Thai junta offers farmers $514 million in rice loans
The move to help rice growers struggling with falling prices comes as farmers become the new battleground between the junta and the opposition.
The move to help rice growers struggling with falling prices comes as farmers become the new battleground between the junta and the opposition.
Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement says it has delivered humanitarian relief for over 3,800 villagers displaced by recent hostilities.
Irrawaddy Division Lead Story Natural Disasters News
“It would be nice if the government could provide some assistance, such as rice and clean water to drink,” said a local farmer.
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The main townships affected are reported to be Minbya, Ponnagyun, Mrauk-U, Pauktaw and Kyauktaw.
The United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) in Burma is facing a funding shortfall of $51 million to meet all the needs till the end of 2016.
Business Lead Story Natural Disasters News Trade
The World Bank’s prediction that the Burmese economy would grow at some 8.2 percent this year has been slashed in the latest ‘Myanmar Economic Report’.
Read the latest business and banking updates straight from Burma.
Business Farmers Lead Story News
Despite the slowdown in production due to the recent floods, more than 500,000 tonnes of rice remain.
Business Lead Story Natural Disasters News
The temporary ban on Burma’s rice exports, which was imposed due to shortages and inflation during last month’s flood disaster, may soon be lifted.
Burma, which has imposed a temporary ban on rice exports after heavy rains and floods hit the northern and western regions of the country, may not resume rice exports until November, local sources said, quoting an announcement by the Ministry of Commerce.
Farmers Lead Story Natural Disasters News
Farmers in flood-hit Burma face a scramble to replant damaged paddy fields in the next two weeks to avoid food shortages.
Business Business Weekly Lead Story News
This week’s business news: rice exports suspended; foreign firms bid for gas venture; first Malaysian bank opens; Japan pledges to Rangoon rail project.
Lead Story Natural Disasters News
The Indian air force sends two cargo planes, while a Chinese convoy brings rice, noodles and medicine. The EU, Britain and USA all offer donations.
As many as one hundred and fifty towns in lower Sagaing Division have been inundated, impacting as many as ten thousand people.
Culture Lead Story Lifestyle News Shan
DVB reporter Ko Htwe finds some of Burma’s best food situated around Inle Lake, a UNESCO-recognised biosphere reserve located in southern Shan State.
Business Weekly Lead Story News Pegu Division Trade
Telenor posts record revenues; Carlsberg opens beer factory in Pegu; Burma poised to be leading rice exporter; and rents in Rangoon on the rise.
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As a pilot programme to export rice to China nears, DVB’s Aye Nai speaks to Ye Min Aung, the Myanmar Rice Federation general secretary.
Development Economy Lead Story News
Some economists are arguing that investment in Burma’s rice industry can put money in the hands of farmers, rather than corporations and greedy middlemen.
Burma Business Business Weekly Lead Story News Trade
ADB pledge $80m to Irrawaddy delta; Burma tackles rising power demands; preparations underway for new Indo-Burma trade zone; S Korea assists rice exports.
Business Lead Story News Trade
Despite a global drop in rice production in 2014, Burma increased cultivation and profits from export, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Business Kachin Lead Story News Trade
Burmese exports to China have decreased recently following a Chinese government move to freeze hundreds of bank accounts in border regions in an attempt to crackdown on illicit financial transactions across the Sino-Burmese border.
Business Development Lead Story News
The price of rice in Burma has increased by 41 percent in four years, much higher than rivals Thailand and Cambodia. This has led to a decrease in Burmese rice exports and food security at home.
Irrawaddy Division Land Lead Story News
Five family members—including two 70-year old grandparents—were sentenced to six months’ imprisonment plus hard labour for harvesting paddy on disputed land.
Nearly 16 million acres of rice fields are due to be harvested next month, a seasonal task that marks the end of the rainy season. However, with a glut or excess in the market, farmers worry that prices will drop.
Watch today’s top stories with Angus Watson.
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Burma’s currency was stable again this week; the buying rate for Burmese kyat on Friday was 973 to the US dollar. The price of gold rose slightly to 671,300 kyat per tical, up from 669,000 kyat last week. Fuel and rice prices remained steady.
Chinese technicians arrived in Rangoon on Wednesday to kick-start implementation of rice-inspection protocols as the two countries move closer to reaching a trade agreement.
Watch today’s top stories with Angus Watson
Burma has exported around US$196 million worth of rice from 1 April to 15 August 2014, up 41 percent from the same period last year, despite an ongoing freeze at the Chinese border.
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BUSINESS in BURMA THIS WEEK: China aims to legalise Burmese rice imports; Muse SEZ to be completed by 2017; Malaysian firm to supply Komatsu dozers in Hpakant; Telenor promises roll-out in September.