DON’T STOP BUT MARCH FORWARD TO FIGHT COVID-19 PAGE-8 (OPINION)

Vol. VIII, No. 135, 10th Waning of Wagaung 1383 ME www.gnlm.com.mm Wednesday, 1 September 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.

State Administration Council Chairman Provisional Government of Myanmar Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attends meeting No 4/2021 of Security, Stability and Peace, and Rule of Law Committee

Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister of the Provisional Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivers the address at the meeting No 4/2021 of Security, Stability and Peace and the Rule of Law Committee in Nay Pyi Taw on 31 August 2021. HE Security, Stability and In his opening speech, the agement, necessary measures cations. Maung Yi, U Khin Yi, U Myint Peace, and Rule of Law Senior General explained the for ensuring security, peace and The meeting came to an end Kyaing, Dr Pwint San, Dr Thet TCommittee of the Re- situation of the Security, Stabil- stability and the rule of law for with the concluding remark of Khaing Win, U Shwe Lay, Dr public of the Union of Myanmar ity and Peace, and Rule of Law the State, peace and stability and the Senior General. Thet Thet Khine, Dr Daw Thida held meeting No 4/2021 at the Of- Committee in taking the impor- development of the country and Also present at the meet- Oo and deputy ministers togeth- fice of the State Administration tant measures of the State, sys- socio-economic improvement of ing were members of the State er with Chin State Chief Minister Council Chairman in Nay Pyi tematic security management the people in detail. Administration Council Admiral U Ngun Hsan Aung, Taninthayi Taw yesterday, with an address at border trade camps, and full Meeting participant Council Tin Aung San, General Maung Region Chief Minister U Myat by Chairman of the Committee management of the government members, Union ministers, dep- Maung Kyaw, Mahn Nyein Ko, Mandalay Region Chief Min- Chairman of the State Adminis- as these camps are located in uty ministers and state/regional Maung, Jeng Phang Naw Taung ister U Maung Ko, Rakhine State tration Council Prime Minister the Myanmar territory, system- chief ministers reported on re- and Lt-Gen Soe Htut, Chief Jus- Chief Minister Dr Aung Kyaw of the Provisional Government atic utilization of forest lands, no spective sectors, and measures tice of the Union U Htun Htun Min and Shan State Chief Minis- of the Republic of the Union of need to use the cultivable lands of security, peace and stability Oo, Union ministers Lt-Gen Yar ter Dr Kyaw Tun who joined the Myanmar Senior General Min for other purposes, long term and the rule of law. The Senior Pyae, Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung, meeting via videoconferencing. Aung Hlaing. plans for urban and rural man- General gave necessary clarifi- U Ko Ko, U Tin Htut Oo, U Khin — MNA

INSIDE TODAY

NATIONAL NATIONAL NATIONAL LOCAL NEWS LOCAL BUSINESS Union Information Minister Foundation work MoC allows import Border trade Rice price rises by inspects Photolitho Printing of Thanlwin Bridge process of anti- tops nearly $8.8 K2,800 per bag in Press, meets Myanmar Press (Takaw) in Kunhing COVID-19 devices, bln this FY maximum within Council completed medical aids daily one month PAGE-3 PAGE-4 PAGE-5 PAGE-10 PAGE-11 1 SEPTEMBER 2021 2 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Republic of the Union of Myanmar Announcement of Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

9th Waning of Wagaung 1383 ME 31 August 2021

1. The State Administration Council issued Notification No 255/2021 dated 30-8-2021 to set the successive public holidays from 1 to 10 September 2021. 2. To effectively prevent the spread of COVID-19 during these public holidays, the people must obey the following rules: - (a) Reside at homes or dormitories, and not to travel at all except for duty and funeral services; (b) Manage to open the Central Bank of Myanmar and its subsidiary government banks and private banks as usual; (c) Not to decline the productivity, the factories and industries must operate under the supervision of the Ministry of Labour, Nay Pyi Taw Council and region/state governments in line with the COVID-19 health rules of the Ministry of Health; (d) To adopt the work-from-home system or other proper methods for important office work of the relevant departments; (e) To open shops on sales of basic essential things like fuel, drinking water, meat, fish and foodstuffs; (f) To manage the opening of pharmacy and medical shops and medical companies; (g) To sell foodstuffs at restaurants in a take-away system; (h) To continue healthcare services (government hospitals/private hospitals and clinics); (i) To wear protective gears, including masks, if they go outside; (j) To operate the land, sea and aviation services under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Nay Pyi Taw Council and region/state governments; (k) To comply with the SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) of trucks to facilitate the flow of goods; (l) To continue opening of cargo ports; (m) To follow the COVID-19 health rules of the Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment for COVID-19 and the Ministry of Health without fail. 3. Action will be taken against those who fail to abide by the above-mentioned orders under the existing laws.

Announcement on Extension of the Public Announcement Precautionary Restriction Measures 31 August 2021

Relating to Control of the COVID-19 Pan- 1. DURING the public holidays from 1.9.2021 to 10.9.2021, the border trade demic until 30 September 2021 posts will not be closed from their duties and will be allowed to import and export as usual, and import of anti-COVID-19 equipment and medical 1. With a view to the further strengthening of measures to contain the spread aids will be given priority as per the SOPs coordinated with the relevant of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of departments. the Union of Myanmar has issued the following announcements regarding temporary entry re-strictions for visitors from all countries. All those restric- 2. On these days, it is announced that the Export and Import Branch of the tions were extended until 31 August 2021 by the Ministry’s announcement Department of Trade (Head Office) and the Export and Import Office dated 30 July 2021. (Yangon) will allow online export and import licence applications as usual (a) Announcement dated 15 March 2020 regarding precautionary measures during office hours. for all travellers visiting Myanmar; Ministry of Commerce (b) Announcement dated 20 March 2020 regarding additional precautionary measures for travellers visiting Myanmar and temporary suspension of is- suance of visa on Arrival and e-visa; (c) Announcement dated 24 March 2020 regarding additional precautionary measures for travellers from all countries visiting Myanmar; (d) Announcement dated 28 March 2020 regarding temporary suspension of Public Notification all types of visas (including social visit visas) and visa exemption services. 31 August 2021 2. In order to continue its effective response measures to protect the population of the country from the risks of importation and spread of the COVID-19, DURING the period from 1 to 10 September, which has been extended as the Provisional Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar has public holidays, matters related to investment and company registration decided to extend the afore-mentioned entry restriction measures until 30 September 2021. submitted to the Myanmar Investment Commission will be accepted at 3. In case of urgent official missions or compelling reasons, foreign nationals, the Head Office of the Directorate of Investment and Company Adminis- including diplomats and United Nations officials, who wish to travel to My- tration (DICA) located at No. (1), Thitsar Road, Yankin Township during anmar by available relief or special flights, may contact the nearest Myan- office hours. mar Mission for possible exception with regard to certain visa restrictions. However, all visitors must abide by existing directives issued by the Ministry Matters related to departmental coordination for investment will be of Health and Sports relating to the prevention and control of the COVID-19 accepted at the One-Stop Service-OSS office of the Directorate of Invest- pandemic. ment and Company Administration (Yangon Region branch) located at No. (49), Sein Lae May street, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Yankin Township Ministry of Foreign Affairs during office hours. Nay Pyi Taw Dated. 31 August 2021 Directorate of Investment and Company Administration

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News and Periodicals Enterprise 1 SEPTEMBER 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL 3 BGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGA Infection rate of COVID-19 in the third wave has declined to some extent The infection rate of COVID-19 in the third wave has declined to some extent thanks to the utmost efforts of the government and systematic restrictions with examining the contact persons and managing the stay-at-home programme. The government set an aim to decline a half down of infection rate. It was found that the declining rate had registered by 24.17 per cent since 3,180 patients tested positive on 1 August and a total of 2,173 patients tested positive out of 8,991 on 22 August. The good supervision and well control of the authorities concerned as well as the collaborative efforts of the people could help drop the infection rate. (Excerpt from the speech to the 9th coordination meeting on COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment activities made by Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister of the Provisional Government of Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on 23-8-2021) CHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHD Union Information Minister inspects Photolitho Printing Press, meets Myanmar Press Council

UNION Minister for Information despite changing political land- U Maung Maung Ohn visited the scapes of the country, creation of Photolitho Printing Press on proper activities full of responsi- Ngar Htat Kyee Pagoda Road bilities and accountabilities, cre- in Bahan Township of Yangon ative work programmes, inno- yesterday. vative services for the different First, the Union Minister in- ranks and fields and wider public spected the Cityline machines, recognition. He then stressed the printing process of Oliver, the need to ensure the safety of storage of raw materials and CTP the factory, especially for fire. room. Then, he met the officials The Union Minister also held of the printing and Director-Gen- a meeting with the Chairman of eral of Printing and Publishing Myanmar Press Council and oth- Department (PPD) U Win Kyaw er officials at the Central press in Aung reported on the work plans Theinbyu Road at the afternoon. of the press. During the meeting, the The Union Minister said it Union Minister highlighted the should seek ways to increase directives of the Prime Minister MoI Union Minister U Maung Maung Ohn views around the Photolitho Printing Press in Yangon on 31 August the productivity and income of of the State regarding the artistes 2021. the State. It also should conduct from literature, movie, theatrical printing processes carefully and and music fields, duties of media ethical media outlets. roadmap and nine objectives Then, the attendees to the keep the machines systemati- to inform the public with the cor- He also called for the partici- of the Provisional Government meeting, including Yangon Re- cally. rect ways as most of the youths pation of media council members of Myanmar and in creating a gion Advocate-General U Htay He also talked about the lead to wrong ways due to the for their experiences and skills peaceful and pleasant commu- Aung, participated in the discus- important role of the ministry unscrupulous persons and un- in implementing the five-point nity. sion. — MNA Union Election Commission probes into political parties

