September 2013

adv.
pmd 8/13/2013, 12:02 PM 4

2 ACUMEN www. mya nma r b2bma ga z i ne. com
September 2013
Photo Feature.pmd 8/11/2013, 10:06 AM 2
ACUMEN 3
September 2013
ACUMEN 3
adv.pmd 8/10/2013, 3:03 PM 2 adv.pmd 8/10/2013, 3:03 PM 3
adv.pmd 8/10/2013, 2:28 PM 11
adv.pmd 8/10/2013, 2:37 PM 11
adv.pmd 8/10/2013, 2:37 PM 11 adv.pmd 8/13/2013, 11:14 AM 4
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Editors Note
The editorial team at Acumen is proud to inform our readers that it now enters into
a fourth edition at a time when the world is closely watching the developments of
news and views in Myanmar.
August is a month much remembered among those who witnessed the nationwide
peoples uprising and brutal clampdown of the military 25 years ago. Thousands
died on 8 August, 1988 which is why 8888 has become a very sad date in this nation
of about 60 million people. After much blood, sweat and tears have been sacrificed,
we now have a civilian government but are still being represented by 25 percent
military personnel in both Pyithu Hluttaw and Amyotha Hluttaw (parliament). Most
stakeholders agree the 2008 Constitution needs to be changed but questions remain
about how, and to what extent, it will be changed.
Once very secluded, our country has lately been hosting unprecedented numbers
of foreign dignitaries including, in a historic visit, the United States President Barack
Obama last November. We agree that democracy is still in its infancy here and in
rather a sensitive stage. The successful carrying-out of the democratization process
would make Myanmar the best and simplest instance of a successful transition to
democracy in the world. In our cover story, John McGarry mentions that Buddhists
seem to be heading for the trap set by those who wish to turn back to the path of the
previous military regime who worked with extremists to create clashes that are
superficially of a religious and racial nature. This issue of Acumen argues that Buddhism
is a religion of peace and not, as depicted by western media, terror.
Acumen would like to point out the crucial role played by media, especially in a
developing country like Myanmar. It would also like to remind western as well as
local media to act responsibly, whatever angle they decide to take. Though still in an
early stage in the publication industry here, Acumen strives to defend the national
interest and national security, just like in all other big democracies in the world. A
CEO / Chief Editor
Dr. Htet Zan Linn
Director
Dr. Hein Thu Aung, Tin Tun Kyaw
Executive Editor
Phyo Wai
Editors
Hein Zaw, Khin Win, Khaing Minn Nyo
Contributors
John McGarry, Myitmakha, Htay Paing,
Dr. Tin Maung Kyi
Designers
Aung Aung (AN Computer), Thaw Tar Oo
Computer Operator
Zin Wai Wai Shein
Marketing Department
January Khine Mon, Naw Keziah, Yadanar,
Nan Mo, May Hsu Mo Mo
Photographers
Dr. Hein Thu Aung, Aung Kyaw Moe (New
Image),
Myitmakha, Hein Zaw
Publisher and Copyright
Dr. Htet Zan Linn
Printer
Editorial Board
ACUMEN
myanmarb2b@gmail.com
ceo@myanmarb2bmagazine.com, management@myanmarb2bmagazine.com,
editor@myanmarb2bmagazine.com, marketing@myanmarb2bmagazine.com,
Advisors Advisors Advisors Advisors Advisors
Prof. Dr. Aung Tun Thet Prof. Dr. Aung Tun Thet Prof. Dr. Aung Tun Thet Prof. Dr. Aung Tun Thet Prof. Dr. Aung Tun Thet (Senior Advisor, UN Resident Coordinator's Office)
Prof. Maw Than Prof. Maw Than Prof. Maw Than Prof. Maw Than Prof. Maw Than (Rector (Ret), Yangon Institute of Economics Yangon)
Soe Tint Aung Soe Tint Aung Soe Tint Aung Soe Tint Aung Soe Tint Aung (Special Consultant for Advocacy, PSI Myanmar)
Dr. Tun Lwin Dr. Tun Lwin Dr. Tun Lwin Dr. Tun Lwin Dr. Tun Lwin (Consultant, Myanmar Climate Change Watch,Tun Lwin Foundation)
Than Lwin Than Lwin Than Lwin Than Lwin Than Lwin (Deputy Governor (Ret), Central Bank of Myanmar)
Tin Zan Kyaw Tin Zan Kyaw Tin Zan Kyaw Tin Zan Kyaw Tin Zan Kyaw (Principal, Device Business Management Academy)
Grace Swe Zin Htaik Grace Swe Zin Htaik Grace Swe Zin Htaik Grace Swe Zin Htaik Grace Swe Zin Htaik (Media Advocacy Advisor, PSI Myanmar)
Office
No. 24/26, 4B-C, Race Course Condo, South Race Course Street, TAMWE TOWNSHIP, YANGON
Tel : (+959) 420033355
~
66
~
77 (Hot Line), (+959) 73045140, 49317457, 73143313, (+951) 8603886, 8603887
Masthead.pmd 8/13/2013, 11:01 AM 1
Editors Note
The editorial team at Acumen is proud to inform our readers that it now enters into
a fourth edition at a time when the world is closely watching the developments of
news and views in Myanmar.
August is a month much remembered among those who witnessed the nationwide
peoples uprising and brutal clampdown of the military 25 years ago. Thousands
died on 8 August, 1988 which is why 8888 has become a very sad date in this nation
of about 60 million people. After much blood, sweat and tears have been sacrificed,
we now have a civilian government but are still being represented by 25 percent
military personnel in both Pyithu Hluttaw and Amyotha Hluttaw (parliament). Most
stakeholders agree the 2008 Constitution needs to be changed but questions remain
about how, and to what extent, it will be changed.
Once very secluded, our country has lately been hosting unprecedented numbers
of foreign dignitaries including, in a historic visit, the United States President Barack
Obama last November. We agree that democracy is still in its infancy here and in
rather a sensitive stage. The successful carrying-out of the democratization process
would make Myanmar the best and simplest instance of a successful transition to
democracy in the world. In our cover story, John McGarry mentions that Buddhists
seem to be heading for the trap set by those who wish to turn back to the path of the
previous military regime who worked with extremists to create clashes that are
superficially of a religious and racial nature. This issue of Acumen argues that Buddhism
is a religion of peace and not, as depicted by western media, terror.
Acumen would like to point out the crucial role played by media, especially in a
developing country like Myanmar. It would also like to remind western as well as
local media to act responsibly, whatever angle they decide to take. Though still in an
early stage in the publication industry here, Acumen strives to defend the national
interest and national security, just like in all other big democracies in the world. A
CEO / Chief Editor
Dr. Htet Zan Linn
Director
Dr. Hein Thu Aung, Tin Tun Kyaw
Executive Editor
Phyo Wai
Editors
Hein Zaw, Khin Win, Khaing Minn Nyo
Contributors
John McGarry, Myitmakha, Htay Paing,
Dr. Tin Maung Kyi
Designers
Aung Aung (AN Computer), Thaw Tar Oo
Computer Operator
Zin Wai Wai Shein
Marketing Department
January Khine Mon, Naw Keziah, Yadanar,
Nan Mo, May Hsu Mo Mo
Photographers
Dr. Hein Thu Aung, Aung Kyaw Moe (New
Image),
Myitmakha, Hein Zaw
Publisher and Copyright
Dr. Htet Zan Linn
Printer
Editorial Board
ACUMEN
myanmarb2b@gmail.com
ceo@myanmarb2bmagazine.com, management@myanmarb2bmagazine.com,
editor@myanmarb2bmagazine.com, marketing@myanmarb2bmagazine.com,
Advisors Advisors Advisors Advisors Advisors
Prof. Dr. Aung Tun Thet Prof. Dr. Aung Tun Thet Prof. Dr. Aung Tun Thet Prof. Dr. Aung Tun Thet Prof. Dr. Aung Tun Thet (Senior Advisor, UN Resident Coordinator's Office)
Prof. Maw Than Prof. Maw Than Prof. Maw Than Prof. Maw Than Prof. Maw Than (Rector (Ret), Yangon Institute of Economics Yangon)
Soe Tint Aung Soe Tint Aung Soe Tint Aung Soe Tint Aung Soe Tint Aung (Special Consultant for Advocacy, PSI Myanmar)
Dr. Tun Lwin Dr. Tun Lwin Dr. Tun Lwin Dr. Tun Lwin Dr. Tun Lwin (Consultant, Myanmar Climate Change Watch,Tun Lwin Foundation)
Than Lwin Than Lwin Than Lwin Than Lwin Than Lwin (Deputy Governor (Ret), Central Bank of Myanmar)
Tin Zan Kyaw Tin Zan Kyaw Tin Zan Kyaw Tin Zan Kyaw Tin Zan Kyaw (Principal, Device Business Management Academy)
Grace Swe Zin Htaik Grace Swe Zin Htaik Grace Swe Zin Htaik Grace Swe Zin Htaik Grace Swe Zin Htaik (Media Advocacy Advisor, PSI Myanmar)
Office
No. 24/26, 4B-C, Race Course Condo, South Race Course Street, TAMWE TOWNSHIP, YANGON
Tel : (+959) 420033355
~
66
~
77 (Hot Line), (+959) 73045140, 49317457, 73143313, (+951) 8603886, 8603887
Masthead.pmd 8/13/2013, 11:01 AM 1
ACUMEN 11
We dont have
policy to control
market price. At
present, operator
permission license
would be offered
among foreign
companies and
local companies
which will lead to
market competition.
Later on, the com-
petitor companies
will reduce phone
calling cost to-
gether.
U Thaung Tin
Deputy Minister
Ministry of Communication and
Information Technology
Corruption effects countrys dignity,
national dignity, and also individual
dignity of Myanmar. As for young-
age democracy in Myanmar, the
corruption is big obstacle for the
country development, international
trust-building and international
investment.
Dr. Sai Mauk Kham
Vice-President
They have to examine where the flaws or mistakes in the reform process are and find
workable solutions for national unity, national reconciliation, rules of law and stability,
and armed conflict. Its time to carry out practical reforms rather than blaming each
other.
Thura U Shwe Mann
Speaker of the Lower House
oices
V
On the topic of communal and religious violence, I
would like to quote General Aung San as saying that
freedom of worship is a fundamental right of our citizens
and in promoting truthfulness, loving kindness and the
right way to live through right actions cannot be a
deterrent to progress of our society. But our society
must never tolerate thoughtless, ruthless and abusive
violent acts in the name of religion.
U Thein Sein
President
Voices.pmd 8/13/2013, 11:07 AM 11
2 ACUMEN www. mya nma r b2bma ga z i ne. c om
September 2013
Photo Feature
ACUMEN 3
Beauty of Hlaing River / HT
September 2013
Photo Feature
ACUMEN 3
Beauty of Hlaing River / HT
News in Brief
September 2013
News in Brief
Mercedes steps into Myanmar car market
The Automobile Alliance Co., Ltd of
Myanmar joined hands with Singapore-
listed Jardine Cycle & Carriage (JC&C)
Co., Ltd. to import luxury Mercedes Benz
cars into Myanmar.
The launch ceremony to Mercedes
Benz was officially held at Sedona Ho-
tel, Yangon on July 26. It has already
opened Satellite Workshop on Kaba Aye
Pagoda Road. Mercedes is planning to
open main showroom on Pyi Road and
main workshop in Ywar Ma Kyaung
Road early next year.
U Aung Moe Kyaw from Automobile
Alliance, chairperson of IBTC group, said,
I am proud to introduce Mercedes-Benz
to Myanmar. I believe that these cars will
be successful in luxury category in
Myanmar."
We are committed in
bri ngi ng the best of
Mercedes Benz automobiles,
direct from Germany with
the deserved quality of care
and service by our German
trained experts. We have
great aspi rati ons for
Mercedes Benz in Myanmar
and we hope that you will
experience our passion through our
friendly staff and world-class facilities
and services," according to Mercedes on
its website.
The special models for Myanmar con-
sumers are: A-Class Saloon; B-Class
Sports Tourer; C-Class Saloon Estate,
Coupe; CLA-Class Coupe, CLS-Class
Coupe, Shooting Brake; E-Class Saloon,
Estate, Coup, Cabriolet; G-Class Cross-
Country Vehicle; GL-Class Off-Roaders;
GLK-Class Off-Roaders, M-Class Off-
Roaders(w166), S-Class Saloon; SL-Class
Roadsters; SLK-Class Roadsters; and SLS
AMG Coupe, Roadsters.
For more detai l s, Websi te:
www. mercedes-benz. com. mm and
Phone: +95 95057045. A
EU and US try to extend their garment manufacturing in Myanmar
turing industry, said Daw Khine Khine
Ngwe, secretary of Myanmar Garment
Manufacturers Association.
Just now, a buyer from UK comes
to study Myanmar garment manufactur-
ing. And a delegation from UK Trade
Investment has come as well as from the
United States. Not like previously, they
are now coming to us," said Daw Khine
Khine Nwe.
The situation is getting better. Dew-
hirst Company has started to work to-
gether with some local factories. In the
China's Hin Leong Group invests US$ 200m in Myanmar oil sector China's Hin Leong Group invests US$ 200m in Myanmar oil sector China's Hin Leong Group invests US$ 200m in Myanmar oil sector China's Hin Leong Group invests US$ 200m in Myanmar oil sector China's Hin Leong Group invests US$ 200m in Myanmar oil sector
Chinas Hin Leong Group has invested
US$ 200m in Myanmar oil sector. True
to raising situation of investment from
foreign countries in Myanmar and
because of local oil demand, an oil
trading company Singapore-based, Hin
Leong Group, has entered into Myanmar
oil trading market to fulfill the rising
demand of consumers in Myanmar. The
group ai ms to l aunch i n part of
distribution and selling of fuel product
directly to end users.
A lot of businesses are entering
Myanmar after opening its doors, so its
oil-demand is rising very fast," Lim,
founder of the group, said in an interview
with Reuters.
In Myanmar, Hin Leong Group is one
of the top fuel suppliers, and the company
is planning to build up safety storages
near Yangon region area.
Not only in Myanmar but also in
China, East Timor and Indonesia, the
group planned to invest US$ 400 million
over all in South East Asia.
The first step of its investment would
start to supply kerosene, gasoline, jet fuel
and asphalt in amount of 100,000 cubic
meters of storage in East Timor.
Hin Leong Group was established in
1963 and provides oil trading, bunkering,
lubricants blending, diesel retailing,
logistics support and storage support. A
previous months, they just came to study
and went back, but now the number of
companies which would practically invest
in Myanmar are increasing", she continued.
Dewhirst is a garment manufactur-
ing company based in United Kingdom
since 1880s and extended its branches
to Bangladesh, China, Sri Lanka, Cam-
bodia, and Indonesia especially supply
Mark & Spencer (M&S) company, a large
company in UK. Myanmar will be one
of its extended countries in Asia running
factories with more than 2,000 workers.
Europe and the United States are trying
to invest in Myanmar garment manufac-
News in Brief~.pmd 8/13/2013, 11:04 AM 14
ACUMEN 15
State-owned telecommunication company PT Telekomunikasi
Indonesia (Telkom), Indonesia's largest telecommunication and
network provider, started to step into Myanmar's International
Network competing tenders in this year, but unluckily as its
first step, it failed in the pre-qualification stage of Telkon ten-
der hold in April. But now, fortunately in this time, it has won
a tender to manage Myanmar's international networks.
The trust given by the Myanmar government is the result
of our team's hard work on the ground in Myanmar. This will
be an opportunity to show Telkom can be aligned with other
big international operators," Arief Yahya, president director of
state-controlled Telkom, said.
Telkon will develop and modernize Myanmar information
and communications technology service for sustainable progress
and is planning to open representative office in Myanmar - its
process of economic, liberalization, would provide business
opportunities, Arief added.
As extension of oversee business of Telkom, the Telkon
also provide services in Hong Kong, East Timor, Australia,
Malaysia and Singapore as well as Middle East, and Australia.
In East Timor, Telkom is doing proper investment of US$50
million to establish GSM and 3G telecommunications opera-
tions by consumers' demand.
Now in Myanmar, GSM Mobile Phone Users are able to
directly apply for internet access by pressing an SMS message
to 133 likely to other ASEAN countries.
Not only Indonesia Telkon investment but also Indonesia's
fertilizer investment are looking to penetrate the Myanmar fer-
tilizer market, which has millions of hectares of paddy fields
with low yields and a lack of fertilizing efforts. A
Indonesia's Telkom wins tender Investment law becomes debated
topic to revise
Burma/Myanmar Company Act 1914 will be amended by the
confirmation of the parliament on July 23. The reasons to amend
the act are out of date for over 100 years; and discrimination
among investors.
U Kyi Myint, a Parliamentarian representative of Latha
Township, Yangon Region, pointed the differences between;
the ownership of citizens and foreigners and company regis-
tration, in the 1914 act and foreign investment law in 2012.
Investment law will be revised, but how and what parts to
be amended is not known in detail yet. Many people see for-
eign and citizen investment laws should be combined. But some
disagree with it as they believe that citizens' businesses need
to be protected," an official from the ministry said.
There are two investment laws in Myanmar separate for local
and foreign investment.
In the investment sectors, fairness based on non-discrimi-
nation is important because actually, we don't see the invest-
ment laws are separated like as local and foreign investment
as well as international community including ASEAN coun-
tries. But, in Cambodia, land-ownership is a prohibition for
foreign investors in their investment law, section VIII. The sec-
tion pointed -apart from land-ownership, no discrimination for
foreign investors' companies in the ownership sectors." Depu-
ty Minister U Sat Aung said.
To revise the foreign investment law, it is needed to be:
internationalized standard; be accomplished in developing eco-
nomic; upgraded to online system registration; and etc, by the
financial assistance from ADB (Asian Development Bank) and
technical assistance from international community. A
Myanmar reinstatement in the EU's GSP (Generalised System
of Preferences) will take effect and apply retrospectively from
13 June 2012 and there will be more potentials for investment
in Myanmar.
Myanmar access to EU's GSP was temporarily held in 1997
as a result of practices of forced labour that were identified by
International Labour Organization.
It is also not so far from US's GSP (Generalised System of
Preferences) because of the negotiation GSP on Myanmar by
the voices of GSP watchers. A
News in Brief
September 2013
News in Brief
Mercedes steps into Myanmar car market
The Automobile Alliance Co., Ltd of
Myanmar joined hands with Singapore-
listed Jardine Cycle & Carriage (JC&C)
Co., Ltd. to import luxury Mercedes Benz
cars into Myanmar.
The launch ceremony to Mercedes
Benz was officially held at Sedona Ho-
tel, Yangon on July 26. It has already
opened Satellite Workshop on Kaba Aye
Pagoda Road. Mercedes is planning to
open main showroom on Pyi Road and
main workshop in Ywar Ma Kyaung
Road early next year.
U Aung Moe Kyaw from Automobile
Alliance, chairperson of IBTC group, said,
I am proud to introduce Mercedes-Benz
to Myanmar. I believe that these cars will
be successful in luxury category in
Myanmar."
We are committed in
bri ngi ng the best of
Mercedes Benz automobiles,
direct from Germany with
the deserved quality of care
and service by our German
trained experts. We have
great aspi rati ons for
Mercedes Benz in Myanmar
and we hope that you will
experience our passion through our
friendly staff and world-class facilities
and services," according to Mercedes on
its website.
The special models for Myanmar con-
sumers are: A-Class Saloon; B-Class
Sports Tourer; C-Class Saloon Estate,
Coupe; CLA-Class Coupe, CLS-Class
Coupe, Shooting Brake; E-Class Saloon,
Estate, Coup, Cabriolet; G-Class Cross-
Country Vehicle; GL-Class Off-Roaders;
GLK-Class Off-Roaders, M-Class Off-
Roaders(w166), S-Class Saloon; SL-Class
Roadsters; SLK-Class Roadsters; and SLS
AMG Coupe, Roadsters.
For more detai l s, Websi te:
www. mercedes-benz. com. mm and
Phone: +95 95057045. A
EU and US try to extend their garment manufacturing in Myanmar
turing industry, said Daw Khine Khine
Ngwe, secretary of Myanmar Garment
Manufacturers Association.
Just now, a buyer from UK comes
to study Myanmar garment manufactur-
ing. And a delegation from UK Trade
Investment has come as well as from the
United States. Not like previously, they
are now coming to us," said Daw Khine
Khine Nwe.
The situation is getting better. Dew-
hirst Company has started to work to-
gether with some local factories. In the
China's Hin Leong Group invests US$ 200m in Myanmar oil sector China's Hin Leong Group invests US$ 200m in Myanmar oil sector China's Hin Leong Group invests US$ 200m in Myanmar oil sector China's Hin Leong Group invests US$ 200m in Myanmar oil sector China's Hin Leong Group invests US$ 200m in Myanmar oil sector
Chinas Hin Leong Group has invested
US$ 200m in Myanmar oil sector. True
to raising situation of investment from
foreign countries in Myanmar and
because of local oil demand, an oil
trading company Singapore-based, Hin
Leong Group, has entered into Myanmar
oil trading market to fulfill the rising
demand of consumers in Myanmar. The
group ai ms to l aunch i n part of
distribution and selling of fuel product
directly to end users.
A lot of businesses are entering
Myanmar after opening its doors, so its
oil-demand is rising very fast," Lim,
founder of the group, said in an interview
with Reuters.
In Myanmar, Hin Leong Group is one
of the top fuel suppliers, and the company
is planning to build up safety storages
near Yangon region area.
Not only in Myanmar but also in
China, East Timor and Indonesia, the
group planned to invest US$ 400 million
over all in South East Asia.
The first step of its investment would
start to supply kerosene, gasoline, jet fuel
and asphalt in amount of 100,000 cubic
meters of storage in East Timor.
Hin Leong Group was established in
1963 and provides oil trading, bunkering,
lubricants blending, diesel retailing,
logistics support and storage support. A
previous months, they just came to study
and went back, but now the number of
companies which would practically invest
in Myanmar are increasing", she continued.
Dewhirst is a garment manufactur-
ing company based in United Kingdom
since 1880s and extended its branches
to Bangladesh, China, Sri Lanka, Cam-
bodia, and Indonesia especially supply
Mark & Spencer (M&S) company, a large
company in UK. Myanmar will be one
of its extended countries in Asia running
factories with more than 2,000 workers.
Europe and the United States are trying
to invest in Myanmar garment manufac-
ACUMEN 15
State-owned telecommunication company PT Telekomunikasi
Indonesia (Telkom), Indonesia's largest telecommunication and
network provider, started to step into Myanmar's International
Network competing tenders in this year, but unluckily as its
first step, it failed in the pre-qualification stage of Telkon ten-
der hold in April. But now, fortunately in this time, it has won
a tender to manage Myanmar's international networks.
The trust given by the Myanmar government is the result
of our team's hard work on the ground in Myanmar. This will
be an opportunity to show Telkom can be aligned with other
big international operators," Arief Yahya, president director of
state-controlled Telkom, said.
Telkon will develop and modernize Myanmar information
and communications technology service for sustainable progress
and is planning to open representative office in Myanmar - its
process of economic, liberalization, would provide business
opportunities, Arief added.
As extension of oversee business of Telkom, the Telkon
also provide services in Hong Kong, East Timor, Australia,
Malaysia and Singapore as well as Middle East, and Australia.
In East Timor, Telkom is doing proper investment of US$50
million to establish GSM and 3G telecommunications opera-
tions by consumers' demand.
Now in Myanmar, GSM Mobile Phone Users are able to
directly apply for internet access by pressing an SMS message
to 133 likely to other ASEAN countries.
Not only Indonesia Telkon investment but also Indonesia's
fertilizer investment are looking to penetrate the Myanmar fer-
tilizer market, which has millions of hectares of paddy fields
with low yields and a lack of fertilizing efforts. A
Indonesia's Telkom wins tender Investment law becomes debated
topic to revise
Burma/Myanmar Company Act 1914 will be amended by the
confirmation of the parliament on July 23. The reasons to amend
the act are out of date for over 100 years; and discrimination
among investors.
U Kyi Myint, a Parliamentarian representative of Latha
Township, Yangon Region, pointed the differences between;
the ownership of citizens and foreigners and company regis-
tration, in the 1914 act and foreign investment law in 2012.
Investment law will be revised, but how and what parts to
be amended is not known in detail yet. Many people see for-
eign and citizen investment laws should be combined. But some
disagree with it as they believe that citizens' businesses need
to be protected," an official from the ministry said.
There are two investment laws in Myanmar separate for local
and foreign investment.
In the investment sectors, fairness based on non-discrimi-
nation is important because actually, we don't see the invest-
ment laws are separated like as local and foreign investment
as well as international community including ASEAN coun-
tries. But, in Cambodia, land-ownership is a prohibition for
foreign investors in their investment law, section VIII. The sec-
tion pointed -apart from land-ownership, no discrimination for
foreign investors' companies in the ownership sectors." Depu-
ty Minister U Sat Aung said.
To revise the foreign investment law, it is needed to be:
internationalized standard; be accomplished in developing eco-
nomic; upgraded to online system registration; and etc, by the
financial assistance from ADB (Asian Development Bank) and
technical assistance from international community. A
Myanmar reinstatement in the EU's GSP (Generalised System
of Preferences) will take effect and apply retrospectively from
13 June 2012 and there will be more potentials for investment
in Myanmar.
Myanmar access to EU's GSP was temporarily held in 1997
as a result of practices of forced labour that were identified by
International Labour Organization.
It is also not so far from US's GSP (Generalised System of
Preferences) because of the negotiation GSP on Myanmar by
the voices of GSP watchers. A
September 2013
Cover Story
September 2013
Cover Story-When Buddhists go to the trap.pmd 8/13/2013, 10:31 AM 16
ACUMEN 17 ACUMEN 17
September 2013
Cover Story
September 2013
ACUMEN 17 ACUMEN 17
September 2013
A
mi dst t he sounds of a
downpour and st rong
winds, there came out a
voice, calm and serene: Its necessary
for all men in the world to have kind
consideration and Metta (Loving-
kindness) for each other.
