Ethnic Affairs, Public Affairs Management and Services Committee Holds Meeting (2/2021)

IDENTIFY, ELIMINATE BOTTLENECKS FOR FARMLAND DISPUTES PAGE-8 (OPINION)

NATIONAL NATIONAL Announcement of Union Election Alms offered to monks and nuns in Commission Tatkon PAGE-2 PAGE-3

Vol. VII, No. 323, 7th Waning of Tabodwe 1382 ME www.gnlm.com.mm Friday, 5 March 2021 Ethnic affairs, public affairs management and services committee holds meeting (2/2021)

HE Ethnic Affairs, Pub- lic Affairs Management Tand Services Commit- tee organized the coordination meeting (2/2021) yesterday af- ternoon in Nay Pyi Taw. Member of the State Ad- ministration Council, Union Minister for Defence General Mya Tun Oo, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Commit- tee addressed the coordination meeting, and members of the Committee Saw Daniel, Union Ministers U Ko Ko, Dr Thet Thet Khine, and U Saw Tun Aung Myint, Deputy Ministers Major-General Soe Tint Naing, U Ye Tint, U Zaw Win, U Myo Hlaing, U Min Htein and U Zaw Aye Maung, the Permanent Secretaries, Directors-Gen- eral and officials attended the meeting. Member of the State Administration Council Union Minister for Defence General Mya Tun Oo chairs the second coordination meeting of the Ethnic At the meeting, Union Affairs, Public Affairs Management and Services Committee in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday. Minister General Mya Tun Oo said the State Administration mocracy and federalism with ship cards in accordance with ment of the ethnic nationalities. the coordination of governance Council is setting nine objec- full justice and the preservation the law, and it is necessary to Deputy Minister for Eth- between the Self-Administered tives for the development of of national cultural character- coordinate with relevant min- nic Affairs, Secretary of the Division / Zones. the country and among those istics and respect for all ethnic istries for the development of Committee U Zaw Aye Maung, The committee members goals, the Committee is directly nationalities. the ethnic areas and access presented the responsibilities discussed the relevant sectors related to the establishment He added the ethnic na- to basic jobs. He called on the of the committee: appointing and the Union Minister coordi- of the Union based on genuine tionalities living in the border participants to work together local or international experts nated the meeting according- and disciplined multiparty de- areas must get their citizen- for the socio-economic develop- and the process of deciding on ly.—MNA

Notification to Public

The Ministry of Health and Sports is working to prioritize the availability of quality and safe vaccines for COVID-19 prevention in the general public. The COVID-19 vaccine by the international donations are documented by the Ministry of Health and Sports. In addition, if private pharmaceutical companies want to import, distribute and inject high-quality, safe COVID-19 vaccines that are being injected internationally or regionally in Asia, it can be applied to the Food and Drug Administration with the required documents. Ministry of Health and Sports

INSIDE TODAY

NATIONAL NATIONAL NATIONAL LOCAL BUSINESS LOCAL BUSINESS MoSWRR Rule of law bodies People to be cautious Domestic gold prices Export of cattle, animal discusses investigate cause of of destructive fall by over K100,000 products dives by cooperation with death of Ma Kyal Zin elements that incite in half month $35.84 mln this FY UN, INGOs unrest PAGE-3 PAGE-4 PAGE-5 PAGE-6 PAGE-7 5 MARCH 2021 2 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Announcement of Union Election Commission (4 March 2021)

REGARDING the Multiparty General Election held police, Immigration and Population and administrators of 11,249. on 8 November 2020, the Union Election Commission according to the Hluttaw Election Law Section 53. The extra/shortage ballots were found at respective has inspected the withdrawal/receipt/use/remaining According to inspection on the ground, a total of poll stations, and the missing ballots were 306, which of ballot papers used for Pyithu Hluttaw Election of 28 poll stations of Kyauktada Township in Yangon Re- is lesser than the actual numbers of remaining ballots KyauktadaTownship in Yangon Region, together with the gion took out 26,304 ballot papers. It used 15,055 ballot and illegal extra-used ballots were 96. The findings are respective township election sub-commission, head of receipts, and the remaining ballots were 11,039 instead as follows:

On the ground inspections on ballot papers for Pyithu Hluttaw Election of Kyauktada Township

Remaining on the Difference Sr Subject Withdrawal Used Exact Remaining Remark ground Missing Extra- used 1 Wards and Village-tracts 25,300 14,553 10,747 10,537 306 96

2 Township advance ballots 533 502 31 31 - -

3 Township remaining ballots 471 - 471 471 - -

Total 26,304 15,055 11,249 11,039 306 96

It is also found out that it failed to return the advance also allow the poll station representative for Hluttaw The Rules also instructed the poll head, deputy ballot receipts for respective wards in Kyauktada Town- MPs or other election agents to print their seals and poll head, and members to carry out according to the ship. make a large bundle. – stipulations mentioned above. According to the respective Hluttaw Election Rules 1. Unused ballot papers, receipts and Form (16-1) It was found that the number of ballots used was and Rule 66(h), “The poll heads must pack the un- 2. Voting lists of the polling station higher than the number of ballot papers issued in 8 der-mentioned and must print his seal on the packs. The 3. Receipts for advance ballot papers polling stations. The use of extra ballots in these poll- poll heads must express the pack’s content, names of 4. Invalid votes Form (17). ing stations are as follows, and it is found that more ward or village-tracts and poll station number. He can ballots were printed.

List of extra-used ballot papers for poll station-wise of Wards in Kyauktada The missing ballot papers at 10 ward poll stations are as follows: Township List of missing ballot papers for poll station-wise of ward in Kyauktada Township

Poll Extra ballot Ward/Village Missing ballot Sr Ward/Village Tract Issued Used Sr Poll station Issued Used station papers Tract papers

1 No (1)Ward 2 500 473 27 1 No (1)Ward 1 900 934 34

2 No (1)Ward 3 800 796 4 2 No (2)Ward 1 900 902 2 3 No (2)Ward 3 900 899 1

3 No (6)Ward 3 700 702 2 4 No (3)Ward 1 850 849 1

4 No (7)Ward 1 1,350 1,351 1 5 No (3)Ward 3 1,150 1,000 150

5 No (7)Ward 3 900 950 50 6 No (5)Ward 1 800 799 1

7 No (6)Ward 4 800 799 1 6 No (9)Ward 1 950 951 1

8 No (7)Ward 2 1,300 1,250 50 7 No (9)Ward 3 1,150 1,153 3 9 No (8) Ward 1 1,200 1,153 47

8 No (9)Ward 4 1,200 1,203 3 10 No (8) Ward 3 1,000 976 24

Total 8,050 8,146 96 Total 9,300 8,994 306

Union Election Commission

Request to Public 1. Democracy practices have granted the public freedom of speech, practices and living. Such freedoms should not harm others. Diverse views of others should be understood, but should not be disturbed or harassed. However, with the reason for human rights, some persons are now under pressure, harassed and threatened in breaching the laws. Undisciplined acts could lead to tarnishing the image of democracy. 2. For preventing destructive actions against the stability of the State, the safety of the public and the rule of law, it is also required to take proper actions in line with the law. 3. All the people who favour justice, freedom, equality and safety are requested to oppose breaching the laws and prevent such actions for the benefit of country and people. 5 MARCH 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL 3

MNM MNMMNMMNMMNMMNMMNMMNMMNMMNMMNNMNM Free healthcare services MNM MNM

Promotion of Myanmar martial arts for the health of people, raising fund for the public hospitals to provide free healthcare services for the civil service personnel at the initial stage. MNM MNM

(Excerpt from the speech to the coordination meeting of the State Administration Council made by the Republic of the Union of Myanmar State Administration Council Chairman

M Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on 16 February 2021) NN M

MNMMNMMNMMNMMNMMNMMNMMNMMNMMNMMNN Alms offered to monks and nuns in Tatkon

THE Ministry of Religious Af- Affairs donated a total of 214 fairs donated the alms to the rice bags for the 1,015 monks monks and nuns residing in and 382 nuns residing in 16 the monasteries and nunneries monasteries and 7 nunneries in Tatkon Township in Nay Pyi in Pobbathiri Township and Taw yesterday morning. Pyinmana Township on 19 Feb- The donation ceremo- ruary. A total of 145 rice bags ny was attended by Sayadaw was presented to a total of 502 Abhidhaza Maharatta Guru monks and 517 nuns residing in Bhaddanta Asinna, Principal 9 monasteries and 4 nunneries Speaker of Mahasihanada in Lewe Township on 2 March Pariyatti School and Sayadaws, 2021. Union Minister for Religious A total of 144 rice bags were Affairs U Ko Ko, the Permanent donated to 709 monks and 169 Secretary, Directors - General nuns residing in 19 monaster- and officials. ies and 5 nunneries in Tatkon The Ministry of Religious Township yesterday.—MNA

Union Minister U Ko Ko presents donations to Sayadaws in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.