THE Union Election Commis- to supervise and guiding the sion looked into the political political parties to carry out parties whether they conduct- in accord with the law”. ed systematically for the mem- The UEC inspected USDP berships of the parties, party at the Union Territory election funds and property, savings, subcommission office in Ot- maintaining, usage, audition tarathiri Township and Union and liquidation and parties’ Betterment Party (UBP) at procedures according to the Ottara District election sub- Union Election Law Section commission office starting 31 10 (l) “supervising, causing August. The inspection team in- cluded officials of UEC, Min- The Union Solidarity and istry of Home Affairs, Ministry Development Party is under of Planning and Finance and probe by the UEC. Union Auditor-General Office. — MNA

3,399 new cases of COVID-19 reported on 31 August, total figure rises to 399,282 MYANMAR’S COVID-19 positive cases rose to 399,282 after 3,399 new cases were reported on 31 August 2021 according to the Ministry of Health. Among these confirmed cases, 351,372 have been discharged from hospitals. Death toll reached 15,389 after 102 died.—MNA 1 SEPTEMBER 2021 4 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Foundation work of Thanlwin Bridge (Takaw) in Kunhing completed

THE Department of Bridge of the The new Thanlwin Riv- Ministry of Construction is carry- er-Crossing Bridge, Thanlwin ing out the construction of Thanl- Bridge (Takaw), is being built win Bridge (Takaw) on the Meik- about 70 feet apart from the old tila-Taunggyi-Kengtung-Tachilek Thanlwin Bridge (Takaw) which road, in Kunhing Township, was built in 1965 by Chinese and Loilem District, Shan State Myanmar engineers to mark the (South) and now the foundation Myanmar-China Friendship. The work has been completed. construction took 9 years from The construction of the new 1965 to 1974. bridge’s substructure is sched- The 780-foot-long old bridge uled to be completed by the end is mainly connected with Shan of April 2022, according to Deputy State (South) and Shan State Director U Thant Zin who is in (East) on Meiktila-Taung- charge of the bridge construction gyi-Kengtung-Tachilek Road, project, which is estimated to cost which is vital to access to Laos, K26,350 million. Thailand and China through The bridge will be 351 metres Kengtung and Tachilek from the The bridge will be 351 metres long (1,151.631 feet), 39.4 feet wide (27 feet 10 inches wide for carriageway, 5 feet long (1,151.631 feet), 39.4 feet wide central part of Myanmar. As the 9 inches wide for a sidewalk on each side) with a load capacity of 75 tonnes, and is made of a steel truss with reinforced concrete floor. (27 feet and 10 inches wide for road is being used to transport carriageway, 5 feet and 9 inches goods, the Ministry of Construc- since April 2018, as the load ca- to be completed by the end of as export-import products will wide for a sidewalk on each side) tion has upgraded the bridges on pacity of the 45-year-old bridge September 2023, and the Meikti- be transported through the road with a load capacity of 75 tonnes, the road to a load capacity of 60 has been reduced to 24 tonnes la-Taunggyi-Kengtung-Tachilek and the bridge. – Pwint Thitsar/ and is made of a steel truss with tonnes. The new Thanlwin Bridge due to its deterioration. road will also be a key road for GNLM reinforced concrete floor. (Takaw) project was launched The new bridge is expected the country’s market economy

Oxygen plant construction in Homalin completed 30%

THE construction of oxygen plant was completed 30 per ject will be finished on 15 September,” said U Thein Zaw. Sayadaw from Homalin Township. Then, the oxygen cent near Department of progress of Border Areas and The total cost of the project is estimated to be about plant implementation committee was formed together National Races, in Homalin township, in Hkamti district, K25 or K40 million. The machines, which will be able with the township administration, relevant departments Sagaing region, said U Thein Zaw, chairman of Homalin to produce about 40 40-litre oxygen cylinders, will cost and residents. Township Administration Body. K68 million. “People also donated cash to establishment of the The construction of the oxygen plant was started “Homalin township currently receives only 12 ox- oxygen plants in Homalin township. Upon completion on 31 July 2021 and the project has been completed 30 ygen cylinders a day. Sometimes, the township could of the project, it can fulfil the oxygen requirement in the per cent so far. produce the 20 oxygen cylinders by running day and night township. Now, we have to bring the oxygen from Pauk “The construction was started on 31 July. The foun- due to the high demand for oxygen in town” he added. township due to the high demand for oxygen in town,” dation of the project is finished. The concrete pillars Oxygen is the key to saving lives. Some people have said U Thein Zaw. are erected. Earlier, we expected that the construction died because they had to struggle to breathe and no Homalin township has reported a total of 1,632 cas- project will take only one month. But the project wasn’t oxygen was available. es with 80 deaths and 1,501 recoveries as of 28 August completed due to the unexpected rain. Hopefully, the pro- The construction of the oxygen plant was led by the 2021. — Lulay/GNLM

CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION Printed and published at the Global New Light of Write for us (+95) (01) 8604532, Myanmar Printing Factory at No.150, Nga Htat Kyee www.gnlm.com.mm Hotline - 09 454237515 Pagoda Road, Bahan Township, Yangon, by the Global We appreciate your feedback and contributions. If you have any ADVERTISING & MARKETING New Light of Myanmar Daily under Printing Permit www.globalnewlightofmyanmar.com comments or would like to submit editorials, analyses or reports ( +95) (01) 8604530, No. 00510 and Publishing Permit No. 00629. please email [email protected] with your name and Hotline - 09 251022355 title. [email protected] [email protected] Due to limitation of space we are only able to publish “Letter [email protected] www.gnlm.com.mm to the Editor” that do not exceed 500 words. Should you submit www.globalnewlightofmyanmar.com a text longer than 500 words please be aware that your letter will be edited. 1 SEPTEMBER 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL 5 MoC allows import process of anti- COVID-19 devices, medical aids daily

THE Ministry of Commerce is making efforts to ensure people have access to the essential med- ical supplies that are critical to the COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment activities, includ- ing liquid oxygen and oxygen cylinders, arranging continuous importation on public holidays. On 31 August (yesterday), anti-COVID-19 equipment, med- ical products, including oxygen plants and concentrators were imported by 10 companies and transported with the use of 17 vehicles, including two bowsers. A total of 40 tonnes of oxygen Anti-COVID devices and medical supplies are imported daily through land borders. (liquid) carried by two bowsers, three tonnes of liquid oxygen, trade posts and Yangon Interna- port of anti-COVID-19 medical Relevant departmental of- with relevant departments, facili- 2,322 empty oxygen cylinders, tional Airport. products and equipment, includ- ficials are cooperating to facili- tating the importation of essential 11 oxygen plants, one oxygen Two vehicles carrying liquid ing liquid oxygen, oxygen gas, tate and expedite the Standard medical supplies required in pre- generator, 353 oxygen concen- oxygen plus eight oxygen plants and oxygen concentrators, the Operating Procedures (SOPs), vention, control and treatment trators, 100 sets of COVID-19 test were transported to Yangon and Ministry of Commerce will al- including online registration for of COVID-19, as well as contact kits, eight tonnes of gloves, and one oxygen plant each were low regular import activities at the import process during the persons for inquiries can be 100 tonnes of masks were im- transported to Magway, Maw- border trade camps from 1 to 10 long public holidays. reached through the Ministry’s ported via Muse, Chinshwehaw, lamyine and Dedaye. September that is designated as It is reported that the Minis- Website — www.commerce.gov. Myawady and Hteekhee border For the quick and easy im- public holidays. try of Commerce is coordinating mm. — MNA

The lorries carrying oxygen tanks and anti-Covid equipment seen transporting them to the needed areas.