That was a Buddhi st monk
teaching Buddhist ethics to young
students at a Buddhist monk-taught
school.
Myanmar, since the times of its
ancient kings, has had Buddhist
monks playing a vital role in the
education of the people including
members of royalty. Chronicles say
t eachi ngs by Buddhi st monks
contributed to the growth of literacy
rate which was even five times
greater than that of India in 1931.
This work still continues to this day
with over 1,500 monastic schools
teaching and taking care of needy
and orphaned children, all for free.
Buddhist monks are still carrying out
such philanthropic work as well as
activities that help preserve the
Buddhas teachings.
Cover Story
Morning Alms Round/Flickr
A Buddhist monk teaching Buddhist ethics
to children and novices at a monastic
school. /Aung Kyaw Moe (New Image)
ACUMEN 19
Buddhism endangered Buddhism endangered Buddhism endangered Buddhism endangered Buddhism endangered
The Theravada teachings of the Buddha professed and
practised by the majority of people in Myanmar has its origins
in India in about 500 BC. Siddhattha (which means goal-
accomplished), a prince of royal lineage, spent a life of forest-
dwelling recluse in search of the ultimate realities of human
existence. Through his own efforts he discovered the Four Noble
Truths and attained Buddhahood. His efforts to teach the
Dhamma encountered tremendous opposition by adherents of
other religious faiths, but he managed to subdue them all through
metta, not by means of intimidation, nor by coercion nor by
flattery. He taught only the right and proper way that could, if
practised, bring real peace of mind. With the member of
adherents increasing, Buddhism enjoyed widespread popularity.
Following the Great Demise or the Passing away into Parinibbana
of the Buddha, Buddhism was passed from one generation of
bhikkus (Buddhist monks) on to the next in an uninterrupted
effort of preservation. The path of preservations, however, had
its own problems : some monks wished to change the original
teachings of the Buddha as they liked, which brought about
two versions namely Mahayana (Great Vehicle) Buddhism and
Theravada (School of Elders) Buddhism i.e, the Buddhas
original doctrine approved and preserved in its pristine
condition by the Thera (Elderly monks). Eventually things came
to a sad pass when Buddhism was compelled to bid farewell
to its land of origin. Chronicles say in 1197 and 1203 Turkish
Muslims devastated a number of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist
temples and monasteries, institutes of learning and libraries;
many Buddhist monks were killed. Hindus and Jains, in their
white garbs, could manage to mingle unknown with ordinary
crowds and thereby escape being killed, whereas Buddhist
monks had no way of hiding themselves because of their easily
distinguishable yellow robes and their shaven heads. Buddhist
monks living in their secluded monasteries fell victim to the
attack by Muslim marauders. Some monks, seeing imminent
danger, had fled earlier on to Tibet, China, Korea and Japan,
making it possible for the Buddhas teachings to survive to this
day. Buddhism later spread to Myanmar, Srilanka, Thailand,
Cambodia, Laos, etc., where generations of Theravada Buddhist
monks have managed to keep Buddhism in its pristine form
by studying and practising the basic tenets such as Metta (Loving-
kindness) and Khanti (Tolerance).
Hush - Hartwig HKD/Flickr
September 2013
A
mi dst t he sounds of a
downpour and st rong
winds, there came out a
voice, calm and serene: Its necessary
for all men in the world to have kind
consideration and Metta (Loving-
kindness) for each other.
That was a Buddhi st monk
teaching Buddhist ethics to young
students at a Buddhist monk-taught
school.
Myanmar, since the times of its
ancient kings, has had Buddhist
monks playing a vital role in the
education of the people including
members of royalty. Chronicles say
t eachi ngs by Buddhi st monks
contributed to the growth of literacy
rate which was even five times
greater than that of India in 1931.
This work still continues to this day
with over 1,500 monastic schools
teaching and taking care of needy
and orphaned children, all for free.
Buddhist monks are still carrying out
such philanthropic work as well as
activities that help preserve the
Buddhas teachings.
Cover Story
Morning Alms Round/Flickr
A Buddhist monk teaching Buddhist ethics
to children and novices at a monastic
school. /Aung Kyaw Moe (New Image)
ACUMEN 19
Buddhism endangered Buddhism endangered Buddhism endangered Buddhism endangered Buddhism endangered
The Theravada teachings of the Buddha professed and
practised by the majority of people in Myanmar has its origins
in India in about 500 BC. Siddhattha (which means goal-
accomplished), a prince of royal lineage, spent a life of forest-
dwelling recluse in search of the ultimate realities of human
existence. Through his own efforts he discovered the Four Noble
Truths and attained Buddhahood. His efforts to teach the
Dhamma encountered tremendous opposition by adherents of
other religious faiths, but he managed to subdue them all through
metta, not by means of intimidation, nor by coercion nor by
flattery. He taught only the right and proper way that could, if
practised, bring real peace of mind. With the member of
adherents increasing, Buddhism enjoyed widespread popularity.
Following the Great Demise or the Passing away into Parinibbana
of the Buddha, Buddhism was passed from one generation of
bhikkus (Buddhist monks) on to the next in an uninterrupted
effort of preservation. The path of preservations, however, had
its own problems : some monks wished to change the original
teachings of the Buddha as they liked, which brought about
two versions namely Mahayana (Great Vehicle) Buddhism and
Theravada (School of Elders) Buddhism i.e, the Buddhas
original doctrine approved and preserved in its pristine
condition by the Thera (Elderly monks). Eventually things came
to a sad pass when Buddhism was compelled to bid farewell
to its land of origin. Chronicles say in 1197 and 1203 Turkish
Muslims devastated a number of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist
temples and monasteries, institutes of learning and libraries;
many Buddhist monks were killed. Hindus and Jains, in their
white garbs, could manage to mingle unknown with ordinary
crowds and thereby escape being killed, whereas Buddhist
monks had no way of hiding themselves because of their easily
distinguishable yellow robes and their shaven heads. Buddhist
monks living in their secluded monasteries fell victim to the
attack by Muslim marauders. Some monks, seeing imminent
danger, had fled earlier on to Tibet, China, Korea and Japan,
making it possible for the Buddhas teachings to survive to this
day. Buddhism later spread to Myanmar, Srilanka, Thailand,
Cambodia, Laos, etc., where generations of Theravada Buddhist
monks have managed to keep Buddhism in its pristine form
by studying and practising the basic tenets such as Metta (Loving-
kindness) and Khanti (Tolerance).
Hush - Hartwig HKD/Flickr
September 2013
Tricking into a trap Tricking into a trap Tricking into a trap Tricking into a trap Tricking into a trap
Now, unfortunately, Buddhism is being
misrepresented globally as a terrorist religion
and Buddhists as advocates of terrorism. All
that stemmed from an incident in the Rakhine
State in which a young woman was raped by
a group of Bangalese men (or Rohinjas, as
some countries and some human rights activists
would like to call them). It was portrayed
wrongly by some foreign media, some human
rights activists and some countries as a conflict
between Buddhism and Islam. The situation
was exploited by political diehards and those
who wish to revert to the old regime. Whipped
up by them the flare of anger flare up in several
towns, such as Meiktila, Lashio, Okkan and
Bago. Some local people said that every
incident of violence involved groups of
strangers they had not ever before seen in
their respective localities. Government
authorities claimed that there were instigators
behind the scenes but they failed to take any
effective action. This, some say, led to a rapid
spread of violent incidents.
Myanmars are traditionally a nationalistic
people. They also have a radical turn of mind,
a temperament forged during their resistance
against the Japanese rule and their struggle
f or nat i onal i ndependence. It i s t hat
temperament that some diehards exploited by
fomenting violence among the people of
different faiths by means of stirring up religious
feelings. Thus Myanmar Buddhists were
tricked into the trap, quite unknowingly. Worse
still, they are misrepresented as blood-thirsty
terrorists killing Muslims - an allegation totally
rejected by Venerable U Pannacara, Presiding
Sayadaw of a monk-taught school in Myintha,
who said, Anyone who tortures, destroys and
kills is not a true Buddhist. Terrorism in
parti cul ar i s di ametri cal l y opposed to
Buddhism.
Every religion has extremists. Those
people, though professedly religious, are
deviators from the tenets of their own religion.
It will be illogical to say that a particular
religion is a terrorist religion just because it is
the religion of such extremists. But it is
unfortunate that the recent incidents are being
misrepresented as religious or racial conflicts,
even as ethnic cleansing.
Cover Story
ACUMEN 21
Peace is every step -
Jean-Marie Hullot/Flickr
September 2013
Tricking into a trap Tricking into a trap Tricking into a trap Tricking into a trap Tricking into a trap
Now, unfortunately, Buddhism is being
misrepresented globally as a terrorist religion
and Buddhists as advocates of terrorism. All
that stemmed from an incident in the Rakhine
State in which a young woman was raped by
a group of Bangalese men (or Rohinjas, as
some countries and some human rights activists
would like to call them). It was portrayed
wrongly by some foreign media, some human
rights activists and some countries as a conflict
between Buddhism and Islam. The situation
was exploited by political diehards and those
who wish to revert to the old regime. Whipped
up by them the flare of anger flare up in several
towns, such as Meiktila, Lashio, Okkan and
Bago. Some local people said that every
incident of violence involved groups of
strangers they had not ever before seen in
their respective localities. Government
authorities claimed that there were instigators
behind the scenes but they failed to take any
effective action. This, some say, led to a rapid
spread of violent incidents.
Myanmars are traditionally a nationalistic
people. They also have a radical turn of mind,
a temperament forged during their resistance
against the Japanese rule and their struggle
f or nat i onal i ndependence. It i s t hat
temperament that some diehards exploited by
fomenting violence among the people of
different faiths by means of stirring up religious
feelings. Thus Myanmar Buddhists were
tricked into the trap, quite unknowingly. Worse
still, they are misrepresented as blood-thirsty
terrorists killing Muslims - an allegation totally
rejected by Venerable U Pannacara, Presiding
Sayadaw of a monk-taught school in Myintha,
who said, Anyone who tortures, destroys and
kills is not a true Buddhist. Terrorism in
parti cul ar i s di ametri cal l y opposed to
Buddhism.
Every religion has extremists. Those
people, though professedly religious, are
deviators from the tenets of their own religion.
It will be illogical to say that a particular
religion is a terrorist religion just because it is
the religion of such extremists. But it is
unfortunate that the recent incidents are being
misrepresented as religious or racial conflicts,
even as ethnic cleansing.
Cover Story
ACUMEN 21
Peace is every step -
Jean-Marie Hullot/Flickr
September 2013
Cover Story
Waiting for a job offer
ACUMEN 23
Vicious Cycle Vicious Cycle Vicious Cycle Vicious Cycle Vicious Cycle
Whoever they are or whatever their motives are, one thing is certain: they
are trying to slow down the progress of Myanmas democratization process
which is gathering momentum. Since the civilian government headed by U Thein
Sein came to power in 2011, it has been implementing three programmes of
reform in the fields of politics, economy and peace-making efforts. These
programmes of work are so much inter-related. The success of democratization
depends on the achievement of internal peace that in its turn depends on the
complete cessation of civil war in the country - a condition difficult to achieve
because of a number of factors such as blind patriotism, relatively low levels of
health, economy and education and high unemployment that have been there
under the former repressive military regime as well as the present-day radical
trend. The conflicts in the country are not at all due to religious fanaticism nor to
racial hatred. Economic development is an essential factor in resolving these
conflicts. Myanmar, though rich in natural resources and human resources, has
been an isolated country under economic sanction until recently. Foreign
investment plays a pivotal role in the countrys economic development but there
have been problems with projects such as Letpadaung Taung copper mining
project and Myitsone project that can have adverse effect on the natural
environment and that have been of little benefit to the local people. Now, happily,
sanctions have been lifted and the FDI law has been in place.
Now Myanmar is in a win-win situation where the countrys natural resources
combined with cheap labour could be highly profitable both to Myanmar and to
the foreign investors. But political instability in the country could pose a barrier to
prospective investors and this could hinder the countrys development. Lack of
economic development would hamper the progress of effort to secure internal
peace as well as the progress of democratization. All this might form a vicious
cycle.
The conflicts in the country are The conflicts in the country are The conflicts in the country are The conflicts in the country are The conflicts in the country are
not at all due to religious not at all due to religious not at all due to religious not at all due to religious not at all due to religious
fanaticism nor to racial hatred. fanaticism nor to racial hatred. fanaticism nor to racial hatred. fanaticism nor to racial hatred. fanaticism nor to racial hatred.
economic development is an economic development is an economic development is an economic development is an economic development is an
essential factor in resolving essential factor in resolving essential factor in resolving essential factor in resolving essential factor in resolving
these conflicts . these conflicts . these conflicts . these conflicts . these conflicts .
A boat powers down the
Ayeyarwady River in
Myanmar, which would
have been affected by
the Myitsone Dam -
International Rivers/Flickr
Cheap human resources
September 2013
Cover Story
Waiting for a job offer
ACUMEN 23
Vicious Cycle Vicious Cycle Vicious Cycle Vicious Cycle Vicious Cycle
Whoever they are or whatever their motives are, one thing is certain: they
are trying to slow down the progress of Myanmas democratization process
which is gathering momentum. Since the civilian government headed by U Thein
Sein came to power in 2011, it has been implementing three programmes of
reform in the fields of politics, economy and peace-making efforts. These
programmes of work are so much inter-related. The success of democratization
depends on the achievement of internal peace that in its turn depends on the
complete cessation of civil war in the country - a condition difficult to achieve
because of a number of factors such as blind patriotism, relatively low levels of
health, economy and education and high unemployment that have been there
under the former repressive military regime as well as the present-day radical
trend. The conflicts in the country are not at all due to religious fanaticism nor to
racial hatred. Economic development is an essential factor in resolving these
conflicts. Myanmar, though rich in natural resources and human resources, has
been an isolated country under economic sanction until recently. Foreign
investment plays a pivotal role in the countrys economic development but there
have been problems with projects such as Letpadaung Taung copper mining
project and Myitsone project that can have adverse effect on the natural
environment and that have been of little benefit to the local people. Now, happily,
sanctions have been lifted and the FDI law has been in place.
Now Myanmar is in a win-win situation where the countrys natural resources
combined with cheap labour could be highly profitable both to Myanmar and to
the foreign investors. But political instability in the country could pose a barrier to
prospective investors and this could hinder the countrys development. Lack of
economic development would hamper the progress of effort to secure internal
peace as well as the progress of democratization. All this might form a vicious
cycle.
The conflicts in the country are The conflicts in the country are The conflicts in the country are The conflicts in the country are The conflicts in the country are
not at all due to religious not at all due to religious not at all due to religious not at all due to religious not at all due to religious
fanaticism nor to racial hatred. fanaticism nor to racial hatred. fanaticism nor to racial hatred. fanaticism nor to racial hatred. fanaticism nor to racial hatred.
economic development is an economic development is an economic development is an economic development is an economic development is an
essential factor in resolving essential factor in resolving essential factor in resolving essential factor in resolving essential factor in resolving
these conflicts . these conflicts . these conflicts . these conflicts . these conflicts .
A boat powers down the
Ayeyarwady River in
Myanmar, which would
have been affected by
the Myitsone Dam -
International Rivers/Flickr
Cheap human resources
September 2013
Another Round of Nightmare? Another Round of Nightmare? Another Round of Nightmare? Another Round of Nightmare? Another Round of Nightmare?
Democracy in Myanmar is now still in
its infancy; it is in a rather sensitive stage.
The successf ul carryi ng out of t he
democratization process would make
Myanmar the best and simplest instance of
successful transition to democracy in the
world; failure to accomplish it would only
render it utterly impossible to get the kind of
opportunity now available.
The present conflicts, according to some
views, are designed to create instability in
the country in order to pave the way for the
military to take over power from the civilian
government. These views are based on the
fact that the countrys constitution has a
provision for the military to take control of
the country as well as the fact that the military
representatives make up 25 percent of the
MPs. It is said that that number of soldiers in
Parliament will be scaled down as in
Indonesian Parliament. But the two armies
are different: the Indonesian army took part
in UN Peace-keeping Missions after the Cold
War, and they have US military training, so
they are democratic-minded, whereas the
Myanmar mi l i tary had been under a
totalitarian regime for a long time. No one
can say for sure that Myanmar will be like
Indonesia in this repect. But it is not possible
to send the military back to the barracks.
Myanmar is the only country in the world
with armed ethnic conflicts going on.
Minimizing the role of the army would only
throw the country into chaos. The best way,
therefore, is to transform authoritarian-
minded military into a democratic-minded
one.
Myanmar at present is only at the
introductory stage of democratization. It will
certainly take some time for the army and
the people to get used to democracy and
that is a crucial period of transition. In the
meanstime it is imperative for Myanmar
Buddhists to adhere to the Buddhas Metta
and Khanti teachings and continue to live
peacefully with peoples of other faiths in the
country with whom they have been living
peacefully together for a long time now.
Otherwise there is a likelihood of yet another
round of nightmare. A
Cover Story
Indonesian Army - AK
Rockefeller/Flickr
Armed Forces Day parade
in the Capital Naypyidaw in
Myanmar / Messenger
news
The two soldiers are
working together / Flickr
Cover Story-When Buddhists go to the trap.pmd 8/13/2013, 10:33 AM 24 adv.pmd 8/10/2013, 2:29 PM 11
September 2013
Another Round of Nightmare? Another Round of Nightmare? Another Round of Nightmare? Another Round of Nightmare? Another Round of Nightmare?
Democracy in Myanmar is now still in
its infancy; it is in a rather sensitive stage.
The successf ul carryi ng out of t he
democratization process would make
Myanmar the best and simplest instance of
successful transition to democracy in the
world; failure to accomplish it would only
render it utterly impossible to get the kind of
opportunity now available.
The present conflicts, according to some
views, are designed to create instability in
the country in order to pave the way for the
military to take over power from the civilian
government. These views are based on the
fact that the countrys constitution has a
provision for the military to take control of
the country as well as the fact that the military
representatives make up 25 percent of the
MPs. It is said that that number of soldiers in
Parliament will be scaled down as in
Indonesian Parliament. But the two armies
are different: the Indonesian army took part
in UN Peace-keeping Missions after the Cold
War, and they have US military training, so
they are democratic-minded, whereas the
Myanmar mi l i tary had been under a
totalitarian regime for a long time. No one
can say for sure that Myanmar will be like
Indonesia in this repect. But it is not possible
to send the military back to the barracks.
Myanmar is the only country in the world
with armed ethnic conflicts going on.
Minimizing the role of the army would only
throw the country into chaos. The best way,
therefore, is to transform authoritarian-
minded military into a democratic-minded
one.
Myanmar at present is only at the
introductory stage of democratization. It will
certainly take some time for the army and
the people to get used to democracy and
that is a crucial period of transition. In the
meanstime it is imperative for Myanmar
Buddhists to adhere to the Buddhas Metta
and Khanti teachings and continue to live
peacefully with peoples of other faiths in the
country with whom they have been living
peacefully together for a long time now.
Otherwise there is a likelihood of yet another
round of nightmare. A
Cover Story
Indonesian Army - AK
Rockefeller/Flickr
Armed Forces Day parade
in the Capital Naypyidaw in
Myanmar / Messenger
news
The two soldiers are
working together / Flickr
Cover Story-When Buddhists go to the trap.pmd 8/13/2013, 10:33 AM 24 adv.pmd 8/10/2013, 2:29 PM 11
September 2013
Feature
September 2013
Journey to be taken-HZ.pmd 8/13/2013, 10:58 AM 26
ACUMEN 27 ACUMEN 27
September 2013
Feature
September 2013
ACUMEN 27 ACUMEN 27
September 2013
Feature
The inexperienced country The inexperienced country The inexperienced country The inexperienced country The inexperienced country
The establishment of an ASEAN Economic Community
(AEC) agreed at the Asean Leaders Summit held in Bali,
Indonesia in 2003 will become a reality on 31 December
2015. With the two pillars, i.e. the ASEAN Security Community
and ASEAN Socio-cultural community, the AEC will appear
for regional economic integration between the ten South East
Asian countries by 2020.
Though only two years remain for the process, Myanmar
that has been stuck in a time warp is quite unfamiliar with the
procedure. Though now, on becoming free, workshop
meetings have been held in Myanmar that has never
previously heard of AEC, the small number of attendees and
their response in discussions plainly show that they are not
familiar with the subject. The number of attendees to the Pre-
paring Myanmar for Opportunities from Integration in the AEC
and Global Economy' workshop meeting sponsored by
UNESCAP, ITD and DTN from Thailand and held at the UMFCCI
building on 29 and 30 July was unsatisfactory. On the second
day there were only about 60 attendees and of them two-third
were departmental staff. And the business delegates kept
mumble rather than participate enthusiatically in discussions.
In other words, it means it would take quite some time for a
sharing-culture to develop between the Myanmar businessmen.
It is noticeable that the word protection' occurs time and
again in the AEC workshop discussion. Some of the Myanmar
businessmen wanted to know, mainly, what kind of protection
the government will give them. An attendee asked, How is the
government going to protect me? We want to know what kind
of protection we need to begin from now so that we don't lose
our competitiveness? That anxiety is quite natural for those
who have been isolated for nearly 50 years. Thus, now when
the door is opening a crack, all must lend a hand in opening it
wider by mutual dealing.
At one side though the Myanmar government is mention-
ing PPP (Private, Public, Partnership) whenever it gets the chance
much is needed for the government and private sector to coop-
erate more than this. Up to now the private sector is doing the
sharing concerning AEC. A consultant for a private company
that has been holding AEC workshop meetings has said that
departmental-in-charges have refused requests to attend meet-
ings and has discussed that it would be very beneficial for the
public if they cooperated. As the government is participating in
ASEAN Conferences only those officials could precisely utilize
the latest data and agreements.
The origin and goal of AEC The origin and goal of AEC The origin and goal of AEC The origin and goal of AEC The origin and goal of AEC
In reality the AEC program started in ASEAN about 15
years ago. The 2020 ASEAN vision is To be a stable, wealthy,
highly competitive region, to be an equally developed economic
zone, to be able to lessen poverty and social economy gaps-was
an aim the ASEAN leaders agreed at the 1997 Kuala Lumpur
Summit. That agreement mainly built on the three pillars was
solidified at the 12th ASEAN Summit and agreements were
reached on free movement of Goods, Free flow of services, free
flow of investment and free flow of skilled labour.
The ASEAN, that started with five countries, i.e, Indonesia,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand in 1967 and
become an organization of ten in 1997 seem to have aimed to
become a single market like the E.U.
In the ASEAN leaders opinion, if all the economies of the
ASEAN countries could be grouped together, it will become
the second largest grouping of economies, so they had ideas.'
said Dr. Zaw Oo of Chiang Mai University in a lecture. Being
situated near the two big power nations, China and India, that
had a population of more than one billion each, ASEAN tried
harder to unite in the future, so it would be an aid to regional
competition.
The ASEAN that will become the single market and basic
production region will join with AEC for the region's progress
and to lessen the proverty gaps. At the World Economic Forum
held in Naypyidaw. Ceasar V. Purisima, the finance minister
of the Philippines said, Individually, ASEAN countries are small,
but we are stronger together." He added We need to comple-
ment rather than compete against each other."
Myanmar that will have to accompany Myanmar that will have to accompany Myanmar that will have to accompany Myanmar that will have to accompany Myanmar that will have to accompany
Myanmar that had been forecasted to be an Asian tiger
The small number of attendees and their response in discus-
sions plainly show that they are unfamiliar with the subject.
ACUMEN 29
during the 1960s was left behind, in a back-ward state due to
the governments wrong policies. During the later part of the
20th century though Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia
subsequently leapt ahead, up till now Myanmar is desperately
in the least developed countries list of ASEAN that is known
as CIMV in short form. If the country that has risen again with
U Thein Sein's government could use the 2015 reconciliation
as an opportunity the current situation could be left behind. At
the Naypyidaw WEF, group chief executive officer of Air Asia,
Anthony F.Fernendes remarked, I believed in ASEAN prob-
ably before ASEAN believed in itself. For me it is the final piece
of the puzzle to get Myanmar into this wonderful group of coun-
tries. It is a very exciting period for us and a great way to
reduce poverty."
When competing in equal terms within the region there
are some situational abilities that one has as a rising country.
Firstly, geo-politically Myanmar is strategically placed. It is a
neighbour of China and India, two big powers and also own a
long coastal boundary. By looking at China and Thailand's
investment in the Kyauk Phyu deep-sea port and Dawei deep-
sea port, one could know the value of Myanmar's coastal
ports. If the Dawei deep - sea port materializes, experts believe
it could cast an influence on Singapore's economy. Secondly,
has abundant natural resources. Myanmar's teak and jade is
famous the world over and there is much unused, unexplored
earth and marine resources. Myanmar that is an area 678,500
square kilometers wide owns vast agricultural land and cheap
labour force. An extraordinary fact is that the Myanmars are
known as the best English language speaking people in the
region. The final strong point is that Myanmar that has been
acclaimed to be the last frontier market for international
investors stand as an attractive market. The transparency of
the new government and the international standard new
foreign investment law has also appeared distinctly in 2012.
By the lifting of the sanctions of countries like EU and US, the
market of those countries have now again opened and due to
the 2011 leader's open door policy international investors
are specially eyeing Myanmar.
Myanmar that has those natural strong points will be
able to sell its products and services freely in a market
enlarged due to AEC opportunities and be more intimate
with organizations, businesses, experts and trade data. Con-
cerning Myanmar's AEC opportunity Dr. Mia Mikic, the ARTNeT
coordinator from Trade and Investment Division, UNESCAP
has said, Opportunity is really good in large market available
for your products, services and to allow you to more people as
well." In the AEC period Myanmar will be able to sell its natu-
ral resources in a transparent market and be able to obtain
more investment from Asia and countries from other regions.
