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adv.pmd 11 10/10/2013, 8:30 PM adv.pmd 12 10/10/2013, 8:07 PM adv.pmd 13 10/10/2013, 8:07 PM adv.pmd 12 10/10/2013, 8:07 PM adv.pmd 13 10/10/2013, 8:07 PM adv.pmd 11 10/10/2013, 8:10 PM adv.pmd 11 10/10/2013, 8:09 PM adv.pmd 11 10/10/2013, 8:10 PM adv.pmd 11 10/11/2013, 12:23 PM adv.pmd 12 10/10/2013, 8:14 PM adv.pmd 13 10/10/2013, 8:15 PM Editor’s Note It is hard to say with any certainty what changes the next month will bring. But it is our commitment to try our best to make the readers get the best documen- tation and analyses of the developments in Myanmar. This South East Asian nation has been undergoing profound and rapid changes in the past couple of years. Still there are several issues that need to be addressed urgently and the crucial thing are the good faith and efforts of all the stakeholders. On top of them is the issue of 2008 Constitution followed by national reconciliation and rule of law. To create an investor- friendly business environment, it is no doubt that political stability is a pre-requisite. The world today is experiencing an ACUMEN ever-greater need for energy. Developed and developing countries are compul- sively looking for energy sources worldwide and Myanmar has been an obvi- Editorial Board ous nation rich in natural resources. This issue of Acumen looks at this politi- CEO / Chief Editor cally important energy sector in-depth from many different angles including the Dr. Htet Zan Linn use, management, transparency, people's rights and federal system of natural Director resources. It has also discussed how the natural resources are impacting on the Dr. Hein Thu Aung, Tin Tun Kyaw peace and constitution of this nation of 60 million people. Myanmar will be Executive Editor busier at least in the next two years. She will be hosting SEA Games in 2014 Phyo Wai and taking the Asean chair the following year. Tourism industry will definitely Editors see far better opportunities as well as challenges. This month, we have included Hein Zaw, Khin Win, Khaing Minn Nyo an interesting tourism piece called the ‘‘Trend of Riverine Cruise in Myanmar’’. Contributors Hein Zaw, Myitmakha, Dr. Tin Maung Kyi, It was quite a coincidence that all major competitors in this industry happen to Naing Thit, Mikael Knudsen, be all women entrepreneurs while women representation has been quite low in Khaing Minn Nyo other areas including politics. Other interesting stories include ‘‘How free can Cover Myanmar be?" and ‘‘Is Myanmar a mysterious country for foreign investors?" Hatt Kawt among others. We do hope you will enjoy reading this November issue like the Designers previous ones. Aung Aung (AN Computer), Thaw Tar Oo Thank you! A Computer Operator Zin Wai Wai Shein Marketing Department January Khine Mon, Naw Keziah, Yadanar, Nan Mo, May Hsu Mo Mo Photographers Aung Kyaw Moe (New Image) Hein Zaw, Khaing Minn Nyo Advisors Publisher and Copyright Dr. Htet Zan Linn Prof. Dr. Aung Tun Thet (President's Economic Advisor) Prof. Maw Than (Rector (Ret), Yangon Institute of Economics Yangon) Printer Soe Tint Aung (Special Consultant for Advocacy, PSI Myanmar) Dr. Tun Lwin (Consultant, Myanmar Climate Change Watch,Tun Lwin Foundation) Than Lwin (Deputy Governor (Ret), Central Bank of Myanmar) Tin Zan Kyaw (Principal, Device Business Management Academy) Grace Swe Zin Htaik (Media Advocacy Advisor, PSI Myanmar) Office No. 24/26, 4B-C, Race Course Condo, South Race Course Street, TAMWE TOWNSHIP, YANGON Tel : (+959) 420033355 66 77 (Hot Line), (+959) 73045140, 49317457, 73143313, (+951) 8603886, 8603887 ~ ~ [email protected] [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], Masthead.pmd 1 10/11/2013, 12:08 PM ‘‘The mindset of leadership is the determination to serve, Voices not to lead, and it is the determination and the commit- ment to serve that decides who is the real leader, and ‘‘United States of not the desire to be a leader.’’ America was one of the Daw Aung San Suu Kyi countries holding Chairperson sanction on Myanmar for National League for Democracy Party a long time. It will be a miracle that they did not notice that US$11 billion is in the bank.’’ ‘‘List of ownership by each governmental official includes house, land, vehicle, jewelry, and money in banks, have to U Ye Htut report in sealed envelope to the President. ’’ Deputy Minister of Information U Soe Thein Union Minister at President Office ‘‘The remaining two years of this Parliamentary term of five years will be up soon. But land issues will remain in the next term of parliament and government. At present, we are trying to be better administration all the issues from previous military government.’’ U Khine Maung Yi Member of Land Confiscation Investigation Commission ‘‘To reform for the development of a country, one or two years is not enough. We are trying hard for democracy transformation in these two years that we never have before. To reach better development, we have to try hard for next four or five years.’’ U Moe Myint Kyaw Secretary-General Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) ACUMEN ⏐ 11 Voices.pmd 11 10/10/2013, 7:49 PM Photo Feature 12 ⏐ ACUMEN www.myanmarb2bmagazine.com September 2013 Photo Feature.pmd 12 10/11/2013, 12:03 PM ACUMEN ⏐ 13 Photo Feature.pmd 13 10/11/2013, 12:03 PM News in Brief Japanese airline starts In promoting vocational training sec- Committee, said: ‘‘The conflict is not huge, tors, in strengthening the TVET system not a gigantic problem. So there are some Tokyo - Yangon project aims innovative strategies for vo- problems but I think that they are not direct flight cational training have been tested in prac- insurmountable problems. It can be tack- tice and incorporated into the reform pro- led in due course. That is one part. An- cess of Myanmar's vocational training and other part is that this area is quite im- education system. mune from those crises." To help develop the financial sector, The SEZ is one of the most important GIZ will offer a loan of 4.5 million Euros investment zones of the country. Thilawa (US$5.82 million) to Myanmar small and and Dawei SEZs in southern part of the medium enterprises (SME) realizing that country are well known projects. The SMEs play a key role of country's sustain- government will ensure to be stable and able economic development. GIZ believes peaceful for investors. The clashes be- that SMEs will be able to drive economic tween Bengali Muslims and ethnic Ra- The Japanese major airline, All Nippon growth and social development in Myan- khine are under the control of Martial Law Airways (ANA), has begun Yangon-To- mar. but effects of the law impact more than kyo route since early September, an offi- Last August, GIZ had a discussion with northern part of the state. cial said at the Myanmar-Japan Associa- Myanmar businessmen for technical help The Kyauk Phyu SEZ expects to see tion celebration at Sedona in Yangon. of Myanmar tea development and its in- an initial investment of US$277 million, The airline used Boeing 767-300 ER ternational market. Now, the GIZ is imple- with the first phase of development due airplane which can carry 202 passengers menting two projects- Strengthening the for completion in 2016. The government of which 35 are business class. After 12 TVET System and Financial Sector De- calls open tenders since last year. A years' suspension, ANA was recommenc- velopment in Myanmar and it will be fin- ing the regular direct flight between To- ished in 2015. A kyo and Yangon thrice a week. There are a total of 22 international airlines fly- KBZ wins two awards ing to Myanmar and eight airlines are Government pledges this year operating domestically. A for Kyauk Phyu SEZ security German helps three Myanmar government has been identify- sectors of Myanmar ing the economic potentials to contribute development to the country's economic development and is committed to develop Kyauk Phyu Special Economic Zone in Rakhine State. The SEZ is under the new law in- cluding free trade zones, tax incentives The Ministry of Finance announced the and other attractive offers for the inves- list of top 100 highest taxpayers in Myan- tors. mar on 14 September. Among those, Kan- Dr. Mg Maung Thein, Deputy Finance bawza Bank was awarded the highest Minister and Vice Chairman of the Kyauk taxpayer for 2012-2013 financial year. Phyu SEZ Bid Evaluation and Awarding Last June, Kanbawza Group was cho- sen the Best Corporate Governance award During a visit to Myanmar in February for 2013 by World Finance Magazine for last year, German Federal Minister Niebel the first time to a Myanmar bank along announced that German International Co- with AECOM from USA, South Korea- operation (GIZ) would further expand sus- based Samsung, Phillips from the Nether- tainable economic development in three lands and Glaxo Smith Kline from UK. sectors-promoting vocational training, Best Corporate Governance is an an- strengthening the private sector and de- nual award given out by World Finance veloping financial sector. and selection criteria includes the man- 14 ⏐ ACUMEN www.myanmarb2bmagazine.com November 2013 News in Brief.pmd 14 10/10/2013, 7:40 PM agement quality, the equal treatment on To invest in high-rise building con- ployees through local job agencies. the stakeholders, transparency and hon- struction, Soilbuild Construction Group A consumer said, ‘‘Most of foods pro- esty and Corporate Social Responsibility Ltd.