ORGANIZE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COVID-19 VACCINES PAGE-8 (OPINION)

NATIONAL NATIONAL MoC grants temporary relaxation of licence Oxygen cylinders requirements for anti-Covid-19 devices provided nationwide

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Vol. VIII, No. 102, 6th Waning of Waso 1383 ME www.gnlm.com.mm Thursday, 29 July 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.

Nay Pyi Taw sees transport and communications development

AY Pyi Taw is located between Nthe Bago Yoma Mountain and the Shan Yoma Mountains, near the centre of Myanmar, and is the main region for communication and trans- portation. It also borders Mandalay Region, Mag- way Region, Bago Region, Shan State, Kayah State and Kayin State. Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory is constituted with two districts and 8 townships. Of a total of 796 villages, 179 villag- es are accessible in any season and 617 villages are accessible only in summer. Therefore, The Department of the Rural Road Development of the SEE PAGE-4

INSIDE TODAY

NATIONAL NATIONAL NATIONAL LOCAL BUSINESS LOCAL BUSINESS Inmates vaccinated Myanmar, Laos discuss Suspects of Myanmar goods trade Myanmar attracts against COVID-19 ways to repatriate over Meiktila blast deficit with Singapore $3.76 bln FDI in nine in Insein central 400 Myanmar migrant arrested estimated at $1.388 months prison workers bln in seven months PAGE-5 PAGE-6 PAGE-6 PAGE-7 PAGE-7 29 JULY 2021 2 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Press release on plans to continue COVID-19 vaccination in Myanmar

1. The Ministry of Health and Sports is carrying out COVID-19 vaccination with 4. Those who will not be vaccinated at present are: - the following aims: - (a) those who have been vaccinated a kind of COVID-19 vaccines including (a) to reduce the infection and death rates of COVID-19 in Myanmar; COVIDSHIELD for two times; (b) to prevent the infection of COVID-19; (b) those currently suffering from fever and symptoms of COVID-19; (c) to mitigate the impact of the State economy based on infection of COV- (c) the COVID-19 confirmed patients who are yet to meet six months from ID-19. the laboratory test approval to the vaccinated day; 2. During the period from 27-1-2021 to 21-7-2021, the health staff and the major- 5. With regard to the incomings of vaccines and vaccination plans, a total of ity of public service personnel have been injected with the vaccines at full three million doses of vaccine arrived in Myanmar in July 2021. Three more time. According to the Myanmar National Vaccine Deployment Plan drawn million doses will arrive in coming August 2021. The already arrived vaccines in accord with the guidelines of the World Health Organization, the target will be injected into the people as quickly as possible. groups were set for vaccination on the priority. 6. The already arrived vaccines have been approved by the World Health Or- 3. Furthermore, the following target groups will soonest be vaccinated on ganization, and they are potent, safe and quality ones. the priority depending on the availability of the vaccines for meeting the 7. As everybody accepts vaccines for set times, better coverage of vaccines above-mentioned aims: - among the people will emerge the following benefits: - (a) the people above 65 years old; (a) the vaccines can cut off the chains of disease infection among the people (b) health personnel and private health staff who are yet to receive the vac- and effective mitigation of bad consequences for the people to be warded, cination despite serving the duties of prevention, control and treatment suffering from severe impacts of the disease and death rate of the disease; of COVID-19 at frontlines; (b) when the number of infected patients among the people declines, re- (c) volunteers who have not received vaccines while serving the prevention, quirements of beds at the hospitals, needs of oxygen and over workloads control and treatment of COVID-19; of health staff can be reduced; and qualified healthcare services can be (d) older people from the Homes for the Aged; given to the patients while the infection of disease can be placed under (e) religious personnel, monks and nuns; control in a short time; (f) people’s service personnel who have not been injected vaccines; 8. The people are requested not to believe misinformation and rumours about (g) private banking staff; vaccines; and as the vaccine is the best for themselves and their families, the (h) employees from private factories and industries; people are urged to systematically participate in the vaccination programme. (i) staff from hotels/motels/lodges; 9. The Ministry of Health and Sports requested retired medical professionals, (j) prisoners and inmates from jails; medical staff, private health staff, students from medical-related universities, (k) personnel from private transport services (inland, aviation and marine those from nursing and midwifery training schools and retired members of the transport); Defence Services Medical Corps to participate in the vaccination programmes (l) workers from supermarkets/markets; in order to fulfil human resources needed in the vaccination programmes and The soonest vaccination will be given to those from the remaining target to have higher coverage of vaccination in a short period of time. groups depending on the arrivals of the vaccines. Ministry of Health and Sports

COVID-19: start ourselves to take Personal preventive preventive measures practices against

ALL people are urged to abide by the following ways of prevention against COVID-19 without COVID-19 infection fail in line with the motto: “COVID-19: start ourselves to take preventive measures” not to violently infect COVID-19 as next wave and not to be infected of variant COVID-19 virus. (1) Wear the mask systematically when going out in public. (1) Systematically wear masks whenever go outside and also wear face shields whenever (2) Keep a proper physical distance. associate with many people. (3) Avoid the crowd. (2) Take adequate distance from each other as much as they can. (4) Wash your hands for 20 seconds frequently. (3) Avoid the crowds. (4) Take 20 seconds in systematically washing hands many times. (5) Avoid entering unventilated closed spaces as much as possible. (5) Avoid the visits to the closed chambers, air-conditioned rooms and the lesser ventilated rooms as much as possible. (6) Those who need to go outside houses should avoid acts close to and eat meals together with older persons above 60 years and those with diabetes, hypertension, and heart dis- eases. (7) Fully cooperate in quarantine processes. 4,980 new cases of COVID-19 (8) Don’t buy something from the vendors who do not wear masks. (9) Exchange information to each other. (10) Cooperate in vaccination of COVID-19 pandemic. Continuously follow the preventive reported on 28 July, total measures although they have received the vaccinations. (11) Strictly follow the work guidelines for preventing the COVID-19 pandemic issued by the Ministry of Health and Sports. figure rises to 284,099 (12) If somebody suffers from symptoms of higher body temperature, coughing, suffocation, tiredness and sudden loss of smell and flavour, they need to immediately contact nearby MYANMAR’S COVID-19 positive cases rose to 284,099 after health units to receive medical treatment. 4,980 new cases were reported on 28 July 2021 according to (13) If those who do not wear the masks when they go outside, and if those who conduct mass gatherings will face legal actions under the existing laws. the Ministry of Health and Sports. Among these confirmed cases, 3,584 have been discharged from hospitals. Death Health Knowledge Awareness Promoting Department toll reached 8,210 after 365 died. —MNA Ministry of Health and Sports 29 JULY 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL 3 BGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGA We need cooperation

THE volunteers are also welcomed and some volunteers report. However, some do not dare to volunteer due to the threats. Some cannot do as they are away from here. I have already been told that I welcome such volunteering and that shows we need cooperation.

(Excerpt from the speech to the 3rd coordination meeting on COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment made by the Republic of the Union of Myanmar State Administration Council Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on 18 July 2021) CHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHD

MoC grants temporary relaxation of licence requirements for anti-Covid-19 devices

THE Ministry of Commerce al- officials are also working togeth- home oxygen concentrators, lows temporary relaxation of li- er to facilitate the importation 275,778 test kits, 797 tonnes of cence requirements for anti-Cov- processes in line with the SOP. masks, five oxygen plants and id-19 equipment and products A total of 3,063 oxygen con- nine oxygen generators were during the public holidays. centrators and 15,250 test kits allowed to be imported by 549 The Department of Com- arrived at Yangon Internation- vehicles, while officials are now merce (Head Office) Import al Airport yesterday. A bowser giving priority to disease control and Export Division and the carrying 20 tonnes of liquid ox- of Covid-19. The Trade Depart- Export-Import Office (Yangon) ygen, 29 tonnes of liquid oxygen ment also operates as usual for are now accepting applications (cylinders), 3,302 home oxygen online registration for import for import and export licences concentrators, and 22 tonnes licences during long public holi- from 26 July to 1 August. of masks were also imported days from 26 July and 28 August. Export licences from 26 to via Myawady, Chinshwehaw, The Ministry of Commerce 28 July, including US$456 mil- Kawthoung and Tachilek trade is also cooperating with the min- lion worth of 56 import licences camps on the same day. These istry concerned to import the for drugs and medical supplies, materials were imported by 36 medical supplies. It also releas- 277 import licences including vehicles of 26 companies. es contact persons of relevant US$6 million and US$318 mil- From 12 to 28 July, 631 departments and its website ad- lion, respectively, have been tonnes of liquid oxygen, 494 dress -- Commerce.gov.mm for approved. tonnes of the liquid oxygen tank, people to know updated news. The relevant departmental 106 tonnes of oxygen gas, 44,684 — MNA 29 JULY 2021 4 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Nay Pyi Taw sees transport and communications ...