Dr. Zaw Oo also has a positive opinion about Myanmar and
AEC's link and said so.
This AEC thing is a tension. Tension has more positivity
than pressure. By trying to get all to be inclusive. I think we
could raise the country to a better rank.
September 2013
Feature
The inexperienced country The inexperienced country The inexperienced country The inexperienced country The inexperienced country
The establishment of an ASEAN Economic Community
(AEC) agreed at the Asean Leaders Summit held in Bali,
Indonesia in 2003 will become a reality on 31 December
2015. With the two pillars, i.e. the ASEAN Security Community
and ASEAN Socio-cultural community, the AEC will appear
for regional economic integration between the ten South East
Asian countries by 2020.
Though only two years remain for the process, Myanmar
that has been stuck in a time warp is quite unfamiliar with the
procedure. Though now, on becoming free, workshop
meetings have been held in Myanmar that has never
previously heard of AEC, the small number of attendees and
their response in discussions plainly show that they are not
familiar with the subject. The number of attendees to the Pre-
paring Myanmar for Opportunities from Integration in the AEC
and Global Economy' workshop meeting sponsored by
UNESCAP, ITD and DTN from Thailand and held at the UMFCCI
building on 29 and 30 July was unsatisfactory. On the second
day there were only about 60 attendees and of them two-third
were departmental staff. And the business delegates kept
mumble rather than participate enthusiatically in discussions.
In other words, it means it would take quite some time for a
sharing-culture to develop between the Myanmar businessmen.
It is noticeable that the word protection' occurs time and
again in the AEC workshop discussion. Some of the Myanmar
businessmen wanted to know, mainly, what kind of protection
the government will give them. An attendee asked, How is the
government going to protect me? We want to know what kind
of protection we need to begin from now so that we don't lose
our competitiveness? That anxiety is quite natural for those
who have been isolated for nearly 50 years. Thus, now when
the door is opening a crack, all must lend a hand in opening it
wider by mutual dealing.
At one side though the Myanmar government is mention-
ing PPP (Private, Public, Partnership) whenever it gets the chance
much is needed for the government and private sector to coop-
erate more than this. Up to now the private sector is doing the
sharing concerning AEC. A consultant for a private company
that has been holding AEC workshop meetings has said that
departmental-in-charges have refused requests to attend meet-
ings and has discussed that it would be very beneficial for the
public if they cooperated. As the government is participating in
ASEAN Conferences only those officials could precisely utilize
the latest data and agreements.
The origin and goal of AEC The origin and goal of AEC The origin and goal of AEC The origin and goal of AEC The origin and goal of AEC
In reality the AEC program started in ASEAN about 15
years ago. The 2020 ASEAN vision is To be a stable, wealthy,
highly competitive region, to be an equally developed economic
zone, to be able to lessen poverty and social economy gaps-was
an aim the ASEAN leaders agreed at the 1997 Kuala Lumpur
Summit. That agreement mainly built on the three pillars was
solidified at the 12th ASEAN Summit and agreements were
reached on free movement of Goods, Free flow of services, free
flow of investment and free flow of skilled labour.
The ASEAN, that started with five countries, i.e, Indonesia,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand in 1967 and
become an organization of ten in 1997 seem to have aimed to
become a single market like the E.U.
In the ASEAN leaders opinion, if all the economies of the
ASEAN countries could be grouped together, it will become
the second largest grouping of economies, so they had ideas.'
said Dr. Zaw Oo of Chiang Mai University in a lecture. Being
situated near the two big power nations, China and India, that
had a population of more than one billion each, ASEAN tried
harder to unite in the future, so it would be an aid to regional
competition.
The ASEAN that will become the single market and basic
production region will join with AEC for the region's progress
and to lessen the proverty gaps. At the World Economic Forum
held in Naypyidaw. Ceasar V. Purisima, the finance minister
of the Philippines said, Individually, ASEAN countries are small,
but we are stronger together." He added We need to comple-
ment rather than compete against each other."
Myanmar that will have to accompany Myanmar that will have to accompany Myanmar that will have to accompany Myanmar that will have to accompany Myanmar that will have to accompany
Myanmar that had been forecasted to be an Asian tiger
ACUMEN 29
during the 1960s was left behind, in a back-ward state due to
the governments wrong policies. During the later part of the
20th century though Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia
subsequently leapt ahead, up till now Myanmar is desperately
in the least developed countries list of ASEAN that is known
as CIMV in short form. If the country that has risen again with
U Thein Sein's government could use the 2015 reconciliation
as an opportunity the current situation could be left behind. At
the Naypyidaw WEF, group chief executive officer of Air Asia,
Anthony F.Fernendes remarked, I believed in ASEAN prob-
ably before ASEAN believed in itself. For me it is the final piece
of the puzzle to get Myanmar into this wonderful group of coun-
tries. It is a very exciting period for us and a great way to
reduce poverty."
When competing in equal terms within the region there
are some situational abilities that one has as a rising country.
Firstly, geo-politically Myanmar is strategically placed. It is a
neighbour of China and India, two big powers and also own a
long coastal boundary. By looking at China and Thailand's
investment in the Kyauk Phyu deep-sea port and Dawei deep-
sea port, one could know the value of Myanmar's coastal
ports. If the Dawei deep - sea port materializes, experts believe
it could cast an influence on Singapore's economy. Secondly,
has abundant natural resources. Myanmar's teak and jade is
famous the world over and there is much unused, unexplored
earth and marine resources. Myanmar that is an area 678,500
square kilometers wide owns vast agricultural land and cheap
labour force. An extraordinary fact is that the Myanmars are
known as the best English language speaking people in the
region. The final strong point is that Myanmar that has been
acclaimed to be the last frontier market for international
investors stand as an attractive market. The transparency of
the new government and the international standard new
foreign investment law has also appeared distinctly in 2012.
By the lifting of the sanctions of countries like EU and US, the
market of those countries have now again opened and due to
the 2011 leader's open door policy international investors
are specially eyeing Myanmar.
Myanmar that has those natural strong points will be
able to sell its products and services freely in a market
enlarged due to AEC opportunities and be more intimate
with organizations, businesses, experts and trade data. Con-
cerning Myanmar's AEC opportunity Dr. Mia Mikic, the ARTNeT
coordinator from Trade and Investment Division, UNESCAP
has said, Opportunity is really good in large market available
for your products, services and to allow you to more people as
well." In the AEC period Myanmar will be able to sell its natu-
ral resources in a transparent market and be able to obtain
more investment from Asia and countries from other regions.
Dr. Zaw Oo also has a positive opinion about Myanmar and
AEC's link and said so.
This AEC thing is a tension. Tension has more positivity
than pressure. By trying to get all to be inclusive. I think we
could raise the country to a better rank.
September 2013
As much as the aim of the ASEAN Economic Community is
good and the opportunity is good on the other side there are
challenges. Dr Surim Pitsuwan, the secretary-general of the
community himself has mentioned his fear concerning the in-
fluence of ASEAN regional solidarity.
It's quite certain that I need to worry of the weak points in
uniting. It won't do to be exited and see the good part only.
There are also weak points. If we can't deal with the gaps, and
differences we will also suffer the consequences of problems
contiguous from member countries." (VOA)
There is a gap between Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia,
Indonesia, Brunei, the Philippines, the six-nation group that
are ahead and Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, the
four nations that have been left behind. The least developed
countries could be a burden on the remaining countries of
the group and the least developed country with itself wonder
if it could keep up with the others.
Though Myanmar, a CLMV member has some strong
points that were mentioned afore, it has many weak points.
Firstly because the transformation the government began is just
two years old it is not completely clean of the influence of the
previous regime. Though it is said that the whole world was
amazed because the transformation has been so fast, it is hard
to say yet for sure if there has been any change. Mainly it is
noticeable in the business sector. As there has been criticism
that the lives of the grassroots people has not changed it is
clear that more changes are needed. Though a flexible foreign
investment law has appeared, the reason sufficient foreign in-
vestment has not come into the country may be due to the
internal conflicts occourring and lax of transparency, some ob-
servers believe. Especially Myanmar's rank 172 in the world
corruption index, may be a barrier to investment and foreign
partnership, it is feared. The need to clearly define the finance
factor which is the main driving force for the economic section
also may be a crucial matter. Though subjects like foreign ex-
change has progressed, the local businesses still have to pay up
to 13 percent as interest when borrowing from banks. The five
billion kyats that is loaned with an 8.5 percent interest by the
SMIDB bank is very little in amount. Mainly it's crucially diffi-
culty for the Myanmar SME (small and medium enterprises)
that has 99 percent of all businesses that must compete in the
AFTA (ASEAN Free Trade Area).
The undeveloped state of the basic infrastructures, such as
communication, roads and bridges, parts and electricity is still a
barrier for foreign businessmen who would push forward. As
all have been started right now, the local businessmen will
have to keep on paying highly in various sectors before 2015.
Especially as the need for electricity is high, in manufacturing
expense the competitors get an upper hand. Another challenge
is that, though there is a large labour force in Myanmar there is
a need for entrepreneurs and many skilled workers to appear.
The reentry of skilled workers who left the mother country in
the previous era, is still low and in senior posts the home
businesses have to depend on the foreigners.
How are you going to march? How are you going to march? How are you going to march? How are you going to march? How are you going to march?
As said afore, Myanmar seems to have just come into con-
tact with AEC and AFTA. The experts believe that except the
developed six countries and lately emerging Vietnam, the re-
maining countries, i.e, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia will have
to be given a helping hand. Myanmar pre-AEC effort would not
come into life by some casual workshop meetings and a few
awkward participants. One chance is the program that
Myanmar will be the alternate chairman of the ASEAN in 2014.
Including the ASEAN summit meeting, over six hundred meet-
ings will have to be held so the infrastructure in certain areas
need to become noticeably developed and ASEAN leaders and
leaders of country linked with ASEAN would definitely take
note.
For small and medium size business to develop, the gov-
ernment and private business need to practically join hands.
The government needs to create flexibility for a workable envi-
Individually,
ASEAN countries
are small, but we
are stronger to-
gether.
Feature
ACUMEN 31
ronment and the private sector must build up its competitive
capabilities. The general secretary U Moe Myint Kyaw of the
UMFCCI said, Of our part we will have to make an effort and
of the other part, the government needs to do promotion. So
that the SMEs grow, so that they worked, there is a need to
facilitate matters and the SME would progress.''
Things needed to prevent will be done on a highly sensi-
tive list, if conditions were
set. There will be nothing
to worry. But for the pri-
vate sector, if the SME don't
truly make an effort, If they
do not rise properly in the
future it would be harder;
he continued.
As f or resource
speaker Dr.Tang Zhi Min of
the Panyapiwat Institute of
Management in Thailand, at
a l ect ure, he advi sed
Myanmar, You may deal
with outside world very
quickly.'' Narration, as an
example, that the Chinese
become proficient in busi-
ness by l earni ng f rom
American migrants he ad-
vised Myanmar not to stay
locked up within the nar-
row boundaries but to get
out of the country and deal
with the world. His advice
commensurate with the
Myanmar's current culture.
Current l y most of t he
Myanmar businessmen are
talking about competing
with business that would
enter the country from
other ASEAN counties.
They are still weak to co-
operate with them and get
their advantages.
A Myanmar expert is
not only advising to go joint with foreign companies that enter
Myanmar but especially to enlarge outward bound and to go
and work in other ASEAN countries during the ASEAN free
trade period. Though Myanmar is backwards in various ways
it would be very beneficial it could learn from the weak points,
strong points of other ASEAN countries.
Though the ten countries that together march are from the
same region, the weak and strong points of each country can-
not be exactly the same. For instance, industry economy and
servicing business may have strongly developed in countries
like. Singapore and Thailand, basic economies like agriculture
flourish in Myanmar and Lao. That is why if AEC member
countries could go by the standard one is strong in it will be
beneficial to all. Speaking of the way one needs to prepare for
the situation U Moe Myint Kyaw said, We can't compete with
all. We must work on where are we strong. Then we can
compete. After that we must strive for upgrade of quality the
customer will accept. If not so, but yet reach a quality grade,
then the customers will accept that it is little low compared to
imports but cheaper and
quite useable. If there is no
harm, people will use it. If
it's of low quality, but high
priced, people won't use
it.''
That is right. The My-
anmar businessmen who
is unable to do quality con-
trol must forget his biohaz-
ard manufacturing and ser-
vicing and must try hard
to produce competitive
merchandise of interna-
tional grade. Mainly, ser-
vicing business, that could
be swiftly upgraded and
agriculture, gems, marine
products that has natural
strong points should be gi-
vien preference in the be-
ginning while grades of
manufacturing businesses
could be slowly raised so
that they could compete
with foreign products.
On the last day of 2015,
the ten ASEAN countries will start their journey together to do
their solidarity goal. With those ten countries there maybe those
with a complete set of oars,those that haven't had a complete
set and those with broken oars. Myanmar who up to now is
one of the three four countries without a complete set of oars is
the ASEAN alternate chairman in 2014. It is to face political
transformation in 2015, so the challenges it faces is more than
others. Thus only if that country could correctly summarize its
weak points and strong points and appropriately join in would
the AEC be able to hope for the next tiger of South East Asia. A
The Myanmar
businessmen who
are unable to do
quality control
must forget his
biohazard
manufacturing
and servicing and
must try hard
to produce
competitive
merchandise of
international
grade.
September 2013
As much as the aim of the ASEAN Economic Community is
good and the opportunity is good on the other side there are
challenges. Dr Surim Pitsuwan, the secretary-general of the
community himself has mentioned his fear concerning the in-
fluence of ASEAN regional solidarity.
It's quite certain that I need to worry of the weak points in
uniting. It won't do to be exited and see the good part only.
There are also weak points. If we can't deal with the gaps, and
differences we will also suffer the consequences of problems
contiguous from member countries." (VOA)
There is a gap between Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia,
Indonesia, Brunei, the Philippines, the six-nation group that
are ahead and Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, the
four nations that have been left behind. The least developed
countries could be a burden on the remaining countries of
the group and the least developed country with itself wonder
if it could keep up with the others.
Though Myanmar, a CLMV member has some strong
points that were mentioned afore, it has many weak points.
Firstly because the transformation the government began is just
two years old it is not completely clean of the influence of the
previous regime. Though it is said that the whole world was
amazed because the transformation has been so fast, it is hard
to say yet for sure if there has been any change. Mainly it is
noticeable in the business sector. As there has been criticism
that the lives of the grassroots people has not changed it is
clear that more changes are needed. Though a flexible foreign
investment law has appeared, the reason sufficient foreign in-
vestment has not come into the country may be due to the
internal conflicts occourring and lax of transparency, some ob-
servers believe. Especially Myanmar's rank 172 in the world
corruption index, may be a barrier to investment and foreign
partnership, it is feared. The need to clearly define the finance
factor which is the main driving force for the economic section
also may be a crucial matter. Though subjects like foreign ex-
change has progressed, the local businesses still have to pay up
to 13 percent as interest when borrowing from banks. The five
billion kyats that is loaned with an 8.5 percent interest by the
SMIDB bank is very little in amount. Mainly it's crucially diffi-
culty for the Myanmar SME (small and medium enterprises)
that has 99 percent of all businesses that must compete in the
AFTA (ASEAN Free Trade Area).
The undeveloped state of the basic infrastructures, such as
communication, roads and bridges, parts and electricity is still a
barrier for foreign businessmen who would push forward. As
all have been started right now, the local businessmen will
have to keep on paying highly in various sectors before 2015.
Especially as the need for electricity is high, in manufacturing
expense the competitors get an upper hand. Another challenge
is that, though there is a large labour force in Myanmar there is
a need for entrepreneurs and many skilled workers to appear.
The reentry of skilled workers who left the mother country in
the previous era, is still low and in senior posts the home
businesses have to depend on the foreigners.
How are you going to march? How are you going to march? How are you going to march? How are you going to march? How are you going to march?
As said afore, Myanmar seems to have just come into con-
tact with AEC and AFTA. The experts believe that except the
developed six countries and lately emerging Vietnam, the re-
maining countries, i.e, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia will have
to be given a helping hand. Myanmar pre-AEC effort would not
come into life by some casual workshop meetings and a few
awkward participants. One chance is the program that
Myanmar will be the alternate chairman of the ASEAN in 2014.
Including the ASEAN summit meeting, over six hundred meet-
ings will have to be held so the infrastructure in certain areas
need to become noticeably developed and ASEAN leaders and
leaders of country linked with ASEAN would definitely take
note.
For small and medium size business to develop, the gov-
ernment and private business need to practically join hands.
The government needs to create flexibility for a workable envi-
Individually,
ASEAN countries
are small, but we
are stronger to-
gether.
Feature
ACUMEN 31
ronment and the private sector must build up its competitive
capabilities. The general secretary U Moe Myint Kyaw of the
UMFCCI said, Of our part we will have to make an effort and
of the other part, the government needs to do promotion. So
that the SMEs grow, so that they worked, there is a need to
facilitate matters and the SME would progress.''
Things needed to prevent will be done on a highly sensi-
tive list, if conditions were
set. There will be nothing
to worry. But for the pri-
vate sector, if the SME don't
truly make an effort, If they
do not rise properly in the
future it would be harder;
he continued.
As f or resource
speaker Dr.Tang Zhi Min of
the Panyapiwat Institute of
Management in Thailand, at
a l ect ure, he advi sed
Myanmar, You may deal
with outside world very
quickly.'' Narration, as an
example, that the Chinese
become proficient in busi-
ness by l earni ng f rom
American migrants he ad-
vised Myanmar not to stay
locked up within the nar-
row boundaries but to get
out of the country and deal
with the world. His advice
commensurate with the
Myanmar's current culture.
Current l y most of t he
Myanmar businessmen are
talking about competing
with business that would
enter the country from
other ASEAN counties.
They are still weak to co-
operate with them and get
their advantages.
A Myanmar expert is
not only advising to go joint with foreign companies that enter
Myanmar but especially to enlarge outward bound and to go
and work in other ASEAN countries during the ASEAN free
trade period. Though Myanmar is backwards in various ways
it would be very beneficial it could learn from the weak points,
strong points of other ASEAN countries.
Though the ten countries that together march are from the
same region, the weak and strong points of each country can-
not be exactly the same. For instance, industry economy and
servicing business may have strongly developed in countries
like. Singapore and Thailand, basic economies like agriculture
flourish in Myanmar and Lao. That is why if AEC member
countries could go by the standard one is strong in it will be
beneficial to all. Speaking of the way one needs to prepare for
the situation U Moe Myint Kyaw said, We can't compete with
all. We must work on where are we strong. Then we can
compete. After that we must strive for upgrade of quality the
customer will accept. If not so, but yet reach a quality grade,
then the customers will accept that it is little low compared to
imports but cheaper and
quite useable. If there is no
harm, people will use it. If
it's of low quality, but high
priced, people won't use
it.''
That is right. The My-
anmar businessmen who
is unable to do quality con-
trol must forget his biohaz-
ard manufacturing and ser-
vicing and must try hard
to produce competitive
merchandise of interna-
tional grade. Mainly, ser-
vicing business, that could
be swiftly upgraded and
agriculture, gems, marine
products that has natural
strong points should be gi-
vien preference in the be-
ginning while grades of
manufacturing businesses
could be slowly raised so
that they could compete
with foreign products.
On the last day of 2015,
the ten ASEAN countries will start their journey together to do
their solidarity goal. With those ten countries there maybe those
with a complete set of oars,those that haven't had a complete
set and those with broken oars. Myanmar who up to now is
one of the three four countries without a complete set of oars is
the ASEAN alternate chairman in 2014. It is to face political
transformation in 2015, so the challenges it faces is more than
others. Thus only if that country could correctly summarize its
weak points and strong points and appropriately join in would
the AEC be able to hope for the next tiger of South East Asia. A
The Myanmar
businessmen who
are unable to do
quality control
must forget his
biohazard
manufacturing
and servicing and
must try hard
to produce
competitive
merchandise of
international
grade.
September 2013
Feature
September 2013
From UMyoLwin-Feature-Myanmar Farmers Striving for Organic Crops .pmd 8/13/2013, 10:48 AM 32
ACUMEN 33 ACUMEN 33
September 2013
Feature
September 2013
ACUMEN 33 ACUMEN 33
September 2013
Feature
T
here is a Myanmar saying that life
depends on knowl edge and
wealth relies on destiny or fate.
Just as knowledge is power, ignorance
hurts human lives. We have to eat
something to live.
Ko Myint Tun, a farmer at Wetpote
village in the western part of Pyay District
of Bago Region, said that he used only
natural humus for growing crops since
2012 after having used chemical pesticide
and fertilizer for a decade. I am
extremely shocked at seeing that some
farmers here have died of cancer. Now I
use just natural humus as my ancestors
have done, he said. In his native Wetpote
village, farmers grow various seasonal
crops such as corn, pumpkin, gourd plants,
cucumber, aubergine, cabbage and
cauliflower, all of which are sent to
Thirimingalar market in Yangon.
Several villages such as Wetpote and
Badigon in Pyay District of Bago Region
are the rural areas where 70 percent of
crops sent to Yangon Region market.Ko
Myint Tun, a Wetpote resident, has
encountered the soil depreciation because
of having used chemical pesticide and
fertilizer around 2002, his son, also his
colleague, has suffered from respiratory
disease, and his wife has been undergoing
medical treatment for her chronic illness
for long, he said. We farmers use
pesticide without gloves. When we spray
it, we do not use mask not being careful
with the windward side of the plantation.
I think my son and wife have had disease
because of that negligence.
Since then, I have been using natu-
ral manure and fertilizer for growing
crops, he said adding, There are some
6 farmers who have died of cancer this
year and some farmers have resumed
using natural humus as they are afraid of
chemical hazard. There are many farm-
ers using chemical pesticide and fertil-
izer made in Thailand and China in their
cultivation and now some farmers have
change their behaviour by resuming natu-
ral humus and manure because they have
witnessed that chemical pesticide and
fertilizer have harmed the health of their
family members, he explained. All of us
living in Wetpote village live by cultivat-
ing crops. As you may know, we use
chemical pesticide and fertilizer bought
on credit from companies. We farmers
have suffered the consequences of them
as we do not know how to use them sys-
tematically, said Ko Aung Myint a corn
grower of Wetpote village.Farmers use
chemical pesticide and fertilizer sold by
companies without noticing hazard be-
ACUMEN 35
cause they cannot read instruction and
warning written in Thai and Chinese on
the sacks of pesticide and fertilizer, said
an agricultural official who asked not to
be named. Farmers use pesticide and fer-
tilizer as their content because they do
not know how many amount they are
supposed to use. In addition, they want
to rush plucking crops that have recently
been sprayed with pesticide to send them
to the market. So pesticide affects not only
growers but also consumers and then
causes soil depreciation, he added. Al-
though farmers used natural manure, hu-
mus as their ancestors did in Myanmar,
they started using chemical fertilizer af-
ter 1970 and they have been using chemi-
cal pesticide and fertilizer banned for
using in neighbouring countries entering
Myanmar market after 1990, say the
grower sources. Farmers using chemi-
cal pesticide and fertilizer are at risk.
Nowadays, you will see rural people more
than urban people in cancer department.
That is due to chemical pesticide and fer-
tilizer they have used. They spray crops
with pesticide without proper precaution
through lack of knowledge, said the ag-
ricultural official.Moreover, as farmer
deliver crops sprayed with pesticide to
the market, customers who have eaten
crops with pesticide face some problems
with their health such food poisoning and
diarrhoea.
Farmers spray cabbage and
cauliflower with more pesticide since they
are the kinds of crops that are prone to
be infected with insects and consumers
face health problem because farmers rush
September 2013
Feature
T
here is a Myanmar saying that life
depends on knowl edge and
wealth relies on destiny or fate.
Just as knowledge is power, ignorance
hurts human lives. We have to eat
something to live.
Ko Myint Tun, a farmer at Wetpote
village in the western part of Pyay District
of Bago Region, said that he used only
natural humus for growing crops since
2012 after having used chemical pesticide
and fertilizer for a decade. I am
extremely shocked at seeing that some
farmers here have died of cancer. Now I
use just natural humus as my ancestors
have done, he said. In his native Wetpote
village, farmers grow various seasonal
crops such as corn, pumpkin, gourd plants,
cucumber, aubergine, cabbage and
cauliflower, all of which are sent to
Thirimingalar market in Yangon.
Several villages such as Wetpote and
Badigon in Pyay District of Bago Region
are the rural areas where 70 percent of
crops sent to Yangon Region market.Ko
Myint Tun, a Wetpote resident, has
encountered the soil depreciation because
of having used chemical pesticide and
fertilizer around 2002, his son, also his
colleague, has suffered from respiratory
disease, and his wife has been undergoing
medical treatment for her chronic illness
for long, he said. We farmers use
pesticide without gloves. When we spray
it, we do not use mask not being careful
with the windward side of the plantation.
I think my son and wife have had disease
because of that negligence.
Since then, I have been using natu-
ral manure and fertilizer for growing
crops, he said adding, There are some
6 farmers who have died of cancer this
year and some farmers have resumed
using natural humus as they are afraid of
chemical hazard. There are many farm-
ers using chemical pesticide and fertil-
izer made in Thailand and China in their
cultivation and now some farmers have
change their behaviour by resuming natu-
ral humus and manure because they have
witnessed that chemical pesticide and
fertilizer have harmed the health of their
family members, he explained. All of us
living in Wetpote village live by cultivat-
ing crops. As you may know, we use
chemical pesticide and fertilizer bought
on credit from companies. We farmers
have suffered the consequences of them
as we do not know how to use them sys-
tematically, said Ko Aung Myint a corn
grower of Wetpote village.Farmers use
chemical pesticide and fertilizer sold by
companies without noticing hazard be-
ACUMEN 35
cause they cannot read instruction and
warning written in Thai and Chinese on
the sacks of pesticide and fertilizer, said
an agricultural official who asked not to
be named. Farmers use pesticide and fer-
tilizer as their content because they do
not know how many amount they are
supposed to use. In addition, they want
to rush plucking crops that have recently
been sprayed with pesticide to send them
to the market. So pesticide affects not only
growers but also consumers and then
causes soil depreciation, he added. Al-
though farmers used natural manure, hu-
mus as their ancestors did in Myanmar,
they started using chemical fertilizer af-
ter 1970 and they have been using chemi-
cal pesticide and fertilizer banned for
using in neighbouring countries entering
Myanmar market after 1990, say the
grower sources. Farmers using chemi-
cal pesticide and fertilizer are at risk.