Statement called for fight against terrorism, for rewarding whistle-blowers, informants

1. Terrorist groups, including the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hlut- (d) Providing financial support, collecting, accepting, transferring money, taw-CRPH, National Union Government-NUG and the People’s Defence and participating in instructing to do so. Forces-PDF groups, which were formed under various names, are committing 4. Under the Counter-Terrorism Act, the money and property of the accused terrorist acts every day to disrupt the government administrative machinery will be confiscated and if convicted, it will be confiscated as a State treasury. to prevent it from implementing the five-point roadmap of the State Admin- 5. As information is crucial in fighting against terrorism, people are requested istration Council and to gain the support of the people by intimidating them. to inform respective police stations or security organizations about terrorists 2. As acts of violence are threatening the social security of the people and raising and terrorist organizations and social media users who spread fake news; concerns, as well as degrading the dignity of the country and the people, it is Responsible citizens who report such information will be provided as follows: - essential for the people to work together to eradicate it. (a) Informant can report without mentioning name and address. 3. Not only terrorists who involve in the terrorist acts personally, but also those (b) Informant will be kept strictly confidential and will not be questioned or who commit one of the following acts will be considered as terrorists and will witnessing. be taken action under the Anti-Terrorism Law. (c) Informant and related persons will be provided with security. (a) Urging people to take part in terrorist activities, involved in recruitment, (d) Depending on the accuracy of the information, the informant and whis- propaganda and mobilization. tle-blower will be rewarded with a disclosed amount of money. (b) Hiding and letting a member of the terrorist group in the property in 6. Therefore, in order for the people to have full security in their social life and order to prevent them from being arrested. to be free from fear, please identify members of any terrorist group around (c) Allowing a terrorist or a member of a terrorist organization to use a build- them. ing or a place to gather, to hold a meeting, to conduct terrorist training courses, as well as arranging transportation. Central Committee on Counter Terrorism 1 SEPTEMBER 2021 6 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR The Sixth Month of the State Administration Council

By Kanaung

CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY From 12 to 31 July, when cases of the deadly delta var- iant of COVID-19 surged na- tionwide, Myanmar imported 1,476 tonnes of liquid oxygen, 114 tonnes of oxygen cylinders, 69,146 tonnes of home oxygen concentrators, 322,878 test kits, 1,104 tonnes of masks, eight oxygen plants, 11 oxygen generators and four oxygen refilling machines. Tatmadaw hospitals and temporary emergency hos- pitals were able to provide healthcare services to a total of 276,181 outpatients and 80,718 inpatients from 5 February to 31 July. In addition, the Tat- madaw medical corps helped out by providing services in public hospitals that had been undermined by a shortage of staff due to doctors and nurses leaving their patients to join Officials from Myanmar and Laos held a meeting at Wanbon Port in Mongphone (A) Village-Tract, Tachilek Township, Shan State (East) on 30 July and 1 August discussed the repatriation process for over 400 Myanmar migrant workers who are facing difficulties in Laos. the civil disobedience move- ment. The Ministry of Social Wel- zations to prevent and control and mobilized the public to has been producing 12,000 cu- Additionally, in July, Myanmar fare, Relief and Resettlement the resurgence of disease in donate essential COVID-19 bic feet of oxygen each day. received a total of three million and the Ministry of Home Af- regions and states. The COV- devices, medicines and foods As well, the 1,000-bed hospi- doses of COVID-19 vaccines, fairs coordinated with volun- ID-19 Control and Emergency directly to hospitals, quaran- tal, 300-bed hospital and 300- comprising two million doses teers and charitable organi- Response Committee urged tine centres and COVID-19 bed Tatmadaw Obstetrics and of Sinopharm donated by the treatment centres in need. Gynaecology and Children’s People’s Republic of China and All schools were closed Hospital in Nay Pyi Taw have one million doses of Sinovac from 9 to 23 July and later ex- been installed oxygen plants. purchased by Myanmar. Since tended until 8 August, as the Since 13 July, the Ministry 26 July, vaccines were adminis- COVID-19 delta variant cases of Health has been strength- tered to priority groups, includ- continued rising precipitous- ening the healthcare system ing senior citizens, frontline ly. In addition, the State Ad- through the recruitment of health workers, monks and ministration Council declared nurses and doctors on a con- prison inmates. public holidays from 17 July tract basis in hospitals and to 1 August, in conjunction COVID-19 treatment centres. Public information and with public holidays, and en- COVID-19 call centres have media developments forced stay-at-home orders to been set up to receive calls The following announce- control disease transmission. from the public from 8 am to 9 ment is placed regularly in The inoculation programme for the above 65-year-old elders Officials from the relevant pm every day. The government national newspapers. is underway in Amarapura Township. ministries are loosening reg- has licensed reputable private With the exception of those ulations and striving to make hospitals and laboratories for who had committed murder sure that imports of essential COVID-19 diagnostics so that and deliberate destruction, medical supplies go smooth- the public will have a wider citizens in hiding or on the ly even on public holidays, at range of options. run or are stranded in other airports, seaports and border The National Strategic In- places for various reasons are trade towns such as Myawady, vestment Corporation (NSIC) invited by the State Adminis- Tachileik and Chinshwehaw. bought a shipment of 30,000 tration Council to return home. To meet the needs for Remdesivir, a drug used for the In return, the authorities will medical oxygen, two oxygen treatment of COVID-19 worth exercise leniency, including plants under the Myanmar K3 billion from India and do- the dropping of charges and Economic Corporation have nated them to the people of the closure and withdrawal of been producing 149,000 cubic Myanmar through the State their cases under the law. feet of oxygen each day, while Administration Council. The The State Administration An inmate is seen receiving health condition test before inoculation. Myaung Tagar oxygen plant shipment arrived on 20 July. Council's Information Team 1 SEPTEMBER 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL 7 held its seventh press con- ference on 12 July 2021. Head of the Information Team Ma- jor-General Zaw Min Tun and Member of the Union Election Commission U Khin Maung Oo responded to the questions raised by the media on the points presented, such as the COVID-19 control plans, the testimony of criminals arrest- ed for the terrorist attacks and the latest findings of the Union Election Commission. Also in July, numerous media inquir- ies to the press release team were continually answered by telephone to ensure accurate information for the public.

Snapshots of other sectors Events of note in July were as follows: „„ On 13 July, the State Sang- The MoH Union Minister is receiving Remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19 from the donor National Strategic Investment Corporation Co. Ltd ha Maha Nayaka Commit- (NSIC) at Nay Pyi Taw Airport on 20 July 2021. tee held its Eighth Plenary Meeting, which was at- „„ Officials from Myanmar activities, and promoting based on the CMP (Cut- operations of suspended tended by 47 State Sangha and Laos discussed the technology transfer and ting, Making, and Packing) state-owned factories. Maha Nayaka Committee repatriation of Myanmar cooperation related to re- system was launched on „„ The Ministry of Hotels and members in Yangon, who migrant workers strand- newable energy. 7 July. This is expected to Tourism is coordinating discussed religious affairs. ed in Laos and agreed on „„ It was announced that create more than 800 local plans for tourism devel- „„ The Myanmar Women’s their repatriation on July previously unregistered jobs. In addition, the Yan- opment, and licensing and Day event was held on 3 30 and August 1. motorcycles must regis- gon Region Investment management issues, with July, and the State Admin- „„ The 99th International ter within 30 days starting Committee has given its a view to promoting safe istration Council Chair- Cooperative Day was cel- from 7 July under the One- decision on submissions travelling in the “new nor- man sent a video message ebrated on 3 July. There Stop Services plan. The of 14 companies. mal” situation. to the event urging all to are a total of about 40,000 measure is expected to re- „„ Myanma Insurance has „„ Efforts are being made work together to empow- cooperative societies com- duce crimes committed by made it possible to pay to expand the use of er Myanmar women to prising 4.2 million mem- motorcycle riders and im- online for various types high-quality agricultural secure the future of new bers. Plans are underway prove transportation and of insurance since 8 July. equipment and to promote generations. to reform, improve and safety for the law-abiding „„ The Internal Revenue agro-technology. „„ On 19 July, the 74th Martyrs modernize the produc- public. Department is also pro- „„ During the third wave of Day Ceremony was held tion, trading, and service „„ Displaced persons in the viding online services for COVID-19 in the country, and attended by military industries. respective regions and the quarterly commercial the Ministry of Transport and departmental officials, „„ The Union Minister for states are being provid- tax return and quarterly and Communications is to pay tribute to the fallen Science and Technology ed with household census special commodity tax. undertaking public trans- martyrs including General inspected the Research and citizenship by the Pan „„ A workshop on rehabilita- portation services via rail, Aung San. The ceremony and Innovation Depart- Khin project. tion of the industrial sector air and road in accordance was held in accordance ment in Yangon on 6 July, „„ In the industrial sector, a was held at the Ministry with the health guidelines. with COVID-19 regula- and spoke about the need USD 5 million investment of Industry on 9 July to „„ The rainy season has tions. for enhancing research in garment manufacturing identify ways to reform the triggered floods and as- sistance is being provid- ed to flood victims in the affected regions. People are urged to contact the Disaster Management De- partment in various areas to seek assistance. Overall, the sixth month of the State Administration Council has centred on efforts to respond to the COVID-19 emergency. Despite the many challenges, the State Adminis- tration Council is continuing to work hard to control the pan- demic while promoting meas- ures to ensure stability and security and accelerate the country’s return to normalcy as soon as possible. Clearly, these efforts are being under- taken in the best interests of the people.

