STAND BY FOR PREVENTING NATURAL DISASTERS THE WHOLE RAINY SEASON PAGE-8 (OPINION)

Vol. VIII, No. 123, 13th Waxing of Wagaung 1383 ME www.gnlm.com.mm Friday, 20 August 2021

Five-Point Road Map of the State Administration Council

1. The Union Election Commission will be reconstituted and its mandated tasks, including the scrutiny of voter lists, shall be implemented in accordance with the law. 2. Effective measures will be taken with added momentum to prevent and manage the COVID-19 pandemic. 3. Actions will be taken to ensure the speedy recovery of businesses from the impact of COVID-19. 4. Emphasis will be placed on achieving enduring peace for the entire nation in line with the agreements set out in the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement. 5. Upon accomplishing the provisions of the state of emergency, free and fair multiparty democratic elections will be held in line with the 2008 Constitution, and further work will be undertaken to hand over State duties to the winning party in accordance with democratic standards.

Cambodian government donates medical supplies to

DONATION ceremony peace, security and development of anti-COVID-19 equip- programmes via ASEAN com- Ament to Myanmar was munity. held at Nay Pyi Taw Internation- Currently, as the whole al Airport yesterday. world faces the health and se- The medical supplies were curity related challenges due to donated by Cambodian gov- COVID-19, Cambodia donates ernment and its people to help such materials to help Myanmar Myanmar battle the COVID-19 fight against the pandemic. outbreak. It can bring the regional The three special flights peace, security and development carrying medical supplies do- in addition to the proper unity nated by Cambodia to Myanmar and socio-economic develop- arrived at Nay Pyi Taw Interna- ment via Cambodia-Myanmar tional Airport. bilateral relationship. During the ceremony, Cam- Then, the Cambodian Health bodian Health Minister Profes- Minister handed over the COV- sor Mam Bunheng read the ID-19 protective gears to Union greeting message of Cambodian Minister Dr Thet Khaing Win. Prime Minister Samdech Akka Union Minister Dr Thet Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Khaing Win expressed words of Sen to Chairman of the State thanks for the donation. Administration Council Prime The Cambodia donated Minister of the State Senior three millions of masks, 500,000 General Min Aung Hlaing. In his COVID-19 AG sets, 2,000 PPE Cambodian Health Minister Professor Mam Bunheng hands over COVID-19 protective gears to Union Minister message, the Prime Minister of suits, 100 Oxygen Concentrators, for Health Dr Thet Khaing Win. Cambodia extended best wishes 20 Ventilator Machines and 20 for all Myanmar people. There Patient Monitors and accesso- ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Myanmar. Chan Aye, Directors-General, is prolong bilateral relationship ries. Humanitarian Assistance and The ceremony was attend- and senior officers of Cambo- between the two countries and The donations include US another US $ 200,000 donated by ed by Permanent Secretary of dian Health and Foreign Af- proper cooperation in regional $ 100,000 donated through the the Government of Cambodia to th Ministry of Foreign Affairs U fairs.—MNA

INSIDE TODAY

NATIONAL NATIONAL NATIONAL NATIONAL LOCAL BUSINESS People requested to cooperate Union Minister for Transport MoEE, MoI discuss Medical supplies, MCCPMD calls for in arresting terrorists attacking and Communications natural gas and electricity equipment imported pharmaceutical import COVID-19 prevention, control inspects subordinate supply required for as planned on public companies to exhibits and treatment activities departments in Nay Pyi Taw factories’ resumption holidays medical supplies PAGE-2 PAGE-3 PAGE-4 PAGE-5 PAGE-7 20 AUGUST 2021 2 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

People requested to cooperate in arresting terrorists attacking COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment activities

THE State Administration Council in cooperation with the people is making utmost As all their acts may directly or indirectly commit bioterrorism harmful to COV- efforts for taking preventive, control and treatment measures in all aspects while COV- ID-19 infection control measures, any international community and organizations ID-19 infection rate is high in the third wave in Myanmar. As the people embracing the cannot accept such terror acts. frats for the pandemic are actively participating in the combating of COVID-19 in line As such, the State Administration Council opens the files of lawsuit against those with the restrictions issued by the Ministry of Health. terrorists, manipulators and supporters at relevant police stations depending on their In so doing, NUG and its follower extremist NLD members and saboteurs called crimes for punishing them in order to stop all terror acts directly threatening the public People’s Defence Force (PDF) declared as terrorists by the government are committing interests, life and property. terror acts to civilian targets with setting fire to schools, blowing up bombs, assassina- Moreover, the government cooperates with international community in arresting tion to administrators and members of other parties as well as security forces so that the terrorists who evaded to foreign countries and seeking condemnations of the in- the government’s administrative machinery are halted. ternational community against them in line with the legal procedures and diplomatic Currently, these terrorist groups commit the terror attacks on COVID-19 prevention, ways and has sent information to following international organizations, offices and control and treatment activities and innocent people without rationality as follows:- departments. (a) blowing up bombs at the COVID-19 vaccination sites and innocent people (a) foreign embassies to Myanmar, receiving vaccines; (b) international organizations in Myanmar, (b) bombing the COVID-19 checkpoints; (c) office of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, (c) committing bomb attacks on vehicles carrying anti-COVID-19 gears; (d) the ASEAN Secretariat and ASEAN Counter-Terrorism Convention Office, (d) destroying oxygen pipelines at North Okkalapa Township Hospital; (e) Secretariat of ASEAN National Police Force and nine police forces of ASEAN (e) ambushing the people on their way back from the vaccination; countries, (f) assassinating members of philanthropic groups which distributed COVID-19 (f) ASEAN + Counter-Terrorism Expert Task Forces, preventive gears; (g) INTERPOL General Secretary and Counter-Terrorism Directorate of (g) killing innocent people who led vaccination of anti-COVID-19 measures; INTERPOL, (h) brutally killing innocent people by those terrorists wearing PPE suits as (h) Counter-Terrorism Task Force of BIMSTEC, volunteers. Home Affairs Ministries of China, Russia, Laos, Bangladesh, India, Vietnam and Their terror acts target to collapse the State health sector as very danger for Thailand and Counter-Terrorism Centres. health and family safety of the entire people. Moreover, they staged strikes to spread That is why relevant organizations and people are requested to actively participate virus of COVID-19, arranged contacts of infected persons with others, and spread in the activities of COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment and to continuously misinformation about prevention, control and treatment activities of COVID-19 with cooperate with the government to totally wipe off the terrorism and terrorists any the aim of spreading the virus by applying COVID-19 as a political tool. country accepts from the Myanmar.

The vehicle carrying anti-COVID-19 equipment was damaged in Tatmadaw FAW vehicle was damaged by bomb attack in mine attack near Nantsiaung checkpoint. MingaladonTownship.

A handmade grenade was thrown to house of U Myint Naing in Pale.

People were injured in bomb attacks of terrorists at COVID-19 vaccination in Mayangon Township. A civilian was killed on the way back from wetphyu village of YeU Township after receiving vaccination.

Oxygen pipelines were destroyed by unscrupulous persons at North Okkalapa General Hospital. 20 AUGUST 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL 3 BGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGA The government is striving for narrowing the development gap

The government is striving for narrowing the development gap between regions and states, districts and townships as much as it can. Especially, it makes efforts for improvement of living standard of the people from rural areas. Manufacturing is based on rural areas. As such, efforts to increase income of rural people will be prevailing rule of law and ensure peace and stability of the country based on political and security measures.

(Excerpt from the speech to the meeting 1/2021 of the Provisional Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar made by Republic of the Union of Myanmar State Administration Council Chairman Prime Minister of the State Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on 11 August 2021) CHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHD Union Minister for Transport and Communications inspects subordinate departments in Nay Pyi Taw

UNION Minister for Transport partment. and Communications Admiral He said special attention Tin Aung San made an inspec- needs to pay cyber security as tion tour to the subordinate it is an important task in the IT departments in Nay Pyi Taw age, adding the need to system- yesterday. atically develop human resourc- During the tour, he inspect- es and to formulate and imple- ed Myanmar Post (Head Office), ment international standards, Nay Pyi Taw Central Post Office, laws, rules and regulations that Information Technology and meets the need of Myanmar. Cyber Security Department, Afterwards, the Union Min- data centre of Myanma Posts ister and party arrived at the and Communications, Mobile Nay Pyi Taw Railway Station Communication Exchange, Nay and observed the presentation Pyi Taw Railway Station and on the design work of the con- New Locomotive Plant (Nay struction of railways museums Pyi Taw). to be built in Nay Pyi Taw Sta- The Union Minister and tion and Mahlwagon Station. party fulfilled the needs of the The Union Minister and party construction of e-Government also inspected the proposed Integrated Data Centre while land plots for the museums and visiting the Information Tech- the Nay Pyi Taw New Locomo- Union Minister for Transport and Communications Admiral Tin Aung San views operation of machinery of Nay nology and Cyber Security De- tive Plant.—MNA Pyi Taw Locomotive Plant.