MoSWRR discusses cooperation with UN, INGOs

The Ministry of Social Wel- organizations and the Assis- fare, Relief and Resettlement tant Secretary briefed pro- organized a coordination meet- cesses for MoU and LoA for ing over cooperation with UN technical assistance. and INGOs yesterday. Then, the Director of So- During the meeting, Union cial Welfare and other officials Minister Dr Thet Thet Khine of relevant departments pre- discussed the importance of sented about the organizations MoU and LoA with NGOs and which completed MoU, LoA, INGOs, international technical LTA, Project Agreement and assistance and best practice Workplan. and financial assistance of in- The Deputy Minister then ternational organizations. instructed to inspect the bene- Then, Deputy Minister U ficiaries through the work with Aung Tun Khine presented NGOs and INGOs and to adopt plans for sustainable relation monitoring and evaluation sys- MoSWRR minister and deputy minister are leading the discussion on cooperation with UN and INGOs between UN and international tem. –MNA yesterday.

Public information

YANGON Administration Council is working with relevant departments to help the businesses in the region. People are informed to contact the following phone numbers to get assistance for their small and medium-scaled businesses and investments which are facing some delays and working to do new businesses. Phone numbers: 01 830 1975, 01830 2175 YANGON Region Administration Council 5 MARCH 2021 4 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Republic of the Union of Myanmar Republic of the Union of Myanmar State Administration Council State Administration Council Order No 101/2021 Order No 102/2021 6th Waning of Tabodwe 1382 ME 6th Waning of Tabodwe 1382 ME 4 March 2021 4 March 2021 Appointment and Duty Assignment of Appointment and Duty Assignment of Deputy Attorney-General States/Regions Attorney-Generals The following persons are assigned by the State Administration Council U San Lwin is appointed as the Deputy Attorney-General in accordance with to the duties of the States/Regions Attorney-Generals shown against Article 419 of the State Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. each of their respective States/Regions in accordance with the Article 419 of the State Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. By order Sd/ Aung Lin Dway Lieutenant-General (1) Daw Nan Hla Hla Aye Kachin State Secretary (2) U Kyi Myine Kayah State State Administration Council (3) U Ye Lwin Kayin State (4) U Khwa Thio Chin State Five future programmes of State (5) Daw Hla Hla Aye Sagaing Region (6) U Ohn Than Taninthayi Region Administration Council (7) U Khin Maung Tint Bago Region 1. The Union Election Commission will be reconstituted to carry out tasks that (8) Daw Khin Myat Thu Magway Region should be done, including inspection of voting lists in accordance with the law. (9) U Myint Aung Mandalay Region 2. Effective measures will be taken for the prevention of current infectious COVID-19 (10) U Myint Aung Mon State with added momentum. (11) U Hla Thein Rakhine State 3. Efforts will be made to recover businesses that faced loss caused by COVID-19 (12) U Htay Aung Yangon Region in various ways as quickly as possible. (13) U Tin Oo Shan State 4. Emphasis will be placed on restoring eternal peace in the entire nation in line (14) Daw Khin Khin Nwe Ayeyawady Region with agreements from the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) as much as By order possible. Sd/ Aung Lin Dway 5. When missions will be accomplished in accord with provisions of the state of Lieutenant-General emergency, a free and fair multiparty democracy election will be held in accord- Secretary ance with the Constitution (2008), and further tasks will be undertaken to hand State Administration Council over State duty to the winning party meeting the standards of democracy.

Bombers seen among the Rule of law bodies investigate cause rioters in Sanchaung of death of Ma Kyal Zin GROUPS of bombers are seen two weapons believed to be involving among the rioters, smoke grenades. According to THE Myanmar Police Force opinions and allegations have weapon or live ammunition, according to the statement of CCTV footage, the guns were issued the statement that the been raised on the social me- it is not possible for the head the Myanmar Police Force. of two different types and fired security forces maintained dia about the death of Ma Kyal of the deceased person to be According to the state- by a group of six people. the violent demonstrators Zin, 19, who was died during in good condition. ment, security forces had to According to an analysis in accordance with the law the incident. According to the It is reported that the re- disperse a group of violent proof the incident, the protesters at the corner of 84th street injury in the photo, respective spective rule of law bodies are testers in the corner of Baho were no longer in the normal and 30th street on 3 March experts have analyzed that investigating the cause of her street and Phyapon street in stage of the protest but were in Chanayethazan Township, it was not an injury caused death and more information Sanchoung Township around armed with explosive devices Mandalay Region. by a riot weapon and if it is will be announced in a timely 10 am on 3 March. and resorted to violence, and It is found that various the injury caused by the riot manner.—MNA The incident was moni- the injuries were attributed to tored by CCTV cameras and security forces.—MNA found to be rioters armed with People to be aware of dangers amid riots

ALTHOUGH announcements March in Sanchoung township forces, and there might be are being released regarding of Yangon, 6 people among some unscrupulous persons the destructive elements be- the protest crowd were found behind these cases, according hind the protests, the youths using smoke grenades and to the findings of analysts. accelerate their acts into vi- Myanmar Police Force also The well-experienced po- olence by prioritizing their released a statement about it. litical pundits also warn the feelings. Moreover, the people people not to participate in According to CCTV foot- should be cautious during riots and the youths should age spreading on the social this period as in death cases be wisely aware of dangers.— network about protest oc- due to small firearms are not MNA curred on the morning of 3 associated with the security 5 MARCH 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL 5 People to be cautious of destructive elements that incite unrest

THE anti-government allies put the youths frontline and provide the posters and signboards. The politicians conduct various incite- ments, according to the statement of the Myanmar Police Force. According to that statement, the protest crowds across the nation blocked the public roads. They conducted arrests and torture of security forces, violence against monks, ATM robbery, destroy of state-owned buildings and vehicles yesterday. Therefore, the security forces dispersed the protest crowds with crowd-control weapons. The security forces dispersed protest crowds in Pyinmana of Nay Pyi Taw, Ahlone, Sanchaung and Kyauktada of Yangon Region, Pyawbwe and Myingyan of Mandalay Region, Shwebo of Sagaing Region, Pathein of Ayeyawady Region, Myeik and Dawei of Taninthayi Region, Myitkyina of Kachin State and Taunggyi of Shan State yesterday. It is also found that the youths accelerate their acts into riots due to the negative, destructive elements. It is here warned the people to be more cautious to maintain the situation as most of the politicians are hiding in safe places forcing the youths to take to the streets and to confront the security forces. —MNA

Former peaceful protests were incited into riots by destructive elements. Most of the politicians are hiding in safe places forcing the youths to take to the streets and to confront the security forces. 5 MARCH 2021 6 LOCAL BUSINESS THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Domestic gold prices fall by over K100,000 in half month

ACCORDING to the domestic cline. The gold price was only gold market, the gold market around US$1,788 per ounce on prices in Myanmar dropped by 17 February but had dropped over K100,000 in half a month. to $1,713 on 4 March 2021, a Although pure gold decline of $75 in 15 days. reached the highest price of In January 2021, the do- over K1,4000,000 per tical on mestic gold fetched the highest 17 February, the price dropped price of K1,336,000 per tical to K1,302,000 per tical after 15 on 6 January. It reached the days on 4 March. lowest price of K1,316,000 per Recent days saw the gold tical on 28 January. The lowest price unstable in the domestic level of K1,340,000 came from 2 market. That is the reason why February, and the highest level the Yangon gold market halted of K1,410,000 (3 February), the on 5 February. But, the market gold traders said. reopened on 10 February. The local gold price Consequently, Yangon reached the lowest K1,310,500 Region Gold Entrepreneurs (2 September) and the high- Association called an emer- est level of K1,314,000 (1 Sep- gency meeting on 4 February tember). In October, the rate before the gold market started. ranged between K1,307,800 Then, the association made (30 October) and K1,316,500 In January 2021, the domestic gold fetched the highest price of K1,336,000 per tical on 6 January. It reached four decisions. They are to use (21 October). The rate fluc- the lowest price of K1,316,000 per tical on 28 January. PHOTO: GNLM/FILE the cash down payment system tuated between the highest and encourage people who are of K1,312,000 (16 November) 1,275,000 (1 December) and reaching K1,000,000 per tical tember), and then reaching a trading with fear and trading and the lowest of K1,278,000 K1,333,000 (28 December). between 17 January and 21 fresh peak of K1,300,000 on 5 with restraint. (28 November). In December, With the global gold pric- February, crossing K1,100,000 September, according to the Similarly, the international the pure yellow metal priced es on the uptick, the domestic (22 June to 5 August), climbing gold traders. — NN/GNLM gold price is also on the de- moved in the range of Ks price hit fresh highs in 2019, to K1,200,000 (7 August-4 Sep-

