, the authorities announced a new tax re- lief program that would enable traders and buyers of high-end and luxury curs Lo suve sIgnIhcunL amount of money in reg- istration fees. Buyers of high-class cars will be able to save up to K20 mIIIIon ($zo,6oo), uc- cording to the new regu- lations of Myanmar Road Transport Administration Department (RTAD). Myanmar Summary Myanmar Summary Myanmar Summary India, Myanmar to Sign Bus Service Pact Aung Phyo I ndia and Myanmar may soon sign an initial agreement for starting a bus service con- necting the two countries through the north-eastern state of Imphal, aimed at improving people-to-peo- ple contact and bilateral relations. The service is likely to start from October and would cover a distance of 579 kilometres between Imphal and Mandalay in about 14 hours, according to Indian media reports. Though the fare is yet to be hnuIIsed, governmenL omcIuIs suId IL wouId be kept below INR2,000 ($33). To facilitate trav- ellers, visa-on-arrival wouId be oered on boLI sides. It was agreed that both sides will work towards signing a MoU (Memoran- dum of Understanding) at the earliest on mutually convenient date and venue in order to facilitate early starting of the Imphal- Mandalay bus service, Indias Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said in a statement. A delegation led by Niraj Verma, joint secretary, Ministry of Road Trans- port and Highways visited Nay Pyi Taw recently, to attend an Inter-Ministe- rial Technical Level Meet- Ing Lo negoLIuLe und hnuI- ise the MoU and related protocol agreements for the proposed bus service. The text of MoU, which wus hnuIIsed In LIe bI- lateral inter-ministerial technical level meeting on September 17, 2012, was reviewed clause by clause by the representatives of the two delegations and adopted during the meet- ing, the statement said. The weekly cross-bor- der bus service is set to boost Indias newly elected Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of increased connectivity with neighbouring South Asian countries. Indias Road Ministry had been in discussions with the Transport Plan- ning Department of the Ministry of Rail Trans- portation of Myanmar for introducing the cross bor- der bus service. Currently, there is no di- rect road link between In- dia and Myanmar. From DeIII, one Ius Lo hrsL y to Bangkok and then to either Yangon or Nay Pyi Taw to reach Myanmar. The project is expected to boost economic activity in the region, according to omcIuIs. Depending on the re- sponse, the service would be scaled up and at a later stage will be extended to allow freight movement as well. Modis predecessor Manmohan Singh was also keen to sign the agreement for launching the bus service during his visit to Myanmar in 2012 but it did not fructify as LIe deuI couId noL be h- nalised on time. The Indian government is also assisting Myanmar to upgrade a 70km stretch of road between Indias Kalewa and Yargyi in My- anmar. Unveiling the JAGUAR F-Type by Stephen Crisp, Director of Global government affairs, Jaguar Land Rov- er and Dale Jones, country manager of RMA. J a g u a r ..: .~: e: . _. .q.~~ ~ ~..~.._.q._ Black Box .:.~ _...._ -_... .~_ _._~.. ~.. .q: .. . ..: ._ . ~e e ~. ._.._ ..: .~: e: ~.q ~~ ~ . : ~. , ,_ ..|..,... ._~:. .q._. .~ ~..:~. , ~ ~. .| .. _ .~ ~ . . .~:.~.:.. ~ .:.q:~~.._~_.. ~.~. ._..e:...:.. ,._.~ . e: . .~. . ~_ ..:. .. . q ...._~: ..~ .~ . q ._. Black Box .:.~~q.e:. ..~.._. ._e. _. .~:.. .~ ~..~. . ....:.._~:. . .. .. , .. :.. : ~. . _ . . ._ ~ ~,_ .. .. ~ . ~'~,~~~. ~.:. . . ,~,~~~ ~. ~ q ._~: . .q._. ~ . e. _., .:. ~ ._ ._~:. ~. , ~~ . . . . ~.~:.._.....q.~~~ ..:~ .:.. ~:. .~ . ~ .q. .. ._ e . q_. . . . . . ...| ...: q ~ .q. _._ . ~. .. ..~ . .q.. . ~ .~~ ..q, q_ q e ._~: . . q._ . ~. .|~ . ~:.. .._ ~ . . ~:~ :.~.._ ~.e.~.q ._.:~..~ q ._ ~ e:_._ ,e . .. ... _. ~ ~:. .~ . e ._ _e. ._ . e .~ . ~:... .._~: .- .~ . ~ .. , .:.~ ~ . e,.. . ~~~ ,, ..'.:, ~_e. .~ . ~ q, . . . ~ q _. . .q .. :..:.~. ._. . . . ~:~, q . . :.~ . ~ .q:~ - ~:...~. . q, . . .~ q ._ . _-~,~:.~... J aguar Land Rover . _.,.:.~e~ ..,. Capital Automotive Ltd ~._ ~..~:.. _. ~:..q: .. . . . , ... ~ q, ~ , ~ e . . . ~ _. _e. ._. ~.q:..,.. _...q.. ~..._.~,..:..:. ~.. e . . _. .. : Land Rover . J aguar ~,.._..:.~ _.,.: .~ ....~_~. ~q:. ~ .q: .. _ . .._ ._ e. _ . . Land Rover . J aguar ~ ~,.:.~ ~..,q:~_.~ .q:...__e.._. -_..~~.~ ~:~:. .:.~ ~. , ..: ..q.~. ~. .. .:.~ ._~_:. _. . ~.~: . .:. ~..~:..:. ~ee..:. ~.,_e .~.~._~...:~ . . .:.:..: ~.... .. ._ _ e. ._ . ~. _ . ~:. ~e e ..:.