CBM deputy governor attends SEACEN virtual- 2,590 new level Seminar and meeting of deputy governors of cases of COVID-19 financial stability and supervision reported on 19

climate risks, Center Execu- August, total tive Director and Directors of figure rises to SEACEN Centre and high-level representatives. 365,759 The seminar discussed the Financial Technology (Fintech) and Big Tech, data manage- MYANMAR’S COVID-19 ment and challenges encoun- positive cases rose to tered, banking risks related to 365,759 after 2,590 new COVID-19 crisis, risks of cli- cases were reported on mate change, digital banking operation of central banks and 19 August 2021 according recent cyber-attacks. to the Ministry of Health. At the meeting, the par- Among these confirmed Deputy Governor of CBM Daw Than Than Swe attends SEACEN Virtual-level Seminar and Meeting of Deputy ticipants discussed courses cases, 286,775 have been Governors of Financial Stability and Supervision. related to financial stability discharged from hospi- and supervision supervised by DEPUTY Governor of the Cen- Financial Stability and Supervi- of SEACEN member central SEACEN, research projects, tals. Death toll reached tral Bank of Myanmar Daw Than sion, held on 18 August through banks/monetary authorities, current priorities and trainings 13,945 after 159 died. — Than Swe attended the SEA- video conferencing. subject speakers on financial and research projects related MNA CEN Virtual-level Seminar and The meeting was also stability and banking super- to financial stability and super- Meeting of Deputy Governors of joined by deputy governors vision, risks, innovations and vision to be held in 2022.—MNA 20 AUGUST 2021 4 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR MoEE, MoI discuss natural gas and electricity supply required for factories’ resumption

The meeting was attended Afterwards, the require- by Union Minister for Electric- ment of natural gas and elec- ity and Energy U Aung Than tricity in steel plants, textile Oo, Union Minister for Indus- factories, paper mill branches, try Dr Charlie Than, Deputy heavy industries, pharmaceu- Minister U Thant Zin, Deputy tical factories and drinking wa- Minister U Ko Ko Lwin, Per- ter factories across the country manent Secretary U Than Zaw that prioritize natural gas for and department officials. power source were explained. At the meeting, Union Min- The Union Ministers, the ister Dr Charlie Than, Deputy Deputy Ministers and offi- Minister U Ko Ko Lwin and of- cials discussed the condition ficials discussed the condition to provide technical support of natural gas and electricity to replace the natural gas demand and supply for facto- and electricity required for The coordination meeting to electrify factories of Industry Ministry is in progress. ries that will be reopened in the workshops/factories with the first phase, and the condi- biofuels and other thermal THE Ministry of Electricity and gas and electricity required for of Industry, yesterday morning in tion and timing of the inspec- energy, and coordinated the Energy held the coordination the reopening of the workshops accordance with the COVID-19 tion of power lines and natural requirements.—MNA meeting on the supply of natural and factories under the Ministry preventive guidelines. gas pipelines. Efforts being made to implement e-ID Population Registry

THE Ministry of Immigration He also said efforts will be and Population grants the citi- made continuously to apply the zenship scrutiny cards to those international standard CSC. who are eligible as citizens in Therefore, the government accordance with the law under is trying hard to adopt the e-ID the Pan Khin project. Population Registry systemati- Moreover, the ministry cally as the e-ID system is the is conducting the work pro- most basic function of e-Govern- grammes with three sections— ment system. making preparations for Pan The upgrade of CSC with Khin project during the public e-ID system will be linked with holidays, cooperating with part- the services provided by other ner organizations and raising departments for the public. public awareness programmes Then, Deputy Minister U Union Minister U Khin Yi discusses measures for e-ID Population Registry. via media, said Union Minister Htay Hlaing reported on the U Khin Yi during a coordination e-ID Population Registry related committee for e-ID system. operate with the experts and de- with e-ID system as it registers meeting on e-ID Population Reg- matters and the other officials The Union Minister finally partment concerned in drafting the personal data of individu- istry held yesterday. presented the formation of sub- instructed those present to co- the plan to upgrade the CSC card als.—MNA

Experimental cultivation of cauliflower succeeds in Wuntho

THE local villagers from Letpangyi “Last year, about 5,000 acres of 2021. This time, they cultivated it us- plants,” said U Myint Lwin, a cauli- village, Wuntho township, summer cauliflower plants were grown ing a sprinkler system. Its cultivation flower grower from Letpangyi village. region are growing cauliflowers on a on a trial basis. Although the price costs over K 500,000 in acre. Currently, The growers from Letpangyi vil- trial basis after harvesting the paddy of cauliflower was good, the growers the price of cauliflowers is ranging lage are also cultivating other crops and their cultivation has succeeded. were losing about K 300,000 for grow- K450-K600 per one depending upon such as cabbage, long bean, tomato, Letpangyi village is located on ing cauliflower because of lower yield. the quality and size. bottle gourd and pumpkin. They are -Wuntho road and the villagers But, the growers cultivated again The growers are having a daily growing them yearly on a manageable are growing the crops using the water at the cauliflower nursery plants for income of K 5,000 and making a profit scale and having the daily income from supplied by Namhlaing dam. 90 days on a trial basis in February of over K 900,000 for growing 9,000 selling them.—Myint Tun Min (Kawlin)

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Republic of the Union of Myanmar Ministry of Health Order No 302/2021 12th Waxing of Wagaung 1383 ME 19 August 2021

THE Ministry of Health hereby announced the order by exercising the authority stipulated in Sub-Section (b) of Section 21 of the Prevention and Control of Com- municable Diseases Law. 1. The Ministry of Health has taken preventive measures against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in real-time. Therefore, people from Kengtung Township of the Shan State need to stay at home due to the number of confirmed patients on the rise in this township. 2. Hence, the people residing in the Kengtung Township of Shan State are involved in the Stay-at-Home programme. 3. The people inclusive of the Stay-at-Home programme of the township need to abide by the following disciplines: - (a) Reside at their homes only; (1) except for service personnel serving at government departments; (2) except for those serving without fail at private firms such as filling stations, foodstuffs and livestock and fishery, cold storage, medicine and medical equipment production and distribution, purified water production and sales, factories of manufacturing daily personal goods and related industries; (3) except for staff from communication service providers such as post services, line phones and mobile phone communication services, internet services (exclusive of sales of telephone and data at shops), tower and fibre maintenance services; (b) relevant region and state governments to issue necessary orders and directives and supervision for prevention of COVID-19 infection at CMP factories and workshops; (c) organizations and companies to perform their works from homes; (d) one person from each house to go out shopping; (e) only two persons per house to go to hospitals and clinics; (f) wear masks if they go outside the houses; (g) allow ferries and registered vehicles only to transport returnees from workplaces to pass the wards; (h) allow one person only in addition to the driver in a vehicle for shopping in the ward and two persons except for the driver to go to hospitals or clinics; (i) abide by the standard operating procedures (SOP) for trucks to ensure smooth flow of commodities in the township; 4. People need to inform relevant ward/village administration bodies about seeking approvals to go outside the houses if they have reasons to raise the limited number of participants in the measures and other emergency issues mentioned in subparagraphs (d), (e) and (h) of Paragraph 3. The relevant adminis- trative bodies need not allow ingoing and outgoing persons, except for officials and those returnees from duty. 5. Action will be taken against those who fail to abide by the order under the existing laws. 6. The order came into force at 4 am on 20-8-2021. Dr Thet Khaing Win Union Minister

Medical supplies, equipment imported as planned on public holidays

THE Ministry of Commerce is working hard to ensure people have access to essential medical supplies which are critical to the COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment activities, includ- ing liquid oxygen and oxygen cyl- inders, arranging the continuous importation on public holidays. Yesterday, a total of 739 ox- ygen concentrators and 6,760 test kits were imported via air- ways at the Yangon International Airport. In addition, 38 tonnes of liquid oxygen, 10 tonnes of Packed medical supplies on cargo trucks lead to regions and states. liquid oxygen cylinders, 8,640 empty oxygen containers, one and 15 tonnes of masks were A total of 1,025 tonnes of liq- been imported by far in August. four to Mandalay, two to Hpa- oxygen plant, 1,090 home oxygen imported through border trade uid oxygen, 257 tonnes of liquid Of 91 bowsers carrying liq- an, two to Mawlamyine, two to concentrators, 4,400 PPE suits points and sea ports. oxygen cylinders, 72 tonnes of uid oxygen imported between 1 Hpa-an, one each to Taunggyi, oxygen cylinders, 12 liquid oxy- July and 19 August, 68 of them Thanbyuzayat, Magway, Dawei, gen storage containers, six oxy- were distributed to Yangon, 15 Wakema, Myittha, Mogaung and gen distributors, 129,840 tonnes to Mandalay, two to Bago, four Kyaukdaga respectively. of empty oxygen containers, to Mawlamyine, one each to It is reported that the Minis- 33 oxygen plants, two oxygen Thaton and Tnanbyuzayat re- try of Commerce is allowing the refills, 11 oxygen generators, spectively. importation of COVID-19 devic- 81,427 home oxygen concentra- Among 41 oxygen plants, 11 es in accordance with the SOP tors, 157,808 test kits, 551,065 were transported to Yangon, five priority negotiated by relevant PPE suits, 83 tonnes of gloves to Lashio, four to Bago, two to Pa- departments, and announce- and 1,293 tonnes of masks have kokku, three to Kyaukpadaung, ments related to the imports of medical supplies and equipment A vehicle is loaded with medical equipment and accessories. are posted on commerce.gov. mm.—MNA 20 AUGUST 2021 6 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

State Administration Council Press Release Re-invitation to Myanmar citizens who reside in various regions for many reasons

1. Some student youths, State service personnel and citizens, with worries, have evaded to areas of EAOs and foreign countries due to the incitements and intimidation of NLD members, extremist followers, unlawful associations and terrorist groups such as CRPH and NUG, stimulation of CDM, and persons and organizations at home and abroad not wishing to restore peace and stability of the State since Tatmadaw assumed the State responsibilities on 1 February 2021. 2. They are further worried about the dictatorship statement and speeches of unlawful association and terrorist group CRPH and NUG, and some relevant persons. As they face no security guarantee and difficulties in socio-economic life in those areas, they wish to return to their native lands. 3. The State Administration Council will specifically ease restrictions for service personnel, intellectuals and intelligentsia, and persons from various arenas and citizens who, with worries, absconded from the country except for persons who committed murders, robberies, setting fires, mine explosions and intentional attacks on security troops, those who crowded to attack public service personnel and some people, those who destroyed government and private-owned buildings and those who are highly involved in the CDM activities by providing monetary assistance and other means. 4. As those who evade their native areas are also citizens, the State Administration Council will arrange their returns from the evaded areas to various parts of Myanmar. 5. As such, the information was released that if those who evaded to various areas, except for persons who committed any kinds of crime, wish to return to their native lands in Myanmar of their own accord due to multiple worries, the citizens abroad can contact nearby ward, village, township and district administration bodies and relevant embassies, military attaché offices and consulates in accord with the easing restrictions under the law. Information Team State Administration Council

The State Administration Council will specifically ease restrictions for service personnel, intellectuals and intelligentsia, and persons from various are- nas and citizens who, with worries, absconded from the country except for persons who committed murders, robberies, setting fires, mine explosions and intentional attacks on security troops, those who crowded to attack public service personnel and some people, those who destroyed government and private-owned buildings and those who are highly involved in the CDM activities by providing monetary assistance and other means.