Air China carrying the third batch of 2 million vaccines arrives, and cargoes are seen at Yangon International Airport on 24 July 2021. 1 SEPTEMBER 2021 1 SEPTEMBER 2021 8 OPINION THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR ARTICLE /NATIONAL 9 Don’t stop but Another Side Effect of COVID-19: Plastic Waste Myanmar Daily Weather Report march forward to By Shoon Lei Win Globally, we are producing over covered someone’s potentially (Issued at 7:00 pm Tuesday 31 August 2021) 380 million tonnes of plastic every virus-laden breath. It will stand is undeniable that the year and this has been exacerbat- still until it is blown away. Used BAY INFERENCE: Monsoon is weak over the Andaman Sea fight COVID-19 IT coronavirus disease has ed by the wake of COVID-19. We face masks can be hazardous and and Bay of Bengal. turned the world into a chaotic are using plastic bags, food con- easily transmit the virus to gar- place, which infected nearly 198 tainers, bottles and other clinical bage collectors, if not dispose of FORECAST VALID UNTIL AFTERNOON OF THE 1 million people and killed more materials 50% more than usual. with utmost care. Thus, individ- September 2021: Rain or thundershowers will be fairly wide- HE Union government and authorities of regions and than 4 million. The disposable face Clinical waste like face masks and ual needs to change their habits spread in Nay Pyi Taw, Sagaing, Magway Regions and Kachin, states are joining hands with the people in battling the masks, gloves, hand sanitizer bot- gloves are not recyclable in the and discard with proper packag- (Northern and Eastern)Shan, Kayah States and widespread T COVID-19 to decline a half down of infection rate against tles and other personal protective most municipal system. These ing. Without question, lockdowns in the remaining Ragions and States with likelihood of isolat- this August. equipment (PPE) have become plastics will remain in the environ- and strict quarantine measures ed heavyfalls in Nay Pyi Taw, Mandalay, Magway, Taninthayi The infection rate of COVID-19 accounted for 40.82 per cent essential to protect ourselves and ment for up to 450 years until they have also weakened the recycling Regions and Rakhine, Kayin, Mon States. Degree of certainty on 23 July and 40.07 per cent on 25 July. It was the first stage to communities from virus transmis- turn into invisible microplastics. activities and waste management is (100%). reduce the infection rate in August. On 29 August, 3,166 persons of sion. With the escalating need to Inevitably, a lot of medical regulations. Clearly, we cannot 29,127 persons were approved as the positive patients in medical contain the spread of the virus, the and plastic waste is ending up reduce plastic use immediately, STATE OF THE SEA: Seas will be moderate in Myanmar examination, accounting for just 10.87 per cent. It was satisfac- use of these productive tools has in roads, landfills, choking our but we can take our own clean waters. Wave height will be about (5-7) feet off and along My- tory for plunging the infection ra te into less than 20 per cent mounted and so does the increase waterways, polluting our oceans and reusable food containers anmar Coasts. that the government expected. Such success was based on the of waste production. Experts esti- and killing marine life. According to the restaurant. Moreover, harmonious cooperation of mated that every month, we are to the estimation of Ocean Asia, washable cloth masks and reg- OUTLOOK FOR SUBSEQUENT TWO DAYS: Likelihood of the people and management using and disposing of roughly 129 as many as 1.56 billion face masks ular handwashing with soap and increase of rain in Taninthayi Region and Kayin, Mon States. Since early August of organizations. billion face masks and 65 billion have entered the oceans in the water are more effective than To be able to reduce gloves globally. And every minute, year 2020. But such predictions plastic gloves and face masks. FORECAST FOR NAY PYI TAW AND NEIGHBOURING this year, the the infection rate of the we are throwing away 3 million People walk in a street in Tokyo. According to environmentalists, Japanese coasts and waters have witnessed an will be further aggravated by the So, to conclude, we must not AREA FOR 1 September 2021: Some rain or thundershowers. pandemic, the government face masks. apparent increase in the number of disposable masks recently. PHOTO: AFP excessive use and consumption turn the blind eye to plastic pol- Degree of certainty is (100%). government set an contacted the friendship To add fuel to the flame, strict of single-use plastics including lution. Each and every one of us countries as well as neigh- lockdowns and banning consum- resulting in a surge of dispos- a new normal for all of us. We and easily thrown away. medical plastics and masks. must act now to create a healthier FORECAST FOR YANGON AND NEIGHBOURING AREA aim to ensure a half bouring countries for buying ers from dining in at restaurants able packaging. Our reliance on are buying more plastic wrapped Plastic pollution has already Take a walk, and you will see and more beautiful planet for all. FOR 1 September 2021: One or two rain or thundershowers. the anti-COVID-19 vaccines have pushed consumers to or- food-delivery services and online items because we are scared of been threatening our planet be- a face mask on the ground. No Degree of certainty is (100%). down of COVID-19 and medical equipment to der meals and groceries online shopping platforms has become getting infected. Plastics are light fore the outbreak of the pandemic. one wants to touch which has vaccinate the people in time. FORECAST FOR MANDALAY AND NEIGHBOURING infection rate in Moreover, the already AREA FOR 1 September 2021: Isolated rain or thunder- arrived anti-COVID-19 are showers. Degree of certainty is (100%). August. In the distributed to regions and states by military aircraft coming months, and vehicles without delay. Glaxo, SK bioscience start final trial of Covid jab In this regard, the Ministry the country should of Transport and Commu- nications and the Ministry The vaccine is facing a Phase 3 clinical trial to assess its “safety and immunogenicity” when compared strive for applying of Defence was ordered to transport the anti-COVID-19 with AstraZeneca’s Covid vaccine. the united tripartite devices and accessories to all regions and states as part RITISH drugs giant Glax- that all participants who received deliver the vaccine at scale via strength of health of the timely distribution. oSmithKline and South the adjuvanted vaccine candidate COVAX if it is approved.” Local ethnic people BKorean peer SK biosci- developed strong neutralizing an- Results from the Phase 3 personnel, local from Kachin, Shan, Kayin ence have begun final stage trials tibody responses,” the pair said trial, which will enrol 4,000 par- and Mon states and Tanin- of a Covid-19 jab after positive Tuesday. ticipants from various nations, people and thayi Region working in early results, they announced Those responses demon- are expected in the first half of China, Lao and Thailand Tuesday. strated a rate of seroconversion next year. authorities in returned home but they did The vaccine is facing a Phase — or production of antibodies — not inform the local author- 3 clinical trial to assess its “safety of 100 per cent, they added. The first Phase 3 study fighting against ities about their return to and immunogenicity” when com- No safety concerns have so This will be the first Phase the home via border gates. pared with AstraZeneca’s Covid far been identified in the study. 3 study to compare outcomes of COVID-19 under After arriving at home, they vaccine, the two companies said The vaccine is then expected two different Covid-19 vaccine suffered from the impacts in a joint statement. to be supplied via COVAX -- the candidates. the health of COVID-19. That is why GSK is still trailing in the distributor backed by the World SK has received funding officials at different levels wake of Anglo-Swedish rival As- Health Organization and the from the Coalition for Epidemic restrictions. need to provide necessary traZeneca, which rapidly devel- Gavi vaccine alliance -- subject Preparedness Initiative and the medical examinations and oped a successful jab alongside to positive results and regulatory Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation protection for those return- Oxford University despite having approvals. to help it develop a low-cost jab. ees in order to plunge the infection rate of COVID-19 in border little prior experience in vaccine “While many countries have “Taking this important step areas as well as the whole country. development. made good progress with vac- towards overcoming the global For the time being, efforts are being made to prevent and cination, there remains a need pandemic situation, SK and GSK control the spreading of variant COVID-19 virus not only in border The new jab for accessible and affordable will bring our technical expertise areas but also in regions and states including Nay Pyi Taw Council The new jab combines SK COVID-19 vaccines to ensure together for the development of An employee at the factory of British pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline in Wavre on 8 February 2021, Area by systematically vaccinating the local people. bioscience’s Covid vaccine can- equitable access and to protect an adjuvanted protein-based vac- where the Covid-19 vaccine will be produced PHOTO: AFP / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD Since early August this year, the government set an aim to didate GBP510 with Glaxo’s pan- people across the world,” said cine candidate, GBP510,” noted ensure a half down of COVID-19 infection rate in August. In the demic adjuvant that bolsters the GSK chief global health officer SK chief executive Jaeyong Ahn. they hope to launch by the end participants who had previously go and another with Germany’s coming months, the country should strive for applying the united immune response. Thomas Breuer. Glaxo is also working with of this year. contracted the coronavirus. CureVac. tripartite strength of health personnel, local people and author- “The advance to Phase 3 “We are pleased to contribute French pharmaceutical giant Phase 2 trials of that jab have GSK is also working on an- SOURCE: AFP ities in fighting against COVID-19 under the health restrictions. study follows positive interim with GSK’s pandemic adjuvant Sanofi on final Phase 3 tests of already showed a strong immune other two separate vaccine pro- Phase 1/2 data which showed and to be working with SK to a different Covid vaccine, which response after a single shot in jects, one with Canada’s Medica- 1 SEPTEMBER 2021 10 LOCAL NEWS THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Border trade tops nearly $8.8 bln this FY