FROM PAGE-1 ed not only the earthen roads Union Territory is striving to into asphalt roads, concrete make the roads accessible to roads, gravel roads and rein- all seasons. forced roads which are acces- To develop the socio-eco- sible to any season but also the nomic lives of the rural people local-made wooden and bamboo with sustainable roads and bridges into reinforced concrete bridges, to get rural products bridges for a total of 870,430 ru- to the market as soon as pos- ral people in the Nay Pyi Taw sible by using rural roads, to Union Territory. make the roads accessible for In upgrading rural roads to the education, health and social reduce the disparity between matters of the rural people and rural and urban living standards to support the national trans- and to develop harmoniously, port project, are the goals of the the Department has upgraded department for the rural people. 64/7.71 miles of concrete roads; It is also a goal of the Rural 104/3.6 miles of asphalt road; Road Development Department 187/2.08 miles of gravel road; that was established on 21 July 437/4.4 miles of reinforced road; 2017 to make annual improve- 486/6.27 miles of earthen road ments for 80 per cent of villages in the Nay Pyi Taw Union Ter- and 90 per cent of rural people ritory.

miles of roads were completed population of 1,000 or more will for the rural people. be able to access rural roads by Rural Bridges 2020; by 2025, 95 per cent of all In terms of rural bridges, villages with a population of 500 46 concrete bridges, 3 wooden or more.; by 2030, 75 per cent of bridges, 30 submersible bridg- all villages with a population of es, 266 box culverts, totally 347 more than 250 and 50 per cent bridges were upgraded. of all villages with a population Implementation of the De- of less than 250 will be accessi- partment ble to all-season-round village The Department of Rural roads. Development has upgraded a Improvement to be contin- total of 507/5.86 miles of roads ued since its establishment in the As the Department of Rural 2017-2018 FY, with a 25 per cent Road Development in Nay Pyi of all-year-round accessible ru- Taw will continue to upgrade ral roads and 77.5 per cent of the roads to villages in the re- roads that are accessible in the gion to be accessible in any dry season in Nay Pyi Taw. season and as the work of the The strategic goal of the Department becomes more suc- Department of Rural Road De- cessful, the production/flow of to be able to use the roads that Since from the establish- concrete road; 59/1.63 miles of velopment is to have 80 per cent rural goods in the Nay Pyi Taw are accessible all year round ment of the Department of Rural asphalt road; 87/4.23 miles of of the villages and 90 per cent Union Territory will increase by 2030. Development in the 2017-2018 gravel road; 151/4.88 miles of of the rural population in My- as well as socio-economic life The Department of Rural Financial Year to the current laterite road; 123/3.85 miles of anmar by 2030 have access to will inevitably develop rapidly. Road Development has upgrad- 2020-2021 FY, 85/7.3 miles of earthen road, totally 507/5.86 rural roads, all villages with a — Cham Myae Maung/GNLM Oxygen cylinders provided nationwide

TATMADAW and well-wish- another 90 cylinders (40 litres) ers currently work together to by the North-West Command, provide oxygen cylinders to the Myanmar Police Force, Fire Bri- public hospitals, military hos- gade and volunteers to General pitals, health departments and Hospital in Monywa Township of COVID-19 treatment centres in Sagaing Region, 20 oxygen cylin- respective regions and states. ders by the Central Command to The Nay Pyi Taw Command Myingyan District Public Hospi- donated 50 oxygen cylinders to tal of Mandalay Region and 65 the 1,000-bedded Nay Pyi Taw oxygen cylinders by the Southern Public Hospital in Zabuthiri Command and Parahita organi- Township of Nay Pyi Taw Coun- zations to the public hospitals in cil while 99 oxygen cylinders (40 Monyo and Nattalin townships litres) by the South-West Com- of Bago Region yesterday. More- mand to the public hospitals and over, the Ministry of Health and welfare organizations in Pathein, Sports and Tatmadaw establish Thaboung, Maubin and Danubyu new oxygen plants to meet the townships of Ayeyawady Region, country’s oxygen needs. — MNA 29 JULY 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL 5 Inmates vaccinated against COVID-19 in Insein central prison

THE Insein Central Prison of the Ministry of Health and started its COVID-19 vaccina- Sports and the guideline of the tion drive for the prison inmates State Administration Council yesterday. According to prison and it will continue over the officials, a total of 610 inmates coming days depending on the were vaccinated on the first day. availability of vaccines from the “This is the first COVID-19 Ministry of Health and Sports. vaccination of prisoners at the At present, there are more prison. Although there is still than 9,000 inmates in the In- no outbreak of COVID-19 in the sein Centra Prison and more prison, we are taking precau- than 2,500 have registered to be tionary measures and all pris- vaccinated. — Myint Mo/GNLM ons who wish to be vaccinated will be vaccinated,” said a prison An inmate is seen receiving officer. health condition test before The vaccination was un- inoculation. dertaken by prison doctors and nurses, under the supervision

th COVID-19 vaccination Myanmar delegation attends 6 conducted in Nay Pyi Taw, ASEANSAI Senior Officials’ Meeting Yangon and Mandalay regions

THE COVID-19 vaccination was provided to civil service person- of the institutions. After- nel, prison inmates and people over the age of 65, including monks wards, Head of ASEANSAI and nuns in Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory, Yangon and Mandalay Secretariat Mr Bahtiar Arif regions, yesterday. presided over the meeting. A total of 276 civil service personnel from Nay Pyi Taw Union The meeting discussed Territory as their second dose; 1,161 people over the age of 65 in the amendments to the rules Chanayethazan, Maha Aungmye, Chanmyathazi, Pyigyitagon, and regulations of the Insti- Amarapura and Patheingyi townships in Mandalay Region; 360 tution (draft), Strategic Plan inmates in the Nay Pyi Taw Prison and 610 inmates in the Insein (2020-2025), the responsibil- Central Prison were vaccinated. ities of the Knowledge Shar- The vaccination was undertaken by Tatmadaw medical teams, ing Committee, and Action in collaboration with doctors and medical workers from the public Plan (draft) of the commit- hospitals and volunteers and officials encouraged and coordinated tees of the Institutions for with them where necessary. — MNA 2020-2023. The leaders and members of the delegations exchanged views on the le- gal feasibility study of the MALAYSIA hosted the 6th and officials led by the Perma- Institution. ASEANSAI Senior Officials’ nent Secretary of the Office The second day of the Meeting (SOM) yesterday to of the Auditor-General of the meeting will be held on 29 successfully hold the 6th ASE- Union. July. A videoconference was ANSAI Summit of the ASEAN Datuk Nik Azman bin Nik also hosted on 27 July by Supreme Audit Institutions Abdul Majid, the current chair Malaysia to prepare for and (ASEANSAI), through video- of the ASEANSAI, said, over support the 6th ASEANSAI conferencing. the last ten years since its es- Senior Officials’ Meeting. A The meeting was attended tablishment, the member coun- delegation led by the Deputy by delegations led by ASEAN tries have been able to enhance Permanent Secretary of the Senior Officials from the 10 mutual understanding and co- Office of the Auditor-General ASEAN member nations and operation and discuss impor- of the Union attended, it is the Director-General (Audit), tant issues to achieve the goals reported. — MNA Inoculation programmes are underway in Central Command areas. 29 JULY 2021 6 LOCAL NEWS THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Myanmar, Laos discuss ways to repatriate over 400 Myanmar migrant workers

OFFICIALS from Myanmar and and members, members of the Laos held a meeting at Wanbon Urban Development Support Port in Maing Phone (A) Vil- Group and officials from Laos lage-Tract, Tachilek Township, attended the meeting. Shan State (East) yesterday “The returnees will be re- morning and discussed the re- patriated in two batches on 30 patriation process for over 400 July and 1 August. At present, Myanmar migrant workers who there are more than 450 return- are facing difficulties in Laos. ees, and the returnees who are With the supervision of still facing difficulties will be Wasipit Sayadaw in Kengtung, repatriated and sent to their necessary processes for the respective regions and states,” convenient repatriation of the officials said. Myanmar workers were also “Arrangements have been discussed. made for health check-ups for U Ye Naing, Chairman of the returnees and arrange- the State Administrative Branch ments for quarantine centres (Shan East), Colonel Min Min to keep patients infected with Tun, Commander-in-Chief of the Covid-19 virus. the Tactical Team (Settlement) “Vehicles are also planned Tachilek, and U Myint Naing, to repatriate Covid-19 negative Officials from Myanmar and Laos held a meeting at Wanbon Port in Maing Phone (A) Village-Tract, Tachilek Chairman of Tachilek District people immediately,” officials Township, Shan State (East) yesterday morning and discussed the repatriation process for over 400 Myanmar Administration Committee added.— MNA migrant workers who are facing difficulties in Laos. Suspects of Meiktila blast arrested