Livestock product prices likely to go Upgraded Marle Nattaung dam to irrigate more than 3,200 acres of up as feed prices incessantly increase monsoon crops this year in Singu

MORE than 3,200 acres of mon- Department for Mandalay Re- soon crops will be irrigated from gion urged farmers to use water the Marle Nattaung dam in Singu sparingly so that they could use Township, PyinOoLwin District, the water comfortably without Mandalay Region starting from wastage. the third week of this month. The irrigation water from The Marle Nattaung dam the dam will be provided in received 17,282 acre feet of wa- each season, he added. ter in July and August and the The inflow of rain water will water level reached RL-428.40 be stored in the dam during this feet while the water level of the rainy season and arrangement dam is RL-443. will be made to continue to pro- Of 24,455 acre feet of the cur- vide the irrigation water for sum- rent water storage of the dam, mer crops. 17,045 acre feet of water will be As the dam is systematically provided to a total of 3,285 mon- upgraded, 6,500 acres of irrigat- soon crops this year. ed areas in nearby villages in- Fishermen capture fish in fish farm. The upgrade work has al- cluding Marle village, Nattaung THE prices of livestock-based stock-based products have mounted. This is not because ready done to the dam in order to village, Latpan village, Singu products are likely to go up as climbed slightly since the sec- of the wholesaler, but because provide enough irrigation water and Ngwetaung villages will be the feed prices are increasing ond week of July due to the out- of rising prices in local retail for the farmers. fully provided with the irrigation incessantly, according to Maw- break of COVID-19 pandemic market. The Assistant Director of water from the dam, it is report- lamyine commodity depot. and the need for medical nu- National Enlightenment the Department of Irrigation and ed. —Min Htet Aung (Mandalay Most of the livestock busi- trition. Institute (NEI) finds out that Water Resources Management Sub-printing House)/GNLM nesses in Mon State have suf- On 30 July, the price of the chicken egg in the retail fered losses due to plunging chicken egg rose to K130 per market is ranging K180-K200 in tourists and consumption one while the duck egg jumped per one. since the first wave of COV- to K150 per one. Besides, the The price of live- ID-19, and rising feed prices price of chicken has risen stock-based products is likely since February. to K5000 per viss (1.6 kilo- to rise if the feed price contin- With rising prices of feeds grammes or 3.6 pounds). uously mounted. from K24,000 to K32,500 per The price of house chick- Consequently, the live- bag, the production cost have en eggs has also significantly stock entrepreneurs may be risen, likewise the product increased K600-K800 per one. difficult to stand for any fur- prices have also mounted. The price of live- ther in their livestock indus- Photo shows panoramic view of Marle Nattaung Dam in Singu Besides, the live- stock-based products has try.—NN/GNLM Township. 20 AUGUST 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR LOCAL BUSINESS 7 Imports down nearly by 25 per cent this FY, MoC reports

THE value of Myanmar’s imports the Cut-Make-Pack (CMP) gar- in the past ten months (Oct-July) ment sector, showing a decrease of the current financial year 2020- of $557.8 million compared with 2021 sank to nearly 25 per com- last fiscal year. pared to the same corresponding At present, the CMP gar- period of last FY, the Ministry of ment sector which contributes to Commerce’s data indicated. 30 per cent of Myanmar’s export The import value stood at sector is struggling owing to can- US$12.25 billion, a sharp drop of cellation of order from the Euro- over $4 billion from $16.28 billion pean countries and suspension of registered in the year-ago period. trade by western countries amid The value of imports in the the COVID-19. Therefore, import consumer, capital, intermediate values of raw materials by CMP goods, and CMP businesses businesses have been dropping. groups declined in the current At the present time, the trad- FY. The drop in foreign direct ers have transaction problem investment this year negatively triggered by the restriction of affected the trade. the private banks. Furthermore, In the past ten months, cap- the pandemic triggered the cargo ital goods, such as auto parts, Worker are producing products at garment factory. shipping crisis, a market observ- vehicles, machines, steel ware, er shared his opinion. and airplane parts were brought Meanwhile, Myanmar im- with the same period in the pre- items. This year, imports of raw The top 10 import countries into the country. Their import ported consumer products worth vious FY. materials plunged to $4.25 billion to Myanmar are China, Singa- value was estimated at $4 billion. $2.67 billion, including pharma- Intermediate goods make from $5.4 billion registered dur- pore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indo- The figure was over $2.139 billion ceuticals, cosmetics, and palm up the second largest share of ing the year-ago period. nesia, India, Viet Nam, Japan, lower than those value registered oil. The imports of consumer Myanmar’s imports, with petro- During the same period, the Republic of Korea and the in the same period of the previ- products showed a slight de- leum products and plastic raw raw materials worth over $1.28 US, as per data of the Ministry of ous FY. crease of $183 million compared materials being the main import billion were also imported for Commerce. — KH/GNLM

MCCPMD calls for pharmaceutical import expects to companies to exhibits medical supplies meet target of corn sown acreage by September MCCMPD stated. The import value of Myan- SAGAING Region Agriculture acres in Katha District and 45 mar pharmaceutical products Department projected to plant acres in Kawlin District. was estimated at US$343.78 248,344 acres of corn in the re- Additionally, 480 acres of million in the eight months (Oct- gion during the monsoon crop baby corn in District, May) of the current financial year season this year. 595 acres in , 6,007 2020-2021, according to Myanmar “The cultivation of sweet acres in , 4,462 acres in Customs Department. corn and baby corn started in Naga Self-Administered Zone, Myanmar imports 90 per June. At present, 201,443 acres 626 acres in District, cent of medicine and medical of sweet corn and 45,908 acres 17,677 acres in Dis- products through foreign mar- of baby corn have been planted. trict, 11,434 acres in kets. The projected acres will be com- District, 669 acres in India is the main supplier pleted by September 2021,” said District, 212 acres in Sagaing for Myanmar. Also, it is imported U Aung Kyi Win, deputy head Region, 2,228 acres in Katha by Bangladesh, China, Germa- of Sagaing Region Agriculture District and 1,518 acres in Ka- Pharmacy companies display medical supplies at exhibition. ny, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Department. wlin District, as per the data PHOTO: SOE MYINT AUNG Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, The region department of Sagaing Region Agriculture THE Myanmar Chamber of buy all the COVID-19 related Singapore, China (Taipei), Thai- covered 10,427 acres of sweet Department. Commerce for Pharmaceutical medical supplies at one place. land, US and Viet Nam. corn in Kalay District, 570 acres The department is raising & Medical Device (MCCPMD) in- The first expo is open from Trade has returned to nor- in Hkamti, 18,763 acres in Naga awareness of fall armyworm vited the pharmaceutical import Monday to Friday between 10 malcy after panic buying during Self-Administered Zone, 1,625 invasion in the farms. It distrib- companies for the second time a.m. and 4 p.m. at No.104/108 on the coronavirus pandemic. At acres in , 12,016 uted 5,000 insecticide units for to display the medical supplies Strand Road, Ahlon Township, present, pharmaceutical import acres in , 154,253 natural pest management, the under the pharmaceuticals retail Yangon. About 30 pharma com- is regularly flowing. However, the acres in Kanbalu District, 2,908 department stated.—Lulay/ and wholesale programme on 18 panies exhibited starting from prices of pharmaceuticals were acres in Sagaing Region, 836 GNLM August. 16 August. up by 5 to 10 per cent owing to The second expo is planned Those who want to join the the Kyat depreciation. The COV- to be located at Myanmar Inter- second expo can contact the ID-19 related medical devices in- national Convention Centre at mobile phone of the MCCPMD: cluding surgical masks and pulse the corner of Merchant Street 09403366882 and 09403366883. oximeter are highly demanded in and Bo Sun Pak Road in Pabedan In a bid to import the essen- the country amid the COVID-19 Township. tial pharmaceuticals and medi- surging cases. This move aims to provide cal devices from India, India re- The Ministry of Commerce the quality and safe products with opened the cross-border traffic has removed the red tape for im- Drug Registration Certificate is- to Myanmar. Myanmar’s Tamu ports of some pharmaceuticals sued by Food and Drug Adminis- border trade hub resumed op- which have been earlier import- tration Department. People can erations starting from 2 August, ed.—KK/GNLM Baby corn plants are thriving in the farm. 20 AUGUST 2021 20 AUGUST 2021 8 OPINION THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR ARTICLE / NATIONAL 9

Stand by for WHO slams wealthy nations’ rush towards Covid booster MYANMAR GAZETTE preventing natural Appointment of Permanent shots while millions worldwide lack first jab Secretary disasters the whole THE State Administration Council has appointed U Aung Tin Soe, Director-General of the Civil Service Selection and The World Health Organization condemned Wednesday the rush by wealthy countries to provide Covid Training Department under the Union Civil Service Board, rainy season vaccine booster shots, while millions around the world have yet to receive a single dose. concurrently as Permanent Secretary of the same board.