TRADE between Myanmar and Myawady, Kawthoung, Mye- its four neighbouring countries ik, Hteekhee, Mawtaung and has reached nearly US$8.8 Meisei border checkpoints, billion in the first ten months with Bangladesh via Sittway of this financial year to date, and Maungtaw, and with India down over $930 million com- through Tamu and Reed border pared with the same period last crossings, respectively. year, according to the Ministry Myanmar mainly exports of Commerce. agricultural products, animal From 1 October to 20 Au- products, marine products, gust of the 2020-21FY, the total minerals, forest products, border trade value amounted manufactured goods and oth- to $8.790 billion. This year bor- er commodities, while capital der trade dropped by over $ goods, intermediate goods and 930 million, compared to the consumer goods are imported same period of last FY when it to the country. amounted to $ 9.713 billion, the During the over 10 months ministry’s figures said. of this FY, the total external Myanmar shares borders The 105th-mile boder trade zone. trade value was only $25.7 bil- with China, Thailand, India lion, down 16 per cent from the and Bangladesh. During the billion, while its import shared border trade camps. The coun- Muse, Lwejel, Kampaiti, same period last year, accord- period, the country’s export via over $298 billion. try conducts border trade with Chinshwehaw and Kengtung, ing to the Ministry of Com- land borders earned over $5.81 Myanmar has opened 18 neighbouring China through with Thailand via Tachilek, merce. — ACM/GNLM

Myanmar workers return from China due Long bean growers earn to factory closures daily income in Kyaukse

THE long bean growers are vegetable that is harvested earning daily income in Kyauk- every other day and sold back se township, Mandalay region. in the market. The price of long The growers from Kyaukse beans varies every single day. township are cultivating paddy, Now, the bean fetches K800 per peanut, sesame, sunflower, viss. The long bean traders are black bean, onion, green gram, demanding daily the long beans chilli, banana and cotton. They from the growers. That is the also grow various flowers and reason why the farmers from vegetables next to the river, Kyaukse township are growing creek and on farmlands. the long bean on a manageable Regarding the growth of scale,” said Daw Aye Yu San, long beans, it is a crop that a local long bean grower from does not require a great deal Tada Lae village. of manpower. But the growers In the harvesting season, it need to take care of the long bean can yield over 30 visses of long daily because it is a favourite beans. The bamboo poles that plant of leaf beetles and pods. are used in the growing of long If it is necessary, the growers beans can be used for up to four The re-acceptance committee in Muse is accepting and welcoming back Myanmar returnees. should spray the pesticide. years once purchased. Now, the The long bean cultivation also local growers are happy, making MYANMAR migrant workers The authorities from both sankyawt and Pangsai (Wam- requires irrigation water. a profit by selling the long beans. are returning from China as countries coordinated the ting), which is one of the main “The long bean is a — ACM/GNLM they have trouble with their return of Myanmar workers. border trading posts for Myan- living conditions due to facto- Myanmar started accepting mar-China border trade, were ry and shop closures caused its workers back on 16 July. So closed starting from 8 July at by the pandemic in Ruili and far, the authorities have re-ac- 1:30 pm. Kyalgaung. cepted a total of 7,526 Myan- The Muse border, which is More than 5,300 Myanmar mar workers from 26 July to the mainstay of Myanmar-Chi- migrant workers have returned 26 August. na border trade, is connected from China via the Nandaw The re-acceptance com- with Nandawphyu, Hsinphyu, border checkpoint in the last mittee in Muse is accepting Man Wein, Kyinsankyawt-Wam- 27 days after they faced em- and welcoming back Myanmar ting and Pangsai-Wamting ployment difficulties during the returnees. checkpoints. lockdown period in Ruili. Some of Myanmar-China Out of those land borders, The Myanmar migrant border checkpoints have still Nandaw and Hsinphyu cross- workers returned to their halted amid a recent surge in ings are closed starting from country as they faced difficul- case of COVID-19 infection, said 1 April while the Man Wein ty staying in China while the an official from the Muse Rice checkpoint was halted on 30 factories and shops from Ruili Wholesale Centre. March due to the outbreak and Kyalgaung were halted af- Two remaining border of COVID-19. — Aye Maung/ The price of long beans varies every single day. Now, the bean fetches ter the pandemic resurgence. checkpoints in Muse — Kyin- GNLM K800 per viss. 1 SEPTEMBER 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR LOCAL BUSINESS 11 Rice price rises by K2,800 per bag in maximum within one month

THE prices of rice have risen by K800 to K2,800 per bag depending K800 to K2,800 per bag within a on the varieties of the rice. month, along with the spike in The staple rice price has other commodity prices, as per gradually increased from the the domestic market’s data. previous months. The prices of On 1 August, the prices rice have stayed in the upward of rice moved in the range of trend since May. K27,500-K42,100 per bag depend- Furthermore, as per the 2020 ing on the quality and varieties rice price data, the price of staple of the rice, whereas the prices rice usually increases in the rainy surged to K29,100—44,900 per bag season. Consequently, the price on 31 August. gain is expected during the mon- The figures showed a gap of soon season of this year. Additionally, the restriction The staple rice price has gradually measures to contain the spread of increased from the previous COVID-19 and natural disasters months. The prices of rice have affected the prices. The price is stayed in the upward trend since May. expected to remain bullish in the coming months. – NN/GNLM

Sugar price spikes up on Exports to Japan top $694 mln in nine months THE value of export to Ja- low stockpile pan in the past nine months (October-June) of the cur- THE price of sugar has been in Sugar and Cane Related Prod- rent financial year 2020-2021 the bull market since April-end, ucts Association stated. touched about US$694.964 on account of the low stockpile Sugarcane covered 438,420 million while import was and Kyat weakening against acres in the country last year valued at only $271.7 million, the US dollar in the local forex from 2019-2020. Myanmar’s sug- according to the data of the market. ar production was reduced by Ministry of Commerce. The sugar fetches K1,650- about 100,000 tonnes this year, The value of trade be- 1,750 per viss (a viss equals 1.6 the Agriculture Department tween Myanmar and its de- kg or 3.6 pounds) at present, stated. velopment partner Japan whereas it was priced only Myanmar produced about exceeded over $966.66 million The value of trade between Myanmar and its development partner Japan exceeded over $966.66 million in the current FY. Japan is placed as the K1,200 at the end of April. After 450,000 tonnes of sugar from in the current FY. Japan is third-largest exporting country of Myanmar. the sugar cane off-season, the 440,000 acres of sugarcane plan- placed as the third-largest ex- price is gradually increasing in tations in the 2014-2015 financial porting country of Myanmar. have registered $1.92 billion in to the data of the Directorate of the domestic market, accord- year, over 390,000 tonnes from Myanmar’s export items the last FY2019-2020, $1.89 bil- Investment and Company Admin- ing to the Mandalay wholesale 390,000 acres in the 2015-2016FY, to Japan are garments, ma- lion in the FY2018-2019, $1 billion istration (DICA). market. over 370,000 tonnes from 400,000 rine products, rice, black sesa- in the 2018 mini-budget period, Japan has made up over 34.7 Last year, the low demand acres in the 2016-2017FY, over me, green grams, rubber and $1.92 billion in the 2017-2018FY, per cent of total FDI in the Thila- forced some sugarcane grow- 500,000 tonnes from 400,000 other products. In return, it $2 billion in the 2016-2017FY and wa Special Economic Zone. ers to turn to other crops for acres in the 2017-2018FY, and imported machines and ma- $1.84 billion in the 2015-16FY, re- The Japan International Co- cultivation. 500,000 tonnes from 500,000 chine equipment, electronic spectively. operation Agency (JICA) offers The sugarcane growers are acres in the 2018-2019FY. equipment, fertilizers, chemi- This FY, three enterprises loans such as ODA loans and expecting a high of K50,000 per Sugar cane prices were cal products, medicines, auto- from Japan were approved to two-step loans intending to bring tonne next season. pegged at over K50,000 per ton mobiles, and other products. make initial investments of $518 about socio-economic develop- The stock of sugar has be- in the 2015-2016FY, K45,000 in Bilateral trade values million into the country, according ment in Myanmar. – KH/GNLM come lesser. Additionally, sug- the 2016-2017FY, K41,500 in the ar import is rarely found in the 2017-2018FY, K38,000-40,000 in meantime. Sugar price has sur- the 2018-2019FY and K40,000 in prisingly risen this year in the the last FY2019-2020, according Import value of consumer products drops international market. The do- to the news released online by mestic sugar market also sees the Ministry of Commerce. – Ko by $130 mln this FY the price rise accordingly, the Khant/GNLM THE value of imported consum- it was $ 3.051 billion. billion in the 2013-14 FY, $2.9 bil- er products stood at nearly US$ Myanmar primarily imports lion in the 2014-15 FY, $3.5 billion 3 billion between 1 October and personal goods, luxury products, in the 2015-16 FY, over $4 billion 20 August in the current finan- construction materials, agricul- in the 2016-17 FY, over $4.42nbil- cial year 2020-21, a sharp drop tural machinery, raw materials, lion in the 2017-18 FY, over $2.65 of $128 million, according to the household goods and CMP raw billion in the 2018 mini budget statement released by the Min- materials from its neighbouring FY, over $4.85 billion in the 2018- istry of Commerce. countries. The value of imported 19 FY and over $4.86 billion in the In 10 months of this FY pe- consumer products reached 2.92 2019-20 FY. riod, the import of consumer billion, including $23.013 million For the financial year 2020- products reached $2.922 billion. through the government sector 2021 (up to August), Myanmar’s The import value of consumer and $2.899 billion through the foreign trade exceeds $15.7 bil- products saw a significant de- private sector. lion, down 26 per cent from the Sugarcane covered 438,420 acres in the country last year from 2019- crease by over $128.942 million, The import value was same period last year, accord- 2020. Myanmar’s sugar production was reduced by about 100,000 compared to the corresponding $1.245 billion in the 2011-12 FY, ing to Ministry of Commerce.— tonnes this year, the Agriculture Department stated. period of last FY 2019-2020 when $1.4 billion in the 2012-13 FY, $2.3 MNA 1 SEPTEMBER 2021 12 ECON: WORLD THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