THE terrorist groups CRPH, Pyin Ward on 27 July, including NUG and PDF intentionally the shop owner Pyi Thu and his send the youths to the ethnic wife Soe Noble. armed groups for military Based on the words of sus- training to destroy the State pects, the police also seized stability and attempt to commit two homemade guns of Aung bomb attacks and arson attacks Chit Ko at Lucky Star grocery in public areas and schools and (branch) yesterday. attack the teachers. According to Aung Chit Ko, The security forces arrest- he conducted bomb attacks on Aung Chit Ko ed Thein Thein Ei (aka) Kala the Meiktila district education Ma at her house in Nan Taw officer office and township Gone Ward of Meiktila Town- administrative office in Zay ship for sending the informa- Ashe Pyin Ward together with tion about the movement of the Thurein Soe on 27 July. On 6 security forces to Aung Chit Ko May, Thurein Soe, Htin Lin, who completed PDF training Wai Hmue, Khaing Mye Zaw, on 26 July. Tayoke Lay, Kyaw Zin Han, Arrestees are seen with seized arms. According to the confes- Pan Char and Htet Wai Yan sion of Thein Thein Ei (aka) also shot, with slingshots, the Kala Ma, Aung Chit Ko who teachers who held a meeting at the schools and destroyed fire to six motorcycles of teach- under Section 505(a) on 18 May. returned to Meiktila after the B.E.P.S (30) of Mazalibin Village three motorcycles of teach- ers in the district education The suspects Pyi Thu and training of TNLA at 7 Star gro- of Kywal Tain Village tract of ers in the school compound. officer office in Thiri Mingala his wife Soe Noble urged and cery in Inwa street of Zay Ashe Meiktila Township to reopen Moreover, on 7 May, they set Ward. These explosives were protected Aung Chit Ko who received from the suspect Soe possesses the weapons to com- Yan Nain, who died in an ex- mit destructive activities. plosion at Shwe Lin Pin Inn Similarly, Thein Thein Ei on 6 June. (aka) Kala Ma reported the ac- The police also received tivities of security members to the tip-off that Aung Chit Ko suspect Aung Chit Ko. bought two homemade guns Therefore, these four sus- from another suspect Paing pects who attempted to affect Zay (being arrested). the state stability and the rule The suspect Aung Chit Ko of law will face legal actions joined the explosive training of under the law and the authority TNLA at Ohn Thee Village of urged the people to report the Khun Kaw of Kyaukme Town- activities and hiding places of ship in Northern Shan State remaining suspects secretly to from 5 to 25 May under the Suspect Aung Chit Ko and terrorists set fire on Suspect Aung Chit Ko and terrorists atttacked the the officials, and to cooperate motorbikes belonged to teachers in Meiktila on 6 May district education office with a hand-made bomb instruction of Zin Min Phyo with the security forces to en- 2021. in Meiktila on 27 April 2021. (still at large) who was charged sure the stability. — MNA 29 JULY 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR LOCAL BUSINESS 7 Myanmar goods trade deficit with Singapore estimated at $1.388 bln in seven months

MYANMAR trade deficit in with Singapore, with exports goods with Singapore was es- reaching over $117.78 million timated at US$1.388 billion in and imports valued at over $1.5 the past seven months (Oc- billion. tober-April) of the current fi- Myanmar exports agricul- nancial year 2020-2021, the sta- tural products, footwear, tex- tistics issued by the Central tiles and clothing, minerals, and Statistical Organization under animal products to Singapore, the Ministry of Planning, Fi- while it imports plastic, fuel nance and Industry indicated. oil, capital goods, intermedi- Singapore is Myanmar’s ate goods, consumer products, second-largest trading partner metals, and chemicals. in the region, after Thailand. Myanmar’s bilateral trade In the current FY, the value with Singapore was registered of Myanmar’s bilateral trade at $3.5 billion in the last financial with Singapore in normal trade year 2018-2019, $1.99 billion in the and border trade topped $1.624 2018 mini-budget period, $3.83 billion. billion in the 2017-2018FY, $2.96 The Ministry of Com- billion in the 2016-2017FY, and merce reported that imports $3.69 billion in the 2015-2016FY, Singapore is Myanmar’s second-largest trading partner in the region, after Thailand. In the current FY, the surpassed exports in trade respectively. — KK/GNLM value of Myanmar’s bilateral trade with Singapore in normal trade and border trade topped $1.624 billion. CBM sells $33 million in July so far Myanmar attracts $3.76