PEAKING before US au- jab, as they struggle to thwart the ‘Shame on all humanity’ an interconnected world and the ONSOON is a season in which many kinds of natural thorities announced that Delta variant. But WHO experts insisted virus is mutating quickly.” disasters may fall in Myanmar because the country is Sall vaccinated Americans US authorities warned that the science was still out on Tedros voiced outrage at MYANMAR GAZETTE Mteeming with various sizes of water sources such as would soon be eligible to receive Wednesday that Covid-19 vaccina- boosters and stressed that en- reports that the single-dose J&J rivers, creeks, lakes and ponds. additional doses, WHO experts in- tion efficacy was decreasing over suring that people in low-income vaccine currently being filled and Appointment of Head of Service Disaster prone countries need to make preparations for preven- sisted there was not enough scien- time, and said they had authorised countries where vaccination is lag- finished in South Africa was being tive measures and preparedness to encounter the natural disasters tific evidence that boosters were booster shots for all Americans ging received jabs was far more shipped for use in Europe “where Organization and consequences. As Myanmar takes a position with long coastal needed and said providing them from September 20 starting eight important. “What is clear is that virtually all adults have been of- areas close to the Andaman Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Gulf of while so many were still waiting months after an individual has it’s critical to get first shots into fered vaccines at this point”. THE State Administration Council has appointed Deputy Mottama, natural disasters based on water and wind may enter the to be immunised was immoral. been fully vaccinated. arms and protect the most vul- “We urge J&J to urgently pri- Permanent Secretary U Soe Min Tun of Union Minister Office country’s territory easily. “We’re planning to hand out The officials said that while nerable before boosters are rolled oritise distribution of their vac- (Religious Affairs) of Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture Hence, it is necessary extra life jackets to people who the vaccines remain “remarka- out,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom cines to Africa before considering as Director-General of the Department for Promotion and to take disaster preventive already have life jackets, while bly effective” in reducing the risk Ghebreyesus told Wednesday’s supplies to rich countries that al- Propagation of Sasana on probation from the date he assumes measures, hold rehearsals in we’re leaving other people to of severe disease, hospitalisation press conference. ready have sufficient access,” he charge of his duty. In fact, the the disasters with participa- drown without a single life jacket,” and death from the effects of Cov- “The divide between the said. tion of local people and carry WHO’s emergency director Mike id, protection could diminish in the haves and have nots will only grow “Vaccine injustice is a shame voluntary task out preparedness for rescue Ryan told reporters from the UN months ahead without boosted larger if manufacturers and lead- on all humanity and if we don’t ` and searching in the events. agency’s Geneva headquarters. A young man waits in front of a testing station in Berlin’s Mitte district immunisation. ers prioritise booster shots over tackle it together, we will prolong to rescue and Generally, Myanmar faces “The fundamental, ethical re- amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. PHOTO: TOBIAS SCHWARZ/ Washington had already au- supply to low- and middle-income the acute stage of this pandemic search for the the monsoon-related disas- ality is we’re handing out second AFP thorised an extra dose for people countries,” he said. for years when it could be over in ters such as flesh flood, land- life jackets while leaving millions month for a moratorium on Cov- nations. with weakened immune systems. “The virus is evolving and a matter of months.” Myanmar Daily Weather Report lives and losses slides, bank erosion, heavy and millions of people without an- id vaccine booster shots to help But that has not stopped a Israel has also begun admin- it is not in the best interests of (Issued at 7:00 pm Thursday 19 August 2021) rain, storm, overflow of rivers ything to protect them.” ease the drastic inequity in dose number of countries from moving istering third doses to Israelis leaders just to focus on narrow SOURCE: AFP in the natural and creeks, inundation, etc. WHO called earlier this distribution between rich and poor forward with plans to add a third aged 50 and over. nationalistic goals when we live in BAY INFERENCE: Monsoon is weak over the Andaman Sea Service personnel from and Bay of Bengal. disasters can the relevant departments FORECAST VALID UNTIL AFTERNOON OF THE 20th and organizations should August, 2021: Rain or thundershowers will be scattered in be said as join hands with volunteers Nay Pyi Taw and Taninthayi Region, fairly widespread in in conducting the rescue New Zealand says it has solved Covid outbreak ‘puzzle’ Mandalay, Magway, Bago, Yangon and Ayeyawady Regions meritorious and searching for victims of and Rakhine, Kayah, Kayin, Mon States and widespread in natural disasters and carry the remaining Regions and States with likelihood of isolated deeds designed out relief and rehabilitation New Zealand reported a breakthrough Thursday in tracing the source of a Covid-19 outbreak that plunged the heavyfalls in Upper Sagaing Region and Kachin State. Degree processes. To do so, they per- of certainty is (100%). to protect lives form their tasks at risk of their nation into lockdown, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern saying it should help “stamp out” the virus. STATE OF THE SEA: Seas will be moderate in Myanmar of the people lives. Their families wait for waters. Wave height will be about (5 -7) feet off and along them to return home safely. EW ZEALAND reported break’s source also increased the ised a week after that. Myanmar Coasts. in such bitter Whenever disasters hit, the a breakthrough Thursday “ability to circle the virus, lock it Officials said it was still un- OUTLOOK FOR SUBSEQUENT TWO DAYS: Weak mon- authorities need to manage Nin tracing the source of a down and stamp it out”. clear how the virus spread into soon. experiences. for rescue and search for the Covid-19 outbreak that plunged the Case numbers grew by 11 the community and 1,000 close FORECAST FOR NAY PYI TAW AND NEIGHBOURING victims with least casualty. nation into lockdown, with Prime overnight to a total of 21, she said. contacts of positive cases were AREA FOR 20 August 2021: Isolated rain or thundershowers. Hence, those These disasters bring Minister Jacinda Ardern saying it Ardern ordered a three-day being assessed. Degree of certainty is (100%). negative impacts to the so- should help “stamp out” the virus. national lockdown -- New Zea- A decision is due Friday on FORECAST FOR YANGON AND NEIGHBOURING AREA volunteers and ciety such as damage of crop Health officials have been try- land’s first in 15 months -- when whether the three-day lockdown FOR 20 August 2021: Isolated rain or thundershowers. Degree plantations, food and shelter ing to determine how an Auckland the first case emerged on Tuesday, will be extended or end by Sat- of certainty is (100%). rescuers are problems of the people, col- man contracted the coronavirus with Auckland and nearby Coro- urday. FORECAST FOR MANDALAY AND NEIGHBOURING lapses of buildings and bridg- this week, ending a six-month run mandel facing restrictions for a AREA FOR 20 August 2021: Isolated rain or thundershowers. deserved to es, loss of property, death of of no community cases in New week. ‘Covid zero’ strategy Degree of certainty is (100%). people and farming cattle Zealand. “We’re all prepared for cases New Zealand has adopted a honour as ideals and falls of trees. No event Tests showed the man had a to get worse before they get better, policy of eliminating the virus in of the society. benefits the society. If so, how version of the Delta strain found that’s always the pattern in these the community, rather than con- Flood Warning do we overcome such chal- in Australia, and Ardern said in- outbreaks,” she said. taining it, which has resulted in (Issued at 14:00 hrs MST on 19-8-2021) lenges? vestigations narrowed down the But she said there were only 26 deaths in a population of The rescue and search- origin to a person who arrived grounds for cautious optimism five million. ACCORDING to the (13:30) hrs MST observation today, the ing teams should be formed before the monsoon. Not to be concerned from Sydney on August 7. “because we believe it wasn’t here Neighbouring Australia has water level of Ayeyawady River at Shwegu is observed as about basic needs of their families, the participants from the rescue She said the traveller had for long before it was found”. been pursuing a similar “Covid about (2½) feet below its danger level. It may reach its danger and searching teams should be provided necessary aid. They should been in quarantine and hospital The infected traveller arrived zero” strategy, but is struggling to level during the next (2) days. be camped with necessary facilities to be funded by the State the since touching down, indicating from Sydney on a so-called “red contain outbreaks of the Delta var- New Zealand motorists queue at the Otara testing station after a positive Covid-19 coronavirus case was reported According to the (13:30) hrs MST observation today, the whole monsoon season for standing by to defy the natural disasters. the virus had not been in the com- zone” flight, arranged to bring iant. Health authorities on Thurs- in the community, as Auckland entered a three-day lockdown on 14 Feb, 2021. PHOTO: AFP/FILE water level of Chindwin River at Phaungpyin is observed as In fact, the voluntary task to rescue and search for the lives munity as long as initially feared. back New Zealanders stranded day urged mass Covid testing for about (4½) feet below its danger level. It may reach its danger and losses in the natural disasters can be said as meritorious deeds “We believe we have uncov- when Wellington suspended a an entire Outback town in far west- Australia’s first significant out- Early in the pandemic, Wil- vulnerable community, where level during the next (3) days. designed to protect lives of the people in such bitter experiences. ered the piece of the puzzle we trans-Tasman travel bubble due ern New South Wales, where an break in Aboriginal communities, cannia’s roughly 750 residents put more than 60 percent identify as It is especially advised to the people who settle near the Hence, those volunteers and rescuers are deserved to honour as were looking for,” Ardern told re- to multiple outbreaks in Australia. outbreak that began in Sydney two with specialist military health up signs on the town’s limits asking Indigenous. river banks and low lying areas at Shwegu and Phaungpyin ideals of the society. porters. The person tested positive months ago is spreading. teams deployed this week to boost travellers not to stop -- fearing the SOURCE: AFP townships to take precaution measure. She said finding the out- two days later and was hospital- The area is grappling with sluggish vaccination efforts. virus could obliterate an already 20 AUGUST 2021 10 ENVIRON: WORLD THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR UN biodiversity summit By chance, ozone treaty prevented postponed to April 2022 ‘scorched Earth’ climate