Community-based tourism site Summer paddy cultivation promoted in Mongnai Township succeeds in Twantay THE summer paddy culti- cost around Ks 200,000 or Ks vation succeeded in Takahle 300,000 per acre. During the village, Twantay township, Yan- rainy season, the paddy fields gon region with about 82,032 were destroyed by floods and acres put under cultivation of golden snails. Thus, the paddy monsoon paddy. In compar- yield has dropped. So, the local ison, 32,938 acres were put farmers are mainly growing under cultivation of summer the summer paddy in their paddy in 2020. farmlands,” said U Win Yee, The villages in Twantay a local farmer from Takahle township are growing summer village. paddy mainly after harvesting He also added that I had the monsoon paddy because of grown both summer and mon- sufficient irrigated water avail- soon paddies in our 20 acres of ability. The villagers have also farmland. But, I have cultivat- cultivated mixed crops such as ed only the highly demanding chilli, eggplant, sweet potato, species suited to our regions. gourd, ridge gourd, maize and Most of the villagers are grow- ASEAN Eugenia. ing 90 days, Ah Nyar Thar and The farmers are growing Shwebo Chome summer paddy Lwelin monastery with ancient heritage is located in the village of Mongnai Township. the summer paddy which is species, producing about 90 or better suited to the region. The 100 baskets per acre. We also A WORK coordination meeting home to 33 ethnic groups. Tour- the attendees selected the Lwe- paddy species are 90 days, Ah need to use fertilizer to make to create a community-based ism resources are required to lin village of Kunna village-tract Nyar Thar and Shwebo Chome high volume. We are using four tourism village was inaugurated enhance the tourism industry as the community-tourism vil- summer paddy species. fertilizer bags per acre. It is the at Kanbawza Hall of Mongnai and socio-economy of the Shan lage. Lwelin monastery with “I am a paddy farmer summer paddy. So, we are sup- Township in southern Shan State’s rural people. A village in ancient heritage is located in from Takahle village. I have plying the irrigation water to State. the township will be selected and the village. Officials further 20 acres of paddy fields. I have the farmlands from the creek U Soe Htut, the township created as the community-based discussed plans to implement grown Taung Pyan species of every two days. The cultiva- administrator, remarked that tourism site with the 2020-2021 the tourism village in detail and monsoon paddy with a yield tion cost of summer paddy is Shan State has a vast land area financial year’s allocated funds. inspected the potential sites. — of only 50 baskets. The culti- over K300,000 per acre. —Myo among the states and regions, The officials concerned and IPRD/GNLM vation of the monsoon paddy Hlaing (Twantay)/GNLM 5 MARCH 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR LOCAL BUSINESS 7 Export of cattle, animal products dives by $35.84 mln this FY

MYANMAR’S export of animal products between 1 October and 19 February in the current financial year 2020-2021 touched a low of US$15.857 million, a sharp drop of $35.8 million compared with the corresponding period of the 2019-2020 FY since China suspended livestock trading. In the previous FY, animal products export has registered at $51.69 million. The private sector solely drives animal products export. About 10,000 heads of cattle, owned by 150 companies, are now stranded in the Muse border as China stopped pur- chasing cattle. The labour wages and feedstuff cost burden them. It costs K400,000-600,000 to take care of 100 heads of cattle every day. Some traders brought the cattle from Muse back to their Myanmar’s live cattle export heavily relies on the China market due to a reasonable price, although Myanmar has other external markets such as home owing to the burden of Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, and Bangladesh. PHOTO: GNLM/FILE high feedstuff cost and labour wages. Some intentionally stat- Earlier, 1,500-2,000 heads pany for 100 cattle export, and regular border trade through certificates, and farming regis- ed that they would return to of cattle were daily traded the permit is valid for three legitimate channel. tration certificates. According the originally-designated place through the Muse border. months. The companies can The LBVD has been imple- to the 2018 cattle census, there but conduct illegal trade in bor- Chinese New Year holidays, be taken legal actions if they menting the establishment of are 11.5 million heads of cattle der areas. preventive measures for the do not sell the cattle during the a foot-and-mouth-disease free in the country. For legitimate trade, Chi- COVID-19, and other reasons three-month period. zone, control zone and vacci- The authorities have is- na permits live cattle import contribute to the cattle trade Next, the officials from the nation areas since 14 July 2020 sued cattle export licences only after ensuring the cattle suspension. Livestock Breeding and Vet- to export live cattle to China to more than 300 companies is free from 20 diseases, includ- Additionally, Myanmar’s erinary Department (LBVD) through the land border. in the Magway region. There ing Foot and Mouth Disease, live cattle export heavily relies under the Ministry of Agricul- Live cattle export was al- are around 5,000 companies along with vaccination cer- on the China market due to a ture, Livestock and Irrigation lowed in late 2017 to eradicate holding cattle export licences tificates, health certificates, reasonable price, although My- signed with China’s counter- illegal exports, creating more across the country. and farming registration cer- anmar has other external mar- parts regarding cattle surveil- opportunities for breeders and Myanmar can yearly ex- tificates. Therefore, the offi- kets such as Laos, Thailand, lance and health projects for promoting their interests. port around 500,000 heads of cials concerned from the two Malaysia, and Bangladesh. live cattle export on 18 Janu- The country exports cattle cattle beyond domestic con- countries are negotiating the The Ministry of Commerce ary 2021, intending to enhance above five years old, including sumption, the association stat- matter. grants a permit to each com- livestock trading and ensure vaccination certificates, health ed. — GNLM

Myanmar rice exports to China strong as Yuan gains

With the Chinese Yuan appreci- goods exported to China. The started shipping rice to China countries via border trade, and target at only 2 million tonnes ating, Myanmar’s exports of rice rice prices stand at 129 Yuan per under new permits through the maritime trade saw over 418,000 in the current FY as summer and broken rice are so strong bag for broken rice, 133 Yuan for Muse border. tonnes. paddy growing acreage drops, that the exporters are receiving Ngasein rice variety, 135 Yuan Nevertheless, the private Myanmar has exported said U Ye Min Aung, Chair of My- handsome benefits, said U Min for Thuka variety and 142 Yuan banks’ closure disrupted the rice to 31 foreign markets so anmar Rice Federation (MRF). Thein, vice-chair of Muse Rice for Htonepu variety, Muse rice transaction problem in the rice far. China is the main buyer of Weather changes affect- Wholesale Centre. depot stated. trade, he elaborated. Myanmar rice with over 340,000 ed irrigation water resource At present, the Chinese Last 26 February, China Myanmar shipped more tonnes, followed by the Philip- availability in agriculture. Con- Yuan is gaining, and a Yuan is gave green lights to some My- than 720,000 tonnes of rice and pines (36,000 tonnes) and Poland sequently, the export figures worth over K200. As a result of anmar export companies to de- broken rice to foreign countries (14,000 tonnes). Meanwhile, My- showed a drop of 300,000 tonnes this, the exporters are financial- liver the rice to China through between 1 October and 15 Jan- anmar sent broken rice mostly of rice in exports this year. ly doing well, he added. the Muse land border. uary of the current financial to China (over 210,000 tonnes), Myanmar generated over “The stronger the Chinese He continued the author- year, earning over US$275 mil- followed by Belgium (46,000 $800 million from rice exports in Yuan, the better the exporters ized companies for rice export to lion, Myanmar Rice Federation tonnes) and Thailand (over 6,300 the previous FY2019-2020 ended earn,” he remarked. China have increased this year stated. tonnes). Broken rice was placed 30 September, with an estimat- There is good potential for as against last year. The country sent over in 16 foreign markets. ed volume of over 2.5 million rice and broken rice among the Myanmar traders have 308,000 tons to neighbouring Myanmar set the rice export tonnes. — NN/GNLM 5 MARCH 2021 5 MARCH 2021 8 OPINION THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL/ ARTICLE 9 Identify, FAO’s Investment Centre doubles down on efforts to Objectives of 76th Anniversary Armed eliminate create more robust and sustainable agri-food systems Forces Day