THE Central Bank of Myanmar The CBM’s move is aimed moved in the range of K1,465- bln FDI in nine months (CBM) has sold US$33 million at at governing the market vola- 1,493 in January, K1,436-1,465 its FX auction rate in July so far. tility and supporting the state’s in February, K1,320-1,445 in MYANMAR has drawn foreign Korea, Viet Nam, Marshall Is- The bullish hard currency foreign exchange reserves, the March, K1,395-1,440 in April, direct investment of more than land, Samoa, Hong Kong (SAR) gained in the local forex market, CBM stated. K1,406-1,426 in May, K1,385-1,412 US$3.76 billion in the past nine and China (Taipei) also made reaching the peak of K1,730 on The local forex market’s in June, K1,367-1,410 in July, months of the 2020-2021 financial investments this year. 12 May from K1,330 in Janu- data showed that the dollar ex- K1,335-1,390 in August, K1,310- year, including an expansion of Of 44 foreign enterprises ary-end. In a bid to strengthen change rate touched the max- 1,355 in September, K1,282-1,315 capital by existing enterprises permitted and endorsed by MIC the local currency, the CBM imum of K1,345 and the mini- in October, K1,303-1,330 in No- and investment in the Thilawa and the respective investment reportedly sold $6 million on 8 mum of K1,327 in January 2021. vember and K1,324-1,403 in De- Special Economic Zone, accord- committees between 1 October July and $3 million each on 5, 6, The rate moved in the range cember. ing to the Directorate of Invest- and 30 June in the current FY, 7, 14, 15, 16, 26, 27 and 28 July in of K1,335-1,465 in February. It In 2019, the rates are pegged ment and Company Administra- 23 enterprises pumped FDIs the auction market, respectively. reached the lowest of K1,420 and at K1,508-1,517 in July, K1,510- tion (DICA). into the manufacturing sector. Consequently, the exchange rate the highest of K1,550 in March. 1,526 in August, K1,527-1,565 in The Ministry of Investment The power sector received six stands at around K1,645 on 28 The rate fluctuated between September, K1,528-1,537 in Oc- and Foreign Economic Relations large projects, and the livestock July, according to the CBM. K1,550 and K1,610 in April. The tober, K1,510-1,524 in November has been inviting responsible and fisheries sector attracted The CBM trades the foreign rate fluctuated between K1,585 and K1,485-1,513 in December. businesses to benefit the coun- six projects. The other services currency with the authorized and K1,730 in May and it moved On 20 September 2018, the try. sector drew five projects while private banks under the rules to the maximum of K1,595-1,620 dollar exchange rate hit an all- Myanmar Investment Com- the agriculture sector pulled two and regulations of the FX auc- last month. time high of K1,650 in the local mission (MIC) ensures to ap- projects. One foreign enterprise tion market. In 2020, the exchange rate currency market. — GNLM prove the responsible business- each entered the industrial es- es by assessing environmental tate and the hotel and tourism and social impacts. The commis- sectors. sion is working together with the The FDIs stood at $6.9 mil- relevant departments to screen lion from 158 enterprises in the the projects. FY2016-2017, $6.119 billion from In May, the UK-listed en- 234 businesses in the FY2017- terprises brought in a large vol- 2018, $1.94 billion from 89 pro- ume of investment of $2.5 million jects in the 2018 mini-budget and became the top source of year, $4.5 billion from 298 sectors FDIs in Myanmar in the past in the FY2018-2019 and $5.689 nine months, DICA’s statistics billion from 253 businesses in indicated. the FY2019-2020, respectively, Japan stood as the sec- the DICA’s data indicated. ond-largest investor this FY with Those enterprises have an estimated capital of $518.76 created over 96,000 jobs in the million from three projects, fol- FY2016-2017, 110,000 in the lowed by Singapore investing FY2017-2018, over 53,000 in the $428.336 million in Myanmar. 2018 mini-budget period, over Those enterprises listed 180,000 in the FY2018-2019 and The CBM’s move is aimed at governing the market volatility and supporting the state’s foreign exchange from Brunei, China, Thailand, 210,000 in the FY2019-2020, re- reserves, the CBM stated. India, Malaysia, the Republic of spectively. — MM/GNLM 29 JULY 2021 29 JULY 2021 8 OPINION THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR ARTICLE 9 Organize medical ` IMF warns developing nations falling behind due Myanmar Daily Weather Report professionals for (Issued at 7:00 pm Wednesday 28 July 2021) to unequal vaccine access BAY INFERENCE: Monsoon is strong to vigorous over the the production of Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal. FORECAST VALID UNTIL AFTERNOON OF THE 29 July While the global economy is still growing, the uneven distribution of vaccines is widening disparities as rich 2021: Rain or thundershowers will be scattered in Low- COVID-19 vaccines er Sagaing Region and fairly widespread in Upper Sagaing, countries pick up speed and leave developing nations behind, the IMF warned Tuesday. Mandalay, Magway Regions and Northern Shan, Kayah States and widespread in the remaining Regions and States with IT is necessary to produce the basic household medicines VACCINE access has emerged as to show stronger growth this year, devel- Temporary or persistent? likelihood of regionally heavyfalls in Rakhine, Kayin, Mon at home. Encouragement must be given to the production the principal fault line along which oping nations as a group are struggling Rising prices are another factor States and isolated heavyfalls in Kachin, Chin States. Degree “ of quality and high potent medicines at industrial zones and “ the global recovery splits into two to return to their pre-pandemic levels. weighing on the global recovery, and of certainty is (100%). factories,” said the Chairman of the State Administration Council blocs,” the International Monetary Fund “I would say we’re more worried than pose a challenge to policymakers. STATE OF THE SEA: Squalls with rough seas are likely at in his guidance at the fifth coordination meeting of the COVID-19 said in its updated World Economic Out- we were back in April,” Koeva-Brooks And while the recent inflation spike times off and along Myanmar Coasts. Surface wind speed in prevention, control and treatment on 26 July. look. But the IMF warned of the danger told AFP. is the result of the unprecedented and squalls may reach (35-40)m.p.h. Wave height will be about (8 Whenever imported the medicines including COVID-19 vac- to the whole world if new virus variants Vaccinations allowed an economic uneven turnaround from the pandemic -11)feet off and along Myanmar Coasts. cines, we waited for a long time for our turn. It is because we have are allowed to take hold. reopening and led to upgrades for the and should prove temporary, the IMF OUTLOOK FOR SUBSEQUENT TWO DAYS: Strong mon- no capacity to manufacture the COVID-19 vaccine. If we have The recovery “is not assured even in United States for this year and next, when raised the possibility that price increases soon. adequate technology for manufacturing the necessary medicines, countries where infections are currently growth is expected to hit 4.9 per cent. could become “persistent”. FORECAST FOR NAY PYI TAW AND NEIGHBOURING it is no need to wait for our turn. very low so long as the virus circulates However, that assumes the US “The unprecedented convulsion in AREA FOR 29 July 2021: Isolated rain or thundershowers. In fact, our country has elsewhere,” the report said. Congress will approve another round of the global economy last year continues Degree of certainty is (100%). intellectuals and intelligent- World GDP will expand by six per spending later this year of about $4 trillion to trigger aftershocks,” the IMF said, FORECAST FOR YANGON AND NEIGHBOURING AREA sia to create initiatives for cent this year, unchanged from the April in President Joe Biden’s infrastructure pointing to a shortage of computer chips FOR 29 July 2021: One or two rain or thundershowers. Degree Those the production of any med- forecast, but IMF chief economist Gita and job creation programs. and a lack of shipping containers where of certainty is (100%). icines. But they don’t have Gopinath flagged the “widening gap” as The IMF also raised the 2021 esti- they are needed, which has delayed de- FORECAST FOR MANDALAY AND NEIGHBOURING professionals permission and encourage- advanced economies grow faster and de- mates for Canada and Britain to 6.3 per liveries of materials. AREA FOR 29 July 2021: Isolated rain or thundershowers. De- ment from the authorities. veloping nations, especially in Asia, slow. cent and seven per cent, respectively, Koeva-Brooks said some of the gree of certainty is (80%). must not be A man (centre) exercises besides a hoarding urging the public to prevent the spread of the If they have the green light, The United States is projected to see while the euro area GDP is expected to bottlenecks and price jumps were to be Covid-19 coronavirus in Hanoi on 20 July 2021. PHOTO: AFP restricted under they are ready to produce much faster growth this year than previ- expand 4.6 per cent, just slightly higher expected and should be temporary, but Flood Bulletin necessary medicines for the ously forecast, expanding seven per cent nearly 40 per cent of the population, com- trillion cumulatively from global GDP by than the April WEO. acknowledged that the situation is hard departmental sake of the people and the growth thanks to massive government pared to barely 11 per cent in emerging 2025, more than half of that lost from rich India’s growth forecast was slashed to measure. (Issued at11:00 hrs M.S.T on 28-7-2021) country. They don’ have any spending and widespread Covid-19 vacci- markets and a tiny fraction in low-income nations, the fund estimates. three points to 9.5 per cent, and even “We’ve never seen how to reopen Flood condition ofSittoungRiver rules and colour. They don’t have any nations, but the IMF slashed the forecast countries, the report said. And this is not just a “tail risk” that is China was trimmed by three-tenths of a economies after a crisis like this one,” According to the (10:30) hrs M.S.T observation today, the bias. Their souls are always for India, which is facing a resurgence of Gopinath said “at least 1 billion vac- highly unlikely but “a realistic downside per centage point to 8.1 per cent. she said. water level of Sittoung River at Madauk has exceeded by about regulations. clean and free. They don’t infections. The Washington-based cri- cine doses should be shared in 2021 by risk,” said Petya Koeva-Brooks, deputy In Latin America, Mexico is expect- The IMF said inflation should return (1) foot above its danger level. It may continue to rise from the have any ambition. They tar- sis lender once again stressed that “the countries with surplus vaccines.” director of the IMF Research Depart- ed to post higher growth, helped by the to pre-pandemic ranges in 2022 and urged present water level by about (1) foot during the next (1) day Freedom of get to produce the medicines immediate priority is to deploy vaccines Failure to achieve widespread vac- ment. positive spillovers from the recovering central banks to hold off on reacting to and may remain above its danger level. benefiting mankind. equitably worldwide,” and pushed a $50 cinations could allow highly infectious US economy as well as from increasing the temporary price pressures — but to Flood condition ofThaungyinRiver creation must be As such, the authorities billion plan that offers a “feasible cost to virus variants to take hold, like the Delta More worried now domestic demand, while Brazil also got be ready to take “preemptive action”. According to the (10:30) hrs M.S.T observation today, the need to search for those end the pandemic”. variant that has become prevalent. That Although some emerging market a boost amid rising commodity prices, SOURCE: AFP water level of Thaungyin River at Myawady has exceeded by given to them at medical professionals. At Advanced nations have vaccinated could derail the recovery, wiping out $4.5 nations like Brazil and Mexico are poised which will fade next year, the report said. about (10½) feet above its danger level. It may remain above full capacity. If so, this junction, the authorities its danger level during the next (2) days. should contact those medical Flood condition ofThanlwinRiver manufacturing professionals with profes- According to the (10:30) hrs M.S.T observation today, the sional status. They don’t wish water level of Thanlwin River at Hpaan has exceeded by about the COVID-19 to obey any orders. They Coffee, vegetable may protect against COVID-19: study (½) foot above its danger level. It may continue to rise from the don’t wish for any positions. present water level by about (1½) feet during the next (1) day vaccines and They know dos and don’ts. and may remain above its danger level. But they prefer to enjoy the “One or more cups of coffee per day was associated with about a 10% decrease in risk of COVID-19 compared to less than one Advisory household It is especially advised to the people who settle near the river fruits of their work process. cup per day. Consumption of at least 0.67 servings per day of vegetables (cooked or raw, excluding potatoes) was associated medicines will They are in freedom style. banks and low lying areas in Madauk,MyawadyTownship and They don’t like any orders for with a lower risk of COVID-19 infection. Processed meat consumption of as little as 0.43 servings per day was associated with Hpaan Township, to take precaution measure. their works. If the authorities achieve success thoroughly organize those a higher risk of COVID-19. Having been breastfed as a baby reduced the risk 10% compared to not having been breastfed.” in a short time. medical professionals, their work process will achieve NORTHWESTERN Med- bles, fruit, fatty fish, processed lower risk of COVID-19 infection. fessor of preventive medicine at success. icine study shows coffee meat and red meat. An early-life Processed meat consumption of Northwestern University Feinberg Hence, the authorities Aconsumption and eating exposure to breastmilk also was as little as 0.43 servings per day School of Medicine. “Associations need to seek the best way of encouraging those medical profes- lots of vegetables may offer some analyzed. was associated with a higher risk with processed meat, but not red sionals. Necessary assistance must be given to them to conduct protection against COVID-19. Among the 37,988 participants of COVID-19. Having been breast- meat, point to non-meat factors.” their research. To be able to secure achievement in the production Using data from the UK Bio- tested for COVID-19 and included fed as a baby reduced the risk 10 The observational nature of of medicines, the authorities need to spend the necessary costs bank, researchers examined the in the study, 17 per cent tested percent compared to not having the UK Biobank research limits and time on manufacturing the household medicines and other associations between dietary be- positive. been breastfed. the extent to which mechanisms of vaccines to be conducted by the professionals. haviours measured in 2006-2010 The researchers found that Exact mechanisms linking protection can be tested, Cornelis As soon as the work process starts, necessary assistance must and COVID-19 infections in March one or more cups of coffee per these diet factors to COVID-19 said. However, much of her nutri- be provided to the medical professionals. Those professionals to December 2020, before vaccines day was associated with about are unknown. “Coffee is a major tion research uses genetics, and must not be restricted under departmental rules and regulations. were available. They focused on 1) a 10-per-cent decrease in risk of source of caffeine, but there are with all UK Biobank participants Freedom of creation must be given to them at full capacity. If so, diet factors for which data were COVID-19 compared to less than also dozens of other compounds currently genotyped, she hopes to manufacturing the COVID-19 vaccines and household medicines available and previously implicat- one cup per day. Consumption of at that may potentially underlie use this information to gain better will achieve success in a short time. ed in immunity based on human least 0.67 servings per day of veg- the protective associations we insight into how diet and nutrition and animal studies; 2) self-report- etables cooked or raw, excluding observed,” said senior author offer protection from the disease. A girl learns to make coffee latte during the Ankara Coffee Festival on 29 ed intakes of coffee, tea, vegeta- potatoes, was associated with a Marilyn Cornelis, associate pro- SOURCE: Xinhua Sept. 2018, in Ankara, Turkey. PHOTO: XINHUA/QIN YANYANG/FILE 29 JULY 2021 10 WORLD: ROLLING UPDATES THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