THE face-to-face portion of a The fruit of months of A 1987 treaty to repair a thin lay- critical UN biodiversity summit online discussions, the draft er of ozone in the atmosphere originally slated for last year mapped out the route for hu- that shields life on Earth from will be delayed until April 2022, manity to be “living in harmo- cancer-causing ultraviolet rays UN officials said Wednesday, ny with nature” by 2050. The probably had the unintended citing the Covid pandemic. draft outlined 21 targets and 10 benefit of preventing runaway An “official” virtual open- “milestones” to be hit by 2030 climate change, even if that dan- ing of the COP15 meeting host- to preserve biodiversity. These ger persists for other reasons, ed by China will take place in include restoring at least 20 per researchers said Wednesday. mid-October this year, followed cent of degraded ecosystems If the Montreal Protocol had by face-to-face negotiations in and ensuring that existing in- not banned the manmade gases southern China’s Kunming tact wild areas are retained. that dissolve naturally occurring from April 25 to May 8, 2022. At least 30 per cent of land and ozone, by 2100 they would have CFCs and other molecules have mainly eroded ozone in the upper Campaigners have for years marine species should also be heated up the planet’s surface stratosphere, and over the poles. PHOTO: REPRESENTATIONAL/ called for an effective global protected through conservation 2.5 degrees Celsius above-and- PIXABAY/AFP agreement on halting biodiver- areas, the draft proposed. beyond warming caused by the sity loss, similar to what the The framework also called carbon pollution humanity is ment goal of 1.5C, the extra heat on the ozone layer, CFCs — wide- Paris Agreement lays out for for more sustainable farming struggling to curb today, they avoided thanks to the ozone trea- ly used in the 1970s and 1980s as climate change. and fishing practices, including reported in the journal Nature. ty would have created an unlivea- a refrigerant — are also a potent With more than one mil- a two-thirds reduction in pesti- An increase of barely 1C ble 4C world, the modelling study greenhouse gas that traps heat lion species facing extinction cide use, as well as “eliminating since the mid-19th century has suggests. up to 10,000 times more efficiently and the world failing to meet the discharge of plastic waste”. seen climate change amplify It was already understood that carbon dioxide. existing nature preservation “Addressing the challenge deadly heatwaves, rainfall and that the outlawed CFCs (chloro- But what researchers have targets, the need for an accord of halting ongoing losses of spe- coastal storms made more de- fluorocarbons) would have added neglected to investigate until now among the nearly 200 nations cies and genetic diversity and structive by rising seas. roughly 1.5 degrees to the global is the impact that extra UV radi- taking part in the talks is press- the damage to our ecosystems Even if nations manage thermometer had they been al- ation would have had on nature’s ing. Earlier this month, the UN will determine the well-being against all odds to cap global lowed to further proliferate. capacity to absorb greenhouse unveiled a draft agreement for of humanity for generations to warming below the Paris Agree- Besides their corrosive effect gases.—AFP the summit calling for the pres- come,” UN biodiversity chief ervation of at least 30 per cent Elizabeth Maruma Mrema said of land and oceans, along with after Wednesday’s announce- other biodiversity targets. ment.—AFP African scientists call for policy shift to attain biodiversity targets

THE attainment of biodiversity cies and legislation governing Oceans Research and Develop- restoration targets agreed by the conservation of habitats, en- ment in the Indian Ocean (COR- the international community, suring they are people-centered DIO East Africa), said conserv- governments and donors will and inclusive. ing biodiversity hotspots should be realized subject to policy The study called for action aim at sustaining livelihoods and reforms, sufficient funding and on social and economic drivers boosting climate resilience at the greater community involvement, of biodiversity loss, adding that grassroots. African scientists said in a study strengthening the resilience of Obura said that subsistence released in Nairobi on Tuesday. local communities should run farmers, pastoralists and indige- According to the study titled concurrently with the conser- nous people should be involved Campaigners have for years called for an effective global agreement on “Integrating biodiversity targets vation of habitats. in restoring pristine landscapes halting biodiversity loss, similar to what the Paris Agreement lays out from local to global levels”, there David Obura, lead author of that are a source of water, food, for climate. PHOTO: AFP/FILE is an urgency to reshape poli- the study and Director at Coastal fiber and timber.—Xinhua China villagers learn to live with the elephant in the room

Ma Mingliang rarely encountered dering herd of Asian elephants in Ma’s village in Xishuangbanna, wild elephants while growing up has captivated China for more a subtropical prefecture the size in southwestern China, after cen- than a year with a remarkable of a small country where China’s turies of hunting and deforesta- trek northwards through farms elephant population congregates. tion nearly eradicated them. To- and cities hundreds of kilometres The neatly ordered homes of the day, the 42-year-old village chief from their normal range in Yun- little community, called Xiangyan- barricades his community to keep nan province. But an elephant qing, climb up a gently sloping them out. in the street is now a common hillside, dotted by signs promot- Ma Mingliang rarely encoun- sight for residents of the an- ing human-elephant “harmony” tered wild elephants while grow- imals’ home territory on the and encircled by a steel fence sep- ing up in southwestern China, Myanmar-Laos border, where arating it from adjacent jungle. after centuries of hunting and a recovering elephant popula- The village of rubber-tappers A wandering herd of Asian elephants has captivated China for more than a deforestation nearly eradicated tion is being squeezed into ev- is entered through a wide steel year with a remarkable trek northwards through farms and cities hundreds them. Today, the 42-year-old vil- er-shrinking habitat, leading to gate that clangs shut at night, of kilometres from their normal range in Yunnan province. PHOTO: lage chief barricades his com- more conflict with humans. The when hunger activates the ele- YUNNAN PROVINCIAL COMMAND OF THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS munity to keep them out. A wan- tension is immediately apparent phants.—AFP OF THE MIGRATING ASIAN ELEPHANTS/AFP 20 AUGUST 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR PANDEMIC: WORLD 11 Pope urges people to get Covid-19 jabs ‘as act of love’

POPE Francis said getting the if we work together,” he said in outbreak emerged in China in coronavirus vaccine was “an act the video, aimed at communities December 2019, according to an of love” Wednesday, as the head disproportionately affected by the AFP compilation of official data. of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics virus in North, Central and South Despite mass vaccine cam- joined a campaign to boost confi- America. “Being vaccinated — is paigns, conspiracy theories dence in Covid-19 jabs. an act of love,” the 84-year old and distrust of governments or “Thanks to God and to the said. pharmaceuticals are fuelling work of many, we now have vac- “And contributing to ensure transmission of the virus. In the cines to protect us from COV- the majority of people are vacci- US, the worst-affected country ID-19,” Francis said in a message nated is an act of love. Love for in terms of Covid-19 deaths, the Vatican City’s gigantic square, the St. Peter’s Square. PHOTO: AFP for the US-based “It’s Up to You” oneself, love for one’s family and vast majority of new fatalities and initiative. “They grant us the hope friends, love for all people”. serious cases are among the un- from Brazil, El Salvador, Hon- COVID Collaborative and the of ending the pandemic, but only Coronavirus has killed at vaccinated. Francis was joined duras, Mexico and Peru for the Vatican’s Dicastery for Integral if they are available to all and least 4,370,427 people since the by cardinals and archbishops campaign by the Ad Council and Human Development.—AFP Israel tightens restrictions as Spectator ban no virus cases leap barrier for Paralympics: IPC chief NEW restrictions aimed at curb- ing the spread of Covid took effect in Israel on Wednesday, after the HAVING no fans at the To- at the venues is a challenge, largely vaccinated country saw kyo Paralympics will be “a but we believe we will reach the highest daily infection rate challenge”, IPC chief Andrew more than four billion people since January. Parsons said Wednesday, but through broadcasting,” he The measures, announced he is confident the event will said. Sunday, require vaccination cer- reach “more people than ever “So we still believe the tificates or negative coronavirus before”. reach of these Games will be tests to enter a range of public The Paralympics are set incredible. We will reach more spaces, including restaurants and to open behind closed doors nations and more people than bars, cultural and sports venues, on Tuesday, after organisers ever before.” hotels and gyms, the health min- decided this week to follow the The Games come with istry said. Olympics’ example in banning virus cases surging across The same applies to worship- spectators over virus fears. Japan. More than 20,000 new New restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of Covid took effect in pers wishing to enter synagogues, Japan is currently battling daily infections have been re- Israel on Wednesday, after the largely vaccinated country saw the mosques or churches with more highest daily infection rate since January. PHOTO: AFP record coronavirus infections, corded in recent days, driven than 50 people in attendance. with Tokyo and other parts of by the more contagious Delta In addition, the capacity of while urging anyone aged 12 and a single day since January. the country under a state of variant. stores, shopping malls and indus- older to get vaccinated. About Prime Minister Naftali Ben- emergency. Japan’s government has trial parks will be limited to one one million Israelis have not been nett has been imploring Israelis International Paralympic insisted the Paralympics will person per seven square metres vaccinated even though they are to get vaccinated, warning of a Committee president Parsons be held safely and that it re- (75 square feet). eligible. According to the health possible lockdown that could told AFP the decision to ban mains committed to hosting In recent weeks, the state ministry, more than 8,700 people affect the Jewish high holidays spectators will have “an im- them. has begun administering booster tested positive for coronavirus on next month unless inoculation pact that we cannot minimise”, Around 4,400 athletes are shots to Israelis aged 50 and over, Tuesday, the highest number for numbers rise.—AFP but he believes a global TV expected to take part in the audience will still put the event, and like their Olympic Paralympics centre stage. counterparts they will face “Of course, the fact that daily testing and restrictions Covid-19 statistics and data from we will not have spectators on their movement.—AFP around the world