FOR the Tatmadaw to join hands with the entire nation to bottlenecks hat's the FAO Invest- projects. In sub-Saharan Africa provided timely policy advice, ment Centre? alone, last year we supported undertook rapid impact assess- safeguard democracy, which is the aspiration of all the nation- W Simply put, the the design of $2 billion new pub- ments of COVID-19 on agri-food alities of the country, from deviating from its path, in accord for farmland FAO Investment Centre creates lic investments that will provide systems to inform countries' with the basic principles of the Constitution, while observing investment solutions in sustain- people with access to healthy decisions and solutions to mit- Our Three Main National Causes, which is the national policy; able food and agriculture. The food and create jobs. igating the negative effects of disputes Centre offers a range of invest- A good example is the the pandemic on their food and To protect the people from all dangers including natural ment support services helping Joint Programme to Respond agriculture sector. disasters at any time and in any situation and to provide all- countries to create long-term to the Challenges of COVID-19, With investment partners round assistance for ensuring social security of the people; ome 70 per cent of Myanmar's population resides in rural investment policies and plans, Conflict and Climate Change, such as the World Bank - the To restore eternal peace based on NCA, without deviat- areas and depends on agriculture and livestock breeding. to design and implement invest- benefitting six countries in the Centre's oldest and largest part- S To ensure sustainable livelihoods and the development projects with financing Sahel by investing in agricul- ner - we developed response ing from Our Three Main National Causes, as the cessation ment of the country, our land partners and to generate knowl- tural infrastructure, innovative packages and reoriented on- of armed conflicts is the principal requirement in realizing resources need to be managed edge and build capacities relat- technology as well as human going projects to address the democracy; and utilized properly. Only sys- ed to investment. A distinctive and social capital in cross COVID-19 challenges. To build a strong and compact Standard Army, which has Some farmlands tematic utilization and man- characteristic of the Centre is border areas facing security With the European Bank for agement of land resources can that it works almost exclusive- issues. Both FAO and World Reconstruction and Develop- the combat prowess and combat power, to effectively safeguard released by improve the socio-economic ly through partnerships with Food Programme (WFP) will ment (EBRD), we established a the State peace and stability and sovereignty. the ministerial condition of the people. financial institutions and mem- be supporting the G5 Sahel Sec- ($3 million) technical response Hence, land disputes is- ber country governments. retariat and International Fund facility to help the agri-food departments sues should be settled as soon Better investment in food for Agricultural Development sector to overcome COVID-19 as possible. Only then will and agriculture leads to more (IFAD) in project implemen- challenges and to strengthen have not been our rural communities who efficient and equitable agri-food tation. The cost of the project agri-food systems' longer-term are solely relying on agricul- systems as well as greater re- is $180 million over six years resilience. received by ture and livestock breeding silience in the face of climate of which 109 million financed With the European Com- for their livelihood can earn change and other shocks such by IFAD and $71 million by the mission, we are undertaking Myanmar Daily Weather Report their former more extra income from their as COVID-19. Green Climate Fund. rapid agri-food systems assess- (Issued at 7: 00 pm Tuesday 4 March 2021) owners due to farming. Besides, the more What's new is that FAO Also last year, we supported ments in many countries - by land disputes we settle, the members have recently agreed the implementation of projects end of 2021 we aim to reach At an FAO-supported animal feed processing plant in Afghanistan. PHOTO: FAO BAY INFERENCE: Weather is a few cloud over the Anda- some delays or lesser criminal cases based to inject significantly more re- worldwide in some 120 coun- 61 countries, among the most man Sea and South Bay and generally fair elsewhere over on farmland. sources into the Centre - ena- tries. This consists of provid- affected by food insecurity and ity and influence public debate of whether we were involved financed, especially through the Bay of Bengal. lack of clarity Excess and unused lands bling it to expand, provide more ing critical technical support malnutrition. The assessments on the need for investment in in their design or not. This blended finance - the use of FORECAST VALID UNTIL NOON OF THE 3 March 2021: returned as state-owned lands in-depth investment support to to governments during the pro- are only the first step. The work agri-food systems as the world can range from supporting the public or philanthropic money Rain or thundershowers will be isolated in Taninthayi on who the need to be used for the benefit countries and strengthen its jects' implementation period will help to shape new policy works towards building back modernization of digital land combined with private invest- Region and Kachin State. Degree of certainty is (80%). of the people, and if unutilized, collaboration with international (typically around five years) to recommendations in food and better. registries in Europe and Cen- ment into businesses that gen- former owners Weather will be partly cloudy in Upper Sagaing Region and they need to be kept on record and national financial institu- make sure that investments are agriculture, and potential pri- We have a good track re- tral Asia, long-term support to erate social and environmen- Shan, Chin, Rakhine, Kayin, Mon States and generally fair are. Now, the and maintained. Some farm- tions and other development on track to deliver the desired vate and public investments in cord of bringing stakeholders pastoralists in the Sahel, water tal impacts alongside financial land released by the minis- partners. outcomes. The Centre's multi- agri-food systems' transforma- together from the public and management in the Caribbe- returns. in the remaining Regions and States. time comes to terial departments have not As FAO Director-General disciplinary teams can address tions in those countries. We are private sectors, including farm- an or rural entrepreneurs and For example, we are work- STATE OF THE SEA: Seas will be moderate in Myanmar been received by their former QU Dongyu said: "together, we implementation issues related also working with many part- ers and their organizations, to trade in the Pacific. The Centre ing with the European Com- waters. Wave height will be about (4-7) feet off and along identify and owners due to some delays are transforming agriculture to all aspects of agriculture and ners, including European De- discuss policy issues and re- casts a wide footprint when it mission, through the AgrIntel Myanmar Coasts. or lack of clarity on who the and agri-food systems through rural development including velopment Finance Institutions, solve bottlenecks. comes to delivering impact at initiative, providing advisory OUTLOOK FOR SUBSEQUENT TWO DAYS: Likelihood eliminate the former owners are. Now, the targeted investment, innova- infrastructure and irrigation, to help de-risk investments in In parallel, the Centre has country level. services to impact funds and of isolated light rain or thundershowers in Upper Sagaing, bottlenecks. time comes to identify and tion, knowledge and strength- agriculture, livestock, fisher- the agri-food sector - a sector been key to the rolling out of We also forged new partner- blended finance operations in- eliminate the bottlenecks. ened capacities." ies, forestry, etc. The Centre marked by uncertainty and vol- the poverty-focused Hand-in- ships with financing institutions vesting in small and medium Taninthayi Regions and Kachin State. To put an end to illegal In 2020, working with part- also provides support to better atility even at the best of times. Hand Initiative in close to 40 to expand our investment sup- agribusinesses through equity FORECAST FOR NAY PYI TAW AND NEIGHBOURING squatting, including settle- ner international financial in- soft investments in human and We are also integrating countries. port, and new collaborations are and loans. Blended finance is AREA FOR 5 March 2021: Generally fair weather. ment in forest reserves and construction of infrastructure on stitutions and with our mem- social capital and capacities, COVID-19 response activities Good investment design being built with the European certainly an area to watch. farmlands, those who are responsible for settling the land dispute ber country governments, we governance and institutions, into the Global Agriculture and is fundamental, but you also Investment Bank, the Asian In- Since we began, our team FORECAST FOR YANGON AND NEIGHBOURING AREA issues need to cooperate with farmers and regional law enforce- helped mobilize $6.6 billion farmer organizations and com- Food Security Program (GAF- need effective implementation frastructure Investment Bank has supported the EU to re- FOR 5 March 2021: Generally fair weather. ment officials. of public investment projects munity development. SP) projects in countries such to make a positive impact in and others. view over 124 blended finance FORECAST FOR MANDALAY AND NEIGHBOURING The management of farmlands, as well as vacant, fallow and to create stronger and more Countries have been look- as Bangladesh, the Central Af- people's lives. Our investment Mindful that public mon- proposals worth EUR 609 mil- virgin lands, needs to be improved. Meanwhile, priority over land sustainable agri-food systems. ing to FAO for policy guidance rican Republic, Ethiopia, Haiti, team plays a substantial role ey alone is not enough to end lion. Funding has already been AREA FOR 5 March 2021: Generally fair weather. use and land rights should be given to the small farmers and That's an increase of $900 mil- on responding to COVID-19 and Senegal and Yemen. in supporting the successful poverty, we are creating new cleared for 23 proposals worth landless farmers. lion (16%) compared to 2019 technical assistance to ongo- The Centre has also stepped roll-out of publicly funded in- and innovative partnerships to EUR 96 million. Section-35 of the Farmland Law prohibits squatting on farm- and an increase from 32 to 38 ing projects. In response, we up its actions to increase visibil- vestment projects - irrespective transform how development is SOURCE: FAO land, and those who violate the law face imprisonment of six months to two years or a fine of K300,000 to K500,000. Besides, farmland cannot be sold, pawned, or leased to for- eigners without the permission of the State. 09251022355,