~.,_e ~..,. ~ ~ .. : . . ._ _ e. ._~: . .q._. R e u t e r s July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com IT & TELECOM 27 Myanmar Summary Telenor and Wikimedia Hold Workshop to Tap Local Content T elenor, the Wiki- media Foundation and the Myanmar Wikipedia community Iuve IeId LIeIr hrsL joInL workshop in Myanmar in a bid to create local con- tent for Wikipedia, the worlds biggest free ency- clopaedia. The workshop was held at Telenors headquarters in Yangon and was con- ducted by experienced Wikipedia contributors. The event gave new vol- unteers an introduction and training in how to identify content for trans- lation, how to edit articles and also how to teach new members of the Wikipe- dia community, Telenor said in a statement. Wikipedia is an impor- tant source of information and have committed to providing access to Wiki- Zwe Wai pedia for free to Telenors customers, Petter Furb- erg, CEO, Telenor Myan- mar. Telenor is also support- ing local initiatives to cre- ate content in local lan- guage on Wikipedia, he said. We are excited to help bringing Wikipedia to the people of Myanmar and to start our partnership with the Wikimedia Founda- tion and the Myanmar Wikipedia community. Wikipedia contains more than 30 million vol- unteer-authored articles in over 287 languages, and is visited by more than 490 million people every month, making it one of the most popular sites in the world. The Myanmar ver- sion of Wikipedia my.wikipedia.org cur- rently only has around 30,000 articles in local language. Telenor said creation of conLenL Is LIe hrsL sLep towards launching Wiki- pedia Zero, where Tel- enor customers can use Wikipedia for free, with no internet charges, once the company launches its network in September. We need more local con- tent in Myanmar language and our aim is to create a collaborative, growing eco- system of contributors in the Myanmar community, said Ngwe Tun, who is one oI LIe hrsL WIkIpedIuns In Myanmar and conducted the workshop in partner- ship with Telenor Myan- mar. More contributors mean more articles, which results in more us- age of Wikipedia. This is a true initiative for the community, by the com- munity. Knowledge is power and Wikipedia can oer u pIuLIorm wILI reII- able, useful and unbiased information, he said. Telenor Group signed a partnership with the Wiki- media Foundation in 2012 Lo oer WIkIpedIu Iree oI data charges on mobile devices for Telenor cus- tomers in Asia and south- eastern Europe. The partnership agree- ment for Telenor Myan- mar was signed in No- vember last year. The Wikimedia Foun- dation imagines a world in which every single person has free access to the sum of human knowl- edge. Through Telenors support, the Myanmar people can now partici- pate in multi-directional knowledge sharing on Wikipedia, said Caro- lynne Schloeder, head of Global Mobile Partner- ships at the Wikimedia Foundation. Ooredoo and Samsung Team Up to Provide Mobile Internet Services in Myanmar O oredoo Myanmar signed a deal with tech giant Sam- sung to provide fast and inexpensive mobile in- ternet services when the hrm`s SM curds become uvuIIubIe, LIe QuLurI hrm said. Ooredoo wIII oer cus- tomers a range of spe- cial bundles designed to make the most of Oore- doos 3G network on data driven Samsung devices, it said. Ooredoo said partnering with Samsung will be key to increasing the adoption of mobile internet servic- Phyo Thu Myanmar Summary Myanmar Summary Tel enor Wi ki medi a Foundation . _.,.:.e. ~..~e~._.~._ ,.~ -.. .. .. ...| .~. . , .. ... .. ~ _., .:. ~ ~ .. q, ...~q_.. ~.:~_~. . .~.. . e . ~ . ._ e. ._ Wikipedia~ _._ ~ ...|.. .:._e . ~ . q, ~~ ~ _e. ._e .q._. ~..|..~~..,....... ~:. Telenor Myanmar , ... ~ ~.._....:..__e._.. e.~...~,:.. Wikipedia -~.~ ~_~ q ~ .q:~ .q..:. ..:.~~.q:~_~._e .q ._ . ~. .|~.. .~,:.._ ..~,: ~, . .~.. . :.~ .~ . ~ .~ ..._.. Wikipedia -:.:_., ..| .. .:.~ ._ . .e: ~ . _.:.q._ ~.~ .:. . ..: ..|..:. ~_ ._e~ _. . ~e ~ .. .:.~ ._ . . ~, . ...q._.._.:.~ .~,. .... :.._ e Telenor Myanmar ~ ~ _., ..:._~_:.~ ~ .~q._. Wikipedia ._ ~.q._~. ._ ~q .~_.. . .~ .~.~ ~.~.:.~ qq.._.,q: ~. . _ e. _ . . Telenor ~ Wikipedia ~.._ ...~: . . .,._ . Ooredoo Myanmar ._ . .~~ .:..~ .q: ..._ ~. , ~ .. ..~ .:..: . .~ ~:,~ ~, ..: . . . , ..:.. . ~ q, ,_ .._: ~ . ~ _~.~. . _e. ._ Samsung . ..:~ .~ . ~ .q... ._~:. .q._. Ooredoo ._ Samsung .. _ ..:.. ~. . .:.. .. .:. . 3 G Network . Data .._.:._...q:~,..:. .:.~ .:.....:. . ...~. .:.._e .q._. Ooredoo ._ ,.~- ~, ..: . .:.~ q, ~ , .. ... . .,_._ .~: _. .:.~ ~~, . . . ~~ e. ...~ ~~ . ...~..:.q, .q_.. _.,.: ....q- ,~ q:..,. ~ ~. ._.. q, . . . :.._ e Ooredoo Myanmar CEO Ross Cormack ~ ...