Nowadays, you will see rural people more
than urban people in cancer department.
That is due to chemical pesticide and fer-
tilizer they have used. They spray crops
with pesticide without proper precaution
through lack of knowledge, said the ag-
ricultural official.Moreover, as farmer
deliver crops sprayed with pesticide to
the market, customers who have eaten
crops with pesticide face some problems
with their health such food poisoning and
diarrhoea.
Farmers spray cabbage and
cauliflower with more pesticide since they
are the kinds of crops that are prone to
be infected with insects and consumers
face health problem because farmers rush
September 2013
Feature
to sending them to the market instead of
waiting for the pesticide clearance, said
the agricultural official. That almost all
farmers use a great deal of pesticide
impacts on the foreign market, an
exporter said. Most of the farmers use
too much chemical weed-killers, pesticide
and fertilizer in growing crops for getting
the better yield. They first earned more
income because of good yield. However,
they faced some problems several years
later. When we exported those crops
grown using too much chemical pesticide
and fertilizer to foreign countries, the
buyers refused to purchase them on the
grounds that those crops contained
chemical residuals more than the amount
that a man can eat, explained Ko Tin
Hlaing, a bean exporter. Although
Myanmar bean is exported to India,
Bangladesh and China, the news that it
contains chemical residuals affects the
bean market and bean merchants have
thus urged farmers to grow organic crops
to hold on their position again in the
market, he said. Now we conduct
awareness rising to farmers to grow
organic bean and some of them start
growing crops with organic methods as
they have been aware of chemical
hazard, he added. It is known that
Ministry of Agriculture & Irrigation,
Ministry of Commerce and Myanmar Rice
& Paddy Merchants Association would
check importing chemical pesticide and
fertilizer. In doing so, checking chemical
pesticide and fertilizer on the road with
mobile team, the companies importing,
wholesalers and retailers in townships
and farmers growing crops will be
reportedly implemented. We have heard
that chemical pesticide and fertilizer
banned by international community have
been entering Shan State, Yangon Region,
Mandalay Region and Sagaine Region
through illegal route. We have scheduled
to check it on those routes. Besides we
will mainly check the pesticide and
fertilizer farmers are currently using in
their plantations, said a member of the
checking committee. If the exporters of
chemical pesticide and fertilizer are guilty
of having no registration in accordance
with the rule and regulation imposed, That
wi l l be sent enced t o one year
imprisonment according to Myanmar
Agricultural Law, it is said. Taking action
is good. The authorities should check
every company importing pesticide and
fertilizer from abroad to be able to carry
out it more effectively. There are even
some companies importing pesticide at
bargain prohibited in Thailand and China.
They should be severely taken action,
said the agricultural official. Myanmar
merchants and farmers should make
efforts to come out organic crops and the
organic crop market and then both
consumers and growers will be free from
the consequences of crops with chemical
residuals and benefit from organic
crops,he concluded. A
September 2013
Feature
to sending them to the market instead of
waiting for the pesticide clearance, said
the agricultural official. That almost all
farmers use a great deal of pesticide
impacts on the foreign market, an
exporter said. Most of the farmers use
too much chemical weed-killers, pesticide
and fertilizer in growing crops for getting
the better yield. They first earned more
income because of good yield. However,
they faced some problems several years
later. When we exported those crops
grown using too much chemical pesticide
and fertilizer to foreign countries, the
buyers refused to purchase them on the
grounds that those crops contained
chemical residuals more than the amount
that a man can eat, explained Ko Tin
Hlaing, a bean exporter. Although
Myanmar bean is exported to India,
Bangladesh and China, the news that it
contains chemical residuals affects the
bean market and bean merchants have
thus urged farmers to grow organic crops
to hold on their position again in the
market, he said. Now we conduct
awareness rising to farmers to grow
organic bean and some of them start
growing crops with organic methods as
they have been aware of chemical
hazard, he added. It is known that
Ministry of Agriculture & Irrigation,
Ministry of Commerce and Myanmar Rice
& Paddy Merchants Association would
check importing chemical pesticide and
fertilizer. In doing so, checking chemical
pesticide and fertilizer on the road with
mobile team, the companies importing,
wholesalers and retailers in townships
and farmers growing crops will be
reportedly implemented. We have heard
that chemical pesticide and fertilizer
banned by international community have
been entering Shan State, Yangon Region,
Mandalay Region and Sagaine Region
through illegal route. We have scheduled
to check it on those routes. Besides we
will mainly check the pesticide and
fertilizer farmers are currently using in
their plantations, said a member of the
checking committee. If the exporters of
chemical pesticide and fertilizer are guilty
of having no registration in accordance
with the rule and regulation imposed, That
wi l l be sent enced t o one year
imprisonment according to Myanmar
Agricultural Law, it is said. Taking action
is good. The authorities should check
every company importing pesticide and
fertilizer from abroad to be able to carry
out it more effectively. There are even
some companies importing pesticide at
bargain prohibited in Thailand and China.
They should be severely taken action,
said the agricultural official. Myanmar
merchants and farmers should make
efforts to come out organic crops and the
organic crop market and then both
consumers and growers will be free from
the consequences of crops with chemical
residuals and benefit from organic
crops,he concluded. A
From UMyoLwin-Feature-Myanmar Farmers Striving for Organic Crops .pmd 8/13/2013, 10:50 AM 36 adv.pmd 8/11/2013, 10:16 AM 2
September 2013
Feature
September 2013
From Dr.HeinThu-Feature-Beauty of face(MyitmaKha).pmd 8/13/2013, 10:36 AM 38
ACUMEN 39 ACUMEN 39
September 2013
Feature
September 2013
ACUMEN 39 ACUMEN 39
September 2013
Ma Pa Pa said her family has ben using Promina make-up
from Thailand up to now taking the advice of her mother and
aunts.
I use it because it is affordable, she said.
As a worker of the textile industry in No 2 industrial zone
of Hlaingthayar Township, she earns K50,000 a month. She
cannot afford better make-ups available in the cosmetic market.
Not only city girls like her but also many women in other
districts can afford only cheaper creams such as Promina and
Archie costing about K2,000 to K3,000 a pack, said Daw Phyu
Win, a 45-year-old cosmetic distributor for about 20 years.
Those two brands have started penetrating the market since
1980 and have since been in a strong position in the domestic
market.
Grass roots cant afford expensive foundation cream like
imported make-up costing more than K10,000. The foundation
make-up worth only about K2,000 produced by Cemella is also
gaining ground because of its cheaper prices. As all know it is
the affordable price for low incomers, Daw Phyu Phyu Win
said.
The women on a salary bracket of K50,000 and K100,000
have to use the cheaper foundation cream costing around K2,000
and the women having a salary between K150,000 and K200,000
use the expensive make-up worth more than K10,000, she added.
As there are not only traditional habits of making up
Thanakha but so many low-income people in Myanmar, it is
only women living in cities such as Yangon and Mandalay that
can use expensive make-up, according to some cosmetic
distributors.
There are even many girls everyday wearing cream of
bark of tamarind tree because they cant even afford to pay
something worth about K2,000 and Thanakha in some areas
outside Yangon, Daw Phyu Phyu Win said.
Accordingly cosmetics costing only K2,000 or K3,000 coming
from Thailand and China are in the strong position of the market
in Myanmar, she added.
Myanmar has been a big market for Thai cosmetics
manufacturers.
Thailand is expected to export cosmetics worth US$ 140
million in 2013, according to Kasikorn research paper of Kasikorn
Bank in Thailand.
The study says that Myanmar middle-class youths like more
Thai made cosmetics and they have major market shares in
Yangon, Mandalay, Naypyidaw, Mawlamyine and Myawady.
Shampoo, facial foam, toothpaste, skin oil and foundation
are popular items among Thai products, according to the paper.
Thai cosmetics are not so expensive and their quality is
better than that of China mades. We cannot expect all Chinese
products are good. We need to choose carefully which item is
good even if they are of the same brand. The quality of Thai
made cosmetics is consistent, said Ma Thadi Thait, who opened
a beauty parlour in Thailand in the past when she used certain
Chinese products.
It has been found that the cosmetic market in Myanmar is
very competitive for Myanmar customers with different tastes
and different budgets, says the Kasikorn research paper.
The wealthy has been using cosmetics made in (South)
Korea among those made in Thailand and China since 2009. By
2012 the world-known cosmetics have entered the country,
said an employee of Sweet Smile beauty salon in Yangon.
She explained that after 2010, not only China and Thailand
but also Japan and South Korea have exported cosmetics to
Myanmar.
Cosmetics at reasonable prices from Japan and Korea in
addition to those from Thailand have entered the market. Now
Feature
Thanakha for sale - Hein Zaw
ACUMEN 41
the fight is between Japan and Korea for the market here, she
added.
Cosmetics lower than K20,000 from Singapore, Japan and
Thailand are in demand and some brands such as Loreal, Kanebo
and Camella are maintaining their market shares.
The prices of foundation cream such as Loreal, Kanebo
and Kracie have plummeted from K20,000 in 2010 when certain
foreign cosmetics were banned, according to the market sources.
With the increase in the number of cosmetics, as the owners
of shops are attracting customers through lucky draws and
discounts for its members which works, it is said.
Although some cosmetics are expensive, there are
customers using them because of their quality and reputation, If
one is a member, one can get an item at a discount, said Ma
Aye Win Let, a promoter of Seingayhar Supermarket in
downtown Yangon.
Although there are expensive cosmetics for skincare priced
at K20,000 to K100,000 on the market, a few women can use
such cosmetics, according to market sources.
Nowadays as make-up is used for not only beauty but also
skincare, both women and men use skincare, day cream and
night cream. But they are elites and most of the people cant
afford such expensive goods, said Ma Thazin Aye, manager of
one of the cosmetic shops.
In studying the consumer behaviour among foundation
make-up users, it is found that the market has a diversity of
users according to their income and knowledge, she said.
If a company wants its products to be a smash hit in
A traditional make up. Myanmar women produce themselves this liquid made
up by special type of wood on a very smoothly surfaced rock. It is very
common for ladies and girls in Myanmar.
September 2013
Ma Pa Pa said her family has ben using Promina make-up
from Thailand up to now taking the advice of her mother and
aunts.
I use it because it is affordable, she said.
As a worker of the textile industry in No 2 industrial zone
of Hlaingthayar Township, she earns K50,000 a month. She
cannot afford better make-ups available in the cosmetic market.
Not only city girls like her but also many women in other
districts can afford only cheaper creams such as Promina and
Archie costing about K2,000 to K3,000 a pack, said Daw Phyu
Win, a 45-year-old cosmetic distributor for about 20 years.
Those two brands have started penetrating the market since
1980 and have since been in a strong position in the domestic
market.
Grass roots cant afford expensive foundation cream like
imported make-up costing more than K10,000. The foundation
make-up worth only about K2,000 produced by Cemella is also
gaining ground because of its cheaper prices. As all know it is
the affordable price for low incomers, Daw Phyu Phyu Win
said.
The women on a salary bracket of K50,000 and K100,000
have to use the cheaper foundation cream costing around K2,000
and the women having a salary between K150,000 and K200,000
use the expensive make-up worth more than K10,000, she added.
As there are not only traditional habits of making up
Thanakha but so many low-income people in Myanmar, it is
only women living in cities such as Yangon and Mandalay that
can use expensive make-up, according to some cosmetic
distributors.
There are even many girls everyday wearing cream of
bark of tamarind tree because they cant even afford to pay
something worth about K2,000 and Thanakha in some areas
outside Yangon, Daw Phyu Phyu Win said.
Accordingly cosmetics costing only K2,000 or K3,000 coming
from Thailand and China are in the strong position of the market
in Myanmar, she added.
Myanmar has been a big market for Thai cosmetics
manufacturers.
Thailand is expected to export cosmetics worth US$ 140
million in 2013, according to Kasikorn research paper of Kasikorn
Bank in Thailand.
The study says that Myanmar middle-class youths like more
Thai made cosmetics and they have major market shares in
Yangon, Mandalay, Naypyidaw, Mawlamyine and Myawady.
Shampoo, facial foam, toothpaste, skin oil and foundation
are popular items among Thai products, according to the paper.
Thai cosmetics are not so expensive and their quality is
better than that of China mades. We cannot expect all Chinese
products are good. We need to choose carefully which item is
good even if they are of the same brand. The quality of Thai
made cosmetics is consistent, said Ma Thadi Thait, who opened
a beauty parlour in Thailand in the past when she used certain
Chinese products.
It has been found that the cosmetic market in Myanmar is
very competitive for Myanmar customers with different tastes
and different budgets, says the Kasikorn research paper.
The wealthy has been using cosmetics made in (South)
Korea among those made in Thailand and China since 2009. By
2012 the world-known cosmetics have entered the country,
said an employee of Sweet Smile beauty salon in Yangon.
She explained that after 2010, not only China and Thailand
but also Japan and South Korea have exported cosmetics to
Myanmar.
Cosmetics at reasonable prices from Japan and Korea in
addition to those from Thailand have entered the market. Now
Feature
Thanakha for sale - Hein Zaw
ACUMEN 41
the fight is between Japan and Korea for the market here, she
added.
Cosmetics lower than K20,000 from Singapore, Japan and
Thailand are in demand and some brands such as Loreal, Kanebo
and Camella are maintaining their market shares.
The prices of foundation cream such as Loreal, Kanebo
and Kracie have plummeted from K20,000 in 2010 when certain
foreign cosmetics were banned, according to the market sources.
With the increase in the number of cosmetics, as the owners
of shops are attracting customers through lucky draws and
discounts for its members which works, it is said.
Although some cosmetics are expensive, there are
customers using them because of their quality and reputation, If
one is a member, one can get an item at a discount, said Ma
Aye Win Let, a promoter of Seingayhar Supermarket in
downtown Yangon.
Although there are expensive cosmetics for skincare priced
at K20,000 to K100,000 on the market, a few women can use
such cosmetics, according to market sources.
Nowadays as make-up is used for not only beauty but also
skincare, both women and men use skincare, day cream and
night cream. But they are elites and most of the people cant
afford such expensive goods, said Ma Thazin Aye, manager of
one of the cosmetic shops.
In studying the consumer behaviour among foundation
make-up users, it is found that the market has a diversity of
users according to their income and knowledge, she said.
If a company wants its products to be a smash hit in
A traditional make up. Myanmar women produce themselves this liquid made
up by special type of wood on a very smoothly surfaced rock. It is very
common for ladies and girls in Myanmar.
September 2013
Feature
Myanmar, i t needs t o promot e
advertisements and sell them at
bargain. Price needs to be affordable.
The cheaper the goods are, the more
customers buy them here. Only a
handful of elite can spend much
money buying expensive well-known
brands, she added.
The sources of Ohnmar cosmetic
shop in Yangon say that cosmetic
costing only K2,000 or K3,000 per unit
are the hottest.
A cosmetic distributor in Yangon
says that some merchants have
imported low quality cosmetics and
the expired cosmetics at lower price
since there is no one to enforce the
quality checks of the imported
cosmetics and standards set for them.
We have seen certain imported
cosmetic do not meet the quality
standards because the merchants
want to import the low priced goods.
Even if customers are suffering from
skin diseases, as they have used poor
cosmetics, they are not aware of them.
That is why there should be
teams that check the standards of
cosmetics imported to Myanmar, the
distributor said. A
Grass roots cant afford
expensive
foundation cream
It has been found
that the cosmetic
market in
Myanmar is very
competitive for
Myanmar
customers with
different tastes and
different budgets.
September 2013
Feature
Myanmar, i t needs t o promot e
advertisements and sell them at
bargain. Price needs to be affordable.
The cheaper the goods are, the more
customers buy them here. Only a
handful of elite can spend much
money buying expensive well-known
brands, she added.
The sources of Ohnmar cosmetic
shop in Yangon say that cosmetic
costing only K2,000 or K3,000 per unit
are the hottest.
A cosmetic distributor in Yangon
says that some merchants have
imported low quality cosmetics and
the expired cosmetics at lower price
since there is no one to enforce the
quality checks of the imported
cosmetics and standards set for them.
We have seen certain imported
cosmetic do not meet the quality
standards because the merchants
want to import the low priced goods.
Even if customers are suffering from
skin diseases, as they have used poor
cosmetics, they are not aware of them.
That is why there should be
teams that check the standards of
cosmetics imported to Myanmar, the
distributor said. A
Grass roots cant afford
expensive
foundation cream
It has been found
that the cosmetic
market in
Myanmar is very
competitive for
Myanmar
customers with
different tastes and
different budgets.
From Dr.HeinThu-Feature-Beauty of face(MyitmaKha).pmd 8/13/2013, 10:37 AM 42 adv.pmd 8/10/2013, 2:27 PM 11
September 2013
Interview
September 2013
Interview-From 13 Dollars to 400 SUSHI Bars.pmd 8/13/2013, 10:54 AM 44
ACUMEN 45 ACUMEN 45
September 2013
Interview
September 2013
ACUMEN 45 ACUMEN 45
September 2013
Interview
Prof. Dr. Aung Tun Thet : Could you please tell me a little Prof. Dr. Aung Tun Thet : Could you please tell me a little Prof. Dr. Aung Tun Thet : Could you please tell me a little Prof. Dr. Aung Tun Thet : Could you please tell me a little Prof. Dr. Aung Tun Thet : Could you please tell me a little
about your background history, which Id especially like to about your background history, which Id especially like to about your background history, which Id especially like to about your background history, which Id especially like to about your background history, which Id especially like to
know? What are the things you have done? What is their know? What are the things you have done? What is their know? What are the things you have done? What is their know? What are the things you have done? What is their know? What are the things you have done? What is their
extent? To let the readers know, please tell me beginning extent? To let the readers know, please tell me beginning extent? To let the readers know, please tell me beginning extent? To let the readers know, please tell me beginning extent? To let the readers know, please tell me beginning
from the time you went abroad for the first time. from the time you went abroad for the first time. from the time you went abroad for the first time. from the time you went abroad for the first time. from the time you went abroad for the first time.
Philip Maung : Philip Maung : Philip Maung : Philip Maung : Philip Maung : The time I went abroad for the first time was in
1987. When I reached the United States, it was 1989. On arrival,
I had no relatives there. There was only a friend of mine there.
As that friend was attending U.C.L., he himself was only a student.
He met me on my arrival and frankly told me that he could not
help me much. He also told me to stay in his apartment for
three or four days and then to go on in my own way. Thats
how I started my life there.
At the beginning, I did whatever job I found. I worked in a
factory, in the Shipping Department and at a gas pump day and
night. It was convenient for me to work at night. Customers are
few at night and I could read at ease as I love reading. It was
20 years ago. I had already read many books of Donald Trump
before I went abroad. I read them because I wanted to be
successful like Donald Trump. Another thing is that I am very
fond of Donald Trump.
As soon as I reached there, the food I ate first was Mc
Donalds as there was no such food in my own country. I also
wanted to know how they were running their foods and tens of
thousands of their outlets. But as I had no capital, real estate
was the first short cut to save money. So I took real estate
license exams while working at night. I worked with real estate
in Los Angeles, California for about three years. My main task
was saving money. I know myself that I would not work with
real estate in the long term. I was not interested in this job of a
broker either. But I saved money quickly and planned to run a
chain of restaurants. As many new kinds of food came out in
California at that time, Sushi industry became popular first in
California.
In the United States, there are two coasts namely East Coast
and West Coast. When it began in the West Coast, nobody started
it in the East Coast. As nobody did it in the middle part of the
country, I found that opportunity. I personally like Sushi is a
very healthy food free of frying or fat. So I thought this kind of
food would become popular sometime in the future and I looked
for a place in East Coast to set up my headquarters. I reached
Charlotte, which is the headquarters of the Bank of America
and second largest city in the United States at that time.
Money was essential to do a business. The town was also
the one I liked. As the town was small, people were more
polite. Their culture was called Southern Hospitality. The
culture of the south is very polite. People help one another. The
climate is similar to that of Taunggyi. Competitions were few in
business and thats why I started to settle there. It was in about
1998. But what I calculated were all wrong. There was no bank
that was willing to talk with me. A good resume was essential
to start a business. I must have a successful history and
experience. As I had nothing of the sort, it was very difficult for
me to get money.
ACUMEN 47
So I started my business with a computer in the dining
room of my apartment. Then I had to borrow money from others.
They were sometimes my friends and sometimes my relatives.
They also included credit cards. I had to apply for many credit
cards. if one credit card expired in 45 days, I had to repay it by
drawing money from another credit card and if the latter expired
again, I had to repay it by drawing money from the former. So
I began to realize that financing is important at the beginning of
a business. The first project is the most important. Only after
two years, the money began to come out on a regular basis.
Then, did the shop begin in Charlotte? How about the one Then, did the shop begin in Charlotte? How about the one Then, did the shop begin in Charlotte? How about the one Then, did the shop begin in Charlotte? How about the one Then, did the shop begin in Charlotte? How about the one
which expanded out of your locality? which expanded out of your locality? which expanded out of your locality? which expanded out of your locality? which expanded out of your locality?
Getting outside was in my second year. I was expanding
my outlets to other states at that time.
Then, as you were interested in McDonalds, did you franchise Then, as you were interested in McDonalds, did you franchise Then, as you were interested in McDonalds, did you franchise Then, as you were interested in McDonalds, did you franchise Then, as you were interested in McDonalds, did you franchise
by using McDonalds method in your expansion? Or in what by using McDonalds method in your expansion? Or in what by using McDonalds method in your expansion? Or in what by using McDonalds method in your expansion? Or in what by using McDonalds method in your expansion? Or in what
style? style? style? style? style?
Ours was not a franchise then. We called it Independent Independent Independent Independent Independent
Contractor. Contractor. Contractor. Contractor. Contractor. We are currently running with that system. It is
very similar to franchise. However, we are now processing
franchise. The main reason to become a franchise is that those
abroad are making contact with us all the time. As they want
our outlets, franchise system is easier for us. Though there is no
problem locally, we realize that it must be fully franchised when
it is expanded abroad.
In the Independent Contractor system youve said about, how In the Independent Contractor system youve said about, how In the Independent Contractor system youve said about, how In the Independent Contractor system youve said about, how In the Independent Contractor system youve said about, how
do you make arrangements with the person who wants to do you make arrangements with the person who wants to do you make arrangements with the person who wants to do you make arrangements with the person who wants to do you make arrangements with the person who wants to
open a shop? open a shop? open a shop? open a shop? open a shop?
We give all training to a person who wants to open an
outlet. We let him use our brand. We train him in all our
operational manuals. We show him all our techniques and all
our recipes. We help them set up outlets with only a small
amount of money.
You teach them all things such as cutting? You teach them all things such as cutting? You teach them all things such as cutting? You teach them all things such as cutting? You teach them all things such as cutting?
We train them in everything. Training is very important. In
order to make the products consistent wherever it is, we give
training through teleconference every six months. Our regional
managers are everywhere. They make inspection and if the
products are found to be of low quality, we give training again.
In the Independent Contractor System, how are business In the Independent Contractor System, how are business In the Independent Contractor System, how are business In the Independent Contractor System, how are business In the Independent Contractor System, how are business
arrangements made? arrangements made? arrangements made? arrangements made? arrangements made?
They are no longer our employees. An employee has a
regular pay. We give them only benefits. They have become
private businessmen. As they are private businessmen, we give
them necessary support. In franchise system, there are loyalty
fees. We get loyalty fees percentage from the sales. In the
remaining part, they have to invest man power. Normally, we
give all products by the use of credit system. It is not necessary
to have a lot of money to set up a shop. We help them set up
everything and subtract the cost from the sales gradually.
September 2013
Interview
Prof. Dr. Aung Tun Thet : Could you please tell me a little Prof. Dr. Aung Tun Thet : Could you please tell me a little Prof. Dr. Aung Tun Thet : Could you please tell me a little Prof. Dr. Aung Tun Thet : Could you please tell me a little Prof. Dr. Aung Tun Thet : Could you please tell me a little
about your background history, which Id especially like to about your background history, which Id especially like to about your background history, which Id especially like to about your background history, which Id especially like to about your background history, which Id especially like to
know? What are the things you have done? What is their know? What are the things you have done? What is their know? What are the things you have done? What is their know? What are the things you have done? What is their know? What are the things you have done? What is their
extent? To let the readers know, please tell me beginning extent? To let the readers know, please tell me beginning extent? To let the readers know, please tell me beginning extent? To let the readers know, please tell me beginning extent? To let the readers know, please tell me beginning
from the time you went abroad for the first time. from the time you went abroad for the first time. from the time you went abroad for the first time. from the time you went abroad for the first time. from the time you went abroad for the first time.
Philip Maung : Philip Maung : Philip Maung : Philip Maung : Philip Maung : The time I went abroad for the first time was in
1987. When I reached the United States, it was 1989. On arrival,
I had no relatives there. There was only a friend of mine there.
As that friend was attending U.C.L., he himself was only a student.
He met me on my arrival and frankly told me that he could not
help me much. He also told me to stay in his apartment for
three or four days and then to go on in my own way. Thats
how I started my life there.
At the beginning, I did whatever job I found. I worked in a
factory, in the Shipping Department and at a gas pump day and
night. It was convenient for me to work at night. Customers are
few at night and I could read at ease as I love reading. It was
20 years ago. I had already read many books of Donald Trump
before I went abroad. I read them because I wanted to be
successful like Donald Trump. Another thing is that I am very
fond of Donald Trump.