NEWS IN BRIEF U.S., Singapore agree on need for Hong Kong’s civil rules-based order in Asia society ‘withers’ under national VISITING U.S. Defence Secre- initiatives”, according to a joint tary Lloyd Austin and Singapore statement issued afterward. security purge Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen Singapore provides logisti- agreed Tuesday on the need for cal support to U.S. military air- HUNDREDS of elected com- a rules-based order for regional craft and vessels and allows the munity leaders in Hong Kong security and to work on expand- regular rotational deployment of have resigned and dozens of ing their defence partnership. U.S. Navy littoral combat ships civil society groups have dis- Austin, who arrived in Sin- and P-8 aircraft. banded as China remoulds gapore on Monday, is the first The statement described the finance hub in its own key member of President Joe the U.S. presence in the region image. Biden’s Cabinet to visit South- as being “vital for its peace, Just days before Beijing east Asia and is set to travel prosperity and stability.” Aus- imposed a sweeping national to Vietnam and the Philippines tin also held talks with Prime security law on the city last year, after three days in the city-state. Minister Lee Hsien Loong on student Wong Yat-chin found- During their meeting in Sin- Tuesday. ed a new group called Student gapore, Austin and Ng “agreed “We are looking for new Politicism. on the importance of sustain- ways to work together, and He had just finished his U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin (front, R) is honoured by ing a rules-based order” and strengthen this relationship exams and wanted to keep op- Singapore’s army on 27July 2021, in Singapore. PHOTO: SINGAPORE’S “committed to continue dis- further,” Lee said on Facebook position voices alive in a city DEFENSE MINISTRY/ KYODO cussions on U.S. force posture later.—Kyodo supposedly still guaranteed free speech by setting up small street booths to discuss issues Thousands of US-bound migrants stranded in Colombia such as democracy and prisoner rights. Since then he has been THOUSANDS of migrants are up, the municipal disaster man- arrested five times for hosting stranded in a Colombian port agement agency said Tuesday. booths or making speeches. town as they wait for boats to In the absence of land cross- “The red lines are be- cross into neighbouring Panama ings to the border, “the compa- ing tightened each day,” the on their way to the United States, ny takes around 700 to 750 (mi- 20-year-old told AFP.—AFP a state relief agency said. grants) but at night 1,000, 1,100, The Gulf of Uraba, on Colom- 1,200 more arrive,” head of the bia’s northern coast, is one of the disaster management unit, Cesar Taliban tell China main transit points for refugees Zuniga, told AFP. Afghanistan will from nearby Latin American He added that more than nations as well as Africa, and 10,000 migrants had now accumu- not be base for Asia, trying to cross into Pan- lated in the municipality of 45,000 separatists ama through a jungle corridor people. Dozens of migrants, in- known as the Darien Gap. The cluding pregnant women and A top-level Taliban delegation United States is usually their final children, can be seen crowded Earlier this year, migrants had set up camps on Necocli’s beaches as they visiting China assured Beijing destination. But the number of on the beach waiting for a spot on waited for the border to reopen. PHOTO: AFP the group will not allow Afghan- migrants arriving in the munic- a boat in images shared by local istan to be used as a base for ipality of Necocli has swelled in authorities. Zuniga said many of on the beach were trapped in Ne- said Zuniga. “There is no forced plotting against another coun- recent weeks and a local shipping them were living in local hotels cocli due to strict border closures border closure, the build-up is due try, an insurgent spokesman company that transports people or rented rooms. meant to contain the coronavirus to the operational and logistical said Wednesday. across the gulf into Panama’s In January, hundreds of mi- pandemic. inability of the transport compa- The delegation is in Chi- southern jungle is unable to keep grants living in makeshift tents “This time it is different,” ny,” Zuniga said.—AFP na for talks with Beijing offi- cials, spokesman Mohammad Naeem told AFP, as the insur- French court to rule on illegal assets of E. Guinea president son gents continue a sweeping offensive across Afghanistan funds. If the Court of Cassation impose sanctions against Teo- — including areas along their throws out the appeal by Teodor- dorin Obiang. shared border. in Obiang, who is vice-president Britain accused Teodorin Their frontier is just 76 kilo- of the poverty-stricken central Obiang of siphoning off state as- metres (47 miles) long — and at African country, his assets could sets into his own bank accounts to a rugged high altitude without be redistributed to the country’s fund a luxurious lifestyle, includ- a road crossing — but Beijing people under a new French law ing mansions around the world, fears Afghanistan could be used passed this month. luxury cars and the crystal-cov- as a staging ground for Uyghur The case against Obiang, ered glove that Michael Jackson separatists in Xinjiang. the son of Equatorial Guinea wore on his 1987-89 “Bad” tour. “The Islamic Emirate as- President Teodoro Obiang who Teodorin Obiang was first sured China that Afghanistan’s has ruled the country since 1979, convicted in France in 2017 and soil would not be used against is the most advanced of several again on appeal in February 2020 any country’s security,” Naeem opened in France against mainly when he was handed a three-year said. “They (China) promised Teodorin Obiang tried to pass off his Avenue Foch building as a African elites over ill-begotten prison sentence in absentia, fined diplomatic mission. PHOTO: AFP not to interfere in Afghanistan’s assets. The ruling will come two 30 million euros ($35 million), and affairs, but instead help to solve FRANCE’S top appeals court on the president of Equatorial Guin- days after Equatorial Guinea had all the assets that had been problems and bring peace.” Wednesday rules on the convic- ea for building up luxury assets in closed its embassy in London seized in the investigation confis- —AFP tion handed to the powerful son of the country with illegally obtained following a move by Britain to cated.—AFP 29 JULY 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR PANDEMIC: WORLD 11 US veterans department becomes first agency to adopt vaccine mandate

THE US Department of Veter- that is sweeping mainly through whom were unvaccinated. ans Affairs (VA) said Monday America’s tens of millions of un- Personnel such as physi- its more than 100,000 health vaccinated. “Whenever a Veter- cians, dentists, podiatrists, op- care personnel would have to an or VA employee sets foot in a tometrists, registered nurses get Covid-19 shots, becoming the VA facility, they deserve to know and others now have eight weeks first federal agency to institute that we have done everything in to be fully vaccinated. Earlier a mandate as California and our power to protect them from this month, VA officials said more New York City announced new Covid-19,” said VA Secretary than 70 per cent of the agency’s vaccine requirements affecting Denis McDonough in a news 300,000 employees were fully vac- workers. release. “With this mandate, we cinated. The new order applies US President Joe Biden looks at a dose of vaccine before its administered President Joe Biden’s ad- can once again make — and keep to 115,000 people, according to at a Covid-19 vaccination site at the Washington DC Veterans Affairs ministration had previously — that fundamental promise.” the Military Times. The move Medical Centre in Washington. PHOTO: AFP/FILE been reluctant to support such The statement added that came as part of a broader shift, to get vaccinated or submit to government employees but also measures, but is now confronted four unvaccinated VA employees with New York City announc- weekly tests, and California or- extending the rule to private sec- with a Delta variant-driven surge had died in recent weeks, all of ing municipal workers will need dering a similar measure for its tor health workers.—AFP Brussels says 70% of EU adults have at least one Covid shot