NEWS IN BRIEF Thai ministers confident of economic Sri Lanka declares recovery on easing COVID-19 rules food emergency as forex crisis worsens Finance Minister Arkhom Ter- ing would be a positive factor for mpittayapaisith said the easing the manufacturing sector. of restrictions on retail and din- “The government is working Sri Lanka on Tuesday declared ing are necessary to revive the closely with factory owners in a state of emergency over food economy. order to control the infections shortages as private banks ran “We are seeing a stabilizing through various measures. Pos- out of foreign exchange to fi- trend of new COVID-19 cases. itive trend of the country’s vac- nance imports. If the tight lockdown still con- cine roll-out and further easing With the country suffering tinues, we expect the economy of restrictions will support the a hard-hitting economic crisis, to shrink sharply. Easing restric- overall recovery of manufactur- President Gotabaya Rajapaksa tions for retail and restaurant ing activities,” Suriya said. said he ordered emergency reg- businesses will help people to get According to the Office of Indus- ulations to counter the hoarding back on their feet,” Arkhom said trial Economics (OIE), Thailand’ of sugar, rice and other essential in an interview with local media. manufacturing production index foods. He added that as the pandemic (MPI) in July increased by 5.12 Rajapaksa has named a top A boat sails on a canal in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, on 2 Sept is still ongoing, the easing must per cent year-on-year for the fifth 2020. PHOTO: XINHUA army officer as “Commissioner be carried out gradually in a safe consecutive month. Automotive General of Essential Services to THAILAND’S finance minister lockdown measures starting and careful manner. and electronics, including circuit coordinate the supply of paddy, and industry minister on Mon- from Wednesday, noting that this Meanwhile, Industry Minister boards, tire and rubber indus- rice, sugar and other consumer day expressed their confidence will help the economy normalize Suriya Jungrungreangkit also tries are the key growth drivers goods”. on the government’s easing of gradually. believed that the lockdown eas- for export. — Xinhua The move followed sharp price rises for sugar, rice, on- ions and potatoes, while long Japan’s Asakawa re-elected ADB chief, vows to help pandemic recovery queues have formed outside stores because of shortages of THE Asian Development Bank of the bank’s 10th president in milk powder, kerosene oil and said Tuesday its president, Ma- January last year to serve the cooking gas.—AFP satsugu Asakawa, was re-elected remaining term of his predeces- for a second term. sor Takehiko Nakao, who stepped “My vision for the upcoming down that month after leading the Economist term is for ADB to serve as the ADB since April 2013. expects US job premier development institu- In April, he announced his in- tion for Asia and the Pacific as it tention to run for re-election and growth in August supports its developing member Japanese Finance Minister Taro to slow down countries in recovering from the Aso immediately expressed his coronavirus disease pandemic,” support. “President Asakawa has amid Delta surge Asakawa, 63, was quoted as say- shown excellent leadership since ing in an ADB release. his inauguration in January 2020 US job growth in August is Asakawa, who served as Ja- and offered speedy and strong expected to slow down amid pan’s vice finance minister for in- supports to counter the spread of a Delta variant-fuelled COV- ternational affairs until July 2019, the novel coronavirus infections,” The Asian Development Bank said Tuesday its president, Masatsugu ID-19 surge, Diane Swonk, chief will begin his new term running Aso said in a statement Tuesday. Asakawa, was re-elected for a second term. PHOTO: FLICKR/KYODO economist at Grant Thornton, for five years on Nov. 24, the Ma- “His re-election resulted from the a major accounting firm, said nila-based institution said. high evaluation of these previous Asakawa was the sole candi- the board of directors, the ADB Monday. Asakawa assumed the post accomplishments,” Aso added. date and elected unanimously by said.—Kyodo Payroll employment is expected to rise by 675,000 in August after reaching 943,000 in July, Swonk said in a blog, German inflation edges up to 3.9% in August noting that new jobs in public education likely drove employ- related to the coronavirus pan- omist at public lender KfW. A ment in August as schools and demic. return to inflation under the Eu- universities “scrambled to reo- The end of a VAT holiday ropean Central Bank’s (ECB) pen shuttered facilities.” introduced by the German gov- two per cent target was likely, The economist, however, ernment to mitigate the impact she said, but warned that per- noted that some schools have of pandemic lockdowns on the sistent shortages in key compo- been forced to quarantine or re- economy and the rise in the nents, such as computer chips, turn to online after opening, and price of oil explained some of could “impact on consumers’ most of those closures occurred the increase, according to fed- wallets, as companies are likely after the survey week for the eral statistics agency Destatis. to pass on the higher costs at August payroll data. The August 12-month infla- least partially”. “A surge in infections trig- tion figure was 0.1 percentage The ECB recently raised its gered by the Delta variant is point higher than in the pre- inflation target to two per cent, expected to slow the pace of vious month, and the highest and said it would tolerate tem- hiring in leisure and hospitality,” value in Europe’s top economy porary over- or undershooting she said. Credit card data, for German consumer price inflation remained at euro-era high levels in since December 1993, when it of the target before stepping in. August. PHOTO: INA FASSBENDER / AFP example, show that spending came in at 4.3 per cent. Policymakers at the Frankfurt at restaurants stalled in late July GERMAN consumer price in- nary data showed on Thursday, “The current increase is institution will meet next week and August when infections flation remained at euro-era climbing slightly to 3.9 per cent likely to remain temporary,” to discuss their next moves. surged.—Xinhua high levels in August, prelimi- on the back of one-off effects said Christine Volk, chief econ- —AFP 1 SEPTEMBER 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR BIZ: WORLD / AD 13

Japan’s unemployment rate decreases to 2.8 NEWS pct in July, falling for 2nd consecutive month IN BRIEF French consumer spending JAPAN’S unemployment slumps, prices jump rate decreased to 2.8 per cent in July, down for the second consecutive Spending by French consumers is falling while inflation is month, despite a resur- accelerating, data showed Tuesday, adding to concerns about gence of COVID-19 in- the strength of the economic recovery as the pandemic drags fections caused many re- on. Household consumption fell by 2.2 per cent in July from gions to enter or extend the previous month after a modest monthly rise in June, emergency measures that the national statistics agency INSEE said in a regular report. limited business activities, The data, which correct for inflation and seasonal var- government data showed iations, found a 2.9-per-cent drop in spending on food and Tuesday. a 2.7-per-cent drop on manufactured goods. The seasonally ad- Decreased spending on clothing and durable goods justed jobless rate fell 0.1 wiped out gains registered the previous month. percentage point from Spending on energy, meanwhile, rose by 1.0 per cent. 2.9 per cent in June, ac- Japan’s unemployment rate decreased to 2.8 per cent in July, down for the second A separate report by INSEE found that a surge in energy cording to the Ministry of consecutive month, despite a resurgence of COVID-19 infections caused many regions to prices played a role in the acceleration of 12-month inflation Internal Affairs and Com- enter or extend emergency measures that limited business activities, government data to 1.9 per cent in August from 1.2 per cent in July.—AFP munications (MIC) said. showed Tuesday. PHOTO: KYODO However, the level is still fare, the job availability ra- highly contagious Delta July. The southern island higher than the 2.4 per tio in July increased to 1.15 variant, the Japanese prefecture’s virus emer- Kuwait aims to transform ‘tyre cent logged in February from 1.13 in the previous government declared the gency was declared in late graveyard’ into new city last year, when the Japa- month, up for the second latest COVID-19 state of May. nese economy had yet to month in a row, meaning emergency for Tokyo in Under the emergen- KUWAIT on Sunday announced plans to transform what was experience major fallout that there were 115 job mid-July, only three weeks cy declaration, people are once a mammoth “tyre graveyard” to a new residential city. from the COVID-19 pan- openings for every 100 job from the end of the third asked to stay home, while The 2-square-kilometre (0.7-square-mile) dump in the demic. seekers. The ratio had ris- emergency for the capital. restaurants and bars are north of the oil-rich Gulf country was where tyres went to According to separate en 0.04 point in June. Adding to the capital, requested not to offer al- die — a total of more than 40 million at the end. data from the Ministry of Due to a surge of new Okinawa was also under a cohol and close by 8:00 pm Seventeen years of tyre dumping and three massive fires Health, Labour and Wel- infections driven by the state of emergency during local time.— Xinhua between 2012 and 2020 sparked environmental concerns, prompting the authorities to shut it down for good. “We have moved from a difficult stage that was charac- S. Korea set to ban app payment monopolies in world first terized by great environmental risk,” Oil Minister Mohammed al-Fares said at the now empty landfill some five kilometres SOUTH Korean MPs were in alternatives to the App (three miles) from Al-Jahra province.—AFP expected to ban Apple and Store. The South Korean Google from forcing app measure comes as Apple developers to use the tech and Google face global giants’ payment systems criticism for charging up Myanma Port Authority on Tuesday, effectively to 30 per cent commission “Notice of High Tide” declaring their lucrative on app sales and requiring App Store and Play Store their own payment sys- Exceptionally high spring from 20.05 feet to 20.13 feet high monopolies illegal. tems be used that collect a above the chart datum are expected to occur in Yangon River th th A bill set for a vote share of the transactions. during the period of September 6 to September 12 , 2021. Please be noted that it is not serious level of tide because the in the national assembly The Korean law — highest tide level have reached up to 22 feet above the chart would make the South The South Korean law comes as Apple and Google face locally dubbed the “An- datum in year 2014 and 2015, and this notice is normally the first major economy global criticism for the commission they charge on app ti-Google Law” — will of- sales. PHOTO: AFP issued whenever high tide of Yangon River is expected to to pass legislation on the fer users a choice of app reach over 20 feet high above the chart datum in order to issue, in a move that could In the United States on their stores, while in payment providers, allow- take precautionary measures to the public living near river set a precedent for other three senators this month Europe lawmakers are ing them to bypass charg- foreshore area of Yangon City. jurisdictions around the introduced a bill to loos- debating legislation that es set by the store owner. world. en the tech firms’ grip could force Apple to bring —AFP