~ ._.:.._. CTE Expands into Myanmar, Palau H ong Kong-based Celestial Tiger Entertainment is expanding its distribution into Myanmar and the is- land of Palau, the TV net- work operator said. The operator of the larg- est group of pan-Asian channels dedicated to Asian entertainment, Ce- lestial Tiger Entertainment runs Celestial Movies, a 24- hour Chinese movie chan- neI; CeIesLIuI CIussIc Mov- ies, a channel dedicated to digitally-remastered Chi- nese cIussIc movIes; KX and KIX HD, the action enLerLuInmenL cIunneI; and Thrill, the channel for the horror, thriller and sus- pense movies. Under the new deals, the Forever Group-operated 4TV will launch Celestial Classic Movies (CCM) in Myanmar. In Palau, Palau National Communications Corp, the Republic of Palaus national carrier for local and international tele- communications services, will launch Celestial Clas- sic Movies on PNCC Digi- tal TV. Aye Myat The new deals also in- clude the newly-estab- lished Kompas Grame- dia Group-owned pay TV platform K-Vision carry- ing Celestial Movies and KX; und LIe PIIIIppInes` premier DTH satellite provider Cignal TV, a subsidiary of MediaQuest Holdings, distributing KIX HD and Thrill in the Philippines. es which will unlock new opportunities for end-us- ers in Myanmar. Ooredoo will launch its services in major urban areas around Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw in the third quarter of 2014, reaching 30 per- cent of the population, Ross Cormack, chief ex- ecuLIve omcer oI Oore- doo, said in May. Ooredoos products and services will include voice, SMS and data bun- dles, SIMs, customer care and device detection ca- pabilities, which acceler- ate growth in one of the worlds most underserved markets for mobile and internet use. Samsungs range of Galaxy smartphones and tablets, which have been hugely successful in mar- kets around the world, will become available at local retail outlets, the hrm suId. . e: . ~: ~. _ . . ~ Celestial Tiger .e:._e.q. ..,. (CTE) ._ ,.~- _e,..~ _.,.:.. Palau ~, ..:.. . ._ _e. ._~: . ~ - ~ , q~ ._ . . . ~ . e.~.~~ .._. ~:q .e : ._ e.q.. ..:.~ ~. ~ .~ .~ ~ . ..: ~_~.....,.~..~:. ~ ~e. CTE ._ , ,:q _ ....: ~, ~ , . q .. Celestial Movies .. . ~e .,. . ._.: .. :...: ~, ~ .~~:~....:.~ _..._ Celestial Classic Movies ~~q.e:._e.q... KIX . KIX HD . ._.~ qe . ~~._.e~:~... .:._...: THRILL .,,e ~~ ..~.~q ._. ..:~ _ . ~.. .:.~ ._~:....~ ~_.:.~ ..: Kompas Gramedia ~ . . . ~.... ~ - . . K-Vision ~ Celestial Movies . KIX_.._.. _.. e...- MediaQuest ~.~.~.~:~.~._. DTH _.~...q:... Cignal TV u KIX HD . THRILL ~~ e...~ _...:_..~.|~._. O o r e d o o T e le n o r
M y a n m a r July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com 28 INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC FLIGHT SCHEDULE Fliggh htss ffroom Yanggon (RGNN) to Bangkok ((BKK) Fliggh htss ffroom Banggkok (BKKK) to Yaangon (RGN) Flight No. DDayss From To ETD ETA Operated by: Flight No. DDayss From To ETD ETA Operated by: PG 706 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN BKK 7:15 9:30 Bangkok Airways DD4230 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 DMK RGN 06:30 07:55 NOK Airlines DD4231 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN DMK 8:00 9:45 NOK Airlines 8M336 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 BKK RGN 6:40 7:25 MAI FD2752 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN DMK 8:30 10:15 Thai AirAsia FD2751 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 DMK RGN 7:15 8:00 Thai AirAsia 8M335 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN BKK 8:40 10:25 MAI TG303 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 BKK RGN 8:00 8:45 Thai Airways TG304 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN BKK 9:50 11:45 Thai Airways PG701 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 BKK RGN 8:50 9:40 Bangkok Airways PG702 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN BKK 10:45 12:40 Bangkok Airways FD2755 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 DMK RGN 11:35 12:20 Thai AirAsia Y5-237 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN BKK 18:05 19:50 Golden Myanmar Airlines PG707 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 BKK RGN 13:40 14:30 Bangkok Airways TG302 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN BKK 14:45 16:40 Thai Airways Y5-238 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 BKK RGN 21:10 21:55 Golden Myanmar Airlines PG703 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN BKK 15:20 17:15 Bangkok Airways FD2753 