THE novel coronavirus has number of deaths is much higher. countries with the most new killed at least 4,381,911 people The World Health Organiza- deaths were Indonesia with since the outbreak emerged in tion estimates that the pandem- 1,128, followed by Brazil with China in December 2019. ic’s overall toll could be two to 1,106 and United States with 998. At least 208,545,350 cases three times higher than official The United States is the of coronavirus have been regis- records, due to the excess mor- worst-affected country with tered. The vast majority have re- tality that is directly and indirect- 623,322 deaths from 37,017,859 covered, though some have con- ly linked to Covid-19. cases. After the US, the hard- tinued to experience symptoms A large number of the less est-hit countries are Brazil with weeks or even months later. severe or asymptomatic cases 570,598 deaths from 20,416,183 The figures are based on also remain undetected, despite cases, India with 432,519 deaths daily reports provided by health intensified testing in many coun- from 32,285,857 cases, Mex- authorities in each country. tries. On Tuesday, 10,906 new ico with 249,529 deaths from They exclude revisions deaths and 637,703 new cases 3,123,252 cases, and Peru with made by other statistical or- were recorded worldwide. 197,539 deaths from 2,135,827 Around 4,400 athletes are expected to take part in the Tokyo ganisations, which show that the Based on latest reports, the cases.—AFP Paralympics, which open on August 24. PHOTO: AFP/FILE 20 AUGUST 2021 12 ECON: WORLD THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NEWS Sri Lanka raises rates as rupee IN BRIEF Britain’s legal cannabis market booms falls to record low on Covid demand rupee falls against the dollar “and to preempt the buildup of any ex- BRITAIN’S legal cannabis market has boomed during the coronavi- cessive inflationary pressures”. rus pandemic to become the second biggest after the United States, The rupee fell to 216.55 to the as consumers rushed to alleviate Covid-linked symptoms, industry dollar — its lowest ever level — experts say. despite the central bank urging Cannabidiol or CBD, which is most commonly sold as oil at high currency traders not to allow the street retailers, is one of the active ingredients of non-psychoactive local currency to fall below 202. cannabis. The government had re- CBD is touted as have relaxing and anti-inflammatory properties, duced rates after the coronavirus but experts argue the market has long suffered from questions about pandemic hit last year in hope of its efficacy and a lack of regulation. bolstering the economy. Britain’s Food Standards Agency now regulates the sector and its But Sri Lanka still recorded marketing, after the European Union classified CBD as food in 2019. its worst recession in decades, Such products will generate sales of £690 million ($856 million, with the economy shrinking 3.6 811 million euros) in 2021, according to the Association for the Can- Sri Lanka banned a wide range of imports, including vehicles as well as per cent as tourist arrivals col- industrial raw materials and machinery since March last year. PHOTO: nabinoid Industry (ACI). LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI /AFP/FILE lapsed and with it foreign cur- That was almost a third higher than the UK trade group’s pre-pan- rency receipts. demic 2019 projection. SRI LANKA’S central bank raised imported cooking gas and sugar Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves - ‘Pandemic increased demand’ - interest rates for the first time in because of the lack of dollars, fell to $2.8 billion at the end of July, “The pandemic increased CBD demand because there obviously nearly three years Thursday as the Central Bank of Sri Lanka from $7.5 billion in November 2019 were stress, sleep problems, anxiety, these kind of risks,” ACI co-founder the rupee hit a record low amid increased its deposit and lending when the government took office. Steve Moore told AFP. a crippling foreign exchange rates by 50 basis points to 5.0 per The rupee has lost nearly 20 Britain has experienced a “quiet cannabis revolution” that has shortage. cent and 6.0 per cent respectively. percent of its value against the US transformed it into “the world’s second largest consumer cannabinoids With the country of 21 mil- The bank said the move was dollar in that time, according to market”, ACI said.—AFP lion already facing shortages of to counter “imbalances” as the data from private banks.—AFP

S.Korea’s earned, business incomes Senators urge US probe of Tesla’s Autopilot claims grow in Q2 TWO US senators requested a SOUTH Korea’s earned and business incomes grew in the second federal investigation of Tesla’s quarter despite the fall in gross income, caused by the lower transfer statements about its Autopi- income from the government, statistical office data showed Thursday. lot driver assistance system The monthly average income for households with at least one Wednesday, asserting in the wake family member, which include farming families, stood at 4,287,000 of multiple crashes that the auto- won (3,640 U.S. dollars) during the April-June quarter, down 0.7 per maker’s exaggerations have put cent from a year earlier, according to Statistics Korea. consumers at risk. It was the first reduction in four years since the second quarter The letter to the Federal of 2017, marking the fastest decline since the fourth quarter of 2016. Trade Commission concerning Earned and business incomes increased amid the economic “Tesla’s misleading advertising” recovery, but the combined income shrank on the back of the lower comes two days after another transfer income. federal agency launched a probe Transfer income tumbled 28.6 per cent over the year to 617,000 into Autopilot. Tesla and Chief A Tesla Model S P85d. PHOTO: AFP won (520 U.S. dollars) in the second quarter, logging the highest fall Executive Elon Musk’s “repeated since data began to be compiled in 2006. overstatements of the vehicles’ countability,” Democratic sena- Full Self-Driving features and The public transfer income dropped 37.1 percent to 421,000 won capabilities — despite clear and tors Richard Blumenthal and Ed take appropriate enforcement (360 U.S. dollars). During the same quarter of last year, the public frequent warnings — demon- Markey wrote. “We urge you to action to prevent further injury transfer income more than doubled as the government provided relief strate a deeply concerning dis- swiftly open an investigation into or death as a result of any Tesla checks for all households to tackle the economic downturn from the regard for the safety of those Tesla’s repeated and overstated feature,” they said in the letter to COVID-19 pandemic.— Xinhua on the road and require real ac- claims about their Autopilot and FTC Chair Lina Khan.—AFP

China’s trade with N. Korea rises about 50% in July amid food crisis CHINA’S trade with North Korea since early 2020 amid concern “getting tense,” as North Korea’s rose 48 per cent from a month that the novel coronavirus, first agricultural sector was devas- earlier to $20.92 million in July, detected in China’s central city tated by powerful typhoons and the government said Wednesday, of Wuhan in late 2019, could in- flooding last year. as the country under leader Kim trude into the nation. But North North Korea also said in a Jong Un has been hit by a severe Korea, which has been suffering report to the United Nations this food crisis. an economic slump, has appar- year that it had faced its worst Last month, however, the ently imported goods from China food crisis in more than a decade, total value of China’s trade with by ship recently, given that land sparking fears that its citizens North Korea plunged around 90 transportation between the two have encountered serious difficul- per cent from July 2019, when countries has not been confirmed ties in obtaining daily essentials. their borders were open, accord- as Kim has been stepping up an- Beijing is known as Pyong- ing to the Chinese General Ad- ti-epidemic measures. yang’s closest and most influen- A bird’s view of the Yalu River which runs on the borderline between ministration of Customs. At a ruling party meeting in tial ally in economic terms. North China and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is seen in this North Korea has cut off land June, meanwhile, Kim said the Korea depends on China for over photo taken in May of 2015. PHOTO: CFP/XINHUA traffic to and from its neighbors food situation in the nation was 90 per cent of its trade.—Kyodo 20 AUGUST 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR BIZ: WORLD/ AD 13 Chip crunch forces Toyota to cut Sept NEWS IN BRIEF production by 40%: report Court approves seizure of S. Korean cording to the Nikkei. company payment to M’bishi Heavy Toyota had no imme- diate comment. A team of lawyers representing South Koreans who won The Japanese giant’s damages from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. for their rivals have also been wartime forced labor said Wednesday a local court has ap- forced to slow or tempo- proved the seizure and collection of a payment intended rarily halt production due for the Japanese company so that compensation can be to the chip shortage. provided to the plaintiffs. Microchips are es- The Suwon District Court on Aug. 12 approved the le- sential for the electronics gal move concerning the 850 million won ($723,000) that systems of modern cars, South Korean company LS Mtron Ltd. owes to Mitsubishi and have been in short Heavy after the Japanese company continued to ignore the supply since the end of November 2018 South Korean Supreme Court ruling against last year. it, according to the lawyers. The legal team already secured When the pandem- the seizure of rights to some trademarks and patents owned ic hit, carmakers scaled by Mitsubishi Heavy in South Korea and asked a court in July Toyota will cut auto production by 40 percent in September as the global chip shortage hits its supply chain, Japan’s Nikkei daily said Thursday. PHOTO: KYODO back orders and chip- 2019 to sell off those assets to compensate the plaintiffs, but makers shifted output to no liquidation order has been issued. Even if such an order TOYOTA will cut auto The world’s largest sources. consumer electronics as is issued, Mitsubishi Heavy can request a stay of execution, production by 40 per- automaker had planned The spread of the people splurged on equip- meaning it could take a fair amount of time to actually see cent in September as the to build just under 900,000 more infectious Delta ment to work and relax at the assets liquidated. The ruling against Mitsubishi Heavy global chip shortage hits vehicles next month, but coronavirus variant in home -- leaving automak- and a similar top court ruling against Nippon Steel Corp. its supply chain, Japan’s this has been revised to Southeast Asia has also ers in a tight situation in October 2018 as well as subsequent legal moves have Nikkei daily said Thurs- around 500,000, the Nik- impacted Toyota’s pro- as demand for vehicles strained bilateral ties. Japan’s top government spokesman day. kei said, without citing curement of parts, ac- picked up.—AFP on Thursday reiterated Tokyo’s stance that issues relating to property and claims stemming from Japan’s colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945 were resolved in a U.S. cryptocurrency bourse 1965 bilateral agreement.—AFP Coinbase enters Japanese market Soken Chemical to triple acrylic MAJOR U.S. cryptocur- as facilitating transactions, Coinbase online, according adhesive output capacity in China rency exchange Coinbase is expected to intensify to the company. Global Inc. started oper- competition among similar The subsidiary of Major U.S. cryptocurrency Soken Chemical & Engineering Co. will triple its output ating in Japan on Thurs- bourse operators including Coinbase began preparing exchange Coinbase Global capacity for acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives at its plant day, its local arm said, as the Tokyo-based bitFlyer for entry into the world’s Inc. started operating in in Nanjing to meet growing demand amid the intensive Japan on Thursday, its local virtual currency investing Inc. and Coincheck Inc. third-largest economy in arm said, as virtual currency production of liquid crystal displays and related products intensifies in response to “We aim to enhance rec- 2018 and was registered investing intensifies in in China. the impacts of monetary ognition that crypto asset on the Japanese Finan- response to the impacts of Tokyo-based Soken said Tuesday that its fully owned easing policies implement- transactions are safe and cial Services Agency’s list monetary easing policies subsidiary, Soken High-tech Material (Nanjing) Co., will add ed to cushion the global secure,” Nao Kitazawa, of crypto asset bourses in implemented to cushion two new production units by June next year and another the global economic fallout economic fallout from the president of Coinbase June, the firm said. unit in April 2023 to the existing plant where two production from the coronavirus coronavirus pandemic. K.K., told an online press Large-scale stimulus pandemic. PHOTO: units are now in operation. The entry into the conference. packages and monetary RAFAEL HENRIQUE/SOPA Referring to the third new unit, Soken said it will invest Japanese market by Coin- Those who have ac- easing measures by Ja- IMAGES/LIGHTROCKET/ 64 million yuan (about $9.9 million) in the new unit whose KYODO base K.K., which directly counts with major Japa- pan, the United States construction will begin next month. Soken said it decided to sells and buys major cryp- nese commercial bank and Europe to ease the cryptocurrencies as many swiftly boost its production capacity due to concerns about tocurrencies such as bit- MUFG Bank can make economic fallout from investors look to hedge a possible medium-term supply shortage in light of the coin and ethereum based deposits and withdrawals the pandemic have been against the risk of rising constant demand and capital investment among polarizing on customer orders as well of cryptocurrencies at increasing interest in inflation.—Kyodo News panel makers. — Kyodo News