Eurozone inflation leaps to 3.0%, highest in decade

EUROZONE inflation linked to effects of the coro- surged to three per cent in navirus pandemic and will August, according to official be short-lived. The August data released Tuesday, as inflation rate was mainly widespread shortages, ris- pushed higher by a 15.4 per ing energy costs and one- cent rise in energy prices, off effects sent consumer which compared to a 14.3 prices in Europe sharply per cent rise a month ear- higher. The rise takes the lier. Jack Allen-Reynolds, rate a full percentage point senior economist at Cap- higher than the ECB’s tar- ital Economics, said that get of two per cent and to inflation in the 19-member Europeans are paying more for everything as data shows a level last reached in No- eurozone could rise “even inflation has hit its highest level in a decade. vember 2011, though econ- further in the coming PHOTO: AFP/FILE omists insist the hike is months.”—AFP 1 SEPTEMBER 2021 14 SOCIETY THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR After Afghanistan, Biden stakes China tightens measures presidency on domestic battles to prevent online gaming addiction among minors CHINA’S National Press and ister and log in using their real Publication Administration identifications. (NPPA) has released a notice Press and publication on preventing minors from administrations at all levels becoming addicted to online have been asked to supervise games. the implementation of related Online game providers measures and deal with com- can only offer one-hour ser- panies that fail to put measures vices to minors from 8 pm to 9 in place. pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Minors’ addiction to online Sundays, as well as on official games has drawn much atten- holidays, according to the doc- tion from the society, an official ument made public on Monday. with the NPPA said, adding It also urged the strict im- that the newly-released notice plementation of real-name reg- is meant for minors who are istration and logins, saying that still in the developmental stage online game providers must physically and mentally, and not provide any form of game have poor self-control.—Xin- A US Air Force aircraft takes off from the airport in Kabul. PHOTO: AFP/FILE service to users who fail to reg- hua

THIS has been a miserable sum- en politically is the question government resignations. mer for Joe Biden but with the ricochetting around the White Right-wing media, such as last troops out of Afghanistan House, Congress and a divided the hugely popular Fox News, is the Democrat will now hope to nation. pushing the image of 78-year-old relaunch his struggling presi- A longtime former senator Biden as incapable of coping dency back home. and two-term vice-president, in a crisis. Even usually more From the initial chaos in Biden long boasted of his for- friendly outlets like CNN have which Afghans tried clinging eign policy expertise. With close turned hard on the president’s to departing US planes, to last allies like Britain upset over the performance in Afghanistan. Thursday’s deaths of 13 US abrupt Afghan pullout and Chi- Many analysts, however, service members in a suicide na mocking US policy from the think that Americans’ tradition- bombing, the evacuation from sidelines, those claims are now al disinterest in what happens Taliban-controlled Kabul has tarnished. beyond their borders will spare Animation game players will participate in the ChinaJoy 2021, been ugly and traumatic. Some Republicans have Biden longterm consequenc- 30 July 2021, in Shanghai, China. PHOTO: BARCROFT MEDIA/ How much it has hurt Bid- demanded impeachment and es.—AFP XINHUA

Taliban takeover spurs old fears NEWS IN BRIEF among ex-Soviet neighbours Bank robbers strap hostages to cars during THE Taliban’s takeover of Af- deadly raid ghanistan has brought back bad memories to the country’s ex-So- HEAVILY armed gangsters strapped hostages to their getaway viet neighbours, who fear a jihad- cars after robbing two banks in Brazil, in a rampage that left three ist threat and a refugee crisis. people dead, police and reports said Monday. While the Islamist militants have Using explosives, drones and heavy weapons, the assailants never vied for territory beyond took over downtown streets in the southeastern city of Aracatuba, Afghanistan, their reign some home to some 200,000 people. two decades ago still wrought After robbing two banks, they made their escape by strap- uncertainty in neighbouring Cen- ping hostages to the roofs and hoods of moving cars, according to tral Asia. shocking images broadcast by local news channels. —AFP Now the region’s govern- ments are steeling themselves US drone strike wiped out Kabul family, against instability spilling over Former Soviet Uzbekistan is one of three Central Asian countries that brother says into their territory once again share a border with Afghanistan. PHOTO: AFP while locals are preparing for WHEN Ezmarai Ahmadi returned home from work on Sunday new neighbours at home. Central Asia to refuse Western It also said it had returned evening in Kabul, the usual gaggle of squealing children were “If refugees come we will requests to shelter Afghans. Ref- 150 Afghans following talks with waiting to greet him -- his sons and daughters, and a slew of nieces give them our home and our ugees have nonetheless arrived the Taliban to guarantee their and nephews. salt and bread,” said Abdualziz in Uzbekistan, though the gov- security. Still, reports have cir- He pulled his white sedan into the driveway of a modest Mukhamadjanov, a 26-year-old ernment has said that it is only culated of large numbers of ref- house in Kwaja Burga, a densely populated neighbourhood in the businessman in the city of Ter- allowing them to pass through. ugees crossing into Uzbekistan northwest of the Afghan capital, and handed the keys to his eldest mez in southern Uzbekistan near On 20 August it said it had as- over the Amu Darya river using son to park. the Afghan border. sisted the westward evacuation makeshift rafts, and an Afghan Youngsters piled into the vehicle -- pretending the parking “What else can you do?” of nearly 2,000 people — mostly embassy staffer told AFP that routine was an adventure -- while Ezmarai watched from the side. That sentiment is not shared European citizens working in the a coronavirus centre in Termez Then out of the blue Afghan sky, a missile came screeching by Russia, a longstanding force country and some Afghans — via was housing up to 1,500 peo- down -- striking the car with a terrible force and obliterating the in the region, which has urged the capital Tashkent’s airport. ple.—AFP lives of 10 people in an instant. —AFP 1 SEPTEMBER 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR GLOBAL AFFAIRS 15 Japan seeks record defence NEWS IN budget with spending for BRIEF UN Security Council new technologies adopts resolution on Afghanistan after JAPAN’S Defence Ministry on F-15 fighter jets. It aims to install Tuesday requested a 5.4 trillion Lockheed Martin’s air-to-surface Taliban takeover yen ($49 billion) budget for fis- standoff missile and will contin- cal 2022, aiming to accelerate ue negotiations with the United THE Security Council on Mon- enhancement of capabilities in States to decrease the estimated day adopted a resolution on new domains and promote the total cost of 398.0 billion yen. Afghanistan after the Taliban’s development of new technologies It ramped up research and return to power, focusing on to deal with China’s growing mil- development expenditures, counter-terrorism and human- Photo taken on 19 Aug. 2021, shows Japan’s Defence Ministry in Tokyo. itarian assistance. itary presence. up 114.1 billion yen to a record PHOTO: KYODO The request would exceed 325.7 billion yen, for potentially Resolution 2593 demands a record 5.3 trillion yen allocat- game-changing technologies, shoot down drones and other Such islands include the that Afghan territory not be ed in the initial budget for fiscal such as crewless aircraft using aerial threats with high-energy Japanese-controlled, Bei- used to threaten or attack any 2021 started in April, rising for artificial intelligence, to support lasers or microwaves. jing-claimed Senkaku Islands, country, or to shelter or train the tenth consecutive year. It next-generation fighter jets, The ministry asked for 130.0 which China calls Diaoyu, in the terrorists, or to plan or finance does not include outlays linked while continuing enhancement of billion yen to acquire more F-35 East China Sea. Missile units will terrorist acts. to hosting U.S. military bases, capabilities in such new domains advanced stealth fighter jets and be placed on Ishigaki Island to It reiterates the importance which have been about 200 billion as outer space and cyberspace. 10.2 billion yen for small and mid- strengthen defence capabilities of combatting terrorism in Af- yen annually. The request for such spend- sized transport ships to support around the country’s southwest ghanistan and notes the Tali- The ministry said it also ing will include systems for the remote island defence operations chain of islands, the ministry ban’s relevant commitments.— left out the cost of upgrading 70 electromagnetic spectrum to in the country’s southwest. said.—Kyodo Xinhua