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 DMK RGN 16:35 17:20 Thai AirAsia 8M331 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN BKK 16:30 18:15 MAI PG703 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 BKK RGN 16:45 17:35 Bangkok Airways FD2754 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN DMK 17:50 19:35 Thai AirAsia TG305 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 BKK RGN 17:55 18:40 Thai Airways PG704 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN BKK 18:25 20:20 Bangkok Airways DD4238 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 BKK RGN 19:30 20:15 NOK Airlines TG306 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN BKK 19:40 21:35 Thai Airways 8M332 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 BKK RGN 19:20 20:05 MAI DD4239 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN DMK 21:00 22:45 NOK Airlines PG705 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 BKK RGN 20:00 21:15 Bangkok Airways FFliggh htss ffroom m Yangoon (RGN)) to Chiaang Maii (CNX) FFliggh htss ffroom m Chiangg Mai (CCNX) to YYangon (RGN) W9-9607 4 7 RGN CNX 14:50 16:20 Air Bagan W9-9608 4 7 CNX RGN 17:20 17:50 Air Bagan Flligghtss ffroom Yanggon (RGNN) to Sinngapore (SIN) Flligghtss ffroom Singaapore (SIN) to Yangon ((RGN) Y5-233 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN SIN 10:10 14:40 Golden Myanmar Airlines Y5-234 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 SIN RGN 15:35 17:05 Golden Myanmar Airlines MI509 1 6 RGN SIN 0:25 5;00 SilkAir SQ998 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 SIN RGN 7:55 9:20 Singapore Airline 8M231 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN SIN 8:30 13:00 MAI 8M6231/3K585 1 3 4 5 6 SIN RGN 9:10 10:40 Jetstar Asia SQ997 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN SIN 10:25 14:45 Singapore Airline 8M232 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 SIN RGN 14:10 15:40 MAI 8M6232/3K586 1 3 4 5 6 RGN SIN 11:30 16:05 Jetstar Asia MI518 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 SIN RGN 14:20 15:45 SilkAir 8M233 5 6 7 RGN SIN 13:45 18:15 MAI 8M235 5 6 7 SIN RGN 19:15 20:45 MAI TR2827 1 6 7 RGN SIN 15:10 19:35 TigerAir TR2826 1 6 7 SIN RGN 13:00 14:30 TigerAir TR2827 2 3 4 5 RGN SIN 17:10 21:35 TigerAir TR2826 2 3 4 5 SIN RGN 15:00 16:30 TigerAir MI517 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN SIN 16:40 21:15 SilkAir MI520 5 7 SIN RGN 22:10 23:35 SilkAir FFliightts frromm Yangonn (RGN) tto Kualaa Lumpuur (KUL) Fligghtts frro om m Kuala LLumpur (KUL)too Yangonn (RGN) AK1427 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN KUL 8:30 12:50 AirAsia AK1426 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 KUL RGN 6:55 8:00 AirAsia 8M501 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN KUL 8:55 12:55 MAI MH740 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 KUL RGN 10:05 11:15 Malaysia Airlines MH741 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN KUL 12:15 16:30 Malaysia Airlines 8M502 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 KUL RGN 14:00 15:00 MAI Fligghtts frrom Yanngon (RGGN) to HHanoi (HHAN) Fligghtts frrom Hannoi (HANN) to Yanngon (RRGN) VN956 1 3 5 6 7 RGN HAN 19:10 21:30 Vietnam Airlines VN957 1 3 5 6 7 HAN RGN 16:35 18:10 Vietnam Airlines Flliggh htss ffroom m Yangon (RGN) to Ho CChi Minhh (SGN) Flliggh htss ffroom m Ho Chii Minh (SSGN) to Yangonn (RGN) VN942 2 4 7 RGN SGN 14:25 17:10 Vietnam Airlines VN943 2 4 7 SGN RGN 11:40 13:25 Vietnam Airlines Flligghtss ffrom Yanngon (RGGN) to TTaipei (TTPE) Flligghtss ffrom Taipei (TPEE) to Yanngon (RGN) CI7916 1 2 3 4 5 6 RGN TPE 10:50 16:10 China Airline CI7915 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 TPE RGN 7:15 10:05 China Airline BR288 2 5 6 RGN TPE 11:35 17:20 EVA Air BR287 2 5 6 TPE RGN 7:30 10:35 EVA Air Flliggh htss ffroom Yanggon (RGNN) to Kunming(KMG) Flliggh htss ffroom Kunmming(KMMG) to Yangon ((RGN) CA906 2 3 4 6 7 RGN KMG 14:15 17:35 Air China CA905 2 3 4 6 7 KMG RGN 12:40 13:15 Air China MU2032 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN KMG 14:40 17:55 China Eastern MU2031 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 KMG RGN 13:30 14:00 China Eastern MU2012 3 6 RGN KMG 12:20 18:10 China Eastern (via NNG) MU2011 3 6 KMG RGN 8:25 11:30 China Eastern (via NNG) Flligghtss from Yanngon (RGGN) to BBeijing (BJS) Flligghtss from Beijjing (BJSS) to Yanngon (RRGN) CA906 2 3 4 6 7 RGN BJS 14:15 21:55 Air China (via KMG) CA905 2 3 4 6 7 BJS RGN 8:05 13:15 Air China (via KMG) Fliggh htss ffroom Yanggon (RGNN) to