Generally, resolving complicated issues correctly demands Covid cases rising again in Europe: WHO Call 09974424848 time and space to a certain extent. At the same time, we need to use compassion, fairness and he number of new coro- COVID-19 in Europe rose nine ing numbers of new infections," New cases are also on the rise vaccine portfolio, he said. per cent of the European Un- avoid malpractice to ensure that those involved in the cases are navirus cases has risen in per cent to just above one mil- WHO Europe's regional director in several western European WHO's Europe region com- ion's population have received with us/ satisfied with their resolution. TEurope after six weeks of lion. This brought a promising Hans Kluge told a news confer- countries where rates were al- prises 53 nations and vaccina- two doses of Covid-19 vaccines decline, the World Health Organ- six-week decline in new cases ence. ready high," he said. tion drives have begun in 45. and 5.4 per cent have got one A d v e r t i s e Hot Line : ization said on Thursday. to an end, with more than half "We are seeing a resurgence "We need to get back to the According to an AFP tally dose. 09974424848 "Last week, new cases of of our region seeing increas- in central and Eastern Europe. basics. We need to enlarge" the based on official numbers, 2.6 SOURCE: AFP 5 MARCH 2021 10 ARTICLE THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR It’s the time! By Maung Theikdi

WHEN it comes to human cation ceremonies and pre- beings, almost everyone (ex- pare to enter their respective cept those with weak power of careers as the next chapter of past life) has their high brain life. The occupational filed is for reasoning, speaking, con- as vast as the ocean, and we It is undeniable that most civil sideration, problem-solving, all have to study to be fitted and other emotional feelings. with the skills we have learnt. servants who chose their careers to Moreover, all the people have Your life is worthy of being one same thing that is none lived with dignity only if you other than time. Although it have an income and a stable serve the country with reasonable is impossible to save time, it job. You can survive only with is so easy to spend the time. the job (income). That is the Time is as important as one’s law of the world. salary rates are patriotic and eager life, and if one dies, it can nev- It is undeniable that most er be regained, and if we’ve civil servants who chose their to perform their duties. But, there lost the time, we can never careers to serve the coun- get it back. try with reasonable salary rates are patriotic and eager might be some exceptions, like some Spend the time benefi- to perform their duties. But, cially there might be some excep- become civil servants just for salary The young children, who tions, like some become civil have learned civics and pri- servants just for salary and mary literature since their employment. All are the same and employment. childhood, spend their time to obewy the civil services correctly by studying various law no matter the reasons subjects at different univer- for being civil servants. But sities to serve the country’s now, if we look at the survey Aung Hlaing once said, “The the value of one year, just escaped death in a car acci- future. When the universities of those urging the people government has patiently ask a student who failed an dent. And if you want to know are closed during the COV- by shouting slang “Don’t waited for their movements examination. If you want to the value of one-hundredth ID-19 pandemic, the youths go to the office” or join Civ- to a certain extent and action know the value of one month, of a second, ask the athlete should read suitable literary il Disobedience Movement will be taken against those ask a mother who gave birth who won a silver medal in the who break the rules under to a premature baby. If you Olympics.” the law. The civil service want to know the value of one Therefore, it is true that personnel should have better week, ask the editor of the the government staff partici- The government staff belief and stances with full weekly journal. If you want to pating in CDM will think that loyalty towards the country,” know the value of a day, ask time is vital for every day. I during the 1/2021 meeting of a daily wage worker who has want to say to the govern- are educated persons to the Security, Stability and to make ends meet for his six ment personnel that it is time Rule of Law Committee held children. If you want to know to return to their duties with- decide what is right and on 26 February. the value of one hour, ask the out resigning instead of wor- Therefore, the civil ser- lovers waiting to meet each rying whether they should go what is wrong or what is vice personnel participating other. If you want to know to the office or be dismissed in CDM have a second chance the value of one minute, ask or leave. They also should to correct their mistakes and the person who just missed consider whether they spend essential and so on. see the right things by get- the train. If you want to know time usefully in a day. ting out of the wrong side or the value of one second, ask ways. It is none other than the person who just thinly Translated. “going to the office” starting materials and study languag- (CDM) are unemployed or “tomorrow”. The government es and computer skills. If so, suspended from their work staff are educated persons to their time will be useful to to the COVID-19 pandemic or decide what is right and what build up themselves when dismissed for other reasons. is wrong or what is essen- Therefore, the civil service schools remained closed. And most of them are living tial and so on. If you think of The school days are the on support from others. life’s necessary things, they personnel participating happiest time for the youths. may be family, job, education, Although some spent time It’s time to return to their friend, social affairs, religious in CDM have a second without proper management, workplaces affairs, recreational issues, they have to face full of hard- Now, it is time for the and health sector and might ships before completing their civil servants to enter their lose these things. Therefore, chance to correct their education. It is just because respective departments’ du- CDM participants should of their actions. The people ties even though they joined deeply consider these things mistakes and see the right must experience suffering, CDM to a certain extent. in the long run. such as positive or negative Regarding CDM, Chair- I want to highlight some things by getting out of the effects for what they have man of the Security, Stability words of author Kyaw Win done. and Rule of Law Committee for the CDM participants to Those who complete ed- and the State Administration know the value of time. wrong side or ways. ucation can attend the convo- Council Senior-General Min It is, “If you want to know 5 MARCH 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL 11

Let’s approach the problem with a fair balance on both sides

By Ko Tun Khin

UMANS are a group group or the country when of living things that there are different wants and Hlive in groups. As the interests, from playing football saying goes, “Humans are so- to choosing the head of the vil- cial animals.” Humans are so- lage and electing the Member cial beings. However, some an- of Parliament. imals also live in families such Eventually, there will be When two groups compete, as eagles, tigers and lions, hostilities. Fighting each other cats, monkeys, and pigeons, is not a common feature of only the group which stands for crows that live in groups. But civilized society. And it is not why are people included in the the right answer to a problem. species that live in groups? Many incidents have been the right and justice with unity lost in the history of Myanmar Living in unity collectively due to the disunity. You can People have found that know if you have a look at the and the stronger side (quality/ they are more successful forty-year Inwa-Hantharwady when they work together to war, which began in the middle quantity) won. These are the deal with some of the dangers of the 14th century. of imbalance than when they Myanmar in Upper Inwa face them alone. Grouping; and Mon in lower Hanthar- answers to wars. People have come to live in wady fought each other for harmony with the group be- fame and victory. The war because of the knowledge that gan during the reigns of two collective strength gives them prominent warlords, Rajadhir- greater power. it and Minkhaung. It lasted Buddha said the deeds of for more than two-thirds of a those who are united are the century from mid-14th to 15th disunity because of ego and caused dissension among the who do not want the benefits reason for wealth. When there century, as the Mon and My- misconceptions. people. That is why we had to of unity will be glad. is unity, we can always suc- anmar kings who ascended If we look at the reign of wait for many years to get In- ceed because we are strong. the throne continued the war. King Thibaw, who succeeded dependence. As the royal fam- Common ground It is only human beings who the Konbaung dynasty, My- ily’s relatives could not have The current situation can change and improve the Misconceptions anmar was enslaved because agreement among them, it led came into being because of world for success. When both sides were of the disagreement between to the country’s ruin. subjectivity, party attachment, Suppose there is no uni- tired and faded the power, Kinwon and Tinetar. In the When two groups com- ism and ego. They do want to ty within an organization or Hantharwady fell under the British era, this was called pete, only the group which win all. Therefore, it is neces- group, or nation. In that case, reign of Toungoo king Tap- the 40th Mon-Myanmar War stands for the right and justice sary to approach the problem there is no power, and it leads inn Shwe Htee. Innwa was to cause dissension among the with unity and the stronger with a fair balance on both to devastation. Divisions be- invaded by the powerful people. In fact, the war lasted side (quality/quantity) won. sides in order to continue the gan to form when there are Shan Saopha and finally fell 37 or 38 years, but it was not These are the answers to stable democracy journey. different goals, interests, ob- Mohnyin Salon during the always fighting. wars. In the history of My- The State Administration jectives or directions. reign of king Narapati. This It was easy for the British anmar, there were victories, Council is committed to build- Conflicts break out in the event showed the loss of being to rule Myanmar since they defeats, ups and downs, as ing a genuine and disciplined well as advantages and dis- multiparty democratic union advantages. based on democracy and fed- Whoever is not the same eralism through the full prac- as another is an enemy tice of justice; to adhere to the Suppose there is no unity It is our people who are Nationwide Ceasefire Agree- affected by two groups fighting ment (NCA) for lasting peace in one country. As we all know in the country and to continue within an organization or group, now, a state of emergency has to adhere to the principles of been declared in the country. an independent, proactive and Those who take advantage neutral foreign policy and the or nation. In that case, there of disunity are inciting and peaceful coexistence among creating unrest. And anyone world’s nations. is no power, and it leads to who does not support them Thus, we must set aside is considered as the enemy. our ego and arrogance and All those taking to the learn the lessons of history devastation. Divisions began to streets and the ones who are and strive to prevent the dis- dispersing the crowds are all integration of our union and form when there are different the ethnic nationalities born in the country’s sustainable de- the country where 135 ethnic velopment. For the people and groups live. Although the ide- the nation’s benefits, let us goals, interests, objectives or as, perceptions and concep- unite not to become enslaved tions, and beliefs are different, as the people’s power is within directions. we are not enemies. The solu- the country. tion must be found through negotiation. Of course, those Translated. 5 MARCH 2021 12 SPACE/TECH THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Japan billionaire offers space seats