As soon as I reached there, the food I ate first was Mc
Donalds as there was no such food in my own country. I also
wanted to know how they were running their foods and tens of
thousands of their outlets. But as I had no capital, real estate
was the first short cut to save money. So I took real estate
license exams while working at night. I worked with real estate
in Los Angeles, California for about three years. My main task
was saving money. I know myself that I would not work with
real estate in the long term. I was not interested in this job of a
broker either. But I saved money quickly and planned to run a
chain of restaurants. As many new kinds of food came out in
California at that time, Sushi industry became popular first in
California.
In the United States, there are two coasts namely East Coast
and West Coast. When it began in the West Coast, nobody started
it in the East Coast. As nobody did it in the middle part of the
country, I found that opportunity. I personally like Sushi is a
very healthy food free of frying or fat. So I thought this kind of
food would become popular sometime in the future and I looked
for a place in East Coast to set up my headquarters. I reached
Charlotte, which is the headquarters of the Bank of America
and second largest city in the United States at that time.
Money was essential to do a business. The town was also
the one I liked. As the town was small, people were more
polite. Their culture was called Southern Hospitality. The
culture of the south is very polite. People help one another. The
climate is similar to that of Taunggyi. Competitions were few in
business and thats why I started to settle there. It was in about
1998. But what I calculated were all wrong. There was no bank
that was willing to talk with me. A good resume was essential
to start a business. I must have a successful history and
experience. As I had nothing of the sort, it was very difficult for
me to get money.
ACUMEN 47
So I started my business with a computer in the dining
room of my apartment. Then I had to borrow money from others.
They were sometimes my friends and sometimes my relatives.
They also included credit cards. I had to apply for many credit
cards. if one credit card expired in 45 days, I had to repay it by
drawing money from another credit card and if the latter expired
again, I had to repay it by drawing money from the former. So
I began to realize that financing is important at the beginning of
a business. The first project is the most important. Only after
two years, the money began to come out on a regular basis.
Then, did the shop begin in Charlotte? How about the one Then, did the shop begin in Charlotte? How about the one Then, did the shop begin in Charlotte? How about the one Then, did the shop begin in Charlotte? How about the one Then, did the shop begin in Charlotte? How about the one
which expanded out of your locality? which expanded out of your locality? which expanded out of your locality? which expanded out of your locality? which expanded out of your locality?
Getting outside was in my second year. I was expanding
my outlets to other states at that time.
Then, as you were interested in McDonalds, did you franchise Then, as you were interested in McDonalds, did you franchise Then, as you were interested in McDonalds, did you franchise Then, as you were interested in McDonalds, did you franchise Then, as you were interested in McDonalds, did you franchise
by using McDonalds method in your expansion? Or in what by using McDonalds method in your expansion? Or in what by using McDonalds method in your expansion? Or in what by using McDonalds method in your expansion? Or in what by using McDonalds method in your expansion? Or in what
style? style? style? style? style?
Ours was not a franchise then. We called it Independent Independent Independent Independent Independent
Contractor. Contractor. Contractor. Contractor. Contractor. We are currently running with that system. It is
very similar to franchise. However, we are now processing
franchise. The main reason to become a franchise is that those
abroad are making contact with us all the time. As they want
our outlets, franchise system is easier for us. Though there is no
problem locally, we realize that it must be fully franchised when
it is expanded abroad.
In the Independent Contractor system youve said about, how In the Independent Contractor system youve said about, how In the Independent Contractor system youve said about, how In the Independent Contractor system youve said about, how In the Independent Contractor system youve said about, how
do you make arrangements with the person who wants to do you make arrangements with the person who wants to do you make arrangements with the person who wants to do you make arrangements with the person who wants to do you make arrangements with the person who wants to
open a shop? open a shop? open a shop? open a shop? open a shop?
We give all training to a person who wants to open an
outlet. We let him use our brand. We train him in all our
operational manuals. We show him all our techniques and all
our recipes. We help them set up outlets with only a small
amount of money.
You teach them all things such as cutting? You teach them all things such as cutting? You teach them all things such as cutting? You teach them all things such as cutting? You teach them all things such as cutting?
We train them in everything. Training is very important. In
order to make the products consistent wherever it is, we give
training through teleconference every six months. Our regional
managers are everywhere. They make inspection and if the
products are found to be of low quality, we give training again.
In the Independent Contractor System, how are business In the Independent Contractor System, how are business In the Independent Contractor System, how are business In the Independent Contractor System, how are business In the Independent Contractor System, how are business
arrangements made? arrangements made? arrangements made? arrangements made? arrangements made?
They are no longer our employees. An employee has a
regular pay. We give them only benefits. They have become
private businessmen. As they are private businessmen, we give
them necessary support. In franchise system, there are loyalty
fees. We get loyalty fees percentage from the sales. In the
remaining part, they have to invest man power. Normally, we
give all products by the use of credit system. It is not necessary
to have a lot of money to set up a shop. We help them set up
everything and subtract the cost from the sales gradually.
September 2013
When those independent contractors are set up and your brand When those independent contractors are set up and your brand When those independent contractors are set up and your brand When those independent contractors are set up and your brand When those independent contractors are set up and your brand
is sold, do their customers make many take-aways? is sold, do their customers make many take-aways? is sold, do their customers make many take-aways? is sold, do their customers make many take-aways? is sold, do their customers make many take-aways?
Take-aways are many. There are also eating by sitting.
The customers we target a lot are called Yuppies. They are
young professionals. As they have no time, we focus more on
grab-and-go.
Are there Yuppie markets and Grab-and-go Markets only? Are there Yuppie markets and Grab-and-go Markets only? Are there Yuppie markets and Grab-and-go Markets only? Are there Yuppie markets and Grab-and-go Markets only? Are there Yuppie markets and Grab-and-go Markets only?
How about Sitting-s? How about Sitting-s? How about Sitting-s? How about Sitting-s? How about Sitting-s?
Of course, there are. They are also at the buildings of office
high-rises and airports.
Are they through Independent Contractors? Are they through Independent Contractors? Are they through Independent Contractors? Are they through Independent Contractors? Are they through Independent Contractors?
It depends on location too. At such places as airports and
shopping malls in our city, we run them by ourselves. At some
important places, it is better if quality controls itself. The profit
is small. When we give franchise to others, the control generally
falls.
As there are totally more than 400 outlets including independent As there are totally more than 400 outlets including independent As there are totally more than 400 outlets including independent As there are totally more than 400 outlets including independent As there are totally more than 400 outlets including independent
contractors and distribution outlets, what are the percentages contractors and distribution outlets, what are the percentages contractors and distribution outlets, what are the percentages contractors and distribution outlets, what are the percentages contractors and distribution outlets, what are the percentages
for independent contractors and self-run outlets in the for independent contractors and self-run outlets in the for independent contractors and self-run outlets in the for independent contractors and self-run outlets in the for independent contractors and self-run outlets in the
breakdown? breakdown? breakdown? breakdown? breakdown?
The percentages are about 30 percent and 70 percent.
Corporate-owned outlets are 30 percent and those outsourced
to others are 70 percent.
In outsourcing, the major challenge is quality. Do you have In outsourcing, the major challenge is quality. Do you have In outsourcing, the major challenge is quality. Do you have In outsourcing, the major challenge is quality. Do you have In outsourcing, the major challenge is quality. Do you have
persons who monitor quality control? persons who monitor quality control? persons who monitor quality control? persons who monitor quality control? persons who monitor quality control?
Of course, we have. In every town, we have our regional
managers and supervisors. They always carry out inspections
to control the quality. Thats why Starbucks was always dubious
when it turned out first. Which is appropriate, franchising or
self-running? Franchising is easy to raise money. Many outlets
can be opened. But the style starbucks chooses is floating shares,
making the company public and expand the business using the
money earned from it. As it runs all its outlets by itself, if can
control the quality a little more.
When self-control is conducted, management labour union When self-control is conducted, management labour union When self-control is conducted, management labour union When self-control is conducted, management labour union When self-control is conducted, management labour union
relation is very important. Then, how do you handle it? relation is very important. Then, how do you handle it? relation is very important. Then, how do you handle it? relation is very important. Then, how do you handle it? relation is very important. Then, how do you handle it?
It is the key point for the success of a company. Our culture
is unique. There is a culture that is particularly set only for us.
When did we realize it? During the first ten years, we didnt
realize how important HR is. It was also because I myself didnt
believe the core values. I thought many of the values and mission
statements are only PR slogans. Many of the companies dont
do it practically at all. All of them hang them for show in the
lobby. But many people dont do it in practice.
Normally, a company has about 5 or 6 core values. We
made it with 11 items at last. We selected those 11 at our own
Interview
ACUMEN 49
will and everybody must abide by them. These values must be
followed not only at work but also in ones personal life. Number
one value is service. All our managers are provided with i-
phones and PDA-s. They have e-mails too. Cell phone numbers
must be mentioned on every business card including my own.
There must be no case in which customers cant find us.
When the company is very large, it can become a
corporation. I am frightened of it very much. After making the
company very large, we must know how to stay small. So we
want all to be transparent. When someone searches my website,
he must see my name, my cell phone number and my e-mail
address. We dont like if we are not found. We would like the
customers call us. Nowadays, many people are talking about
social media. The words are very sexy but we like the words
conventional channel better. I am satisfied with the 5 minutes
during which you and I sit and talk to each other than the 5
minutes during which we talk to each other on the phone. If
you just give me five minutes, I can give you undivided attention.
There is no such thing in social media. Things have their own
ways.
Then, as our core value No. 4 is open and honest
communication, I myself must make practice. I stayed inside
my office room before. As my employees rarely dare knock my
door, I came to realize the truth. It was impossible for me to
continue sitting inside my room any more. So I set up a cubicle
on the floor and moved into it. I became the same as they were.
I no longer had a door. As it was an open door policy, their
communication with me became at the same level. So they also
became at ease. And so did I.
One of the key point is to be happy at work. So one of our
values is generate fun and another is work hard, play hard.
People like these two best. According to a survey conducted on
our employees, people like these two values best. People want
to be happy. If statistics are really examined ...., why do people
take this job? Top three do not include money. It is not because
of money. The main thing is that they want respect. They want
to be happy at work. They want a good communication among
them. They want a friendly environment. So it includes learning
others by studying the survey.
I learn such companies as Google, Apple and Starbucks
and I also learn their good practices. I learn how they motivate
their employees and how they make innovations and I set up a
cinema in our work place. As I read a lot, I want people to read
and I set up a library. I also set up a gymnasium. I invite Yoga
instructors. I arrange karaoke nights. We celebrate all the
successful events. We also recognize personal successes achieved
outside the work place. We also organize celebrations, for
example, to recognize those who pass external examinations.
Before specifying core values, our manager alone made
decisions on hiring and firing. But now, as we have HR
department, there are two interviews before hiring an employee.
September 2013
When those independent contractors are set up and your brand When those independent contractors are set up and your brand When those independent contractors are set up and your brand When those independent contractors are set up and your brand When those independent contractors are set up and your brand
is sold, do their customers make many take-aways? is sold, do their customers make many take-aways? is sold, do their customers make many take-aways? is sold, do their customers make many take-aways? is sold, do their customers make many take-aways?
Take-aways are many. There are also eating by sitting.
The customers we target a lot are called Yuppies. They are
young professionals. As they have no time, we focus more on
grab-and-go.
Are there Yuppie markets and Grab-and-go Markets only? Are there Yuppie markets and Grab-and-go Markets only? Are there Yuppie markets and Grab-and-go Markets only? Are there Yuppie markets and Grab-and-go Markets only? Are there Yuppie markets and Grab-and-go Markets only?
How about Sitting-s? How about Sitting-s? How about Sitting-s? How about Sitting-s? How about Sitting-s?
Of course, there are. They are also at the buildings of office
high-rises and airports.
Are they through Independent Contractors? Are they through Independent Contractors? Are they through Independent Contractors? Are they through Independent Contractors? Are they through Independent Contractors?
It depends on location too. At such places as airports and
shopping malls in our city, we run them by ourselves. At some
important places, it is better if quality controls itself. The profit
is small. When we give franchise to others, the control generally
falls.
As there are totally more than 400 outlets including independent As there are totally more than 400 outlets including independent As there are totally more than 400 outlets including independent As there are totally more than 400 outlets including independent As there are totally more than 400 outlets including independent
contractors and distribution outlets, what are the percentages contractors and distribution outlets, what are the percentages contractors and distribution outlets, what are the percentages contractors and distribution outlets, what are the percentages contractors and distribution outlets, what are the percentages
for independent contractors and self-run outlets in the for independent contractors and self-run outlets in the for independent contractors and self-run outlets in the for independent contractors and self-run outlets in the for independent contractors and self-run outlets in the
breakdown? breakdown? breakdown? breakdown? breakdown?
The percentages are about 30 percent and 70 percent.
Corporate-owned outlets are 30 percent and those outsourced
to others are 70 percent.
In outsourcing, the major challenge is quality. Do you have In outsourcing, the major challenge is quality. Do you have In outsourcing, the major challenge is quality. Do you have In outsourcing, the major challenge is quality. Do you have In outsourcing, the major challenge is quality. Do you have
persons who monitor quality control? persons who monitor quality control? persons who monitor quality control? persons who monitor quality control? persons who monitor quality control?
Of course, we have. In every town, we have our regional
managers and supervisors. They always carry out inspections
to control the quality. Thats why Starbucks was always dubious
when it turned out first. Which is appropriate, franchising or
self-running? Franchising is easy to raise money. Many outlets
can be opened. But the style starbucks chooses is floating shares,
making the company public and expand the business using the
money earned from it. As it runs all its outlets by itself, if can
control the quality a little more.
When self-control is conducted, management labour union When self-control is conducted, management labour union When self-control is conducted, management labour union When self-control is conducted, management labour union When self-control is conducted, management labour union
relation is very important. Then, how do you handle it? relation is very important. Then, how do you handle it? relation is very important. Then, how do you handle it? relation is very important. Then, how do you handle it? relation is very important. Then, how do you handle it?
It is the key point for the success of a company. Our culture
is unique. There is a culture that is particularly set only for us.
When did we realize it? During the first ten years, we didnt
realize how important HR is. It was also because I myself didnt
believe the core values. I thought many of the values and mission
statements are only PR slogans. Many of the companies dont
do it practically at all. All of them hang them for show in the
lobby. But many people dont do it in practice.
Normally, a company has about 5 or 6 core values. We
made it with 11 items at last. We selected those 11 at our own
Interview
ACUMEN 49
will and everybody must abide by them. These values must be
followed not only at work but also in ones personal life. Number
one value is service. All our managers are provided with i-
phones and PDA-s. They have e-mails too. Cell phone numbers
must be mentioned on every business card including my own.
There must be no case in which customers cant find us.
When the company is very large, it can become a
corporation. I am frightened of it very much. After making the
company very large, we must know how to stay small. So we
want all to be transparent. When someone searches my website,
he must see my name, my cell phone number and my e-mail
address. We dont like if we are not found. We would like the
customers call us. Nowadays, many people are talking about
social media. The words are very sexy but we like the words
conventional channel better. I am satisfied with the 5 minutes
during which you and I sit and talk to each other than the 5
minutes during which we talk to each other on the phone. If
you just give me five minutes, I can give you undivided attention.
There is no such thing in social media. Things have their own
ways.
Then, as our core value No. 4 is open and honest
communication, I myself must make practice. I stayed inside
my office room before. As my employees rarely dare knock my
door, I came to realize the truth. It was impossible for me to
continue sitting inside my room any more. So I set up a cubicle
on the floor and moved into it. I became the same as they were.
I no longer had a door. As it was an open door policy, their
communication with me became at the same level. So they also
became at ease. And so did I.
One of the key point is to be happy at work. So one of our
values is generate fun and another is work hard, play hard.
People like these two best. According to a survey conducted on
our employees, people like these two values best. People want
to be happy. If statistics are really examined ...., why do people
take this job? Top three do not include money. It is not because
of money. The main thing is that they want respect. They want
to be happy at work. They want a good communication among
them. They want a friendly environment. So it includes learning
others by studying the survey.
I learn such companies as Google, Apple and Starbucks
and I also learn their good practices. I learn how they motivate
their employees and how they make innovations and I set up a
cinema in our work place. As I read a lot, I want people to read
and I set up a library. I also set up a gymnasium. I invite Yoga
instructors. I arrange karaoke nights. We celebrate all the
successful events. We also recognize personal successes achieved
outside the work place. We also organize celebrations, for
example, to recognize those who pass external examinations.
Before specifying core values, our manager alone made
decisions on hiring and firing. But now, as we have HR
department, there are two interviews before hiring an employee.
September 2013
The department manager interviews him to find his skill set.
HR sees whether purely HR skill set fits our core values. It
doesnt matter how talented he is. His skill set may be very
good. His qualifications may be very good. We may know he
can contribute to our work as soon as he joins us. But we
cannot hire him if he does not fit our values. In our way of
making decisions, if there is someone we like, we ask our
receptionist about him when he leaves. How did he deal with
the receptionist? Was he haughty? We wont hire him if he is
haughty however talented he is. It is more important for us to
hire a person who fits our values. We dont want our culture
poisoned.
What is the total number of your employees? What is the total number of your employees? What is the total number of your employees? What is the total number of your employees? What is the total number of your employees?
About 300 altogether. Actual key people are about 20.
Do you deal with those key people only? How about the Do you deal with those key people only? How about the Do you deal with those key people only? How about the Do you deal with those key people only? How about the Do you deal with those key people only? How about the
employees at the lower levels? employees at the lower levels? employees at the lower levels? employees at the lower levels? employees at the lower levels?
As I am very busy, cant always deal with those at the
lower levels. But I always set my channel open. I talk with
them at the forum which is held every three months. I also
travel all the time. When I travel, I hold meetings with them. I
hold meetings with those from basic levels. What problems do
they have? Then I have my meals together with them. These
are my dealings with those from lower levels. The next thing is
that all of them know my cell phone numbers. We have a policy
that calls must be responded within 24 hours. In our values, it is
called high-speed and high-touch. If we find no solution within
24 hours, a response must be made. A solution may not be
obtained but a response must be made.
Are there shares and other benefits in addition to normal Are there shares and other benefits in addition to normal Are there shares and other benefits in addition to normal Are there shares and other benefits in addition to normal Are there shares and other benefits in addition to normal
salary and bonus? salary and bonus? salary and bonus? salary and bonus? salary and bonus?
The benefits we offer are generous compared to our
industrial standard. There is a retirement plan there. Normally,
even large companies dont offer such benefits. Even Fortune
500 Company doesnt offer like this. They have cut benefits
since 2008. But we increase benefits every year. In our retirement
plan, if an employee deposits a dollar, we also contribute a
dollar. We make dollar to dollar matching. Some companies
contribute only about a quarter or half a dollar if an employee
deposits a dollar in his account. If an employee deposits US
1,000 wd also contribute US1,000. Moreover, there are many
companies which demand 3 or 4 years of compulsory service.
If an employee leaves the job without completing the compulsory
term, he is entitled to refund the money he deposited but not
the money contributed by the company. We are not like them.
We dont hold the money we have contributed. If someone leaves
his job a day after he has deposited a dollar and we have
contributed a dollar, he can take both his money and our
contribution.
We dont expect to continue hiring an unhappy person. It
will be good neither for him nor for us. If we maintain an
unhappy employee in our hand, if may be a virus for our culture.
Interview
ACUMEN 51
People are no longer happy if they are controlled strictly. Now
we are in the 21
st
century. Only a few companies like ours
allow things such as the use of Facebook. We allow it. Concerning
with coming in and going out, we used cards to control the
working hours of the office staff in the past. But we have already
quitted it. We quitted it totally. Sometimes, they are late for
work. But Ive already told everyone one thing. What I always
tell them is to be responsible if they use such things as Facebook.
All the employees are adults. They are no longer youngsters.
They must have conscience to take responsibility for themselves.
People become happy when they are no longer under control.
If they come to work late, they leave late and more work is
done. They also become happier in their work.
Then, if we think of the future, is the growth only in the East Then, if we think of the future, is the growth only in the East Then, if we think of the future, is the growth only in the East Then, if we think of the future, is the growth only in the East Then, if we think of the future, is the growth only in the East
Coast? Coast? Coast? Coast? Coast?
We are in 30 states and District of Columbia. In both east
and west. From California and Washington to Boston,
Massachusetts, spreading out all over east and west.
When they are enquired, many of the Myanmars in New York When they are enquired, many of the Myanmars in New York When they are enquired, many of the Myanmars in New York When they are enquired, many of the Myanmars in New York When they are enquired, many of the Myanmars in New York
say they sell Sushi. So how many competitors are there? say they sell Sushi. So how many competitors are there? say they sell Sushi. So how many competitors are there? say they sell Sushi. So how many competitors are there? say they sell Sushi. So how many competitors are there?
There are not many competitors. What many Myanmars
are doing is something like franchising. They get outlets from
companies like ours. For a company like ours, there are only
about 20 competitors. They are the ones who are doing their
business as a major one. Even among these 20, only 5 or 6 are
running as large firms. The rest who are said to sell Sushi are
those who take outlets from others. They are like the ones who
take outlets from ours.
Today business is no longer pure business and tools and Today business is no longer pure business and tools and Today business is no longer pure business and tools and Today business is no longer pure business and tools and Today business is no longer pure business and tools and
techniques of management come into use. Then which techniques of management come into use. Then which techniques of management come into use. Then which techniques of management come into use. Then which techniques of management come into use. Then which
techniques do you think are learnt and applied? techniques do you think are learnt and applied? techniques do you think are learnt and applied? techniques do you think are learnt and applied? techniques do you think are learnt and applied?
Our technique is always making our people think how to
improve service for our customers and employees. The rest
will happen automatically. We spend no money at all for
marketing. Its also because I dont believe in marketing. But we
do promotion. Marketing and promotion are a little different.
Buy this one and if you buy it you will also get that one. It is
promotion. Buy one get one is another thing. They all are
good for consumers. We are No. 1 in TV commercials. But it is
shameful to say that we are the best. It is something like self-
boasting. We contribute more to the benefits of the employees
instead of spending money there.
Everyone is a marketer and they are the marketing
department. So our employees do marketing through words of
mouth while having meals with friends or relatives. The
customers themselves also do so through words of mouth. It is
more valuable for us. One day, when I went back home, I had
to join a queue for something. The things I was going to buy
were only one or two as I didnt need to use many. There was
an old woman behind me pushing a big trolley. I told her to
overtake me. She asked me why I said so to spend about 15
September 2013
The department manager interviews him to find his skill set.
HR sees whether purely HR skill set fits our core values. It
doesnt matter how talented he is. His skill set may be very
good. His qualifications may be very good. We may know he
can contribute to our work as soon as he joins us. But we
cannot hire him if he does not fit our values. In our way of
making decisions, if there is someone we like, we ask our
receptionist about him when he leaves. How did he deal with
the receptionist? Was he haughty? We wont hire him if he is
haughty however talented he is. It is more important for us to
hire a person who fits our values. We dont want our culture
poisoned.
What is the total number of your employees? What is the total number of your employees? What is the total number of your employees? What is the total number of your employees? What is the total number of your employees?
About 300 altogether. Actual key people are about 20.
Do you deal with those key people only? How about the Do you deal with those key people only? How about the Do you deal with those key people only? How about the Do you deal with those key people only? How about the Do you deal with those key people only? How about the
employees at the lower levels? employees at the lower levels? employees at the lower levels? employees at the lower levels? employees at the lower levels?
As I am very busy, cant always deal with those at the
lower levels. But I always set my channel open. I talk with
them at the forum which is held every three months. I also
travel all the time. When I travel, I hold meetings with them. I
hold meetings with those from basic levels. What problems do
they have? Then I have my meals together with them. These
are my dealings with those from lower levels. The next thing is
that all of them know my cell phone numbers. We have a policy
that calls must be responded within 24 hours. In our values, it is
called high-speed and high-touch. If we find no solution within
24 hours, a response must be made. A solution may not be
obtained but a response must be made.
Are there shares and other benefits in addition to normal Are there shares and other benefits in addition to normal Are there shares and other benefits in addition to normal Are there shares and other benefits in addition to normal Are there shares and other benefits in addition to normal
salary and bonus? salary and bonus? salary and bonus? salary and bonus? salary and bonus?
The benefits we offer are generous compared to our
industrial standard. There is a retirement plan there. Normally,
even large companies dont offer such benefits. Even Fortune
500 Company doesnt offer like this. They have cut benefits
since 2008. But we increase benefits every year. In our retirement
plan, if an employee deposits a dollar, we also contribute a
dollar. We make dollar to dollar matching. Some companies
contribute only about a quarter or half a dollar if an employee
deposits a dollar in his account. If an employee deposits US
1,000 wd also contribute US1,000. Moreover, there are many
companies which demand 3 or 4 years of compulsory service.
If an employee leaves the job without completing the compulsory
term, he is entitled to refund the money he deposited but not
the money contributed by the company. We are not like them.
We dont hold the money we have contributed. If someone leaves
his job a day after he has deposited a dollar and we have
contributed a dollar, he can take both his money and our
contribution.
We dont expect to continue hiring an unhappy person. It
will be good neither for him nor for us. If we maintain an
unhappy employee in our hand, if may be a virus for our culture.
Interview
ACUMEN 51
People are no longer happy if they are controlled strictly. Now
we are in the 21
st
century. Only a few companies like ours
allow things such as the use of Facebook. We allow it. Concerning
with coming in and going out, we used cards to control the
working hours of the office staff in the past. But we have already
quitted it. We quitted it totally. Sometimes, they are late for
work. But Ive already told everyone one thing. What I always
tell them is to be responsible if they use such things as Facebook.
All the employees are adults. They are no longer youngsters.
They must have conscience to take responsibility for themselves.
People become happy when they are no longer under control.