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen the continent and seen infection said Tuesday that 70 per cent of rates begin to tick up again. “I adults in the bloc have received therefore call on everyone — who at least one dose of a Covid-19 has the opportunity — to be vacci- vaccine. Overall, 57 per cent of nated. For their own health and over-18s are now fully vaccinated to protect others,” she said. The across the 27 nations, she said in European Commission — which a statement. “These figures put has been in charge of securing Europe among the world lead- vaccinations for the bloc — had ers,” von der Leyen said. earlier set the target of getting 70 “But we need to keep up the per cent of adults fully vaccinated effort.” The European Commis- by the end of summer. Von der sion president sounded a warn- Leyen said on July 10 that the EU ing over the “very dangerous” had delivered enough vaccines to Delta variant of the virus that reach that level. The inoculation has increasingly taken hold on drive in the bloc has picked up speed dramatically after a bumpy EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday that 70 per cent of adults in start due to supply shortfalls that the bloc have received at least one saw it lag behind pacesetters like dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. the United States, Britain and PHOTO: UNSPLASH/AFP Israel.— AFP

NEWS France’s top council to rule on IN BRIEF vaccine passports COVID-19 curbs to end in Australian’s Victoria state, continue in Sydney FRANCE’S highest constitutional authority on Monday said it would AUSTRALIA’S Victoria state said on Tuesday it will end lockdown rule next week on new legislation after curtailing the spread of COVID-19, but neighbouring New South passed by parliament that would Wales faced a four-week extension of restrictions according to media make vaccine passes a key part reports after new cases hit a 16-month peak. of daily life. The Constitutional More than half of Australia’s near 26 million population has been Council, which has the power to in lockdown in recent weeks after an outbreak of the highly infectious send laws back to the legislature Delta variant took hold in the New South Wales capital of Sydney and and government for changes, spread to three states. said it would issue the ruling on New South Wales reported 172 COVID-19 cases in the past 24 August 5. President Emmanuel hours, up from 145 a day earlier, with at least 60 spending time in the Macron last week ordered that community while infectious. the health pass -- proof of full vac- New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said a decision cination or a negative test -- would whether to lift the five-week lockdown will be taken this week, and be required for people in France local media later reported the state would announce a four-week to visit venues such as cinemas A jogger runs in the Champs de Mars as a strict lockdown comes into in effect in France to stop the spread of COVID-19, Paris, France, 21 March extension of the order on Wednesday. With less than 13 per cent of or nightclubs. Parliament voted 2020. PHOTO: AFP/FILE the state’s population fully vaccinated, curbs are expected to stay. overnight Sunday to Monday to “We know we’ve put in the hard yards for five weeks and we extend the use of obligatory vac- also makes vaccinations obligato- Saturday saw over 160,000 rally don’t want to waste all the good work that we’ve done by opening too cine passports from next month ry for health workers and carers. nationwide and dozens arrest- early and then having the virus spread again,” Berejiklian told a media for visits to restaurants and cafes But the plans have proven ed. It was passed after marathon conference. A spokesperson was not immediately available to confirm and trips on inter-city trains, as hugely controversial, prompting debates in the upper and lower the media reports about the planned lockdown extension.—AFP well as planes. The legislation two weekends of protests that on houses.—AFP 29 JULY 2021 12 ECON: WORLD / AD THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

China-Europe freight train service resumes from flood-hit Zhengzhou

Aerial photo shows a China-Europe freight train bound for Helsinki, Finland departing from Putian Station of Zhengzhou, central China’s Henan Province, 20 Nov. 2020. PHOTO: XINHUA/HAO YUAN CHINA-EUROPE freight Belgium’s Liege via the Ltd. showed. The freight trains that depart from border port of Erenhot trains have carried over the central Chinese city in north China’s Inner 700,000 twenty-foot equiv- of Zhengzhou have re- Mongolia Autonomous alent unit containers of sumed operations after Region. goods in the six-month pe- the city was hit hard by The China-Europe riod, surging 52 per cent floods triggered by tor- freight-train service has year on year. Launched rential rain. handled more than 7,300 in 2011, the freight trains On Sunday, a freight trips in the first half of have reached 168 cities train loaded with elec- this year, up 43 per cent in 23 European countries tronic components, auto from the same period last and recorded more than parts and other goods year, data by the China 40,000 trips, according to departed Zhengzhou for State Railway Group Co. the group. —Xinhua US manufactured goods growth slows in June

ORDERS for big-ticket continued to take a toll. growth seen the month last month’s gain with motor vehicles and parts orders have been wildly manufactured goods grew The Commerce De- before, which was sharply a 2.1 per cent overall in- fell 0.3 per cent as US car- erratic in recent months, at a slower-than-expect- partment reported durable revised up. Durable goods crease. Within that cate- makers continued to deal and the noise is likely to ed pace last month in the goods orders increased 0.8 orders were up 13 out of gory, non-defense aircraft with shortages of semicon- persist for some time yet,” United States, government per cent in June, weaker the last 14 months, the and parts rose 17 per cent ductors, which has forced Ian Shepherdson on Pan- data said Tuesday, as the than expected and much data said, and the trans- as Boeing shipped more some to idle assembly lines. theon Macroeconomics computer chip shortage less than the 3.2 per cent portation category fueled planes. However orders for “Vehicle production and said.—AFP 29 JULY 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR BIZ: WORLD/ AD 13

THE REPUBLIC OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR MINISTRY OF ELECTRICITY AND ENERGY ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION ENTERPRISE GROUND MOUNTED SOLAR POWER PROJECTS IN MYANMAR (Tender No. EPGE PV 02/2021-2022) THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR In accordance with section 8.2 "AMENDMENTS" Kyauk Phyu Special Economic Zone Management Committee of Request for Proposals (RFP) of EPGE PV 02/2021- 2022, EPGE herewith would like to announce that Bid Invitation to submit Expression of Interest (EOI) from legal consulting firms Submission Date shall be amended as 10th September 2021 and the Addendum No.1 shall be issued. 29 July 2021 The Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar is committed to develop Kyauk Phyu Special Economic Zone in Rakhine State and the Kyauk Phyu Special Economic Zone Management Committee (KPSEZ MC) is now inviting Amendment to the Open Tender No 3/2021 Expression of Interest (EOI) from local or regional or international law firms to provide legal services to the committee for the Kyauk Phyu Special Economic Zone Project, which includes an International Deep Sea Port and an Industrial Park. 1. Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation; Department of Mines announced the The EOI shall contain, but not limited to, the following information. invitation for open tender regarding the sale of (5008.574) 1) Brief description of the firm or organization, and description of the human and technical resources that will be Metric Tons; (21) Lots of Cathode Copper was advertised dedicated to the projects; in state-owned newspapers with the announcement that 2) The background and relevant experiences of the legal consultants, preferably PPP projects, and concession it would be sold in US dollars and an open tender would agreements locally and internationally be opened on 21.7.2021. However, the open tender will be postponed to 30.7.2021 as the tender opening date is The EOI shall be submitted by 3:00 PM (Myanmar Standard Time), Tuesday August 10, 2021, by email to: part of the government holidays. The announcement was Chairman made in the state-owned newspapers from 16.7.2021 KPSEZ Management Committee to 18.7.2021. Email: [email protected] 2. The tender has been rescheduled to open on 30.7.2021, which is now included in the extended public holidays, so On the basis of the above information, KPSEZ MC shall shortlist the potential Legal Consulting Firms. Only the the tender opening date will be reschedules as follows: shortlisted potential Legal Consulting Firms shall be invited to participate in the Tender process. (A) Closing date and time: 20.8.2021 (14:00) (B) opening date and time: 20.8.2021 (15:00) KPSEZ MC 3. For any further detailed information, it is requested to contact the telephone numbers: 067-3409378 and 067-3409372, Mineral Development Division, Department of Mines, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental 09 251 022 355 Conservation. Advertise with us Tender Committee Call Department of Mines 09 974 424 848