IT’S the sort of chance that fil just two criteria: being ready comes along just once in a blue to “push the envelope” creative- Moon: a Japanese billionaire is ly, and being willing to help other throwing open a private lunar crew members do the same. expedition to eight people from In all, he said around 10 to around the world. 12 people will be on board the Yusaku Maezawa, an online spaceship, which is expected fashion tycoon, was announced to loop around the Moon before in 2018 as the first man to book a returning to Earth. spot aboard the lunar spaceship The application timeline for being developed by SpaceX. spots on the trip calls for would- Maezawa, who paid an be space travellers to pre-reg- undisclosed sum for the trip ister by March 14, with initial expected to launch in 2023 at screening carried out by March the earliest, originally said he 21. No deadlines are given for the planned to invite six to eight art- next stages -- an “assignment” ists to join him on the voyage and an online interview -- but around the Moon. final interviews and medical But on Wednesday, in a vid- checkups are currently sched- eo posted on his Twitter account, uled for late May 2021, according he revealed a broader applica- to Maezawa’s website. tion process. Musk ‘highly confident’ “I’m inviting you to join me Maezawa paid an undisclosed sum for the right to join the lunar mission, currently scheduled for sometime in Maezawa and his band of on this mission. Eight of you 2023. PHOTO: AFP astronauts will become the first from all around the world,” he lunar voyagers since the last said. added. “evolved” because he came to could be called an artist.” US Apollo mission in 1972 -- if “I have bought all the seats, Maezawa, 45, said his ini- believe that “every single person The Japanese entrepreneur SpaceX can pull the trip off. — so it will be a private ride,” he tial plan of inviting artists had who is doing something creative said applicants would need to ful- AFP

How beers and Vikings gave Microsoft sets stage for mixed-reality future

Bluetooth technology its name MICROSOFT on Tuesday set think about it is Microsoft Mesh ing systems that combine data the stage for a future in which connects the physical and digital center processing power with ar- long-distance coworkers can col- worlds, allowing us to transcend tificial intelligence. Holohedrons laborate as though in the same the traditional boundaries of headgear with a US$3,500 price room, using augmented reality space and time,” co-creator Si- tag is used to overlay digital im- glasses and cloud computing mon Skaria said in a video pres- agery on real world settings, but power. entation. the Mesh platform has the poten- The US technology colossus Microsoft technical fellow tial to be synced to virtual reality launched Microsoft Mesh plat- Alex Kipman, whose team cre- gear such as Facebook-owned form at its annual Ignite devel- ated HoloLens AR eyewear that Oculus as well as smartphones, The Bluetooth logo is a superimposition of the runes for the letters opers conference, which was a has caught on with businesses, according to Kipman. “H” and “B”, the initials for Viking-era king Harald “Bluetooth” streamed event this year due to appeared as a hologram to unveil Apple, Google, and Facebook Gormsson. PHOTO: AFP the COVID-19 pandemic. Mesh on a virtual stage. Mesh is are among the tech titans invest- ONE of the best-known modern tisson and others presented “One of the easiest ways to powered by Azure cloud computing in mixed reality. —AFP technologies owes its name and their ideas at a seminar in To- logo to a Viking-era king with ronto in late 1997. a bad tooth: a quarter centu- “Jim and I said that peo- New Zealand eyes Australia-style media ry ago, two engineers hatched ple did not appreciate what we the idea for the moniker “Blue- presented,” Mattisson, now 65 deals with tech firms tooth” over beers. and winding down his career at At the end of the 1990s, Ericsson, recalled in a recent NEW Zealand called on Goog- Sven Mattisson, a Swedish engi- interview with AFP. le and Facebook Wednesday to neer working at telecom group The engineer, who had strike deals with Kiwi media sim- Ericsson, and Jim Kardach, an travelled all the way to Canada ilar to those reached in Australia, American employed by Intel, from Sweden for the one-hour which require the tech giants to were among those developing pitch, decided to hang out with pay for using news. the revolutionary technology. Kardach for the evening before Broadcast Minister Kris In 1998, at the dawn of the flying home. “We received a Faafoi said he was considering “wireless” era, the two men lukewarm reception of our con- rules implementing the same were part of an international fusing proposal, and it was at type of arrangements for New consortium that created a uni- this time I realised we needed a Zealand’s struggling media sec- New Zealand called on Google and Facebook Wednesday to strike deals versal standard for the technol- codename for the project which tor but hoped the deals could be with Kiwi media similar to those reached in Australia, which require the ogy first developed by Ericsson everyone could use,” Kardach reached through negotiation. tech giants to pay for using news. PHOTO: AFP in 1994. explained in a long account on “Last week I met with both But prior to that, they had his webpage. Google and Facebook,” he told a courage that.” Australia last week using their content. Facebook struggled to pitch their wireless ‘Chauvinistic story’ parliamentary committee. passed legislation requiring Big and Google did succeed in hav- products. To drown their sorrows, the “I’m confident that com- Tech to pay for news generated ing some provisions of the new Intel had its Biz-RF wire- two men headed for a local To- mercial discussions taking place by local media companies, which law watered down, meaning the less programme, Ericsson had ronto bar and ended up talking between traditional media and have long complained that dig- deals are more likely to arise from MC-Link, while Nokia had its about history, one of Kardach’s digital platforms will also begin ital giants are sucking up their negotiations than being imposed Low Power RF. Kardach, Mat- passions. —AFP here in New Zealand and I en- advertising revenue while also by regulators.—AFP 5 MARCH 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR ECON: WORLD 13 OPEC, allies eye output decision at key meeting NEWS IN BRIEF THE OPEC group of oil produc- ers and its allies meet Thursday Stocks slide as with all eyes on whether power- inflation fears take houses Russia and Saudi Ara- hold bia can agree on output levels following a rebound in demand Stock markets retreated and prices. Thursday, with the heavi- While the so-called OPEC+ est losses in Asia, as rising group is often at loggerheads inflation fears offset optimism over how much oil to pump into about the re-opening of the market, a sudden plunge in virus-hit economies, traders prices triggered by the coronavi- said. rus pandemic early last year led The growing belief is that in members to agree on a dramatic the coming months, a spend- cut in output to underpin prices. ing splurge from pent-up Now that vaccination cam- consumers exiting lockdowns paigns are underway and de- -- and a huge imminent US mand from China, the world’s On the sidelines of a technical meeting Tuesday, the head of OPEC, Mohammed Barkindo, pushed for stimulus package -- will light a largest oil importer, has bounced middle ground when he said the cartel must emphasise “cautious optimism” given persistent risks from the rocket under prices. pandemic. PHOTO: AFP back to pre-pandemic levels, the This in turn could force group is expected to raise output. a major difference of opinion on crude producer after the Unit- ister Alexander Novak said on central banks to wind back But the success of the meet- the capacity of the oil market to ed States, Russia “leans for state-run Russian media that ultra-easy monetary policies -- ing on Thursday will hinge on absorb new volumes” of crude, caution”, Schieldrop explained, “the situation is much better including record-low interest whether heavyweights Russia said Bjarne Schieldrop, chief while number three, Saudi Ara- than a year ago and this fall”, rates -- that have been a key and Saudi Arabia can agree on commodities analyst at SEB bia, “defends the increase in but he warned that “many un- driver of the surge in stocks a way forward. research group. supply”. certainties and risks remain”. markets. “There is within the alliance The world’s second-largest Russian Deputy Prime Min- —AFP All eyes will be on US Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell when he speaks later Thurs- Europe’s manufacturing offsets downturn in services day, for his latest take on a rise in US Treasury bond yields, a Output and new orders ex- crucial guide of future rate ex- panded by the most since last pectations, to one-year highs October’s recent peak, aided by in recent weeks. —AFP the stronger exports - the main driver of all new order gains. Venezuela Additionally, employment increased for the first time in two opposition accuses years. Delays and difficulties in government of sourcing inputs, this resulting illegal gold sales from an upturn in global demand and transportation hur- Venezuela’s opposition dles, led to the second-greatest on Wednesday accused the deterioration in lead times (the government of President latency between the initiation Nicolas Maduro of illegally and completion of a process) selling the country’s interna- since data were first available. tional gold reserves to access The most recent manufacturing PMI data were the latest illustration of Europe’s two-speed economic On the price front, input cost liquidity and elude interna- recovery. PHOTO: AFP inflation reached a near-decade tional sanctions. WHILE services for the sixth and faster when compared to slightly higher to 57.9 – a three- high, while output prices rose at Julio Borges, who repre- consecutive month revolved previous readings. year high, up from a preliminary the strongest rate since April sents opposition leader Juan in contractionary territory, as The most recent manu- estimate of 57.7 and significantly 2018. Guaido, travelled to Washing- virus-related restrictions con- facturing PMI data were the higher from January’s 54.8 as Confidence in Eurozone’s ton to share the results of an tinued to affect many business- latest illustration of Europe’s operating conditions improved. future direction continued investigation into the sale of es, manufacturing portrayed two-speed economic recovery. A reading above the 50 mark to strengthen, with optimism 300 tonnes of gold since 2014 greater resilience, expanding In February, Eurozone indicates an expansion com- reaching its highest level since that allegedly involves Rus- for an eighth successive month manufacturing PMI was revised pared to the previous month. mid-2012. —AFP sia, Mali and the United Arab Emirates. Borges said the UAE was Mine deal heralds end of bitter New Caledonia feud the “nerve centre of this great theft of Venezuela’s riches”. NEW Caledonia’s fiercely divid- prevent its sale by the Brazil- combined will keep a majority nia,” said Roch Wamytan, a He added that Maduro ed political parties on Thursday ian mining giant Vale and the stake of 51 per cent, while the Kanak leader who is president had been able to access “a bit reached a deal on the sale of a French state. Switzerland-based commod- of the Congress in Noumea. more than one billion euros” key nickel mine which sparked a Under the new deal ham- ities trader Trafigura, which Wamytan and his allies in in 2020 through the sales. collapse of the French territory’s mered out by pro-independ- originally planned to buy the the pro-independence FLNKS “Huge amounts of cash government and threatened to ence groups, loyalist parties site, will hold just 19 per cent. alliance forced the collapse of have left UAE for Venezue- cloud a third independence vote and indigenous Kanaks, the A pension fund will own the the coalition government on la to be exchanged for Ven- set for next year. mine will be sold to a consorti- remainder. February 2 to protest the sale ezuelan gold,” said Borges, The massive Goro mine um that now includes employ- “More than just a simple as well as a budget plan for who presented his findings to complex has been shut since ees as well as three regional end to the crisis, this political the cash-strapped island in the the US Treasury and Senate December, when striking work- provinces. accord creates a new mining southern Pacific. —AFP Committee on Foreign Rela- ers tried to storm the site to As a result, local investors model for southern Caledo- tions. —AFP 5 MARCH 2021 14 BIZ: WORLD THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Texas power grid operator fires CEO after storm chaos

