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PwC Myanmar Weekly Business Intelligence Issue 135 16 November 2018 www.pwc.com/mm

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Page 1: PwC Myanmar Weekly Business Intelligence · 2018-11-19 · willing to take extra steps. It signposts resources to help business, including sources of biodiversity data, a major weakness

PwC MyanmarWeekly Business Intelligence

Issue 13516 November 2018

www.pwc.com/mm

Page 2: PwC Myanmar Weekly Business Intelligence · 2018-11-19 · willing to take extra steps. It signposts resources to help business, including sources of biodiversity data, a major weakness

PwC | November 2018

Disclaimer

PricewaterhouseCoopers Myanmar Co., Ltd helps organisations and individuals create the value they’re looking for. We’re a member of the PwCnetwork of firms in 158 countries with more than 250,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, advisory and tax services.Tell us what matters to you and find out more by visiting us at www.pwc.com/mm.

This content is for general information purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional advisors.

© 2018 PricewaterhouseCoopers Myanmar Co., Ltd, a company duly established and operating under the laws of Myanmar. All rights reserved.PwC refers to the Myanmar member firm, and may sometimes refer to the PwC network. Each member firm is a separate legal entity. Please seewww.pwc.com/structure for further details.

The information contained in this publication is for general guidance on matters of interest only and is not meant to be comprehensive. Theapplication and impact of laws can vary widely based on the specific facts involved. Before taking any action, please ensure that you obtain advicespecific to your circumstances from your usual PricewaterhouseCoopers Myanmar Co., Ltd client service team or your other tax advisers.

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Page 3: PwC Myanmar Weekly Business Intelligence · 2018-11-19 · willing to take extra steps. It signposts resources to help business, including sources of biodiversity data, a major weakness

PwC | November 2018

1. Weekly Key Financial & Business News

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Page 4: PwC Myanmar Weekly Business Intelligence · 2018-11-19 · willing to take extra steps. It signposts resources to help business, including sources of biodiversity data, a major weakness

PwC | November 2018

Weekly Key Financial & Business NewsHeadlines

Local bank becomes first to accept smart payment card transactions

Myanmar’s first dry port opens for business

Aung San Suu Kyi beckons investors to Myanmar despite troubles

Investors Must Know the Impact their Projects Have on Biodiversity and Ecosystems: MCRB

4

Work on China-Myanmar border zone begins in Muse

Page 5: PwC Myanmar Weekly Business Intelligence · 2018-11-19 · willing to take extra steps. It signposts resources to help business, including sources of biodiversity data, a major weakness

PwC | November 2018

Weekly Key Financial & Business NewsHeadlines

DFID’s lending scheme targets small businesses in Myanmar

What to expect from Myanmar’s top five export sectors

Better oil and gas deals needed in the future, say experts

Moattama Gas Transportation and Telenor Myanmar top foreign tax payers list

5

KBZ Bank and Denko Trading top domestic tax payers list

Page 6: PwC Myanmar Weekly Business Intelligence · 2018-11-19 · willing to take extra steps. It signposts resources to help business, including sources of biodiversity data, a major weakness

PwC | November 2018

Weekly Key Financial & Business NewsHeadlines

Yangon Aerodrome Company announces new milestones and upgrades for Yangon International Airport

$24.3m NEDA loan to be sought for town development in East-West Economic Corridor of GMS

Feasibility study to be conducted for Muse railway project

Mineral Development Bank to provide loans to gems, mineral SMEs

6

Hotel investments continue to rise despite lower tourist arrivals

Page 7: PwC Myanmar Weekly Business Intelligence · 2018-11-19 · willing to take extra steps. It signposts resources to help business, including sources of biodiversity data, a major weakness

PwC | November 2018 7

Myanmar’s first dry port opens for business

KM Terminal & Logistics Ltd (KM) and ResourceGroup (RG) officially opened two separate dryport projects in Ywar Thar Gyi, Yangon yesterday.A dry port is an inland intermodal terminaldirectly connected by road or rail.Freight trains will run from Ywar Thargyi to asecond dry port in Myit Nge, Mandalay, whichKM will also own and operate. The company saidit invested over US$50 million (K78 billion) inboth ports.KM is joint venture company that is 70 percentowned by Kerry Logistics and 30pc owned byMother Logistics, its local partner.Meanwhile, Myanmar-owned RG has investedUS$40 million in a similar project under whichfreight trains will run from its Ywar Thar Gyi dryport in Yangon to its Myit Nge dry port inMandalay, according to RG.The two projects are expected to help improveMyanmar’s logistics network. “Because ourlogistics system is not good, costs are high acrossthe transport value chain. As such, Myanmarneeds logistics hubs like these dry ports to helpupgrade the system,” U Thant Sin Maung, Union