Naanning (NNG) Fliggh htss ffroom Nannning (NNNG) to Yaangon ((RGN) Flight No. DDayss From To ETD ETA Operated by: Flight No. DDayss From To ETD ETA Operated by: MU2012 3 6 RGN NNG 12:20 16:25 China Eastern MU2011 3 6 NNG RGN 10:15 11:30 China Eastern FFliggh htss ffroom m Yangoon (RGN)) to Honng Kong (HKG) HHonng g KKoong (HKG) Flights from Yaangon ((RGN) KA251 1 2 4 6 RGN HKG 1:10 5:35 Dragon Air KA250 1 3 5 7 HKG RGN 21:50 23:45 Dragon Air *PPleaasee noote thee dday change for the deparrture time too Hong Kongg. Flliggh htss ffroom m Yangon (RGN) to Guanng Zhouu (CAN) Flliggh htss ffroom m Guang Zhou (CCAN) to Yangonn (RGN) 8M711 2 4 7 RGN CAN 8:40 13:15 MAI CZ3055 3 6 CAN RGN 8:40 10:30 China Southern Airlines CZ3056 3 6 RGN CAN 11:20 15:50 China Southern Airline 8M712 2 4 7 CAN RGN 14:15 15:45 MAI CZ3056 1 5 RGN CAN 17:40 22:15 China Southern Airline CZ3055 1 5 CAN RGN 14:45 16:35 China Southern Airlines FFlighhts ffroom Yanggon (RGN) to Koolkata (CCCU) FFlighhts ffroom Kolkkata (CCUU) to Yaangon (RRGN) Flight No. DDayss From To ETD ETA Operated by: Flight No. DDayss From To ETD ETA Operated by: AI228 5 RGN CCU 18:45 19:45 Air India AI227 1 5 CCU RGN 10:35 13:20 Air India AI234 1 5 RGN CCU 13:40 16:55 Air India (via GAY) AI233 5 CCU RGN 13:30 18:00 Air India (via GAY) Fliggh htss ffrom Yanngon (RGGN) to GGaya (GAAY) Fliggh htss ffrom Gayya (GAY) to Yanngon (RGGN) 8M 601 1 3 5 6 RGN GAY 10:30 11:50 MAI 8M 602 1 3 5 6 GAY RGN 12:50 16:00 MAI AI234 1 5 RGN GAY 13:40 15:00 Air India AI233 5 GAY RGN 15:00 18:00 Air India Fligghtts frrom Yanngon (RGGN) to TTokyo (NNRT) FFliightts frrom Tokkyo (NRTT) to Yaangon (RRGN) NH914 1 3 6 RGN NRT 22:00 06:40+1 ALL NIPPON Airways NH913 1 3 6 NRT RGN 11:10 17:05 ALL NIPPON Airways FFliggh htss ffrom Yanngon (RGGN) to SSeoul (ICCN) FFliggh htss ffrom Seooul (ICN)) to Yanngon (RGGN) KE472 1 3 5 7 RGN ICN 0:05 8:00 Korean Air KE471 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ICN RGN 18:40 22:55 Korean Air OZ7463 4 7 RGN ICN 0:50 8:50 Asiana OZ4753 3 6 ICN RGN 19:30 23:40 Asiana Flligghtss ffrom Yanngon (RGGN) to DDoha (DOOH) Flightts frrom Dohha (DOH) to Yangon (RRGN) QR619 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN DOH 8:00 11:45 Qatar Airways QR618 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 DOH RGN 21:05 06:29+1 Qatar Airways Flliggh htss ffroom m Yangon (RGN) to Nay Pyi Taww (NYT) Flliggh htss ffroom m Nay Pyyi Taw (NNYT) to Yangonn (RGN) Flight No. DDayss From To ETD ETA Operated by: Flight No. DDayss From To ETD ETA Operated by: FMI-A1 1 2 3 4 5 RGN NYT 7:30 8:30 FMI Air Charter FMI-A2 1 2 3 4 5 NYT RGN 8:50 9:50 FMI Air Charter FMI-B1 1 2 3 4 5 RGN NYT 11:30 12:30 FMI Air Charter FMI-B2 1 2 3 4 5 NYT RGN 13:00 14:00 FMI Air Charter FMI-C1 1 2 3 4 5 RGN NYT 16:30 17:30 FMI Air Charter FMI-C2 1 2 3 4 5 NYT RGN 18:00 19:00 FMI Air Charter FMI-A1 6 RGN NYT 8:00 9:00 FMI Air Charter FMI-A2 6 NYT RGN 10:00 11:00 FMI Air Charter FMI-A1 7 RGN NYT 15:30 16:30 FMI Air Charter FMI-A2 7 NYT RGN 17:00 18:00 FMI Air Charter FFliightts frrom Yangoon (RGN) to Manndalay ((MDY) FFliightts frrom Manddalay (MDDY) to YYangon (RGN) Y5-234 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN MDY 6:15 7:30 Golden Myanmar Airlines Y5-233 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 MDY RGN 8:10 9:25 Golden Myanmar Airlines YH 909 2 4 6 7 RGN MDY 6:30 8:10 Yangon Airways YH 910 1 3 MDY RGN 7:40 10:30 Yangon Airways YH 917 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN MDY 6:10 8:30 Yangon Airways YH 918 1 2 3 4 6 7 MDY RGN 8:30 10:25 Yangon Airways YH 727 1 5 RGN MDY 11:15 13:25 Yangon Airways YH 728 1 5 MDY RGN 9:10 11:05 Yangon Airways YH 731 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN MDY 15:00 17:10 Yangon Airways YH 732 1 2 3 4 5 6 MDY RGN 17:10 19:15 Yangon Airways W9 501 1 2 3 4 RGN MDY 6:00 7:25 Air Bagan W9 502 1 2 3 4 MDY RGN 16:10 18:15 Air Bagan K7 222 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN MDY 6:30 8:40 Air KBZ K7 223 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 MDY RGN 9:00 11:05 Air KBZ YJ 201 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RGN MDY 11:30 12:55 Asian Wings YJ 202 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 MDY RGN 16:00 17:25 Asian Wings Days - (1) Monday (2) TTueesdaay (33) WWeddnessdaay (4) Thursdayy (5) Friday (6) SSaturday (7) Suunday Days - (1) Monday (2) TTueesdaay (33) WWeddnessdaay (4) Thursdayy (5) Friday (6) SSaturday (7) Suunday July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com IT & TELECOM 29 Myanmar Summary Ooredoo, Microsoft Ink