U.S. completes troop withdrawal from Afghanistan to end 20-year war Stalin-era mass graves unearthed While the troop removal it- last U.S. soldier has left Kabul air- self has been widely supported port, according to Al Jazeera TV. by the public, the cost of the U.S. Biden said he will address THE remains of up to 20,000 pullout has been high as the move the nation on his decision to end people have been found in made way for the Taliban’s re- the U.S. military presence in Ukraine’s southern city of Odes- turn to power for the first time Afghanistan on Tuesday, while sa as excavations continue at a in about 20 years and resulted in pledging that the United States site believed to be a mass grave chaotic and deadly evacuation ef- will continue to lead coordination of victims of Stalin’s Terror, his- forts for Americans and Afghans with other countries to ensure torians said Monday. who worked alongside the United safe passage for any Americans, According to various esti- States. “Now, our 20-year military Afghans or foreign nationals who mates, the bones of between presence in Afghanistan has end- want to get out of the war-torn 5,000 and 20,000 people lie in ed,” Biden said in a statement, country. The U.S. retreat from the ground, making it one of the referring to the withdrawal that Afghanistan, meanwhile, leaves largest mass graves unearthed came just ahead of his self-im- concerns over the possibility of in Ukraine so far. Taliban ‘Badri 313’ special force fighters arrive at the main entrance gate posed deadline on Tuesday. Afghanistan becoming once again They were discovered this of Kabul airport after the last US troops left. PHOTO: AFP The U.S. military said the a safe haven for terrorists as well month close to Odessa airport last C-17 aircraft lifted off from as the potential for severe erosion after exploratory works started THE U.S. administration of Pres- bringing an end to two decades the international airport in Kabul of civil liberties under the rule of as part of expansion plans. ident Joe Biden said Monday it of war triggered by the terror at- at 11:59 pm local time. A Taliban the Taliban, known for oppressing As of today, 29 graves have has completed the withdrawal tacks of 11 Sept. 2001, on Amer- spokesman declared “complete women during its former rule. been discovered. The bodies lie of its troops from Afghanistan, ican soil. independence,” saying that the —Kyodo in several layers,” local historian Oleksandr Babych told jour- nalists at the site which until recently was a garbage dump. Taliban parade in Kabul airport after US leave “Already we can clearly see at least five layers”, he said. HOURS after the final foreign sites in Afghanistan, the airport’s Historians believe that forces flew out of Afghanistan, passenger terminal was trashed. these people were executed in Taliban leaders walked victori- Empty bullet casings lit- the 1930s, the time known as ous through the airport, flanked tered floor near all the entrances. Stalin’s Great Terror. by guards dressed in special After the Taliban entered Archaeologist Tetyana forces combat kit inspecting the capital on August 15, the Samoylova, a chief consultant destroyed US helicopters. airport was surrounded by vast at the site, highlighted the “cyni- Taliban spokesman Zabi- crowds trying to get their way cism” with which the sentences hullah Mujahid led a group of onto an evacuation flight -- but were carried out. officials onto the runway, his many more were blocked by a “They dug out pits in the usual stoic expression replaced ring of Taliban checkpoints. garbage and threw these people by broad grin. On Tuesday, all checkpoints, in or shot them dead as they The Taliban’s so-called bar one, had been removed from were standing there,” Samoylo- “Badri 313” special forces unit the road leading to the airport. va said. “And then they covered posed for pictures, brandishing The mood had changed too. them with the same garbage,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid (C, with shawl) led a group of US rifles and flying the group’s Taliban guards were in high she added, standing next to the officials onto the runway of Kabul airport after the US withdrawal. white flag. spirits, shaking hands with driv- dozens of graves marked by red PHOTO: AFP Once one of the most secure ers and passengers.—AFP tape.—AFP 1 SEPTEMBER 2021 16 SPORT THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR ONE Championship to hold first all- women’s event on 3 September Republic of the Union of Myanmar State Administration Council Nine Objectives

1. Political affairs (a) To build a Union based on democracy and federal- ism, through a disciplined and genuine multiparty democratic system that is fair and just. (b) To emphasize the achievement of enduring peace for the entire nation in line with the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). (c) To continue implementing the principle of peaceful co-existence among countries through an inde- pendent, active and non-aligned foreign policy. 2. Economic affairs (a) To enhance production based on agriculture and livestock through modern techniques and strength- PHOTO:ONE CHAMPIONSHIP en all-round development in other sectors of the economy. ONE Championship will host its Champion Xiong Jing Nan “The The ONE: EMPOWER (b) To develop a stable market economy and promote first all-women’s event named Panda” will defend her golden event will be broadcast live to international investment in order to enhance the ONE: Empower in Singapore belt against second-ranked con- more than 150 countries, and economic development of the entire National peo- on 3 September, the ONE offi- tender Michelle Nicolini. fans can watch via television, ple. cials said. In the Atomweight World tablet, computer, or mobile de- “This Friday, 3 September, Grand Prix Quarterfinal, Denice vice, the ONE officials said. (c) To promote and support local businesses to create the world’s best female martial Zamboanga will take on Seo Hee The full event stream will employment opportunities and increase domestic artists will enter the Circle at Ham, and in the Atomweight be available free on ONE’s production. ONE: EMPOWER, which fea- Kickboxing fight, Anissa Mek- YouTube channel and the ONE 3. Social affairs tures everything from a World sen will face Cristina Morales. Super App beginning at 7:30 pm (a) To ensure a strong and dynamic Union spirit, the Title main event to the biggest Next, the debut of kickbox- of Singapore Standard Time genuine spirit of patriotism. women’s tournament in mixed ing great Anissa “C18” Meksen, (SGT). (b) To respect and promote the customs and traditions martial arts history. the return of Muay Thai phenom ONE Championship fans of all National peoples and preserve and safeguard “The women of ONE Cham- Jackie Buntan, and the entire from Myanmar can also enjoy their cultural heritage and national characteristics. pionship are ready to make his- quarterfinal round of the ONE the ONE: EMPOWER the main (c) To enhance the health, fitness and education qual- tory,” the officials said. Women’s Atomweight World card on Skynet Channel at 7 pm ity of the entire nation. In the main event, ONE Grand Prix are apples for every- of Myanmar Standard Time on Women’s Strawweight World one’s eyes. Friday, 3 September. — GNLM Italy’s Kean joins Juventus Evacuated Afghan athlete makes debut after Ronaldo exit at Tokyo Paralympics MOISE Kean will be the final do, who will join his former club piece of Juventus’ post-Cris- Manchester United. AFGHAN athlete Hossain Ra- jumpers who took part with a best tiano Ronaldo attack after the Juve sold Kean to Everton souli competed in a long jump leap of 4.46 metres. Italy forward completed his in the summer of 2019 after event on Tuesday at the Tokyo He was originally scheduled move from Everton on Tuesday. excelling in his breakthrough Paralympics after recently being to compete in the men’s T47 100 Kean, 21, returns to the club season in Serie A but he failed evacuated from his home country, metres but arrived too late. It was where he began his professional to impress in England and last now under the control of the Tal- the first time he competed in long career as an academy graduate season was loaned to Paris iban. He became the first athlete jump at a major meet, according on a two-year loan which will Saint-Germain. representing Afghanistan to take to the International Paralympic then turn into a permanent sale He scored 17 times in 41 part in the Tokyo Paralympics, a Committee. for a reported fee of 20 million appearances for the star-stud- feat that looked impossible when Rasouli lost his left forearm euros ($23.6 million), subject to ded French side, who lost their it appeared the country’s team when a Taliban-laid landmine certain conditions being met. Ligue 1 title to Lille and were would be unable to travel safely exploded when he was farming Afghan athlete Hossain Rasouli “Moise is back and he joins knocked out of the Champions to Japan to be part of the world’s in 2013. When he was introduced competes in the men’s T47 long us on loan,” Juventus said on its League by Manchester City. largest sporting event for people on large screens at the National jump at the Tokyo Paralympics Twitter account. On Friday Kean was called with disabilities, which started a Stadium before the jump event, on 31 Aug. 2021, at the National Juventus announced the up to the Italy squad after miss- week ago. Rasouli, 26, who ar- he raised his right arm and Stadium in Tokyo. He arrived move while also officially con- ing out on Euro 2020, won by rived in Tokyo three days ago, smiled at the camera, but he in Tokyo on 28 Aug. after being evacuated from Taliban- firming the departure of five- Roberto Mancini’s impressive competed in the men’s T47 long did not speak to the press after controlled Afghanistan. time Ballon d’Or winner Ronal- Azzurri last month.—AFP jump and finished last of the 13 competing.— Kyodo News PHOTO: KYODO