If they come to work late, they leave late and more work is
done. They also become happier in their work.
Then, if we think of the future, is the growth only in the East Then, if we think of the future, is the growth only in the East Then, if we think of the future, is the growth only in the East Then, if we think of the future, is the growth only in the East Then, if we think of the future, is the growth only in the East
Coast? Coast? Coast? Coast? Coast?
We are in 30 states and District of Columbia. In both east
and west. From California and Washington to Boston,
Massachusetts, spreading out all over east and west.
When they are enquired, many of the Myanmars in New York When they are enquired, many of the Myanmars in New York When they are enquired, many of the Myanmars in New York When they are enquired, many of the Myanmars in New York When they are enquired, many of the Myanmars in New York
say they sell Sushi. So how many competitors are there? say they sell Sushi. So how many competitors are there? say they sell Sushi. So how many competitors are there? say they sell Sushi. So how many competitors are there? say they sell Sushi. So how many competitors are there?
There are not many competitors. What many Myanmars
are doing is something like franchising. They get outlets from
companies like ours. For a company like ours, there are only
about 20 competitors. They are the ones who are doing their
business as a major one. Even among these 20, only 5 or 6 are
running as large firms. The rest who are said to sell Sushi are
those who take outlets from others. They are like the ones who
take outlets from ours.
Today business is no longer pure business and tools and Today business is no longer pure business and tools and Today business is no longer pure business and tools and Today business is no longer pure business and tools and Today business is no longer pure business and tools and
techniques of management come into use. Then which techniques of management come into use. Then which techniques of management come into use. Then which techniques of management come into use. Then which techniques of management come into use. Then which
techniques do you think are learnt and applied? techniques do you think are learnt and applied? techniques do you think are learnt and applied? techniques do you think are learnt and applied? techniques do you think are learnt and applied?
Our technique is always making our people think how to
improve service for our customers and employees. The rest
will happen automatically. We spend no money at all for
marketing. Its also because I dont believe in marketing. But we
do promotion. Marketing and promotion are a little different.
Buy this one and if you buy it you will also get that one. It is
promotion. Buy one get one is another thing. They all are
good for consumers. We are No. 1 in TV commercials. But it is
shameful to say that we are the best. It is something like self-
boasting. We contribute more to the benefits of the employees
instead of spending money there.
Everyone is a marketer and they are the marketing
department. So our employees do marketing through words of
mouth while having meals with friends or relatives. The
customers themselves also do so through words of mouth. It is
more valuable for us. One day, when I went back home, I had
to join a queue for something. The things I was going to buy
were only one or two as I didnt need to use many. There was
an old woman behind me pushing a big trolley. I told her to
overtake me. She asked me why I said so to spend about 15
September 2013
minutes more for only one or two things. Saying to overtake
her seemed strange for her. After she finished paying for the
things, both she and the cashier asked me why I did so. I said,
This is a part of our duty. When I next said, It is a part of our
core values. I did what I could whether it is big or small, she
asked me what company I was working for. I replied I worked
for Hissho Sushi. These are our image.
After setting our core values, there are many companies
making contact with us. They came to see us. They came and
saw our corporate culture. In our corporate culture, one must
decorate ones own cubicle. One has to design ones own cubicle.
I judge the winners and reward them with things such as i-
pads. Therefore people begin to generate creative ideas. It is
the most important to empower them.
What you said recently includes Given back to community. What you said recently includes Given back to community. What you said recently includes Given back to community. What you said recently includes Given back to community. What you said recently includes Given back to community.
One thing interesting in Myanmar now is Corporate Social One thing interesting in Myanmar now is Corporate Social One thing interesting in Myanmar now is Corporate Social One thing interesting in Myanmar now is Corporate Social One thing interesting in Myanmar now is Corporate Social
Reponsibility (CSR). What else does your company do as Reponsibility (CSR). What else does your company do as Reponsibility (CSR). What else does your company do as Reponsibility (CSR). What else does your company do as Reponsibility (CSR). What else does your company do as
CSR apart from what you said recently? CSR apart from what you said recently? CSR apart from what you said recently? CSR apart from what you said recently? CSR apart from what you said recently?
It is very important. To have corporate responsibility is
very important for companies that enter this part of the region.
Our No. 5 value is compassionate & humble. People there
make charity on such religious days as Thanks giving and
Christmas. They dont want to go anywhere on such days. It is
because it is their family time. On such days when there are no
people, the weather is very cold and the homeless need a lot of
assistance. They need blankets, clothes and so on. We go there
to offer volunteer service on these days. We donate writing
Interview
ACUMEN 53
Brief History of U Phone Lwin alias Philip Maung Brief History of U Phone Lwin alias Philip Maung Brief History of U Phone Lwin alias Philip Maung Brief History of U Phone Lwin alias Philip Maung Brief History of U Phone Lwin alias Philip Maung
Date of Birth - February, 1967
(Fourth son of six siblings)
Parents - U Ko Lay & Daw Yin May Lwin
Native Place - Yangon, Myanmar
Hobbies - Reading, Swimming, Playing
tennis and golf
Spouse - Daw Pan Myat Win Shwin
Children - Two sons
HISSHO SUSHI HISSHO SUSHI HISSHO SUSHI HISSHO SUSHI HISSHO SUSHI
Commencement of the - 1998
Business
Number of outlets - more than 400
Location of Headquarters - Charlotte, North Carolina
Work Force - Around 300
Website - www.hisshosushi.com,
Twitter - twitter.com/Hissho98,
Facebook - facebook.com/
PhilipMaung
paper, ball-pens, pencils etc. to the needy children.
The donations we are making are many. We urge
them to promote both as a team and as individuals.
As diabetes rate among children is getting very high,
we always make donations for research foundations
for it. Then there are also things we are doing for the
refugees from Myanmar. A
September 2013
minutes more for only one or two things. Saying to overtake
her seemed strange for her. After she finished paying for the
things, both she and the cashier asked me why I did so. I said,
This is a part of our duty. When I next said, It is a part of our
core values. I did what I could whether it is big or small, she
asked me what company I was working for. I replied I worked
for Hissho Sushi. These are our image.
After setting our core values, there are many companies
making contact with us. They came to see us. They came and
saw our corporate culture. In our corporate culture, one must
decorate ones own cubicle. One has to design ones own cubicle.
I judge the winners and reward them with things such as i-
pads. Therefore people begin to generate creative ideas. It is
the most important to empower them.
What you said recently includes Given back to community. What you said recently includes Given back to community. What you said recently includes Given back to community. What you said recently includes Given back to community. What you said recently includes Given back to community.
One thing interesting in Myanmar now is Corporate Social One thing interesting in Myanmar now is Corporate Social One thing interesting in Myanmar now is Corporate Social One thing interesting in Myanmar now is Corporate Social One thing interesting in Myanmar now is Corporate Social
Reponsibility (CSR). What else does your company do as Reponsibility (CSR). What else does your company do as Reponsibility (CSR). What else does your company do as Reponsibility (CSR). What else does your company do as Reponsibility (CSR). What else does your company do as
CSR apart from what you said recently? CSR apart from what you said recently? CSR apart from what you said recently? CSR apart from what you said recently? CSR apart from what you said recently?
It is very important. To have corporate responsibility is
very important for companies that enter this part of the region.
Our No. 5 value is compassionate & humble. People there
make charity on such religious days as Thanks giving and
Christmas. They dont want to go anywhere on such days. It is
because it is their family time. On such days when there are no
people, the weather is very cold and the homeless need a lot of
assistance. They need blankets, clothes and so on. We go there
to offer volunteer service on these days. We donate writing
Interview
ACUMEN 53
Brief History of U Phone Lwin alias Philip Maung Brief History of U Phone Lwin alias Philip Maung Brief History of U Phone Lwin alias Philip Maung Brief History of U Phone Lwin alias Philip Maung Brief History of U Phone Lwin alias Philip Maung
Date of Birth - February, 1967
(Fourth son of six siblings)
Parents - U Ko Lay & Daw Yin May Lwin
Native Place - Yangon, Myanmar
Hobbies - Reading, Swimming, Playing
tennis and golf
Spouse - Daw Pan Myat Win Shwin
Children - Two sons
HISSHO SUSHI HISSHO SUSHI HISSHO SUSHI HISSHO SUSHI HISSHO SUSHI
Commencement of the - 1998
Business
Number of outlets - more than 400
Location of Headquarters - Charlotte, North Carolina
Work Force - Around 300
Website - www.hisshosushi.com,
Twitter - twitter.com/Hissho98,
Facebook - facebook.com/
PhilipMaung
paper, ball-pens, pencils etc. to the needy children.
The donations we are making are many. We urge
them to promote both as a team and as individuals.
As diabetes rate among children is getting very high,
we always make donations for research foundations
for it. Then there are also things we are doing for the
refugees from Myanmar. A
adv.pmd 8/10/2013, 2:22 PM 11
adv.pmd 8/10/2013, 2:24 PM 11
September 2013
Opinion
September 2013
From UMyoLwin-Development of Insurance.pmd 8/13/2013, 10:41 AM 58
ACUMEN 59
Good News Good News Good News Good News Good News
In June - 2013, five new insurance companies held the
official grand opening ceremony in Yangon. For nearly 50 years
this industry was monopolized by the government - owned
insurance company, namely Myanma Insurance Enterprise.The
opening of the new insurance companies indicates the most
significant change made by the new democratic government in
order to liberalize the insurance market in line with the increasing
demand for insurance arising out of the economic progress of
the country. The insurance industry now will regain glory again
with the new competitors in the market by providing value
added services for entire satisfaction of the insuring public.
Actually Myanmar insurance history dated back to the year
1824 in which the Anglo Burmese War broke out and Burma
lost the battle. And then some British colonialists came into
Burma to operate the insurance business to protect loss of their
wealth and lives. So this industry has been lasting for nearly
190 years in this country.I want to make some contributions in
presenting development insurance business in Myanmar
because I have some working experiences of over 41-years
services in this business alone. So my recollection of past
experiences may make the reader understand more about this
subject.
In Myanmar, books on insurance subjects written either in
English or in Myanmar are very rare.The new era of insurance
will be becoming bright very soon again.However for those
who want to acquire insurance knowledge they should have
easy access to these books of insurance. So I am trying to share
my knowledge and experiences by writing articles or books.
1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Anglo Burmese Anglo Burmese Anglo Burmese Anglo Burmese Anglo Burmese
War (1824) War (1824) War (1824) War (1824) War (1824)
In 1824 Anglo Burmese
war broke out, Burma lost the
battle and the lower part of
the country fell under the
colony of the British Empire.
Since then many foreign
traders and entrepreneurs
came i nt o Burma, and
established the business
companies. Round about
1845, it was learned that
insurers and underwriters
also entered the country and
found insurance companies
in order to protect the lives
and wealth of the foreigners.
During the years 1845-1897
nearl y 18 underwri t i ng
companies were formed and operating insurance business in
lower Burma.
2. 2. 2. 2. 2. During the year 1897 to 1940 During the year 1897 to 1940 During the year 1897 to 1940 During the year 1897 to 1940 During the year 1897 to 1940
Under the British colonial rule, the number of companies
increased to nearly 110 and these companies were generating
different classes of insurance business all over the whole country.
The whole insurance industry was entirely dominated by
foreigners nearly for more than 100 years.
3. 3. 3. 3. 3. The emergence of t wo Burmese The emergence of t wo Burmese The emergence of t wo Burmese The emergence of t wo Burmese The emergence of t wo Burmese
companies companies companies companies companies
In 1938, two Burmese owned companies emerged in the
market, they are
A. Burma National Insurance Company,
B. Burma Government Security Insurance Company Ltd.
These above two insurance companies were only
transacting life insurance business in competition with foreign
companies. However as these companies were too small to
compete with giant foreign ones, the whole industry was still
under the control of the foreigners. Among the renowned, famous
and larger foreign companies consisted the following;
4. Foreign Insurance Companies in Myanmar 4. Foreign Insurance Companies in Myanmar 4. Foreign Insurance Companies in Myanmar 4. Foreign Insurance Companies in Myanmar 4. Foreign Insurance Companies in Myanmar
After the independence of Myanmar in 1948 another two
insurance companies owned by Myanmar citizen emerged
again.These two handled general insurance business only. During
those days, different classes of insurance business operated by
many insurance companies both foreign and Myanmar, were
life and non-life business.
Sr. No Sr. No Sr. No Sr. No Sr. No Name of Insurance Company Name of Insurance Company Name of Insurance Company Name of Insurance Company Name of Insurance Company Year of Ent er y i nt o Myanmar Year of Ent er y i nt o Myanmar Year of Ent er y i nt o Myanmar Year of Ent er y i nt o Myanmar Year of Ent er y i nt o Myanmar
1. The Alliance Insurance Co., Ltd. 1845
2. The Imperial Insurance Co., Ltd. 1845
3. The Northern Insurance Co., Ltd. 1860
4. The Royal Insurance Co., Ltd. 1863
5. The Sun Insurance Co., Ltd. 1878
6. The Liverpool-London & Global Insurance Co., Ltd. 1870
7. The North British &Mercantile Insurance Co., Ltd. 1878
8. The London & Lancashire Insurance Co., Ltd. 1880
9. The London Insurance Co., Ltd. 1883
10. Phoenix Assurance Co., Ltd. 1883
11. Atlas Assurance Co., Ltd. 1886
12. The New Zealand Insurance Co., Ltd. 1889
13. The Commercial Union Assurance Co., Ltd. 1890
14. The Royal Exchange Assurance 1891
15. The Scottish Union & National Assurance Co., Ltd. 1891
16. Norwich Union National Assurance Co., Ltd. 1897
17. Yorkshire Insurance Co., Ltd. 1897
18. The Caledonian Insurance Co., Ltd. 1897
ACUMEN 59
September 2013
Opinion
September 2013
ACUMEN 59
Good News Good News Good News Good News Good News
In June - 2013, five new insurance companies held the
official grand opening ceremony in Yangon. For nearly 50 years
this industry was monopolized by the government - owned
insurance company, namely Myanma Insurance Enterprise.The
opening of the new insurance companies indicates the most
significant change made by the new democratic government in
order to liberalize the insurance market in line with the increasing
demand for insurance arising out of the economic progress of
the country. The insurance industry now will regain glory again
with the new competitors in the market by providing value
added services for entire satisfaction of the insuring public.
Actually Myanmar insurance history dated back to the year
1824 in which the Anglo Burmese War broke out and Burma
lost the battle. And then some British colonialists came into
Burma to operate the insurance business to protect loss of their
wealth and lives. So this industry has been lasting for nearly
190 years in this country.I want to make some contributions in
presenting development insurance business in Myanmar
because I have some working experiences of over 41-years
services in this business alone. So my recollection of past
experiences may make the reader understand more about this
subject.
In Myanmar, books on insurance subjects written either in
English or in Myanmar are very rare.The new era of insurance
will be becoming bright very soon again.However for those
who want to acquire insurance knowledge they should have
easy access to these books of insurance. So I am trying to share
my knowledge and experiences by writing articles or books.
1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Anglo Burmese Anglo Burmese Anglo Burmese Anglo Burmese Anglo Burmese
War (1824) War (1824) War (1824) War (1824) War (1824)
In 1824 Anglo Burmese
war broke out, Burma lost the
battle and the lower part of
the country fell under the
colony of the British Empire.
Since then many foreign
traders and entrepreneurs
came i nt o Burma, and
established the business
companies. Round about
1845, it was learned that
insurers and underwriters
also entered the country and
found insurance companies
in order to protect the lives
and wealth of the foreigners.
During the years 1845-1897
nearl y 18 underwri t i ng
companies were formed and operating insurance business in
lower Burma.
2. 2. 2. 2. 2. During the year 1897 to 1940 During the year 1897 to 1940 During the year 1897 to 1940 During the year 1897 to 1940 During the year 1897 to 1940
Under the British colonial rule, the number of companies
increased to nearly 110 and these companies were generating
different classes of insurance business all over the whole country.
The whole insurance industry was entirely dominated by
foreigners nearly for more than 100 years.
3. 3. 3. 3. 3. The emergence of t wo Burmese The emergence of t wo Burmese The emergence of t wo Burmese The emergence of t wo Burmese The emergence of t wo Burmese
companies companies companies companies companies
In 1938, two Burmese owned companies emerged in the
market, they are
A. Burma National Insurance Company,
B. Burma Government Security Insurance Company Ltd.
These above two insurance companies were only
transacting life insurance business in competition with foreign
companies. However as these companies were too small to
compete with giant foreign ones, the whole industry was still
under the control of the foreigners. Among the renowned, famous
and larger foreign companies consisted the following;
4. Foreign Insurance Companies in Myanmar 4. Foreign Insurance Companies in Myanmar 4. Foreign Insurance Companies in Myanmar 4. Foreign Insurance Companies in Myanmar 4. Foreign Insurance Companies in Myanmar
After the independence of Myanmar in 1948 another two
insurance companies owned by Myanmar citizen emerged
again.These two handled general insurance business only. During
those days, different classes of insurance business operated by
many insurance companies both foreign and Myanmar, were
life and non-life business.
Sr. No Sr. No Sr. No Sr. No Sr. No Name of Insurance Company Name of Insurance Company Name of Insurance Company Name of Insurance Company Name of Insurance Company Year of Ent er y i nt o Myanmar Year of Ent er y i nt o Myanmar Year of Ent er y i nt o Myanmar Year of Ent er y i nt o Myanmar Year of Ent er y i nt o Myanmar
1. The Alliance Insurance Co., Ltd. 1845
2. The Imperial Insurance Co., Ltd. 1845
3. The Northern Insurance Co., Ltd. 1860
4. The Royal Insurance Co., Ltd. 1863
5. The Sun Insurance Co., Ltd. 1878
6. The Liverpool-London & Global Insurance Co., Ltd. 1870
7. The North British &Mercantile Insurance Co., Ltd. 1878
8. The London & Lancashire Insurance Co., Ltd. 1880
9. The London Insurance Co., Ltd. 1883
10. Phoenix Assurance Co., Ltd. 1883
11. Atlas Assurance Co., Ltd. 1886
12. The New Zealand Insurance Co., Ltd. 1889
13. The Commercial Union Assurance Co., Ltd. 1890
14. The Royal Exchange Assurance 1891
15. The Scottish Union & National Assurance Co., Ltd. 1891
16. Norwich Union National Assurance Co., Ltd. 1897
17. Yorkshire Insurance Co., Ltd. 1897
18. The Caledonian Insurance Co., Ltd. 1897
ACUMEN 59
September 2013
Opinion
Changes of Insurance i ndust ri es i n Changes of Insurance i ndust ri es i n Changes of Insurance i ndust ri es i n Changes of Insurance i ndust ri es i n Changes of Insurance i ndust ri es i n
Myanmar Myanmar Myanmar Myanmar Myanmar
After our country regained her independence in 1948,many
changes were taken place in insurance industry.
Firstly the government nationalized the aforesaid Burma National
Insurance Company and transformed it into The Union
Insurance Board in 1952 (UIB) which was fully state owned.
This board started only life insurance business for seven years
in the foreigners dominated insurance market to compete them.
However after 7 years later, the board underwrote general
insurance business.
Especially due to the lack of experience, technical knowhow
and expertises the state - owned enterprises cant compete
successfully and the foreign insurance companies were still
dominating the major share of the life and non-life business. At
that time different types of insurance business transacted in the
market are -
1 . 1 . 1 . 1 . 1 . Li fe Insurance Li fe Insurance Li fe Insurance Li fe Insurance Li fe Insurance
1 . Whole Life Insurance
2 . Term Life
3 . Endowment Life (with profit)
4. Educational Life Insurance Policies
5. Group Life Insurance
2 . 2 . 2 . 2 . 2 . Non-Li fe; General Busi ness Non-Li fe; General Busi ness Non-Li fe; General Busi ness Non-Li fe; General Busi ness Non-Li fe; General Busi ness
1. Fire Insurance
2 . Motor Insurance
3 . Marine Hull
4. Marine Cargo
5. Engineering Insurance
6. Cash in Safe Insurance
There is a lack of public
awareness about the
essence of insurance
system in Myanmar.
ACUMEN 61
7. Cash in Transit Insurance
8. Public Liability Insurance
9. Fidelity Insurance
10. Miscellaneous Insurance
11. Reinsurance Business
12. Personal Accident
Monopoly of life insurance Monopoly of life insurance Monopoly of life insurance Monopoly of life insurance Monopoly of life insurance
In 1959, the government made the significant changes
regarding life business. All the private insurance companies
were prohibited to transact life insurance business. So the state
owned enterprise, The Union Insurance Board, monopolized
the entire life insurance business in Myanmar since that year
1959.
Everybody knows that Burmese political system was
changed from democratic government to military junta in 1962.
In 1964, the military junta (Revolutionary
Council) abolished all private insurance
companies and there were no longer
competition of private underwriters in
the country since then. The aim of the
ban was to deter the outflow of foreign
exchange to other countries. Before 1964,
there was a very strong agency network
in Myanmar for a long time. In those
days, nearly four thousands agents were
selling different types of insurance
policies in the market.However the whole
insurance agency scheme was abolished
by the government in 1969. Since then,
the popularity of the insurance business
among the public became to faint day by
day and at present the essence of the
insurance business was nearly forgotten
by the younger generation. Ever since I
was a young boy, I heard some of senior
colleagues said that Buying insurance brings comprehensive
protection for your complete peace of mind.
Insurance Schemes For Farmers Insurance Schemes For Farmers Insurance Schemes For Farmers Insurance Schemes For Farmers Insurance Schemes For Farmers
Under the span of Myanma Socialist Program Party, the
socialist government introduced very large insurance schemes
throughout the country especially for farmers in 1980. These
schemes were mainly implemented by Township Party units
and it reached the grass root of the country. These four projects
were,
1. Peasant Life Insurance
2. Education Insurance
3. Old Age Life and Annuity Insurance
4. Cattles Live Stock Insurance
These big projects were carried out in more than 280
townships all over the country. As our customers are farmers,
living in rural areas, the Myanma Insurance Enterprises
employees had to go to the villages to sell the insurance certificate
in cooperation with party carders.
During the reign of SLORC (1988-2010) During the reign of SLORC (1988-2010) During the reign of SLORC (1988-2010) During the reign of SLORC (1988-2010) During the reign of SLORC (1988-2010)
The aim of these projects were mainly to give financial
protection against the peasants and their families when they
met the unexpected life events.These projects were successful
and popular among the villagers. When BSPP was terminated
in 1988,so also these projects automatically ceased. During the
reign of the SLORC (1988-2010) some developments were seen
in insurance market. Many new products were introduced and
they are;
A. Oil and Gas Insurance
B. Seamans Life Assurance
C. Oversea Workers Life Assurance
D. Sport man Insurance
E. Snake Bite Insurance
F. Miners Liability Insurance
G. Travelling Insurance
Sr. No Sr. No Sr. No Sr. No Sr. No Name of Insurance Company Name of Insurance Company Name of Insurance Company Name of Insurance Company Name of Insurance Company Back Ground Company Back Ground Company Back Ground Company Back Ground Company Back Ground Company
1. First National Insurance Public Co., Ltd. Htoo Group
2. IKBZ Insurance public Co., Ltd. KBZ Bank
3. Young Insurance Global Co., Ltd. Young Auto
4. Capital Life Insurance Co., Ltd. Diamond Star
5. Grand Guardian Insurance Public Co., Ltd. ShweTaung Development
6. Global World Insurance Co., Ltd. Asia World
7. Excellent Fortune Insurance Co., Ltd. Jade King & Jade Queen
8. Aung Thit Sar Oo Insurance Co., Ltd. UMEHL
9. Pillar of Truth Insurance Co., Ltd. Parami Energy
10. CB Public Insurance Co., Ltd. CB Bank
11. Aye Yar Myanmar Insurance Co., Ltd. Max
12. Aung Myint Mo Min Insurance Co., Ltd. MEC
September 2013
Opinion
Changes of Insurance i ndust ri es i n Changes of Insurance i ndust ri es i n Changes of Insurance i ndust ri es i n Changes of Insurance i ndust ri es i n Changes of Insurance i ndust ri es i n
Myanmar Myanmar Myanmar Myanmar Myanmar
After our country regained her independence in 1948,many
changes were taken place in insurance industry.
Firstly the government nationalized the aforesaid Burma National
Insurance Company and transformed it into The Union
Insurance Board in 1952 (UIB) which was fully state owned.
This board started only life insurance business for seven years
in the foreigners dominated insurance market to compete them.
However after 7 years later, the board underwrote general
insurance business.
Especially due to the lack of experience, technical knowhow
and expertises the state - owned enterprises cant compete
successfully and the foreign insurance companies were still
dominating the major share of the life and non-life business. At
that time different types of insurance business transacted in the
market are -
1 . 1 . 1 . 1 . 1 . Li fe Insurance Li fe Insurance Li fe Insurance Li fe Insurance Li fe Insurance
1 . Whole Life Insurance
2 . Term Life
3 . Endowment Life (with profit)
4. Educational Life Insurance Policies
5. Group Life Insurance
2 . 2 . 2 . 2 . 2 . Non-Li fe; General Busi ness Non-Li fe; General Busi ness Non-Li fe; General Busi ness Non-Li fe; General Busi ness Non-Li fe; General Busi ness
1. Fire Insurance
2 . Motor Insurance
3 . Marine Hull
4. Marine Cargo
5. Engineering Insurance
6. Cash in Safe Insurance
There is a lack of public
awareness about the
essence of insurance
system in Myanmar.
ACUMEN 61
7. Cash in Transit Insurance
8. Public Liability Insurance
9. Fidelity Insurance
10. Miscellaneous Insurance
11. Reinsurance Business
12. Personal Accident
Monopoly of life insurance Monopoly of life insurance Monopoly of life insurance Monopoly of life insurance Monopoly of life insurance
In 1959, the government made the significant changes
regarding life business. All the private insurance companies
were prohibited to transact life insurance business. So the state
owned enterprise, The Union Insurance Board, monopolized
the entire life insurance business in Myanmar since that year
1959.