TEXAS’ power grid operator Good news -- now they are both has fired its president and CEO gone,” Patrick tweeted. following last month’s winter “Next -— one of my top 31 storm that left millions without priorities -— reforming ERCOT electricity, media reports said. and fixing what went wrong.” Electric Reliability Council Several board members of of Texas (ERCOT) has under ERCOT have already resigned come fire from customers and after millions of Texans were politicians over its apparent left without power in mid-Febru- failure to prepare for the cold ary as freezing conditions over- weather and the enormous bills whelmed local utility companies some customers have faced due ill-prepared for such weather. to a massive spike in energy pric- PUC chairwoman DeAnn es. Walker resigned on Monday. President and CEO Bill Texas governor Greg Abbott Magness was fired late Wednes- has ordered an investigation into day after the ERCOT board held Millions of Texans were left without power in mid-February as Arctic conditions overwhelmed local utility the grid operator, and the Feder- an emergency meeting and gave companies ill-prepared for such weather. PHOTO: AFP al Energy Regulatory Commis- him 60 days’ termination notice, ment. the leaders of ERCOT and the news. sion has also said it will probe CNN and other media reports Texas Lieutenant Governor Public Utility Commission of “2 days ago, I called on ER- the factors behind the power said, citing an ERCOT state- Dan Patrick, who has called on Texas to resign, welcomed the COT and PUC leaders to resign. outages. —AFP

NEWS Two-year suspended prison sentence IN BRIEF along with €250,000 fine for Flavio Becca Airbus says won’t lay off staff in Germany, SPORTS investor and construc- was the judge’s verdict in first were in part intended as invest- France or UK tion developer Flavio Becca has instance on Thursday. ments, said Flavio Becca during been accused of money laun- The trial involved over 800 the trial in late January. AIRBUS said Thursday that it would be able to avoid forced redun- dering and misuse of company luxury watches with a total value The prosecution had asked dancies in Germany, France and Britain as the European aircraft funds. of about €18 million, which were for 3,5 years in prison, with pos- maker reels from the fallout of Covid-19 on air travel. 2 years suspended prison secured during 13 searches in sible suspension, a €250,000 fine The staff situation in Spain, another production site for the air- sentence, as well as a fine of 2011. The bulk of it had been pur- and the confiscation of 324 luxury craft maker, is still uncertain because talks with unions had begun €250,000 and the confiscation of chased through various compa- watches. Flavio Becca himself later than elsewhere, it said. numerous watches. For watch- nies. In doing so, they had noth- was not present in court. Becca “At this moment, and thanks to the effectiveness of all social es that can not be seized, a fine ing to do with the objective of and his Defense have 40 days to measures deployed so far, Airbus does not see the need to imple- of €20,000 will be imposed. That the construction companies, but appeal. —AFP ment forced redundancies in France, Germany and the UK,” it said, adding however that this depended on the “successful deployment of ongoing internal mobility measures.” Lufthansa posts record annual loss, sees At the end of June, the company had said it was planning to cut around 15,000 jobs worldwide, or 11 percent of its total workforce. long recovery The company said the cuts were in response to the pandemic, which had triggered the “gravest crisis” the industry had ever seen. It added at the time that government aid could help reduce the number of layoffs.—AFP

Takeaway app Deliveroo picks London for share listing TAKEAWAY meals app Deliveroo on Thursday said it had chosen London for its stock market listing, a major boost for the capital’s financial sector which has been roiled by Brexit. Deliveroo, in line with other home-delivery companies, has seen demand soar in the past year owing to lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic. No date has been set for the initial public offering (IPO), while Europe’s biggest airline said it expects to book an operating loss again. PHOTO: AFP the group could be valued at more than $7.0 billion (5.8 billion euros). GERMAN flag carrier Lufthansa to recovery, it added that capac- “The past year was the most British finance minister Rishi Sunak welcomed Thursday’s said Thursday it lost a record ity will climb to 90 per cent of challenging in the history of our announcement, which comes after London’s financial sector, 6.7 billion euros in 2020, as the 2019’s level in “the middle of the company - for our customers, known as the City, recently lost its European share trading crown to coronavirus pandemic wiped out decade”. our employees and our share- Amsterdam following Britain’ exit from the European Union. demand for travel and left flights After borders slammed shut holders,” said Lufthansa chief “The UK is one of the best places in the world to start, grow and grounded. as governments scrambled to executive Carsten Spohr. list a business -- and we’re determined to build on this reputation Europe’s biggest airline halt contagion in the first wave In the airline’s home base, now we’ve left the EU,” Sunak said in comments included in the said it expects to book an oper- of the Covid-19 crisis, the airline demand is sluggish with work Deliveroo statement. ating loss again in 2021, though faced an uncertain future. from home orders curtailing “Deliveroo has created thousands of jobs and is a true British a smaller one than last year, as In June, it was offered a life- business travel. tech success story,” he added. capacity will reach only 40-50 per line by the German government, Across Europe, restrictions Sunak said the government of Prime Minister Boris Johnson cent of pre-pandemic levels for which pumped in nine billion eu- are also in place as governments was meanwhile “looking at reforms to encourage even more high the full year. ros of liquidity for a 25 per cent continue to battle rising infection growth, dynamic businesses to list in the UK”. —AFP Underlining the long road stake. numbers. —AFP 5 MARCH 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR SOCIETY 15 Pope says he will visit Iraq as ‘pilgrim of peace’

ON the eve of his historic trip a packed schedule of events to Iraq, Pope Francis paid trib- through to Sunday. ute Thursday to those who have From central Baghdad to suffered from years of violence, the Shiite shrine city of Najaf, saying he came as a "pilgrim of welcome banners featuring his peace". image and Arabic title "Baba In a video message, the al-Vatican" already dot the 84-year-old offered his hand to streets. "brothers and sisters of other From Ur, the birthplace of religions", but also highlighted the Prophet Abraham in the the heavy toll paid by Iraq's southern desert, to ravaged Christian communities, say- Christian towns in the north, ing there had been "too many roads are being paved and martyrs"."I long to meet you, churches rehabilitated. to see your faces, to visit your Among the most extraor- land, ancient and extraordi- dinary moments of the trip will nary cradle of civilisation," the be his one-on-one meeting with The pope’s trip to Iraq is his first foreign jaunt since the pandemic swept Europe last year. PHOTO: AFP pope said. Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the "I come as a pilgrim, a pen- terrorism." together and to walk together, foreign trip since the corona- highly reclusive cleric, who is itent pilgrim to implore forgive- "I come as a pilgrim of also with the brothers and sis- virus pandemic swept Europe a top religious authority for ness and reconciliation from peace in search of fraternity, ters of other religions," he add- a year ago, will arrive in Iraq many of the world's Shiite Mus- the Lord after years of war and animated by the desire to pray ed.The pope, making his first on Friday before embarking on lims. —AFP