Japan’s Komatsu sells new hydraulic excavator in Southeast Asia

JAPANESE construction in a news release Monday. Komatsu said it will machinery maker Ko- The specifications of promote a two-model matsu Ltd. has launched the new model are opti- line strategy in Southeast a new 20-tonne hydraulic mized exclusively for ur- Asia, with the new model excavator in Southeast ban civil engineering work and the PC210-10M0 se- Asia for use in urban civil with four-cylinder engines, ries model to meet a wide engineering, starting with compared with the conven- range of customer needs Indonesia and Thailand. tional series with six-cylin- in the region. The new PC200-10M0 der engines, while main- The company plans excavator under the CE taining the quality and to extend the strategy to series features better fuel durability of the previous other regions it views as economy and prices 10 to model, it said. A Komatsu strategic markets, includ- 15 per cent lower com- spokesperson told NNA ing Asia, Latin America, pared with the PC210-10M0 that demand for residen- Oceania, Africa and the standard series excavator tial land development and Middle East, according to Photo shows Komatsu Ltd.’s 20-tonne PC200-10M0 hydraulic excavator under the CE introduced in 2019, the To- road construction in Indo- the news release. (NNA/ series for use in urban civil engineering. The Japanese construction machinery maker began kyo-based company said nesia is high. Kyodo)— Kyodo selling the new model in Southeast Asia in July 2021. PHOTO: KYODO Not so sweet: France warns on ‘aphrodisiac honey’ FRENCH health and “should above all not con- products like sildenafil or in the last months report- security authorities on sume them but destroy tadalafil.These are the ed several cases of people Tuesday warned against them”, French anti-fraud, main substances in the who had consumed the honey and gel products customs and health prod- anti-erectile dysfunction products. being marketed as natural ucts safety agencies said drugs Viagra and Cialis, These included “re- aphrodisiacs but which, in in a joint statement. which in France are only peated convulsions, pul- fact, contain ingredients They said the prod- available on prescription. monary haemorrhages, not marked on labels that ucts, marketed under These substances can brain swelling, or major The products, marketed under names like Black Horse may have dangerous side names like Black Horse have serious side-effects acute renal failure that, for Honey and Jaguar Power, contain chemicals like sildenafil or tadalafil which are used in drugs like Viagra and Cialis, effects. Honey and Jaguar Pow- in people suffering heart some, resulted in hospi- which in France are only available on prescription. PHOTO: Anyone who has er, claim to be natural but conditions, the agencies talizations,” the agencies SHUTTERSTOCK/AFP bought the products actually contain chemical warned, saying clinics had warned.— AFP 29 JULY 2021 14 SOCIETY THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

NEWS Blinken in veiled warning on rights, democracy in India IN BRIEF US Secretary of State Antony it’s vital that we two world-lead- Man robs iconic Blinken issued a veiled warn- ing democracies continue to Parisian jeweller ing Wednesday about Indian stand together in support of using stand-up democracy backsliding in his these ideals.” first official visit to New Delhi. Under Modi, India has made scooter as getaway Rights groups say civil lib- growing use of anti-terrorism erties and the space for dissent legislation and “sedition” laws to An armed man using a stand-up are under increasing attack in arrest campaigners, journalists, scooter Tuesday robbed famed the world’s biggest democracy students and others, critics say. Parisian jeweller Chaumet of up under Prime Minister Narendra Earlier this month, an to three million euros worth Modi’s government. 84-year-old priest and tribal of jewellery in an audacious Blinken told civil society rights activist, charged with ter- evening heist, a source close groups — his first appointment rorism offences, died after nine to the case said. before meeting Foreign Minis- months in custody, prompting The robber stole between ter Subrahmanyam Jaishankar international outrage including two million and three million and Modi — that the United from the UN High Commission- euros ($2.4-$3.6 million) worth States and India are “connect- er for Human Rights. of jewellery and precious stones ed by shared values” such as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to meet Prime The Hindu nationalist ad- after bursting into the shop near the rule of law and freedom of Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to India. PHOTO: POOL/AFP ministration has also brought the Champs-Elysees avenue religion. times that process is painful. “At a time of rising global in legislation that detractors say around 5 pm, the source said. But he added: “Both of our Sometimes it’s ugly. But the threats to democracy and in- discriminates against India’s Without using his weapon, democracies are works in pro- strength of democracy is to ternational freedoms — we talk 170-million-strong Muslim mi- the man also made his getaway gress... As I said before, some- embrace it.” about a democratic recession — nority.— AFP on the scooter from the store on Rue Francois 1, the source said. Chaumet, now part of the world’s leading luxury goods Mata’afa takes office as Samoa’s first female PM maker LVMH, is best known for its store on Place Vendome, FIAME Naomi Mata’afa entered diate priority to keep the gov- which was robbed in 2009 with parliament as Samoa’s first fe- ernment running and give her 1.9 million euros worth of gems male prime minister Tuesday, cabinet time to review Samoa’s stolen.— AFP ending a bitter impasse that financial and economic circum- left the Pacific island without stances. an effective government for 109 But she told Radio New Leader of Tanzanian days after her election victory. Zealand the preparations had opposition party Following several abortive not been smooth going. charged with legal challenges, outgoing lead- “We had approached key er Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi ministries... in terms of pre- terrorism finally conceded defeat on Mon- paring briefs for an incoming day, allowing Mata’afa and her government. They weren’t very A court in Tanzania has charged fledgling cabinet to move into responsive,” she said. “I would the leader of the main opposi- their parliamentary offices. presume now that the issue has tion party with terrorism-relat- “I am pleased and thank- been settled about the validity ed offences, following his arrest Fiame Naomi Mata’afa is the first woman to become prime minister of Samoa, ful,” Mata’afa said, listing an of our government, they will that drew international concern taking office after a bitter impasse. PHOTO: SAMOA OBSERVER/AFP interim budget as her imme- come on board.”—AFP and criticism of the country’s new president. Chadema chairman Free- British Museum to restore objects damaged in Beirut blast man Mbowe was detained last week along with 15 other mem- bers of the party in a late-night THE British Museum will re- TEFAF chairman Hidde van crackdown government critics store eight ancient glass arte- Seggelen. said bore the hallmarks of the facts damaged in last year’s Bei- The artefacts were held in a oppressive rule of country’s late rut port explosion, the London case displaying 74 Roman, Byz- leader. State prosecutor Ester cultural institution announced antine and Islamic-era glass ves- Martin said Mbowe had been on Tuesday. sels in the American University charged with two counts of The glass vessels were shat- of Beirut’s Archaeological Muse- “economic sabotage”, crimes tered after 2,750 tonnes of ammo- um, located 3.2 kilometres (two that do not allow for bail in nium nitrate stored in Beirut’s miles) from the blast. Tanzania. “These are terrorism port caused a blast that devas- The explosion caused them financing and terrorism con- tated the city on 4 August 2020. to shatter into hundreds of piec- spiracy,” she told reporters late Workers will piece together es, which were mixed with bro- Monday. Chadema said Mbowe hundreds of glass fragments at ken glass from cabinets and had been charged in Kisutu the British Museum’s conserva- windows. court with terrorism crimes tion laboratories in London with Only 15 vessels were A view shows the damage inside an apartment in the neighbourhood without his family or lawyers funding from The European Fine deemed salvageable and eight of Gemmayze on 5 August 2020, a day after a blast in a warehouse in present. The party chairman Art Foundation (TEFAF). safe to travel to London for res- the port of the Lebanese capital sowed devastation across entire city neighbourhoods, killing more than 100 people, wounding thousands and the other Chadema offi- “These objects hold im- toration. and plunging Lebanon deeper into crisis. PHOTO: PATRICK BAZ / AFP cials were arrested in the Lake mense historical, artistic and Sandra Smith, head of col- Victoria port city of Mwanza last cultural significance. Their re- lection care at the British Muse- have to be drawn back under the evolution of glass-production Wednesday ahead of a planned turn to their rightful form is a um, explained that glass recon- tension. technology in Lebanon, with two public meeting to demand con- powerful symbol of healing and struction is a “delicate process” The vessels, dating back to thought to have been imported stitutional reform.—AFP resilience after disaster,” said as shards move out of shape and the first century BC, document from Syria or Egypt.—AFP 29 JULY 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR GLOBAL AFFAIRS 15 Biden accuses Russia trying to disrupt 2022 elections NEWS IN BRIEF US President Joe Biden on typically see hackers encrypting Tuesday accused his Russian victims’ data and then demand- Colombia expels counterpart of seeking to disrupt ing money for restored access. German who took the 2022 congressional elections “If we end up in a war, a part in anti-govt by spreading “misinformation.” real shooting war, with a major “Look at what Russia is power, it’s going to be as a con- protests doing already about the 2022 sequence of a cyber breach,” elections and misinformation,” Biden said. COLOMBIAN immigration Biden said during a trip to the The United States will hold authorities said Tuesday they office of the director of national midterm elections in fall 2022, in had expelled a German woman intelligence near Washington, which all seats in the House of who took part in demonstra- referring to information he re- Representatives and one-third tions against the government ceives during his daily briefing. of the Senate seats will be on of President Ivan Duque. Rebec- “It’s a pure violation of our the ballot. ca Sproesser “was carrying out sovereignty.” Washington recently ac- activities that had nothing to do He also lashed out at Rus- cused Beijing of carrying out the with her status as a tourist, and US President Joe Biden (left) has accused his Russian counterpart sian President Vladimir Putin. massive hack in March of Micro- which could affect the civil order Vladimir Putin (right) of trying to spread misinformation to disrupt the Putin has “a real problem, US 2022 midterm elections. PHOTO: AFP/FILE soft Exchange, and the White and peace,” said the immigration he is sitting on top of an economy House has also repeatedly called authorities in a statement justi- that has nuclear weapons and makes him even more danger- pressed concern about the re- on Russia to take action against fying “the decision to expel her”. nothing else,” Biden said. “He ous in my view.” cent increase in cyberattacks, ransomware attacks originating Sproesser regularly upload- knows he is in real trouble, which The US leader also ex- including via ransomware, which from within the country.—AFP ed photos and video of demon- strations to her social media net- works, in which she met with members on what she called France owes French Polynesia ‘a debt’ the “front line” of protests in the southwestern city of Cali. On over nuclear tests: Macron Friday, she said on Facebook she had been the victim of an attack to Polynesian officials during investigative website Disclose in the city, which has been the his first official trip to the ter- reported in March that the im- epicentre of anti-government ritory, adding that there should pact from the fallout was far protests that left more than 60 be better compensation for vic- more extensive than authori- dead in three months.—AFP tims of the tests. ties had acknowledged, citing “The nation owes a debt to declassified French military French Polynesia. This debt is documents. HRW accuses Israel, from having conducted these Macron echoed the senti- Hamas of ‘apparent tests, in particular those be- ments in his remarks on Tues- war crimes’ in Gaza tween 1966 and 1974.” day. The legacy of French test- “I want to tell you clearly conflict ing in the territory remains a that the military who carried source of deep resentment and them out did not lie to you. They HUMAN Rights Watch said is seen as evidence of racist took the same risks... There Tuesday that both Israel and colonial attitudes that disre- were no lies, there were risks Gaza’s Islamist rulers Hamas French President Emmanuel Macron stopped short of apologizing for garded the lives of locals. that weren’t calculated, includ- “apparently” committed “war the nuclear tests carried out from 1966 to 1996. PHOTO: AFP The tests were conducted ing by the military.” crimes” during a May conflict, FRENCH President Emma- territory between 1966 and 1996, from 1966 to 1996 as France de- “I think it’s true that we calling for the incidents to be nuel Macron said Tuesday that but stopped short of apologis- veloped nuclear weapons. would not have done the same probed as part of ongoing inter- Paris owed “a debt” to French ing. Officials denied any cov- tests in La Creuse or in Britta- national investigations. Polynesia over nuclear tests “I want truth and transpar- er-up of radiation exposure ear- ny,” he said, referring to regions The 11-day conflict saw conducted in the South Pacific ency,” Macron said in a speech lier this month after French inside France.—AFP Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in Gaza fire thou- sands of rockets towards Israel, After weeks-long wait, Peru’s president to be sworn in which pounded the strip with hundreds of air strikes. In a report released Tues- LEFTIST Pedro Castillo is to by an electoral jury. day, HRW said it had investi- be sworn in as Peru’s president Three days of ceremony gated three Israeli attacks that Wednesday with a full inbox: are planned, starting with the “killed 62 Palestinian civilians tame the coronavirus epidemic, swearing-in Wednesday on where there were no evident reactivate a flagging economy, Peru’s independence day -- an military targets in the vicini- and put paid to years of political event that will be attended by ty,” interviewing Palestinians in turmoil. Spanish King Felipe VI, six Latin Gaza and analysing data from The rural school teacher American leaders, former Bo- the sites and digital imagery. becomes Peru’s fifth president livian President Evo Morales, It listed a May 10 strike in in three years, and has vowed and the United States education Beit Hanoun, one on 15 May to upend a quarter century of secretary among the guests. at the Al-Shati refugee camp neo-liberal government. A military parade is planned and a series of air strikes on 16 He was declared the victor for Lima on Friday. May in Gaza City as the focus on July 19, more than six weeks Castillo, 51, becomes Peru’s of its investigation, but noted after a runoff vote against right- first president in decades with “other Israeli attacks during the wing rival Keiko Fujimori, whose no ties to the country’s political Pedro Castillo was born in Puna, a town in Cajamarca, where he worked conflict were also likely unlaw- fraud claims were then reviewed or economic elite.—AFP as a rural school teacher. PHOTO: X07403/AFP ful.”—AFP 29 JULY 2021 16 SPORT THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Aung La N Sang to take on Leandro Ataides on 30 July Republic of the Union of Myanmar State Administration Council Nine Objectives