Everybody knows that Burmese political system was
changed from democratic government to military junta in 1962.
In 1964, the military junta (Revolutionary
Council) abolished all private insurance
companies and there were no longer
competition of private underwriters in
the country since then. The aim of the
ban was to deter the outflow of foreign
exchange to other countries. Before 1964,
there was a very strong agency network
in Myanmar for a long time. In those
days, nearly four thousands agents were
selling different types of insurance
policies in the market.However the whole
insurance agency scheme was abolished
by the government in 1969. Since then,
the popularity of the insurance business
among the public became to faint day by
day and at present the essence of the
insurance business was nearly forgotten
by the younger generation. Ever since I
was a young boy, I heard some of senior
colleagues said that Buying insurance brings comprehensive
protection for your complete peace of mind.
Insurance Schemes For Farmers Insurance Schemes For Farmers Insurance Schemes For Farmers Insurance Schemes For Farmers Insurance Schemes For Farmers
Under the span of Myanma Socialist Program Party, the
socialist government introduced very large insurance schemes
throughout the country especially for farmers in 1980. These
schemes were mainly implemented by Township Party units
and it reached the grass root of the country. These four projects
were,
1. Peasant Life Insurance
2. Education Insurance
3. Old Age Life and Annuity Insurance
4. Cattles Live Stock Insurance
These big projects were carried out in more than 280
townships all over the country. As our customers are farmers,
living in rural areas, the Myanma Insurance Enterprises
employees had to go to the villages to sell the insurance certificate
in cooperation with party carders.
During the reign of SLORC (1988-2010) During the reign of SLORC (1988-2010) During the reign of SLORC (1988-2010) During the reign of SLORC (1988-2010) During the reign of SLORC (1988-2010)
The aim of these projects were mainly to give financial
protection against the peasants and their families when they
met the unexpected life events.These projects were successful
and popular among the villagers. When BSPP was terminated
in 1988,so also these projects automatically ceased. During the
reign of the SLORC (1988-2010) some developments were seen
in insurance market. Many new products were introduced and
they are;
A. Oil and Gas Insurance
B. Seamans Life Assurance
C. Oversea Workers Life Assurance
D. Sport man Insurance
E. Snake Bite Insurance
F. Miners Liability Insurance
G. Travelling Insurance
Sr. No Sr. No Sr. No Sr. No Sr. No Name of Insurance Company Name of Insurance Company Name of Insurance Company Name of Insurance Company Name of Insurance Company Back Ground Company Back Ground Company Back Ground Company Back Ground Company Back Ground Company
1. First National Insurance Public Co., Ltd. Htoo Group
2. IKBZ Insurance public Co., Ltd. KBZ Bank
3. Young Insurance Global Co., Ltd. Young Auto
4. Capital Life Insurance Co., Ltd. Diamond Star
5. Grand Guardian Insurance Public Co., Ltd. ShweTaung Development
6. Global World Insurance Co., Ltd. Asia World
7. Excellent Fortune Insurance Co., Ltd. Jade King & Jade Queen
8. Aung Thit Sar Oo Insurance Co., Ltd. UMEHL
9. Pillar of Truth Insurance Co., Ltd. Parami Energy
10. CB Public Insurance Co., Ltd. CB Bank
11. Aye Yar Myanmar Insurance Co., Ltd. Max
12. Aung Myint Mo Min Insurance Co., Ltd. MEC
September 2013
In 1996, the SLORC enacted the new law, The Insurance
Business Law in order to liberalize the state monopolized
insurance business in Myanmar. Although private sector had
been controlled by the government for a long time there
happened a significant change in 1996. In the industry Myanmar
International Insurance Co., (MMIIC) which was a joint venture
company between MEC (Myanmar Economics Corporation) and
foreign private company emerged and operated all types of
insurance business. However, this company lasted nearly five
years and was forced to abolish by the government in 2002.
Since then there were neither rivals nor competitors in the
market again. With the flourishing of democratic changes and
reforms into Myanmar, the new government liberalized the
market and ordered the Insurance Business Supervisory Board
to issue licenses for the private entrepreneurs to tract the
insurance business. This is the most important step taken by
the government to liberalize the private insurance sector, which
had been for more than five decades monopolized by the state.
The invitation of applications by the IBSB The invitation of applications by the IBSB The invitation of applications by the IBSB The invitation of applications by the IBSB The invitation of applications by the IBSB
The Insurance Supervisory Board invited the applications
for business license for formation of new companies on 27 April
2012. It was learned that more than 200 applications were sold
before the closing date 29 June 2012. But only 20 companies
applied for license before the closing date. The Board issued
the notifications on 5 September 2012 that out of 20 companies
applied for were eligible for issue of business permit.
The preliminary eligible companies and their back up
corporation were mentioned below. These back up companies
were very huge and afford to pay the required paid-up capital
amount kyats 46-billion for a composite insurance company.
Among these companies only some companies are public
insurance companies, namely IKBZ, Grand Guardian Insurance
Public Co.,Ltd. and Citizen Bank Public Insurance Co.,Ltd.
However till the end of May 2013, not a single company can
start to launch business operation because they are waiting for
the business licenses to be issued by IBSB. Some journalists
very recently made criticism for delaying of the operational
launch of that insurance business.
The future for insurance business becomes bright again
and very soon, the industry will be booming again with the
momentum. The main theme of insurance is to give financial
protection against unexpected losses encountered by the
individuals as well as by corporate. The demand of insurance
may be fulfilled by the supply of 12 companies and at the same
time new job opportunities will be created. The main benefit
gained by the emergences of the new insurance companies
will be that most of the citizens of Myanmar may live in peace
of mind under the umbrella cover of the insurance. Because the
wealth of our people will be financially protected by the insurance
system and the burden of the cost of medical treatment will
reduced by the medical insurance
and some financial problems to be
encountered after retirement in old
age, may also be resolved by enjoying
the benefits of the endowment life
insurance and annuity products. These
are my optimistic points of views about
the emergence of the new companies.
However many chal l enges are
waiting for the entrepreneurs.
Many Challenges Many Challenges Many Challenges Many Challenges Many Challenges
The first one is lack of skilled
workforce .The second is lack of ad-
vanced and modern insurance tech-
nology. The third is lack of public
awareness about the essence of in-
surance system. Please allow me to
explain more about the above chal-
lenge faced by these entrepreneurs
who are very eager to venture in the
emerging insurance market. Lack of
skilled workforce is detrimental to
sustainable development of the insur-
ance industry in future. It is worthy to
mention that I have never heard of
any existence of insurance institute
which can foster the work force for
the industry.
The second point is that the
insurance business was introduced by
the British colonialists soon after the
first Anglo Burmese war in 1824.Since
the fall of Burma under the rule of
colonialists. So the insurance system
has been practicing in Myanmar for
more than 150 years.
To be frank, I have never noticed that any significant
changes were made in this industry. I have been working in
this industry for more than 41 years .According to my experience
, during the reign of previous socialist government , some new
products such as ,farmers insurance, education insurance , life
insurance, cattle and live insurance were introduced in the
market ,especially for the rural people. However the launches
of these products were meant only for propaganda for the
prestige and reputation of the Myanmar Socialist Program Party.
When the socialist program party was abolished so also
these products perished. What I want to say here is that our
people were financially protected by the life insurance for
adversities in case of lost life for more than 150 years. But the
long term life products are not attractive to the public so only
Opinion
Aung Thisa Oo
Insurance office
ACUMEN 63
very few policies were bought by the public .The present
endowment life insurance schemes which now is operating
in Myanmar does not allow does not allow does not allow does not allow does not allow neither profit nor bonus at the
end of this policy term for the policy holder. Drawback of the
product is that policy holder expects to get back some kind of
interest from what he has paid to the insurance company as
premium at the maturity date.
Moreover Myanmar people lost their faith in the insurance
system and so also it becomes the severe impact for the new
insurance companies because it will take a lot of time in trying
to regain the lost faith of the public. Another very severe impact
is the sky rocketed inflation rate which affects the policy holder
when he gets the saved money back as a maturity profit from
this policy.
Real value of the money was decreased. So I lost a lot of
money because of buying this life insurance policy. Moreover
I got neither bonus nor profit out of this policy. The worst was
that I did not get any kind of interest for the money. I had paid
to the insurance company as a premium.This is the main reason
why Myanmar People lost their faith in saving life insurance
products. These are recollection of my past experience and
rational views about this present insurance market situation in
Myanmar. A
Opening
Ceremony of
Grand Guardian
Insurance
September 2013
In 1996, the SLORC enacted the new law, The Insurance
Business Law in order to liberalize the state monopolized
insurance business in Myanmar. Although private sector had
been controlled by the government for a long time there
happened a significant change in 1996. In the industry Myanmar
International Insurance Co., (MMIIC) which was a joint venture
company between MEC (Myanmar Economics Corporation) and
foreign private company emerged and operated all types of
insurance business. However, this company lasted nearly five
years and was forced to abolish by the government in 2002.
Since then there were neither rivals nor competitors in the
market again. With the flourishing of democratic changes and
reforms into Myanmar, the new government liberalized the
market and ordered the Insurance Business Supervisory Board
to issue licenses for the private entrepreneurs to tract the
insurance business. This is the most important step taken by
the government to liberalize the private insurance sector, which
had been for more than five decades monopolized by the state.
The invitation of applications by the IBSB The invitation of applications by the IBSB The invitation of applications by the IBSB The invitation of applications by the IBSB The invitation of applications by the IBSB
The Insurance Supervisory Board invited the applications
for business license for formation of new companies on 27 April
2012. It was learned that more than 200 applications were sold
before the closing date 29 June 2012. But only 20 companies
applied for license before the closing date. The Board issued
the notifications on 5 September 2012 that out of 20 companies
applied for were eligible for issue of business permit.
The preliminary eligible companies and their back up
corporation were mentioned below. These back up companies
were very huge and afford to pay the required paid-up capital
amount kyats 46-billion for a composite insurance company.
Among these companies only some companies are public
insurance companies, namely IKBZ, Grand Guardian Insurance
Public Co.,Ltd. and Citizen Bank Public Insurance Co.,Ltd.
However till the end of May 2013, not a single company can
start to launch business operation because they are waiting for
the business licenses to be issued by IBSB. Some journalists
very recently made criticism for delaying of the operational
launch of that insurance business.
The future for insurance business becomes bright again
and very soon, the industry will be booming again with the
momentum. The main theme of insurance is to give financial
protection against unexpected losses encountered by the
individuals as well as by corporate. The demand of insurance
may be fulfilled by the supply of 12 companies and at the same
time new job opportunities will be created. The main benefit
gained by the emergences of the new insurance companies
will be that most of the citizens of Myanmar may live in peace
of mind under the umbrella cover of the insurance. Because the
wealth of our people will be financially protected by the insurance
system and the burden of the cost of medical treatment will
reduced by the medical insurance
and some financial problems to be
encountered after retirement in old
age, may also be resolved by enjoying
the benefits of the endowment life
insurance and annuity products. These
are my optimistic points of views about
the emergence of the new companies.
However many chal l enges are
waiting for the entrepreneurs.
Many Challenges Many Challenges Many Challenges Many Challenges Many Challenges
The first one is lack of skilled
workforce .The second is lack of ad-
vanced and modern insurance tech-
nology. The third is lack of public
awareness about the essence of in-
surance system. Please allow me to
explain more about the above chal-
lenge faced by these entrepreneurs
who are very eager to venture in the
emerging insurance market. Lack of
skilled workforce is detrimental to
sustainable development of the insur-
ance industry in future. It is worthy to
mention that I have never heard of
any existence of insurance institute
which can foster the work force for
the industry.
The second point is that the
insurance business was introduced by
the British colonialists soon after the
first Anglo Burmese war in 1824.Since
the fall of Burma under the rule of
colonialists. So the insurance system
has been practicing in Myanmar for
more than 150 years.
To be frank, I have never noticed that any significant
changes were made in this industry. I have been working in
this industry for more than 41 years .According to my experience
, during the reign of previous socialist government , some new
products such as ,farmers insurance, education insurance , life
insurance, cattle and live insurance were introduced in the
market ,especially for the rural people. However the launches
of these products were meant only for propaganda for the
prestige and reputation of the Myanmar Socialist Program Party.
When the socialist program party was abolished so also
these products perished. What I want to say here is that our
people were financially protected by the life insurance for
adversities in case of lost life for more than 150 years. But the
long term life products are not attractive to the public so only
Opinion
Aung Thisa Oo
Insurance office
ACUMEN 63
very few policies were bought by the public .The present
endowment life insurance schemes which now is operating
in Myanmar does not allow does not allow does not allow does not allow does not allow neither profit nor bonus at the
end of this policy term for the policy holder. Drawback of the
product is that policy holder expects to get back some kind of
interest from what he has paid to the insurance company as
premium at the maturity date.
Moreover Myanmar people lost their faith in the insurance
system and so also it becomes the severe impact for the new
insurance companies because it will take a lot of time in trying
to regain the lost faith of the public. Another very severe impact
is the sky rocketed inflation rate which affects the policy holder
when he gets the saved money back as a maturity profit from
this policy.
Real value of the money was decreased. So I lost a lot of
money because of buying this life insurance policy. Moreover
I got neither bonus nor profit out of this policy. The worst was
that I did not get any kind of interest for the money. I had paid
to the insurance company as a premium.This is the main reason
why Myanmar People lost their faith in saving life insurance
products. These are recollection of my past experience and
rational views about this present insurance market situation in
Myanmar. A
Opening
Ceremony of
Grand Guardian
Insurance
September 2013
Culture
September 2013
From UMyoLwin-Culture-Was Palangan An Old Thai Settlement (U Tin Maung Kyi).pmd 8/13/2013, 10:39 AM 64
ACUMEN 65 ACUMEN 65
September 2013
Culture
September 2013
ACUMEN 65 ACUMEN 65
September 2013
Culture
The village is Sak Khin (a patch
of millet), the name itself indicating
a subsistent crop in a dry land
without a canal or water supply.
Large man-made water tanks
bordering north and south of the
village insure water supply for the
village population the whole year
round. Many corrugated iron roofs
betray well-to-do class with a good
income. In every house, two or
three huge glazed pots with
enormous capacity for storing
water are found placed under the
eve. It indicates every house save
rain water. The rain water is good
to brew hot tea for every family.
The houses are all built with
available bamboos and walled
with palm leaves. Cut trunks of
palm trees hollowed out were dish
for dinner (manger) served to the
cattle. The houses are clean mostly
grounded (meaning not built on stilts); so they do not need to
keep cattle under the floor. So the cattle are kept separate away
from their houses.
The village was a small one with about 150 houses,
maintained under a tutorship of a Buddhist monastery. Several
chedis (pagoda), large and small, prove the village prosperity
and contribution to the religion.
Location of the village Location of the village Location of the village Location of the village Location of the village
Both Sakkhin and deserted Phalangan are located in Wan-
dwin township, about 70 miles south from Mandalay. Arriving
at Phaya-su (a village) on motor car road, we turn to west for
about 8 miles. There is one more village on the way. We drive
about 45 minutes on a tract used by carts and cattle.
One must be careful asking about the way- whether the
road or tract ahead would be good. The answer is usually yes
from village folks met on the way, meaning their motor cycle
can run on the road; whether the car can run or not they have
no idea.
Arriving at Sat Khin village, we picked up one village elder.
He got our message ahead one or two days before. We have
also informed our intention and that we will not collect antiques
but to visit the abandoned Thai settlement-Phalangan.
The Thai Settlement The Thai Settlement The Thai Settlement The Thai Settlement The Thai Settlement
From the northen wall of the Sat Khin village, we saw a
Chedi propping up from the tree top. It was Phalangan half a
mile away. A man about 45 years of age asked us where we
were going. On answering he said he was going in the same
direction and we thanked him as he led us to it across an open
rice field.
His version of the old story His version of the old story His version of the old story His version of the old story His version of the old story
Many many years ago, a group of settlers came to this
place with provisions and possessions carried on nine elephants
and nine bullock carts. How many persons in the group he was
not sure about but one can estimate from number of elephants
and bullock carts. How many horses, this also he could not say.
They could not grow rice at first as it was a virgin land.
After a few years of hardship, they decided to settle here. And
their new village was now known as Phalangan.
Probability Probability Probability Probability Probability
They were Thais coming here after Burenongs reign. It
was a time of xgaos. To escape this they ran away to north
from Honsawaddy to settle in a new far-a-way place. They
were supposed to be service-men and their families to a Thai
princess, Nang Suwun (Suwanna) a sister of Phra Naresuon.
So they decided to settle here at Phalangan. They were
studious fellows and work hard for their survival. In few years
their colony grew bigger and started to enjoy peace and
prosperity.
It was at this time that a pumpkin style chedi was built for
worshipping. Few generations passed and their past faded into
oblivion.
Map of Palangan (now deserted)
Pumpkin Chedi are found in after-
Burenaung Peroid 17-18 century. This
is from abandoned village near Sat-
khin.
ACUMEN 67
Pumpkin type chedi tells their time of settle- Pumpkin type chedi tells their time of settle- Pumpkin type chedi tells their time of settle- Pumpkin type chedi tells their time of settle- Pumpkin type chedi tells their time of settle-
ment ment ment ment ment
The oldest chedi was a Siamese type, as evident from its
height, one and a half higher than its diameter of the base.
Mainly there are two types of chedis. When the height was
equal to the base, it was know as Myanmar type. Example is
Shwedagon.
Another indicator is a design of the old chedi. It has Kho-
nan or corners and the whole chedi is like a cucumber with
different folds. (See photo of old chedi). The type was exactly
like the ones built by two Kings at Ava, Sanay Min (1698-1714)
and Taninganwe (1714-33). (See a chedi built by Sanay) It was
also contemporary to a group at Han Myint Mo. (See a chedis
at Hanmyint-mo)
All these Chedis have one thing in common. Their corners
are like a cucumber. These are usually 12 corners counted all
around four corners. The Myanmar call them Kho Nan (a small Kho Nan (a small Kho Nan (a small Kho Nan (a small Kho Nan (a small
cage for the dove). cage for the dove). cage for the dove). cage for the dove). cage for the dove). The Thai call them Sibsong Mun.
Sibsong Mun were widely found in design of chedis and
palaces since Sukhothai period.
Kho nan Kho nan Kho nan Kho nan Kho nan was found on votive tablets of Pyu period (early
Christian Era) in Myanmar, according to traditional architect U
Win Maung, but Khonan becoming more popular to decorate
regalia, betel containers, on chedis and palaces during Bayint
Naungs (Buren-nongs) reign and after.
It is difficult to tell which side was earlier in adopting
Khonan design but it is safer to say both countries got the style
Map showing car tract to Sat-Khin and Palangan at Wundwin Township, Mandalay Division.
from ancient India. The Myanmar elaborated 12 corner design
into four categories- Kho-nan, Pon-nan, Maw-yun and Maw-
line. From these available designs, we can estimate their time
of settlement here after Buren-nong or late Nyaung-yan period.
According to elders in the village, the first were Thai settlers!
Probably they came here during the chaos in this period.
Wars in the past were a necessity on both sides and
neighbouring countries. The country usually had a wide space
of arable land and ample source of food, vegetables and meat
but human resource was lacking. For example Chiangmai was
depopulated for several decades because of the wars and Kavila,
new Lord of Chiengmai, decided to fill up the gap by population
brought form neighboring countries. His policy was now better
known as Put all the vegetables into a basket.
So the settlers lived here for a century or so. From time to
time their peaceful settlement was repeatedly joined by
newcomers as well. Naturally the population increased and the
land still could provide sufficient food.
New comers and a new revolt New comers and a new revolt New comers and a new revolt New comers and a new revolt New comers and a new revolt
They were from Mingaung-nora-hta group. He was one of
Alaung Phayas generals who fought at the front line in Ayutthaya
(1760)
A grudge had been brewed between the Kings son and
him. The general close to the King, spotted a secret love story
of the prince and a concubine who closely attended the King.
Knowing this, the prince made a plan to remove him. When the
September 2013
Culture
The village is Sak Khin (a patch
of millet), the name itself indicating
a subsistent crop in a dry land
without a canal or water supply.
Large man-made water tanks
bordering north and south of the
village insure water supply for the
village population the whole year
round. Many corrugated iron roofs
betray well-to-do class with a good
income. In every house, two or
three huge glazed pots with
enormous capacity for storing
water are found placed under the
eve. It indicates every house save
rain water. The rain water is good
to brew hot tea for every family.
The houses are all built with
available bamboos and walled
with palm leaves. Cut trunks of
palm trees hollowed out were dish
for dinner (manger) served to the
cattle. The houses are clean mostly
grounded (meaning not built on stilts); so they do not need to
keep cattle under the floor. So the cattle are kept separate away
from their houses.
The village was a small one with about 150 houses,
maintained under a tutorship of a Buddhist monastery. Several
chedis (pagoda), large and small, prove the village prosperity
and contribution to the religion.
Location of the village Location of the village Location of the village Location of the village Location of the village
Both Sakkhin and deserted Phalangan are located in Wan-
dwin township, about 70 miles south from Mandalay. Arriving
at Phaya-su (a village) on motor car road, we turn to west for
about 8 miles. There is one more village on the way. We drive
about 45 minutes on a tract used by carts and cattle.
One must be careful asking about the way- whether the
road or tract ahead would be good. The answer is usually yes
from village folks met on the way, meaning their motor cycle
can run on the road; whether the car can run or not they have
no idea.
Arriving at Sat Khin village, we picked up one village elder.
He got our message ahead one or two days before. We have
also informed our intention and that we will not collect antiques
but to visit the abandoned Thai settlement-Phalangan.
The Thai Settlement The Thai Settlement The Thai Settlement The Thai Settlement The Thai Settlement
From the northen wall of the Sat Khin village, we saw a
Chedi propping up from the tree top. It was Phalangan half a
mile away. A man about 45 years of age asked us where we
were going. On answering he said he was going in the same
direction and we thanked him as he led us to it across an open
rice field.
His version of the old story His version of the old story His version of the old story His version of the old story His version of the old story
Many many years ago, a group of settlers came to this
place with provisions and possessions carried on nine elephants
and nine bullock carts. How many persons in the group he was
not sure about but one can estimate from number of elephants
and bullock carts. How many horses, this also he could not say.
They could not grow rice at first as it was a virgin land.
After a few years of hardship, they decided to settle here. And
their new village was now known as Phalangan.
Probability Probability Probability Probability Probability
They were Thais coming here after Burenongs reign. It
was a time of xgaos. To escape this they ran away to north
from Honsawaddy to settle in a new far-a-way place. They
were supposed to be service-men and their families to a Thai
princess, Nang Suwun (Suwanna) a sister of Phra Naresuon.
So they decided to settle here at Phalangan. They were
studious fellows and work hard for their survival. In few years
their colony grew bigger and started to enjoy peace and
prosperity.
It was at this time that a pumpkin style chedi was built for
worshipping. Few generations passed and their past faded into
oblivion.
Map of Palangan (now deserted)
Pumpkin Chedi are found in after-
Burenaung Peroid 17-18 century. This
is from abandoned village near Sat-
khin.
ACUMEN 67
Pumpkin type chedi tells their time of settle- Pumpkin type chedi tells their time of settle- Pumpkin type chedi tells their time of settle- Pumpkin type chedi tells their time of settle- Pumpkin type chedi tells their time of settle-
ment ment ment ment ment
The oldest chedi was a Siamese type, as evident from its
height, one and a half higher than its diameter of the base.
Mainly there are two types of chedis. When the height was
equal to the base, it was know as Myanmar type. Example is
Shwedagon.
Another indicator is a design of the old chedi. It has Kho-
nan or corners and the whole chedi is like a cucumber with
different folds. (See photo of old chedi). The type was exactly
like the ones built by two Kings at Ava, Sanay Min (1698-1714)
and Taninganwe (1714-33). (See a chedi built by Sanay) It was
also contemporary to a group at Han Myint Mo. (See a chedis
at Hanmyint-mo)
All these Chedis have one thing in common. Their corners
are like a cucumber. These are usually 12 corners counted all
around four corners. The Myanmar call them Kho Nan (a small Kho Nan (a small Kho Nan (a small Kho Nan (a small Kho Nan (a small
cage for the dove). cage for the dove). cage for the dove). cage for the dove). cage for the dove). The Thai call them Sibsong Mun.
Sibsong Mun were widely found in design of chedis and
palaces since Sukhothai period.
Kho nan Kho nan Kho nan Kho nan Kho nan was found on votive tablets of Pyu period (early
Christian Era) in Myanmar, according to traditional architect U
Win Maung, but Khonan becoming more popular to decorate
regalia, betel containers, on chedis and palaces during Bayint
Naungs (Buren-nongs) reign and after.
It is difficult to tell which side was earlier in adopting
Khonan design but it is safer to say both countries got the style
Map showing car tract to Sat-Khin and Palangan at Wundwin Township, Mandalay Division.
from ancient India. The Myanmar elaborated 12 corner design
into four categories- Kho-nan, Pon-nan, Maw-yun and Maw-
line. From these available designs, we can estimate their time
of settlement here after Buren-nong or late Nyaung-yan period.
According to elders in the village, the first were Thai settlers!
Probably they came here during the chaos in this period.
Wars in the past were a necessity on both sides and
neighbouring countries. The country usually had a wide space
of arable land and ample source of food, vegetables and meat
but human resource was lacking. For example Chiangmai was
depopulated for several decades because of the wars and Kavila,
new Lord of Chiengmai, decided to fill up the gap by population
brought form neighboring countries. His policy was now better
known as Put all the vegetables into a basket.
So the settlers lived here for a century or so. From time to
time their peaceful settlement was repeatedly joined by
newcomers as well. Naturally the population increased and the
land still could provide sufficient food.