Deal to Boost Entrepreneurialism in Myanmar M yanmars next generation of entrepreneurs, ICT professionals, devel- opers and investors who participate within Oore- doos IdeaBox initiative were given a boost with the signing of a partner- ship agreement with Mi- crosoft lending them ac- cess to the DreamSpark and BizSpark programs. The IdeaBox initiative has gained momentum in Myanmar in recent months, driven by the nuLIon`s hrsL ever Huck- athon a contest to cre- ate tech-based solutions regular networking via the introduction of the global Mobile Mondays forum and the launch of its ICT incubator and ac- celerator programme. Now, through the part- nership with Microsoft, the IdeaBox community will have access to a range of tools and services of- fered by the software gi- ants DreamSpark and BizSpark programs. At the end of the day, were a communications Aye Myat company. We understand the value of coming to- gether and sharing, to en- able the people of Myan- mar to take advantage of the leapfrog in technology that our network rollout will deliver, Ross Cor- mack, Ooredoo Myanmar CEO said. BIzSpurk oers u gIobuI audience access to soft- ware, developer tools, support, training and access to cloud technol- ogy to enable developers to innovate and execute programs. Free access to Windows stores and the ability to access the global BizSpark community ena- bles new ventures to build scale quickly. Microsofts Dream- Spark program targets the next generation of entre- preneurs by supporting students, educators and academic institutions. By providing professional developer tools, students are enabled to innovate and given the opportunity to create breakthroughs in technology. Microsofts President of AsIu PucIhc Csur Cern- uda said: Myanmar has tremendous potential to become a key player in the Asian economy. We are proud to be able to provide technology pro- grams and help local citizens develop the right skills that will allow them to maximise the opportu- nities that will come up from the region. As well as provid- ing memberships to the DreamSpark and BizS- park programmes, the partnership between Ooredoo and Microsoft will see the companies collaborate further in a range of ICT focused events. Microsoft . Ooredoo _., .:~ ..:~_ .~. ~ .q..~_..~ Microsoft - DreamSpark . BizSpark ~. ~. .:.~ Ooredoo _., .: - IdeaBox ~.~..:.~ .|~.~q..: . , .~ . .:. .~ .~.~~.~.~ . e .q.,_.._:,e .e. ._: q .:. developer .:. , _~:. _... .:.. q.. ._.....:. ~:.. . ~.._...~:.__e. ._. e. Microsoft . Ooredoo _.,.:~- ..:~_.~_.. ~ ~. :.~: Software~ . ~ _~._e.._ Microsoft - DreamSpark . BizSpark ~.~..:..~.. ...~. ._ ~..~_..: ,_.... .:.. ~, ..: . .:.~ Ooredoo _., .: IdeaBox -~. .~~ . ._ .~ .~ ~~ .. .:.. ._ _e.._. Ooredoo - BizSpark ~. ~. ._ ~. :~q. q. . ,_. ._: ,e.e.:..:.~:. ., q. .:.~ ~ _ . .. :.. ~.~: ~_ .e: _ . .. :. ~~~ cloud ,_.._:~ . e qq .._.. software .:. developer ,_ ... ..:.~ . . . ....~q_.. ~~:,~..'q Window .~...:.. ~.. ~.q:~_ Software .:. ~.._...__e.._. Ooredoo _.,.:- ~.. ~...:~q:q.. Ross Cormack ~ ~, .~: ~ ~e ~._......e: ~~e.~: .~.e.q.~.~.~._e..| ~e.~,.~:~ ~,q~_e, ~~ q:. :,_.._:~_~.~~e ~ .~~ ._.: .. . ~..'~.,q .:~ .~:.~ ..~ ~ _., .: _ ._ . . . .:.. ..e . ~ ~, e .~ ~~ ..~. .:._~. :_e. .|~e''e ._.:_~:..._. Action Camera-Maker Gopro Makes Picture-Perfect Debut S hares of GoPro Inc, a maker of cameras used by surfers, sky- divers and other action junkies to record and post their exploits online, rose as much as 38 percent in their market debut. The companys shares rose to a high of $33 in early Nasdaq trading on last Thursday, valuing the company that popularised action cameras for con- sumers at about $4 billion. GoPro Is LIe hrsL US consumer-el ectroni cs company to go public since headphones maker Skullcandy Inc in 2011. Videos taken using the companys wearable cameras have made a big splash on the inter- net. The company says its videos attracted more than 1 billion views in the hrsL quurLer on YouTube, where its channel has 2 million subscribers. Tanya Agrawal GoPro was founded in 2004 by Nick Woodman, who hit upon the idea wIIIe on u surhng LrIp Lo Australia. He raised his hrsL Iunds Lo deveIop LIe camera by selling seashell necklaces along the Cali- fornia coast. There probably hasnt been a consumer elec- tronics brand as domi- nant as GoPro has been in its category since the ear- ly days of the iPod or the iPad, Dougherty & Co analyst Charlie Anderson wrote in a note to clients. Anderson estimates that GoPro has captured more than 90 percent of the ac- tion camera market. Felix Baumgartners record-setting 24-mile (39-km) jump from a stratospheric balloon was captured using a GoPro camera. That video has uLLrucLed neurIy 16 mII- lion views on YouTube. Olympic gold medal winning snow boarder Shaun White and 11-time world champion surfer Kelly Slater are among well-known athletes who have endorsed the cam- eras. GoPro cameras have also become popular among bands such as The Rolling Stones and Foo Fighters. The company received an Emmy award in 2013 for its contribu- tion to the television in- dustry. GoPro sold 8.9 million shares, while the rest were oered by seIIIng stockholders, including Woodman and investors Riverwood Capital LP, Taiwanese electronics contract manufacturer Hon Hai Precision Indus- try Co Ltd and Sageview Capital Master LP. Woodman, the compa- nys chief executive and its largest shareholder with a 48 percent stake, soId ubouL .6 mIIIIon shares. Reuters A GoPro Hero 3+ camera is seen at the Nasdaq Market Site before before GoPro Incs IPO in New York City. M ik e
S e g a r / R e u t e r s Go.q. .... .:..~: .~ _~..,..:.. .,.,.:..:. ....:..:. ,.~- .. q:...:.~ .~~..~q,.. ..: ~ .q:.:. ~ ._ GoPro ~.~._ ~.:.. ~_e. .~.:q....~., Myanmar Summary ~q ee:....,..:. , q: . . , .~ _. ~~ . :. ._ . ,:.~. . :. ~ . . . Skull Candy ~ ~~~ ... ~ ~.:..~_e..:q... _.. .,:~.. GoPro .: ~.:. . ~_e. ._.: .. ..: ... . ~..q ~, .. .. .. _ . ~ ~.~_e.._. q e e:.. . . :. _ . ~~ . ._~: ~ . ~ -~, e .. : ..'.: , . e q .:. ._ . GoPro ~ Nick Woodman ..~ ~~, ...~ ~_ .: . _. . _..._~... ~._ ~.~ ....~q. ~_~ qq._.._e.._e .q._. O o r e d o o July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com SOCIAL SCENES 30 Delegates pose for a photo at the event. Marga Group Delegates at the event. Marga Group Dan Davies from Colliers International giving a speech. Marga Group John Barnes gives his speech. Marga Group Alex Lau, chief architect. Marga Group Edgar Kwan gives his speech at the event. Marga Group Question and answer sesssion. Marga Group Question and answer sesssion. Marga Group Introduction Ceremony of Dagon City 1 Opening Ceremony of Yulchon Myanmar Delegates cutting the ribbon at the event. Htun Htun Minn Delegates pose for a photo at the event. Htun Htun Minn Woo Chang Rok ,Chairman of Yulchon LLC, speaks at the event. Htun Htun Minn Lee Baek-soon, Korean Ambassador to Myanmar, gives his speech at the event. Htun Htun Minn Guests at the event. Htun Htun Min Andrew Patrick, ambassador of the UK to Myanmar, with Jaguar F-Type. Jaguar Delegates pose for a photo. Jaguar Unveiling the JAGUAR F-Type by Stephen Crisp, director of global government afairs, Jaguar Land Rover and Dale Jones, country manager of RMA. Jaguar Unveiling the RANGE ROVER SPORT by Khin Tun (L), MD of Capital Automotive Ltd and Andrew Pat- rick. Jaguar Dale Jones, country manager of RMA. Jaguar Mike Pease, GM of Capital of Automotive Ltd. Jaguar Stephen Crisp, director of global government afairs, Jaguar Land Rover. Jaguar Ribbon cutting. Jaguar Khin Tun, MD of Capital Automotive Ltd. Jaguar Jaguar Land Rover Dealership Grand Opening Ceremony July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com CLASSIFIEDS 31 July 3-9, 2014 Myanmar Business Today mmbiztoday.com 32 ENTERTAINMENT Indawgyi Lake in Myanmar: A Bird Watchers Paradise Fauna & Flora Internationals birding expert Ngwe Lwin invites to visit one of Southeast Asias best kept ecotourism secrets northern Myanmars Indawgyi Lake Ngwe Lwin I ndawgyi Lake, located in northern Myanmar is one of the biggest inland lakes in Southeast Asia and the larg- est in Myanmar. Every year migratory birds from as far as Siberia follow the East Asian- AusLruIusIun ywuy und ock to Indawgyi Lake to rest and feed during the winter season. They start arriving in No- vember and stay until the end of March. Bird surveys over recent years regularly record more than 20,000 wintering water birds. More than 97 bird species, including several species of global conservation concern such as the slender-billed vul- Lure, PuIIus`s hsI-eugIe, greuLer spotted eagle, sarus crane, spot-billed pelican, oriental darter, and black-necked stork, can be found here. No wonder that the Indaw- A black-necked stork takes fight over Indawgyi Lake. B jo r n
O le s e n B jo r n
O le s e n B jo r n