THE REPUBLIC OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR MINISTRY OF ELECTRICTY AND ENERGY CLAIMS DAY NOTICE MYANMA OIL AND GAS ENTERPRISE M.V DANCEFLORA SW V.202103 (INVITATION FOR OPEN TENDER) (1/2020-2021) Consignees of cargo carried on M.V DANCEFLORA SW VOY.NO. (202103) are hereby notified that the 1. Open tenders are invited for supply of the following respective items in Myanmar Kyats. vessel will be arriving on 20-8-2021 and cargo will be Sr No. Tender No. Description Remarks discharged into the premises of IBTT where it will lie at (a) DMP/L-001(21-22) 14”, 10”, 4” HFERW API 5L Grade X-46 , X-42 3LPE Ks the consignee’s risk and expenses and subject to the Coated Steel Line Pipe (3) Items byelaws and conditions of the Port of Yangon. (b) DMP/L-002(21-22) Steel Ball Valve and Pipe Fitting (2) Groups Ks Damaged cargo will be surveyed daily from 8 am (c) DMP/L-003(21-22) Fire Fighting System for National Oil and Gas Ks to 11:20 am and 12 noon to 4 pm to Claim’s Day now Information Center, Phase I, Nay Pyi Taw 2. The Open Tender forms including Description of Materials / Qtty with details specifications and declared as the third day after final discharge of cargo Tender Terms & Conditions can be available during office hours commencing from20 August 2021 at from the Vessel. Call the Finance Department, Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise, No. (44) Complex, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. No claims against this vessel will be admitted after 3. The interested Bidders should submit the Technical Specifications with Original Bid Bond the Claims Day. and Commercial Quotation in each separate sealed envelopes on which to be addressed to the Phone No: 2301928 Managing Director, Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise and should reach in Tender Box of the Myanma Shipping Agency Department 09251022355 Oil and Gas Enterprise not later than 12:00 pm on 20 September 2021. Myanma Port Authority 4. Tender Closing Date & Time – 20-9-2021, 12:00 pm Agent For: 09974424848 Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise Ph No. + 95 67 – 411206 M/S BEN LINE AGENCIES (S'PORE) PTE LTD 20 AUGUST 2021 14 SOCIETY THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

NEWS IN BRIEF Hong Kongers plead guilty to ‘national Australia voices security’ charge over sanction calls caution on accepting Afghan TWO Hong Kongers accused of being part of a group that refugees campaigned for international sanctions against China plead- AUSTRALIA on Wednesday ed guilty under the city’s na- said it had no plans to allow in tional security law on Thursday tens of thousands of Afghan ref- in a case that is linked to jailed ugees fleeing the Taliban, citing pro-democracy media tycoon security concerns and casting Jimmy Lai. doubt on promises from other Two Hong Kongers accused Western nations. of being part of a group that Britain announced this campaigned for international week a resettlement scheme sanctions against China plead- to let in up to 20,000 Afghans ed guilty under the city’s na- over the long term, with priority tional security law on Thursday given to women, children and in a case that is linked to jailed those facing persecution. Can- pro-democracy media tycoon ada said last week it would take Jimmy Lai. in up to 20,000 people. China imposed the sweep- Meanwhile Australia plans ing security law on Hong Kong Hong Kong is on China’s southern coast, 60 km (37 mi) east of Macau, on the east side of the mouth of the Pearl to provide Afghans with at least last year to wipe out dissent after River estuary. PHOTO: XINHUA/LO PING FAI 3,000 visas over a year, Morri- the financial hub was rocked by known democracy advocates, wah, 30, admitted to a charge of part of a group that organised son said. huge and often violent democra- have since been arrested under “colluding with foreign forces to the publishing of adverts and “I note that some are talk- cy protests. the law. endanger China’s national secu- articles in overseas newspapers ing about figures of 20,000 but More than 130 people, in- Democracy activist Andy rity” on Thursday. calling for sanctions against Chi- can I tell you there are no clear cluding many of the city’s best- Li, 31, and paralegal Chan Tsz- Prosecutors said they were na.—AFP plans about that. Australia is not going into that territory,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison told a Afghan girls return to school in Herat after Taliban takeover news conference.— AFP courtyards, seemingly oblivi- With its close proximity to ous to the turmoil that has en- the Iranian border, the ancient German man in gulfed the country in the past Silk Road city of Herat has long dock for Christmas two weeks. been a cosmopolitan exception shopper car carnage The scenes — which many to more conservative centres. feared would be banned under Women and girls walked the Taliban — were filmed by more freely in the streets, at- A German man will go on trial an AFP cameraman this week, tending schools and colleges in Thursday accused of killing five just days after fighters from the huge numbers in a city famed people including a baby when hardline Islamist group took the for its poetry and arts. he rammed his car into shop- city following the collapse of gov- Its long-term future re- pers in the southwestern city ernment forces and local militia. mains uncertain, however. of Trier. Schoolgirls attend class in Herat following the Taliban takeover of the “We want to progress like Under the hardline version The 51-year-old is said city. The Taliban says it will allow the education of girls to continue. other countries,” said student of sharia law that the Taliban PHOTO: AFP to have been suffering from Roqia. imposed when they controlled psychological problems and GIRLS wearing white hijabs and Taliban’s takeover. “And we hope the Taliban Afghanistan in the 1990s, women under the influence of alcohol black tunics crammed into class- As the school opened its will maintain security. We don’t and girls were mostly denied when he sped down a pedes- rooms in the western Afghan doors, the students scurried want war, we want peace in our education and employment. trian street in the run-up to last city of Herat just days after the down corridors and chatted in country.” —AFP Christmas. Alongside five murder charges, the man, whose name Mexico’s Caribbean coast braces for Hurricane Grace has not been released by au- thorities, faces 18 counts of at- HURRICANE Grace bore down -- the lowest on the five-level tempted murder and another 14 on Mexico’s Caribbean coast on Saffir-Simpson scale -- was pack- of grievous bodily harm. Wednesday, grounding flights ing maximum sustained winds Judges in the city’s regional and forcing tourists in some ho- of 80 miles (130 kilometers) per court will determine whether tels along the Riviera Maya to hour, according to the NHC. the man, about whom little hunker down overnight in storm It was located 125 miles east is known publicly, was whol- shelters. of the Mexican resort town of Tu- ly or partially responsible for A hurricane warning was in lum late Wednesday and expected the acts, owing to his known effect for a string of beach resorts, to make landfall early Thursday, psychiatric issues. An expert including Cancun, on Mexico’s having already drenched earth- evaluation prepared ahead of Yucatan Peninsula, the US Na- quake-stricken Haiti, the NHC the trial determined that the tional Hurricane Center (NHC) said. “Hotels in Tulum have been accused suffers from psychosis, in Miami said. At least 124 flights evacuated and the tourists taken and according to police, could to or from Cancun were canceled, to various hotel shelters,” said only give an approximate and the city’s mayor, Mara Lezama, Carlos Joaquin, governor of the sometimes contradictory ac- Fishermen and tour operators haul their boats onto dry land as a said on Twitter. southeastern state of Quintana count of events. — AFP hurricane approaches Mexico’s Caribbean coast. PHOTO: AFP The Category One hurricane Roo.—AFP 20 AUGUST 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR GLOBAL AFFAIRS 15