New comers and a new revolt New comers and a new revolt New comers and a new revolt New comers and a new revolt New comers and a new revolt
They were from Mingaung-nora-hta group. He was one of
Alaung Phayas generals who fought at the front line in Ayutthaya
(1760)
A grudge had been brewed between the Kings son and
him. The general close to the King, spotted a secret love story
of the prince and a concubine who closely attended the King.
Knowing this, the prince made a plan to remove him. When the
September 2013
king was mortally wounded at Ayutthaya, all the troops were
ordered a hasty retreat. The general was the last to depart
Ayutthaya as he had to cover the rear.
The prince denied food supply to the general on the way
back. The generals troops came home starving. An open attempt
to arrest the general at Toungoo failed. It would be a chapter to
describe his adventure. So the general boldly captured Ava and
declared himself a King. Nearly a year later he found himself
retreating south. In an attempt to cover his men, he was killed.
Many of his soldiers escaped along with their families and
dispersed.
One group came and joined with the Thai village here at
Palangan. They all merged together after few years.
A new monastery A new monastery A new monastery A new monastery A new monastery
It was said the generals descendants built a pagoda, now
found in one corner of the abandoned monastery. (Someone
had renovated recently, see the pagoda.) They needed a tutor
to guide them in every aspect of their life. A village was not
complete without a monastery. So, they built a monastery here
in a compound walled with bricks.
Years past without any incidents. The area south of
Mandalay was a cavalry area providing horse-men to the kings
service. They were free from tax. When a new tax was imposed
on them, they revolted in 1866 coinciding with the Kings son-
Myin-goon Rebellion.
After that the area was no more peaceful. Many groups
contested for power struggle in the area and it was almost on
mans land.
The villagers of Phalangan built a new monastery, decorated
with a lot of carvings. Probably the time was in late Konebaung
Kho-nan or A Cage for a Dove
The present monastery at Sat-Khin village
many years ago
A chedi at Han-Myint-Mo
Culture
ACUMEN 69
or early british colonial time.
When the monastery was completed someone reported that
a palace was being built to raise a flag of resistance. When a
rumor arrived that someone was coming with a force, the leader
and elders of the settlement fled away. The Palangan village
went to disorder and many people moved about half a mile to
the south and the present village Sat Khin was a new settlement
since then.
Present situation Present situation Present situation Present situation Present situation
The abandoned site Palangan was gradually deserted.
Altogether four Chedis were left to ruin. Jungle had encroached
and engulfed the old site. Later three chedis were renovated by
wealthy formers and the one with oldest design (old chedi)
found now was nearly crumbling.
No one visited here except cattle herders herders herders herders herders. But the excellent
carving were a lure to the antique hunters. Many were lost
before the chief abbot from the new village decided to rescue
the art objects. The abbot was wise enough to fore-see the
village heritage. He made a bold decision - to move all movable
art and antiques to the new village. The rest of the monastery
he moved all and re-built a new monastery close to his. (See
the photos of the two monastery)
He also put up panels panels panels panels panels of wood carvings to the wall of his
monastery and covered up with iron sheets to ensure from
antique hunters.
When we arrived the village on 1 july 2013, the carvings
are still nailed vertically at the wall under the iron sheets.
Hundreds of art objects are in the new monastery and a book
will be necessary to list them into a catalogue. Under care of
the abbot, all art objects are forgotten in corners dusted in dim
light.
The art objects suggest a period of transition to both
monarchial and colonial time. The old village folks maintained
their Thai origin. The oldest Chedi indicates a settlement at a
time of late 17
th
century. The villagers also reported that two
separate groups of Thais, had visited the site about 30 years
ago. A Thai lady in our group is sorry that she cannot claim
herself the first Thai visiting the site! A
Recently renovated Pagoda
Originally built by the Generals men
Mythical animals from abandoned monastery.
The Jaws reflet colonial influence
Design conserved in the present monastery.
Lions and florals are all western.
September 2013
king was mortally wounded at Ayutthaya, all the troops were
ordered a hasty retreat. The general was the last to depart
Ayutthaya as he had to cover the rear.
The prince denied food supply to the general on the way
back. The generals troops came home starving. An open attempt
to arrest the general at Toungoo failed. It would be a chapter to
describe his adventure. So the general boldly captured Ava and
declared himself a King. Nearly a year later he found himself
retreating south. In an attempt to cover his men, he was killed.
Many of his soldiers escaped along with their families and
dispersed.
One group came and joined with the Thai village here at
Palangan. They all merged together after few years.
A new monastery A new monastery A new monastery A new monastery A new monastery
It was said the generals descendants built a pagoda, now
found in one corner of the abandoned monastery. (Someone
had renovated recently, see the pagoda.) They needed a tutor
to guide them in every aspect of their life. A village was not
complete without a monastery. So, they built a monastery here
in a compound walled with bricks.
Years past without any incidents. The area south of
Mandalay was a cavalry area providing horse-men to the kings
service. They were free from tax. When a new tax was imposed
on them, they revolted in 1866 coinciding with the Kings son-
Myin-goon Rebellion.
After that the area was no more peaceful. Many groups
contested for power struggle in the area and it was almost on
mans land.
The villagers of Phalangan built a new monastery, decorated
with a lot of carvings. Probably the time was in late Konebaung
Kho-nan or A Cage for a Dove
The present monastery at Sat-Khin village
many years ago
A chedi at Han-Myint-Mo
Culture
ACUMEN 69
or early british colonial time.
When the monastery was completed someone reported that
a palace was being built to raise a flag of resistance. When a
rumor arrived that someone was coming with a force, the leader
and elders of the settlement fled away. The Palangan village
went to disorder and many people moved about half a mile to
the south and the present village Sat Khin was a new settlement
since then.
Present situation Present situation Present situation Present situation Present situation
The abandoned site Palangan was gradually deserted.
Altogether four Chedis were left to ruin. Jungle had encroached
and engulfed the old site. Later three chedis were renovated by
wealthy formers and the one with oldest design (old chedi)
found now was nearly crumbling.
No one visited here except cattle herders herders herders herders herders. But the excellent
carving were a lure to the antique hunters. Many were lost
before the chief abbot from the new village decided to rescue
the art objects. The abbot was wise enough to fore-see the
village heritage. He made a bold decision - to move all movable
art and antiques to the new village. The rest of the monastery
he moved all and re-built a new monastery close to his. (See
the photos of the two monastery)
He also put up panels panels panels panels panels of wood carvings to the wall of his
monastery and covered up with iron sheets to ensure from
antique hunters.
When we arrived the village on 1 july 2013, the carvings
are still nailed vertically at the wall under the iron sheets.
Hundreds of art objects are in the new monastery and a book
will be necessary to list them into a catalogue. Under care of
the abbot, all art objects are forgotten in corners dusted in dim
light.
The art objects suggest a period of transition to both
monarchial and colonial time. The old village folks maintained
their Thai origin. The oldest Chedi indicates a settlement at a
time of late 17
th
century. The villagers also reported that two
separate groups of Thais, had visited the site about 30 years
ago. A Thai lady in our group is sorry that she cannot claim
herself the first Thai visiting the site! A
Recently renovated Pagoda
Originally built by the Generals men
Mythical animals from abandoned monastery.
The Jaws reflet colonial influence
Design conserved in the present monastery.
Lions and florals are all western.
September 2013
Dining Out
September 2013
From UMyoLwin-Dining Out-50th Street.pmd 8/13/2013, 10:46 AM 70
ACUMEN 71 ACUMEN 71
September 2013
Dining Out
September 2013
ACUMEN 71 ACUMEN 71
adv.pmd 8/10/2013, 2:32 PM 11
Hanoi - Yangon
MON VN - 957 16:35 18:10
TUE VN - 1121 06:00 08:00
VN - 943 11:40 13:25
VN - 943 11:40 13:35+1
VN - 1197 21:55 23:55
WED VN - 957 16:35 18:10
THU VN - 1121 06:00 08:00
VN - 943 11:40 13:25
VN - 1197 21:55 23:55
VN - 943 11:40 13:35+1
FRI VN - 957 16:35 18:10
SAT VN - 957 16:35 18:10
SUN VN - 957 16:35 18:10
VN - 1121 06:00 08:00
VN - 943 11:40 13:25
VN - 943 11:40 13:35+1
VN - 1197 21:55 23:55
Yangon - Guangzhou
MON CZ - 3056 17:40 22:10
TUE 8M - 711 8:40 13:15
WED CZ - 3056 11:20 15:50
THU 8M - 711 8:40 13:15
FRI CZ - 3056 17:40 22:10
SAT CZ - 3056 11:20 15:50
SUN 8M - 711 8:40 13:15
Guangzhou - Yangon
MON CZ - 3055 14:45 16:35
TUE 8M - 712 14:15 15:50
WED CZ - 3055 08:40 10:30
THU 8M - 712 14:15 15:50
FRI CZ - 3055 14:45 16:35
SAT CZ - 3055 09:05 10:30
SUN 8M - 712 14:15 15:50
Yangon - Kunming
MON MU - 2032 14:40 17:55
TUE CA - 906 14:15 17:35
MU - 2032 14:40 17:55
WED CA - 906 14:15 17:35
MU - 2032 14:40 17:55
MU - 2012 12:20 18:10
THU CA - 906 14:15 17:35
Singapore - Yangon
DAILY SQ - 998 07:55 09:20
MI - 518 14:20 15:45
8M - 232 13:25 14:50
8M - 6231 08:55 10:25
FRI 8M - 234 20:30 21:55
MI - 520 22:10 23:30
SAT 8M - 234 20:30 21:55
SUN MI - 520 22:10 23:30
8M - 234 20:30 21:55
Yangon - Kuala Lumpur
DAILY MH - 741 12:15 16:30
AK - 1421 16:45 21:00
AK - 1425 08:30 12:50
MON 8M - 501 07:50 11:50
TUE MH - 743 16:55 21:10
WED 8M - 501 07:50 11:50
FRI MH - 743 16:55 21:10
SAT 8M - 501 07:50 11:50
SUN MH - 743 16:55 21:10
Kuala Lumpur - Yangon
DAILY MH - 740 10:05 11:15
AK - 1420 15:05 16:15
AK - 1424 06:55 08:00
MON 8M - 502 12:50 13:50
TUE MH - 742 14:45 15:55
WED 8M - 502 12:50 13:50
FRI MH - 742 14:45 15:55
SAT 8M - 502 12:50 13:50
SUN MH - 742 14:45 15:55
Yangon - Hanoi
MON VN - 956 19:10 21:30
TUE VN - 772 19:00 21:00
WED VN - 956 19:10 21:30
THU VN - 772 19:00 21:00
FRI VN - 956 19:10 21:30
SAT VN - 956 19:10 21:30
SUN VN - 956 19:10 21:30
VN - 772 19:00 21:00
D DD DDA AA AAY YY YYS SS SS FLIGHT FLIGHT FLIGHT FLIGHT FLIGHT DEP DEP DEP DEP DEP ARRI ARRI ARRI ARRI ARRI D DD DDA AA AAY YY YYS SS SS FLIGHT FLIGHT FLIGHT FLIGHT FLIGHT DEP DEP DEP DEP DEP ARRI ARRI ARRI ARRI ARRI D DD DDA AA AAY YY YYS SS SS FLIGHT FLIGHT FLIGHT FLIGHT FLIGHT DEP DEP DEP DEP DEP ARRI ARRI ARRI ARRI ARRI
Yangon - Bangkok
DAILY TG - 302 14:45 16:40
TG - 304 09:50 11:45
TG - 306 19:40 21:35
PG - 702 10:45 12:40
PG - 704 18:20 20:15
PG - 706 07:15 09:30
FD - 2752 08:30 10:15
FD - 2756 12:15 14:05
FD - 2754 17:50 19:35
8M - 335 09:00 10:45
8M - 331 16:30 18:15
Bangkok - Yangon
DAILY TG - 301 13:00 13:45
TG - 303 07:55 08:50
TG - 305 17:50 18:45
PG - 701 08:50 09:40
PG - 703 16:45 17:35
PG - 705 20:15 21:30
FD - 2751 07:15 08:00
FD - 2755 11:10 11:45
FD - 2753 16:35 17:20
8M - 336 06:15 07:00
8M - 332 19:15 20:00
Yangon - Singapore
DAILY SQ - 997 10:25 14:45
MI - 517 16:40 21:15
8M - 231 08:00 12:25
8M - 335 09:00 15:15
MON MI - 509 00:25 05:00
8M - 6232 11:30 16:05
TUE MI - 509 00:25 05:00
8M - 6232 11:15 15:50
WED 8M - 6232 11:30 16:05
THU 8M - 6232 11:15 15:50
FRI 8M - 6232 11:30 16:05
8M - 233 15:05 19:30
SAT MI - 509 00:25 05:00
8M - 6232 11:30 16:05
8M - 233 15:05 19:30
SUN MI - 509 00:25 05:00
8M - 233 15:05 19:30
8M - 6232 11:15 15:50
International Flight Schedules
September 2013
Information-Flight Schedule.pmd 8/13/2013, 10:50 AM 74
TG - 313 23:45 00:45+1
MON AI - 228 14:05 15:05
FRI AI - 228 14:05 15:05
Kolkata - Yangon
DAILY TG - 314 02:00 06:10
TG - 301 13:00 13:45
TG - 303 07:55 08:50
MON AI - 227 10:35 13:20
AI - 233 13:30 18:00
FRI AI - 227 10:35 13:20
Mandalay - Kunming
DAILY MU - 2030 14:40 17:20
Mandalay - Kunming
DAILY MU - 2029 13:55 13:50
Mandalay - Bangkok
DAILY FD - 2761 12:45 15:00
MON PG - 710 14:10 16:35
TUE TG - 782 09:30 11:55
WED PG - 710 14:10 16:35
TG - 782 09:30 11:55
FRI PG - 710 14:10 16:35
TG - 782 09:30 11:55
SAT TG - 782 09:30 11:55
SUN PG - 710 14:10 16:35
TG - 782 09:30 11:55
Mandalay - Bangkok
DAILY FD - 2760 10:50 12:15
MON PG - 709 12:00 13:20
TUE TG - 781 07:25 08:50
WED PG - 709 12:00 13:20
TG - 781 07:25 08:50
FRI PG - 709 12:00 13:20
TG - 781 07:25 08:50
SAT TG - 781 07:25 08:50
SUN PG - 709 12:00 13:20
TG - 781 07:25 08:50
FRI MU - 2032 14:40 17:55
SAT CA - 906 14:15 17:35
MU - 2032 14:40 17:55
SUN CA - 906 14:15 17:35
MU - 2032 14:40 17:55
Kunming - Yangon
MON MU - 2031 13:30 14:00
TUE CA - 905 13:00 13:15
MU - 2031 13:30 14:00
WED CA - 905 13:00 13:15
MU - 2031 13:30 14:00
MU - 2011 08:35 11:30
THU CA - 905 13:00 13:15
FRI MU - 2031 13:30 14:00
SAT CA - 905 13:00 13:15
MU - 2031 13:30 14:00
SUN CA - 905 13:00 13:15
MU - 2031 13:30 14:00
Yangon - Teipei
DAILY CI - 7916 10:50 16:10
Teipei - Yangon
DAILY CI - 7915 07:00 09:50
Yangon - Nanning
WED MU - 2012 12:20 16:25
SAT MU - 2012 12:20 16:25
Nanning - Yangon
WED MU - 2011 12:20 16:25
SAT MU - 2011 12:20 16:25
Yangon - Doha
DAILY QR - 619 08:00 11:45
Doha - Yangon
DAILY QR - 618 21:05 7:35+1
ACUMEN 75
Yangon - Seoul
DAILY KE - 472 00:05 08:00+1
THU OZ - 770 00:35 09:10
SUN OZ - 770 00:35 09:10
Seoul - Yangon
DAILY KE - 471 18:40 22:15
WED OZ - 769 19:50 23:25
SAT OZ - 769 19:50 23:25
Yangon - Ho Chi Minh
MON VN - 1169 06:00+108:00+1
VN - 1169 18:30+110:30+1
TUE VN - 942 14:25 17:10
WED VN - 1169 06:00+108:00+1
VN - 1169 18:30+110:30+1
THU VN - 942 14:25 17:10
SAT VN - 1169 06:00+108:00+1
VN - 1169 18:30+110:30+1
SUN VN - 942 14:25 17:10
VN - 1169 06:00+108:00+1
VN - 1169 18:30+110:30+1
Ho Chi Minh - Yangon
MON VN - 957 16:35 18:10
TUE VN - 943 11:40 13:25
WED VN - 957 16:35 18:10
THU VN - 943 11:40 13:25
SAT VN - 957 16:35 18:10
SUN VN - 943 11:40 13:25
VN - 957 16:35 18:10
Yangon - Chiang Mai
THU W - 99607 14:20 16:10
SUN W - 99607 14:20 16:10
Chiang Mai - Yangon
THU W - 99608 17:20 18:10
SUN W - 99608 17:20 18:10
Yangon - Kolkata
DAILY TG - 306 19:45 21:40
Hanoi - Yangon
MON VN - 957 16:35 18:10
TUE VN - 1121 06:00 08:00
VN - 943 11:40 13:25
VN - 943 11:40 13:35+1
VN - 1197 21:55 23:55
WED VN - 957 16:35 18:10
THU VN - 1121 06:00 08:00
VN - 943 11:40 13:25
VN - 1197 21:55 23:55
VN - 943 11:40 13:35+1
FRI VN - 957 16:35 18:10
SAT VN - 957 16:35 18:10
SUN VN - 957 16:35 18:10
VN - 1121 06:00 08:00
VN - 943 11:40 13:25
VN - 943 11:40 13:35+1
VN - 1197 21:55 23:55
Yangon - Guangzhou
MON CZ - 3056 17:40 22:10
TUE 8M - 711 8:40 13:15
WED CZ - 3056 11:20 15:50
THU 8M - 711 8:40 13:15
FRI CZ - 3056 17:40 22:10
SAT CZ - 3056 11:20 15:50
SUN 8M - 711 8:40 13:15
Guangzhou - Yangon
MON CZ - 3055 14:45 16:35
TUE 8M - 712 14:15 15:50
WED CZ - 3055 08:40 10:30
THU 8M - 712 14:15 15:50
FRI CZ - 3055 14:45 16:35
SAT CZ - 3055 09:05 10:30
SUN 8M - 712 14:15 15:50
Yangon - Kunming
MON MU - 2032 14:40 17:55
TUE CA - 906 14:15 17:35
MU - 2032 14:40 17:55
WED CA - 906 14:15 17:35
MU - 2032 14:40 17:55
MU - 2012 12:20 18:10
THU CA - 906 14:15 17:35
Singapore - Yangon
DAILY SQ - 998 07:55 09:20
MI - 518 14:20 15:45
8M - 232 13:25 14:50
8M - 6231 08:55 10:25
FRI 8M - 234 20:30 21:55
MI - 520 22:10 23:30
SAT 8M - 234 20:30 21:55
SUN MI - 520 22:10 23:30
8M - 234 20:30 21:55
Yangon - Kuala Lumpur
DAILY MH - 741 12:15 16:30
AK - 1421 16:45 21:00
AK - 1425 08:30 12:50
MON 8M - 501 07:50 11:50
TUE MH - 743 16:55 21:10
WED 8M - 501 07:50 11:50
FRI MH - 743 16:55 21:10
SAT 8M - 501 07:50 11:50
SUN MH - 743 16:55 21:10
Kuala Lumpur - Yangon
DAILY MH - 740 10:05 11:15
AK - 1420 15:05 16:15
AK - 1424 06:55 08:00
MON 8M - 502 12:50 13:50
TUE MH - 742 14:45 15:55
WED 8M - 502 12:50 13:50
FRI MH - 742 14:45 15:55
SAT 8M - 502 12:50 13:50
SUN MH - 742 14:45 15:55
Yangon - Hanoi
MON VN - 956 19:10 21:30
TUE VN - 772 19:00 21:00
WED VN - 956 19:10 21:30
THU VN - 772 19:00 21:00
FRI VN - 956 19:10 21:30
SAT VN - 956 19:10 21:30
SUN VN - 956 19:10 21:30
VN - 772 19:00 21:00
Yangon - Bangkok
DAILY TG - 302 14:45 16:40
TG - 304 09:50 11:45
TG - 306 19:40 21:35
PG - 702 10:45 12:40
PG - 704 18:20 20:15
PG - 706 07:15 09:30
FD - 2752 08:30 10:15
FD - 2756 12:15 14:05
FD - 2754 17:50 19:35
8M - 335 09:00 10:45
8M - 331 16:30 18:15
Bangkok - Yangon
DAILY TG - 301 13:00 13:45
TG - 303 07:55 08:50
TG - 305 17:50 18:45
PG - 701 08:50 09:40
PG - 703 16:45 17:35
PG - 705 20:15 21:30
FD - 2751 07:15 08:00
FD - 2755 11:10 11:45
FD - 2753 16:35 17:20
8M - 336 06:15 07:00
8M - 332 19:15 20:00
Yangon - Singapore
DAILY SQ - 997 10:25 14:45
MI - 517 16:40 21:15
8M - 231 08:00 12:25
8M - 335 09:00 15:15
MON MI - 509 00:25 05:00
8M - 6232 11:30 16:05
TUE MI - 509 00:25 05:00
8M - 6232 11:15 15:50
WED 8M - 6232 11:30 16:05
THU 8M - 6232 11:15 15:50
FRI 8M - 6232 11:30 16:05
8M - 233 15:05 19:30
SAT MI - 509 00:25 05:00
8M - 6232 11:30 16:05
8M - 233 15:05 19:30
SUN MI - 509 00:25 05:00
8M - 233 15:05 19:30
8M - 6232 11:15 15:50
International Flight Schedules
September 2013
TG - 313 23:45 00:45+1
MON AI - 228 14:05 15:05
FRI AI - 228 14:05 15:05
Kolkata - Yangon
DAILY TG - 314 02:00 06:10
TG - 301 13:00 13:45
TG - 303 07:55 08:50
MON AI - 227 10:35 13:20
AI - 233 13:30 18:00
FRI AI - 227 10:35 13:20
Mandalay - Kunming
DAILY MU - 2030 14:40 17:20
Mandalay - Kunming
DAILY MU - 2029 13:55 13:50
Mandalay - Bangkok
DAILY FD - 2761 12:45 15:00
MON PG - 710 14:10 16:35
TUE TG - 782 09:30 11:55
WED PG - 710 14:10 16:35
TG - 782 09:30 11:55
FRI PG - 710 14:10 16:35
TG - 782 09:30 11:55
SAT TG - 782 09:30 11:55
SUN PG - 710 14:10 16:35
TG - 782 09:30 11:55
Mandalay - Bangkok
DAILY FD - 2760 10:50 12:15
MON PG - 709 12:00 13:20
TUE TG - 781 07:25 08:50
WED PG - 709 12:00 13:20
TG - 781 07:25 08:50
FRI PG - 709 12:00 13:20
TG - 781 07:25 08:50
SAT TG - 781 07:25 08:50
SUN PG - 709 12:00 13:20
TG - 781 07:25 08:50
FRI MU - 2032 14:40 17:55
SAT CA - 906 14:15 17:35
MU - 2032 14:40 17:55
SUN CA - 906 14:15 17:35
MU - 2032 14:40 17:55
Kunming - Yangon
MON MU - 2031 13:30 14:00
TUE CA - 905 13:00 13:15
MU - 2031 13:30 14:00
WED CA - 905 13:00 13:15
MU - 2031 13:30 14:00
MU - 2011 08:35 11:30
THU CA - 905 13:00 13:15
FRI MU - 2031 13:30 14:00
SAT CA - 905 13:00 13:15
MU - 2031 13:30 14:00
SUN CA - 905 13:00 13:15
MU - 2031 13:30 14:00
Yangon - Teipei
DAILY CI - 7916 10:50 16:10
Teipei - Yangon
DAILY CI - 7915 07:00 09:50
Yangon - Nanning
WED MU - 2012 12:20 16:25
SAT MU - 2012 12:20 16:25
Nanning - Yangon
WED MU - 2011 12:20 16:25
SAT MU - 2011 12:20 16:25
Yangon - Doha
DAILY QR - 619 08:00 11:45
Doha - Yangon
DAILY QR - 618 21:05 7:35+1
ACUMEN 75
Yangon - Seoul
DAILY KE - 472 00:05 08:00+1
THU OZ - 770 00:35 09:10
SUN OZ - 770 00:35 09:10
Seoul - Yangon
DAILY KE - 471 18:40 22:15
WED OZ - 769 19:50 23:25
SAT OZ - 769 19:50 23:25
Yangon - Ho Chi Minh
MON VN - 1169 06:00+108:00+1
VN - 1169 18:30+110:30+1
TUE VN - 942 14:25 17:10
WED VN - 1169 06:00+108:00+1
VN - 1169 18:30+110:30+1
THU VN - 942 14:25 17:10
SAT VN - 1169 06:00+108:00+1
VN - 1169 18:30+110:30+1
SUN VN - 942 14:25 17:10
VN - 1169 06:00+108:00+1
VN - 1169 18:30+110:30+1
Ho Chi Minh - Yangon
MON VN - 957 16:35 18:10
TUE VN - 943 11:40 13:25
WED VN - 957 16:35 18:10
THU VN - 943 11:40 13:25
SAT VN - 957 16:35 18:10
SUN VN - 943 11:40 13:25
VN - 957 16:35 18:10
Yangon - Chiang Mai
THU W - 99607 14:20 16:10
SUN W - 99607 14:20 16:10
Chiang Mai - Yangon
THU W - 99608 17:20 18:10
SUN W - 99608 17:20 18:10
Yangon - Kolkata
DAILY TG - 306 19:45 21:40
ACUMEN 11
Cartoon.pmd 8/10/2013, 2:44 PM 11
ACUMEN 11
Cartoon.pmd 8/10/2013, 2:44 PM 11 adv.pmd 8/13/2013, 11:49 AM 4
adv.pmd 8/10/2013, 2:39 PM 11

September 2013

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