O le s e n Brown-headed gulls at Shwemyintzu Pagoda. Ruddy shellduck. gyi Lake has been recognised as an important bird area and nominated for designation as a globally important wetland under the international Ramsar convention. At the Indawgyi wetland, birds can be observed in a large variety of habitats: the open Iuke, ouLIng vegeLuLIon muLs along the lakes edge, seasonally ooded grussIunds und LIe sur- roundIng puddy heIds. At the lake, large aggregations of ducks can be seen including lesser whistling duck, ruddy shelduck, cotton pygmy goose, mallard, gadwall, falcated duck, Eurasian wigeon, north- ern shoveler, northern pintail, red-crested pochard, common pochard, ferruginous pochard, tufted duck, feeding or resting either on the open middle of the lake or at the shallow edges domInuLed by ouLIng muLs oI water plants. The ornate Shwemyintzu Pagoda perched over the lake is an ideal platform for watching black and brown-headed gulls following the pilgrim boats while hundreds of tufted ducks skim the lake surface for food. Towurds LIe sIore ouLIng vegetation mats provide the ideal habitat for large numbers of purple swamp hens, pheas- ant-tailed or bronzed-winged jacanas. At the lakes shore, tall swamp trees feature perched greater and little cormorants, oriental darters and Asian openbill storks.The southern lake edge features not only large aggregations of ducks but also grey-lagged and bar-head- ed geese. The western (between the Pagoda and Nyaungbin village) and the north-western lake edge (between Nyaungbin and the Indaw Chaung outlet river) is very rewarding featuring large ouLIng vegeLuLIon muLs wILI LIe greatest diversity of water birds, which can be explored by kayak or motorised long boat. The Indaw Chaung (the only outlet river of the lake), IeuLurIng seusonuIIy ooded grasslands, is the best site for watching black-winged stilts, red-wattled and grey-headed lapwings, purple and grey herons, oriental darters, glossy ibis, storks, cranes and vul- tures. Two crane species can be seen the sarus crane which is resident, and the common crane, a winter visitor and can be watched as they feed in LIe grussIunds or puddy heIds, und y Lo LIeIr roosLIng sILes. Five species of storks, Asian openbill, black stork, woolly- necked stork, black-necked stork and lesser adjutant are commonly seen feeding in the grasslands, roosting on the few trees in the river plain or soar- ing above. During the winter, white- rumped vulture and slender- billed vulture soar above the grassland looking for cattle car- casses. If you are lucky enough, you can encounter vultures feeding on a cow or water buf- IuIo. Even HImuIuyun grIm ns might join the feeding frenzy. Besides storks, cranes, ducks and geese, you can also look out for birds of prey (such as osprey, eastern marsh har- rier, pied harrier, Brahminy kILe, PuIIus`s hsI-eugIe, greuLer spotted eagle) along the Indaw chaung as they soar above the water and grasslands. Moreover, the watershed forests of the Indawgyi Lake are home to 350 forest bird specIes IncIudIng hve specIes of hornbill: northern brown hornbill, oriental pied hornbill, great hornbill, rufous-necked hornbill and wreathed hornbill. Heud o Lo LIe surroundIng forested hills to explore them. Pr acti cali ti es How to get ther e: Option 1: Yangon to My- ILkyInu by IgIL; MyILkyInu Lo HopIn by LruIn; HopIn Lo Lonton village(Indawgyi lake) by car/ public bus. Option 2: Yangon to Manda- Iuy by IgILJcurJLruIn; Mundu- Iy Lo HopIn by LruIn; HopIn Lo Lonton village (Indawgyi lake) by car or by public bus. Where to stay: Indawgyi Mahar Guesthouse in Lonton Village: Basic accom- modation (Bed, blanket and shared bathroom). Wher e to eat: There are several local restau- rants in Lonton village. Noodle soup und coeeJLeu Ior breuk- fast, and rice and Burmese / Shan curries for lunch and dinner. Ti me to vi si t: For the migratory water bird season the best time is December to March, but bird watching is good all year round with plenty of resident birds. Spott-billed Pelicans appear on the lake between March and May, and many birds can be seen breeding. Best to avoid the heavy mon- soon rains from July to August. Local tr anspor t: Bird watching is best done by kayak which can be rented from the community-based eco-tourism group in Lonton village. You can reach Shwemyintzu Pagoda and Nyaungbin village by rented motorbike or bicycle. To head for Indaw Chaung you need to rent a motorized long boat, also available in Lonton village. Ngwe Lwin is Fauna & Flora International (FFI) Myanmar Programmes Terrestrial Con- servation Coordinator. Before this role, he worked as a nature guIde und conservuLIon heId coordinator until he was pro- moted to Programme Manager for FFIs Myanmar Conserva- tion and Development Pro- gramme. Ngwe Lwins interest in birdwatching began in 2004 and has conducted several bird surveys in Kachin state, Rakh- ine state and Chin state. B jo r n