Scandal-plagued Malaysian party poised to win PM race NEWS IN BRIEF at his government’s handling of a of the last government, although worsening coronavirus outbreak. Muhyiddin is from a different Biden, Merkel With an election ruled out group. discuss Afghanistan due to the pandemic, the king “People who voted for evacuation will pick the country’s next leader change in 2018 will not be looking based on who commands major- favourably to his appointment, US President Joe Biden and ity support in parliament. and it will be an unelected ap- Germany’s Chancellor Ange- Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who pointment,” said Bridget Welsh, la Merkel on Wednesday dis- was deputy premier in Muhyid- a Malaysia expert from the Uni- cussed the perilous evacuation din’s coalition, has received the versity of Nottingham. of foreigners and Afghan allies backing of 114 out of 220 lawmak- “So you will see polarisation underway at the Kabul airport, ers, the Star newspaper reported. continue.” the White House said. The 61-year-old’s supporters An official announcement is In a phone call, the two were called to the national palace expected Friday after a meeting leaders also talked about the Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak (C) shouts slogans along with his Thursday to confirm their pick, of the country’s royals. need to coordinate humanitar- deputy Mohiuddin Yasin (L) after his speech at the concluding session one of his backers, MP Ahmad UMNO was booted out of ian aid for vulnerable Afghans. of the ruling party United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) annual Maslan, said on Twitter. power after facing a storm of cor- Biden and Merkel “praised general assembly in Kuala Lumpur on December 1, 2012. PHOTO: SAEED KHAN/AFP/FILE If confirmed, it means the ruption cases, notably the 1MDB the ongoing efforts of their United Malays National Organi- scandal. Billions of dollars were military and civilian person- A scandal-plagued Malaysian minister resigned this week. sation (UMNO), the lynchpin of a looted from sovereign wealth nel who are working close- party looked set Thursday to re- Muhyiddin Yassin quit Mon- coalition that ruled Malaysia for fund 1MDB in a fraud involving ly together in Kabul on the gain the country’s leadership that day after a turbulent 17 months in six decades until losing power in ex-leader Najib Razak, and spent evacuation of their citizens, it lost at landmark elections three office when allies withdrew sup- 2018, will reclaim the premier- on everything from a super-yacht vulnerable Afghans, and the years ago, after the last prime port, and amid mounting anger ship. The party was already part to pricey artwork.—AFP courageous Afghan nationals who worked tirelessly over the last 20 years,” the White House What next for Taliban talks host Qatar? said in a statement.—AFP

THE sudden fall of Afghanistan Together with the Taliban NATO: Foreign to the Taliban has thrust the branding of their mission as the group’s presence in the Qatari office of the “Islamic Emirate of ministers to hold capital into the spotlight. Afghanistan” — the name they video talks on But what now for the some- used during their 1996-2001 rule Afghanistan times controversial outpost — it provoked outrage in Kabul. which Doha gambled would “The US increasingly pres- boost its own diplomatic cre- sured the Qataris to host some of NATO foreign ministers will dentials? the Taliban leaders that were re- hold an emergency videocon- leased from Guantanamo,” said ference on Friday to discuss the Why is there a Taliban office regional analyst Andreas Krieg. unfolding situation in Afghan- in Doha? “The Taliban office then istan and what steps they can Located far from war-rav- became more and more an in- take, the alliance’s chief Jens aged Afghanistan, Qatar none- tegral part of the US strategy to Stoltenberg said. theless invited the Taliban to The Taliban’s political office chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar meets negotiate a withdrawal from the “I have convened an ex- open a political office in Doha in with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman country under the Trump admin- traordinary virtual meeting of 2013, with Washington’s blessing Al-Thani in Doha in this handout picture provided by the Qatari istration.” Qatar maintained con- NATO Foreign Ministers this as conflict in Afghanistan raged. foreign ministry on August 17, 2021. PHOTO: QATARI MINISTRY OF tact with the Taliban during its Friday 20 August to continue FOREIGN AFFAIRS/AFP It was intended to be a base 1996-2001 rule but, unlike Saudi our close coordination & dis- for Taliban negotiators, including the group politically. erupting soon after when the in- Arabia, the United Arab Emir- cuss our common approach accused militants, so the interna- The Qatar process got off to surgents raised their flag above ates and Pakistan, never estab- on Afghanistan,” he tweeted tional community could engage a rocky start, with controversy the high-walled villa. lished diplomatic ties.—AFP on Wednesday.—AFP

Taliban’s arms seizures embarrass Washington UAE says hosting Afghan president VIDEOS of Taliban fighters M18 assault rifles and M24 snip- ‘on humanitarian parading in US-made armored er weapons, driving around in vehicles, wielding US-supplied the iconic US Humvees and, in grounds’ firearms and climbing on Ameri- one video, apparently wearing can Black Hawk helicopters after US-style special forces tactical THE United Arab Emirates said the defeat of Afghan government uniforms. on Wednesday that it is hosting forces have embarrassed the The images are underpin- Afghan president Ashraf Ghani White House. The Islamist in- ning a political attack on Presi- “on humanitarian grounds”, af- surgents, who easily captured dent Joe Biden for alleged mis- ter he fled his country amid a control of the country after a handling of the US withdrawal Taliban takeover. months-long campaign, seized from the country after 20 years “The UAE Ministry of For- huge amounts of weaponry, of war. Most of the equipment eign Affairs and International equipment and munitions from has been seized from the Afghan Cooperation can confirm that the Afghan armed forces, most forces who, despite two decades the UAE has welcomed Presi- of it supplied over the past two of training and tens of billions of dent Ashraf Ghani and his fam- decades by Washington. dollars from the United States, ily into the country on humani- Social media showed Tal- conceded the capital Kabul at the Taliban patrol Kabul in a US-made armored vehicle captured from the tarian grounds,” it said in a brief iban fighters carrying M4 and weekend without a fight.—AFP Afghan security forces. PHOTO: AFP statement.— AFP 20 AUGUST 2021 16 SPORT THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

AFF Futsal Cup tourney scheduled to be held with six teams Republic of the Union

THE ASEAN Football Federa- eration has announced plans to The ASEAN football authori- of Myanmar tion (AFF) plans to host the AFF host the AFF Futsal Cup earlier ties previously changed the name Futsal Cup Championship in Sep- this month. of the ASEAN Futsal Club Cham- tember with six teams, according At present, Thailand, Viet- pionship to the AFF Futsal Cup. State Administration to the ASEAN football authorities. nam, Malaysia, Indonesian and The competition has been held The football federation is Cambodian clubs have been al- annually since 2015, but was not planning to resume the Futsal lowed to compete in the tourney, held in 2020 due to the Covid-19 Council Club Championship for the first but it is not yet clear if the Myan- pandemic and will be held again time in more than a year and a mar club will be able to compete this year. Nine Objectives half since the Covid-19 outbreak. in the tourney, officials said. Myanmar clubs competed The AFF Futsal Cup will be Myanmar futsal clubs have in this competition every year, held from 12 to 18 September in been without training since and MIU (formerly MIC) team 1. Political affairs Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, March last year due to the pan- won bronze medals in 2016, 2018 with clubs from Southeast Asia. demic and are unable to hold and 2019 respectively.—Ko Nyi (a) To build a Union based on democracy and The ASEAN Football Fed- domestic competitions. Lay/GNLM federalism, through a disciplined and genuine multiparty democratic system that is fair and just. (b) To emphasize the achievement of enduring Inter’s turbulent summer leaves peace for the entire nation in line with the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). Serie A crown up for grabs (c) To continue implementing the principle of peace- ful co-existence among countries through an INTER Milan kick off the new independent, active and non-aligned foreign Serie A season on Saturday in policy. the midst of fan protests and money troubles that threaten to 2. Economic affairs derail their title defence before (a) To enhance production based on agriculture it has even begun. and livestock through modern techniques and A dramatic summer for the strengthen all-round development in other sec- champions reached its lowest tors of the economy. ebb last week when star strik- (b) To develop a stable market economy and pro- er Romelu Lukaku was sold mote international investment in order to en- to Chelsea, a transfer that en- hance the economic development of the entire raged not just supporters but National people. reportedly also CEO Giuseppe (c) To promote and support local businesses to Marotta and new coach Simone create employment opportunities and increase Inzaghi. Fans will be allowed to fill Serie A stadiums, including the San Siro, to The Gazzetta dello Sport half capacity early this season. PHOTO: AFP/FILE domestic production. reported that Inter’s cash- 3. Social affairs strapped Chinese owners Sun- league crown was claimed, and Edin Dzeko, a capable forward (a) To ensure a strong and dynamic Union spirit, ing forced the sale of Belgium last month previous coach An- familiar with Serie A, but the the genuine spirit of patriotism. forward Lukaku after having tonio Conte left Inter knowing Bosnia striker is 35 years old (b) To respect and promote the customs and tradi- already offloaded buccaneer- his team could be dismantled. and scored just seven league tions of all National peoples and preserve and ing right-back Achraf Hakimi, They are still strong in goals last season. safeguard their cultural heritage and national a key figure in their first Serie key areas and have one of Ita- Dutch defender Denzel characteristics. A triumph since 2010, to Paris ly’s Euro 2020 heroes in Nico- Dumfries however is an intrigu- (c) To enhance the health, fitness and education Saint-Germain. lo Barella, but the squad has ing choice for the vacant spot quality of the entire nation. The club’s financial prob- certainly been downgraded. at right-back after his exciting lems were clear well before the Lukaku has been replaced with displays at Euro 2020.— AFP

Bayern Munich wait on Neuer after ankle knock

BAYERN Munich captain Manuel Neuer sat out training Thursday with an ankle knock as the defending Bundesliga champions wait on their goalkeeper’s fitness for this weekend’s home game against Cologne. Neuer, 35, needed treatment on his right ankle during Tuesday’s 3-1 win at Dortmund in the German Super Cup. He played the full 90 minutes and lifted the trophy on the pitch after Bayern striker Robert Lewandowksi sealed victory with two goals. In a statement, Bayern left it open whether the Germany goalkeeper will be fit for Sunday’s home league game at the Allianz Arena. The defending champions are hunting their first Bundesliga win of the new season after drawing last Friday’s opening match at Moenchengladbach. If Neuer drops out, he is set to be replaced by reserve goalkeeper Sven Ulreich, 33, who Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer received medical treatment at rejoined in the summer after a season at second division Hamburg.—AFP Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. PHOTO: AFP