Greece assesses damage from 6.3 magnitude quake NEWS

ENGINEERS in central Greece sleeping in their cars. state news agency ANA said, IN BRIEF on Thursday were assessing Civil protection officials said adding that schools were closed the damage from a strong 6.3 tents had been set up at Dama- on Thursday. French court acquits ex-PM Balladur in magnitude quake that injured at si’s outdoor stadium for tempo- State TV ERT said more corruption trial least 11 people, damaged hun- rary accommodation, in addition than 300 homes had suffered dreds of buildings and spread to five hotels in the nearby town various degrees of damage. Lo- A French court on Thursday acquitted former prime minister panic. of Trikala and the main city of cals said stone buildings over 60 Edouard Balladur on corruption charges after he was accused of The recovery work began Larissa.Repeated aftershocks years old had been the hardest using kickbacks from an arms deal but handed a suspended jail as scores of people from the have struck the area, including hit. term to his former defence minister. villages of Damasi and Meso- a strong 5.2 magnitude tremor The earthquake also ap- The verdict by the Law Court of the Republic (CJR), which sits chori, some 240 kilometres (149 on Wednesday evening.Crews pears to have affected the water to try serving and former ministers for alleged violations commit- miles) north of Athens, spent inspected schools, hospitals and supply around the Larissa area, ted in office, came just days after ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy the night away from their homes other vital public buildings in with many households reporting was convicted for corruption. Balladur, 91, had been accused of after Wednesday’s quake, many the area, in addition to homes, cloudy water. —AFP funnelling illicit commissions from arms deals to his unsuccessful presidential campaign in 1995. His former defence minister Francois Leotard, 78, was how- Dutch court drops farm kidnap charges ever convicted of complicity in the misuse of assets and handed a suspended two-year prison term and a fine of 100,000 euros against cult father ($120,000). Neither was present in court for the verdict. to drop the charges. Balladur and Leotard, both right-wingers, were charged in “The court is of the opin- 2017 with “complicity in the misuse of corporate assets” over ion that the defendant has such the sale of submarines to Pakistan and frigates to Saudi Arabia physical and cognitive limita- between 1993 and 1995. tions that he is unable to follow The verdicts came hot on the heels of a corruption conviction the criminal proceedings or to for former president Sarkozy on Monday which stunned France sufficiently understand the pos- and has led to a debate about the extent of political corruption. — sible consequences of this pro- AFP cess,” the Assen District Court said. “All things considered ...the public prosecutor’s case should be declared inadmissible.” Australia minister ‘sorry’ for calling alleged Five of the children were rape victim a ‘lying cow’ discovered on the remote farm Gerrit Jan van D was arrested in October 2019 for allegedly keeping his after a sixth walked into a lo- children in a room on his farm for around 10 years. PHOTO: ANP cal bar in a confused state and AUSTRALIA'S scandal-hit government on Thursday apologised for raised the alarm. calling an alleged rape victim a "lying cow," sparking fresh claims of A Dutch court on Thursday children in a room on his farm The father faced kidnap- a "toxic" culture in the country's corridors of power. dropped the case against a fa- in the northeastern village of ping charges as well as claims Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Defence Minister Linda ther who isolated his children in Ruinerwold. of sexually abusing two of his Reynolds "deeply regretted" the slur against her former staffer Brit- a remote farmhouse for a dec- But tests had found that a three older children, who were tany Higgins, who last month came forward with claims of serious ade, saying that he was mentally stroke in 2016 had left the for- not kept on the farm. But the sexual assault. unfit for trial.The 68-year old, mer cult member partially par- judges said he was unable to "I spoke to Minister Reynolds this morning about this matter," identified only as Gerrit Jan alysed, unable to speak and cog- discuss the case with his law- Morrison said. "She knows those comments to have been inap- van D., was arrested in October nitively impaired, prosecutors yers and put together a defence propriate and wrong... they were made in her private office in a 2019 for allegedly keeping his said last month, urging judges strategy. —AFP stressful week." —AFP 5 MARCH 2021 16 SPORT THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR ONE Fists of Fury II: Amir to fight against Kang tonight

AMIR Aliakbari of Iran will take Aziz Calim of Indonesia. on Kang Ji Wong of South Korea In the last fight or Bantam- in the main card or Heavyweight weight bout, Mark Fairtex Abe- bout of the ONE Championship lardo of New Zealand will fight special event named “Fists of with Emilio Urrutia of the United Fury II” at Singapore Indoor States. Stadium tonight. The ONE Championship The ONE event will feature Fights will be broadcast live bouts of world-class fighters, and free on ONE Super Application fights will start at 8:30 pm of Sin- and ONE gapore standard time, according Championship YouTube to the statement with the ONE Channel, according to the state- Championship. ment with the ONE Champion- There will be a total of six PHOTO: ONE CHAMPIONSHIP ship. men’s fights, including the main andre Mechado of Brazil will Ryogo Takahashi of Japan will will face Ruslan Emilbek Uulu of The first two fights will also fight. fight against Anatoly Malykhin fight with Tang Kai of China. Kyrgyzstan. be streamed live on ONE Cham- In the co-main bout or an- of Russia. In the other Featherweight In the Flyweight fight, Ros- pionship Facebook page, ONE other Heavyweight fight, Alex- In the Featherweight bout, bout, Yoshiki Nakahara of Japan han Mainam of India will take on Championship stated.—GNLM Man. United to join Liverpool Overseas fans likely to be barred from in not releasing internationals Tokyo Games: local media

TOKYO — Overseas spectators are likely to be an influx of visitors from abroad will endanger the shut out from the Tokyo Olympics, Japanese media Japanese public. “As the spread of coronavirus reported Thursday, after organizers said that public continues in every country, they have decided that safety would be the “top priority” at the coronavi- allowing visitors from overseas on a large scale will rus-delayed Games. only make people anxious,” the Yomiuri report said. The Japanese government, Tokyo metropolitan The three parties met with International Olym- government and Tokyo 2020 organizing committee pic and Paralympic Committee heads on Wednesday are leaning towards holding the massive event and agreed to take a decision on spectators by the in front of a domestic audience only, the Yomiuri end of the month, ideally before the nationwide Shimbun and other outlets said. Officials fear that torch relay begins on March 25. —AFP Manchester United Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. PHOTO: AFP

LONDON — Manchester also withdraw players if they United Manager Ole Gunnar are forced to quarantine, cast- Solskjaer said it “doesn’t make ing the participation of Brazil- sense” for his players to travel ian trio Alisson Becker, Rob- for international duty later this erto Firmino and Fabinho and month if they have to quaran- Portugal forward Diogo Jota tine on their return and miss into doubt. games as a result. In normal circumstances, Arrivals in Britain from clubs must release players for “Red List” countries are sub- international duty on specific ject to 10 days’ hotel confine- dates. However, FIFA has given ment. clubs dispensation to prevent South American countries players who may be affected and Portugal are among the by the regulations from join- nations on that list meaning ing up with their countries for United stars Bruno Fernandes the matches. “It doesn’t make of Portugal and Uruguayan sense to travel, when we are striker Edinson Cavani could paying them, if they come back be missing for World Cup qual- and are away for 10 days ” said ifiers. Liverpool manager Ju- Solskjaer. “That’s a chat we’ll rgen Klopp said his club will have with the players.” —AFP Officials fear that an influx of overseas visitors for the Games will endanger the Japanese public. PHOTO: AFP FC Barcelona loses EU bid to overturn state aid claim

BARCELONA — Barcelona Barcelona over a February 2019 Pamplona, Athletic Bilbao and sion claim that it was, in effect, definition under European law. It football club on Thursday lost a ruling that found its status as a Real Madrid were granted the receiving state aid, FC Barcelona ruled that the EU’s lower court bid before the EU’s top court to non-profit organisation gave it an non-profit status, and all other argued that there was no legal had erred in its handling of the overturn a claim it received unfair unfair lower tax rate than that ap- professional clubs had to regis- proof of an economic advantage. matter, and stated that “the aid state aid through tax breaks. plied to most other Spanish clubs. ter as limited sports companies But the EU court sided with scheme at issue was... liable to fa- The EU’s Court of Justice Under a Spanish law dating back subject to higher taxes. the commission in finding that vour clubs operating as non-profit dismissed an appeal lodged by FC three decades, only Barcelona, Hit by a European Commis- the conditions met the state aid entities”. —AFP