1. Political affairs (a) To build a Union based on democracy and fed- eralism, through a disciplined and genuine mul- tiparty 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

PHOTO: ONE CHAMPIONSHIP and livestock through modern techniques and strengthen all-round development in other sectors MYANMAR’S sports icon and successful grapplers to test pore Indoor Stadium on Friday, of the economy. former two-division of ONE his skills in ONE Champion- 30 July, and the six-bout card (b) To develop a stable market economy and promote Champion World Champion ship. Despite his BJJ black features amazing fights includ- international investment in order to enhance the Aung La N Sang will fight against belt credentials, the Brazilian ing kickboxing, Muay Thai, and economic development of the entire National Brazilian giant fighter Leandro powerhouse has grown into a MMA. people. Ataides in the middleweight complete martial artist and has The Skynet Channel will (c) To promote and support local businesses to create clash of the ONE Championship since registered half of his wins show live the ONE event includ- employment opportunities and increase domestic event named ONE: Battleground by way of spectacular knockout ing Aung La N Sang vs Leandro production. at Singapore Indoor Stadium in to showcase his growing strik- Ataides fight starting from 7 pm 3. Social affairs Singapore on 30 July. ing skills. of Myanmar standard time. Besides being tied for most Ahead of the fight, Aung At the same time, the full (a) To ensure a strong and dynamic Union spirit, the knockouts in the middleweight La N Sang said, “Life is a bat- event stream will be available genuine spirit of patriotism. division, both fighters will give tleground. No matter what the free on ONE’s YouTube chan- (b) To respect and promote the customs and tradi- their best of all to earn a re- circumstances are and where nel and the ONE Super Mobile tions of all National peoples and preserve and match against reigning ONE you are in life, keep fighting.” Application. safeguard their cultural heritage and national Middleweight World Champion ONE Championship, one Also, the first two bouts will characteristics. Reinier De Ridder. of the most popular world’s be streamed on ONE Champi- (c) To enhance the health, fitness and education Leandro Ataides is a five- martial arts organizations, will onship Facebook and Twitter quality of the entire nation. time Brazilian jiu-jitsu World broadcast the ONE: BATTLE- pages, ONE Champion officials Champion and one of the most GROUND live from the Singa- said. — GNLM Chinese teens win Olympic diving gold to keep perfect record

CHINA stretched their remarkable 100 per Jessica Parratto and Delaney Schnell cent Olympic record in women’s synchro- of the United States won silver in a distant nized 10m platform diving thanks to two second (310.80 points), with bronze going to fearless teenagers on Tuesday. Mexico’s Gabriela Agundez and Alejandra China came into the pandemic-delayed Orozco (299.70). Tokyo Games hoping for a clean sweep of Asked by AFP afterwards if they had diving golds, but they were stunned by Brit- felt any nerves at all, the Chinese teenagers ish duo Tom Daley and Matty Lee on Mon- turned to look at each other and then said in day. Normal service was resumed however unison: “No.” But Chen, a world champion as Chen Yuxi, who is just 15, and 17-year-old in the individual event when she was only diving partner Zhang Jiaqi romped to a 13, cautioned that “I hope we are not one- comfortable gold with 363.78 points at Tokyo time wonders.—AFP Aquatics Centre. The Chinese have won the women’s China stretched their remarkable 100 per cent synchronized 10m platform gold at every Olympic record in women’s synchronized Olympics since its debut at Sydney in 2000. 10m platform diving thanks to two fearless teenagers on Tuesday. PHOTO: AFP Tuesday’s gold was number six in the event.