Minster of Transport and Communication, said atthe opening ceremony of KM’s dry port.The Yangon dry ports will handle cargo directlytransferred from the Yangon river ports andThilawa ports and help to alleviate trafficcongestion on the roads. It will also speed up theflow of cargo between vessels and major landtransportation networks, which adds value forconsignees and exporters.In addition, the Ywar Thar Gyi dry port in Yangonand Myit Nge dry port in Mandalay arestrategically located in the centre of Myanmar,which will support trade between lower and upperMyanmar.“Our Yangon dry port will now be linked by roadand railway to our Mandalay Myit Nge dry port,which started operations since May,” said U NyiHtut, general manager of KM.

Source: Myanmar Timeshttps://www.mmtimes.com/news/myanmars-first-dry-port-opens-business.html

NewspapersMyanmar Times

12 Nov 2018

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PwC | November 2018 8

Local bank becomes first to accept smart payment card transactions

ASIA Green Development Bank has become thefirst bank in Myanmar to accept EMV-basedUnion Pay card transactions in its ATMs acrossthe country. In an exclusive interview, the banksaid that this is a core part of the bank’s wide-ranging efforts to go cashless and ride on thewave of digitalisation seen elsewhere in the world.In turn, this will provide a safer and more securefinancial infrastructure for customers.The bank now accepts EMV-based UnionPay chipcard transactions in all its ATMs, becoming thefirst bank in Myanmar to offer the service. AGDBank, UnionPay International, Diebold Nixdorfand its local partners, ACE Data Systems, andMyanmar Golden Rock are working together todeliver this new arrangement.EMV (Europay, MasterCard, Visa) refers to atechnical specification that facilitatesinteroperability between chip-based cards andpoint-of-sale devices or ATMs. EMV helps reducecounterfeiting and fraudulent transactions, andhelpsstandardise all payment solutions on asingular specification recognised internationally.U Htoo Htet Tay Za, AGD Bank’s MD, hailed the

move as “a significant leap forward in protectingour cardholders against fraud”. Similarly, MrWenhui Yang, General Manager of Union PayInternational Southeast Asia said, “As Myanmar’sfinancial services infrastructure develops, we arecommitted to enabling safe and secure card-basedsolutions for businesses and consumers.”“We are excited to work with AGD and our localpartners to continually develop and implementsolutions that ultimately ensure smoother, saferand more convenient transactions that benefitend customers,” commented Mr Piers Leach,country manager for Diebold Nixdorf inMyanmar.The Myanmar Times sat down with U KyawHlaing Win, AGD head of card and payments, totalk about the latest developments.He said accepting Union Pay card-holders at AGDATMs will allow the customers to make cashwithdrawal from the ATMs more secure.Source: Myanmar Timeshttps://www.mmtimes.com/news/local-bank-becomes-first-accept-smart-payment-card-transactions.html

NewspapersMyanmar Times

12 Nov 2018

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PwC | November 2018 9

Aung San Suu Kyi beckons investors to Myanmar despite troubles

SINGAPORE — State Counsellor Daw Aung SanSuu Kyi on Monday implored foreign investors totake a punt on Myanmar — Southeast Asia's "finalfrontier" — but warned its resources are not openfor exploitation at the cost of its people.Aung San Suu Kyi has toured Asia in recentmonths beating the drum for her country'seconomy, which the World Bank forecasts to growat seven percent next year.A tangle of investment laws, a weakeningcurrency, high inflation, widespread corruptionand conflict have chipped away at an economythat was hoped to take off following the start ofcivilian government in 2016 after decades of juntarule.At the same time Aung San Suu Kyi's image as anupholder of human rights, and that of hercountry, has been decimated by the Rohingyacrisis.Speaking at a business forum in Singapore aheadof a regional summit, she did not address thecrisis which has sent hundreds of thousands ofthe Muslim minority into Bangladesh andextinguished optimism in some corners over

Myanmar's future.Rumblings of the potential re-imposition of somewestern sanctions over the treatment of theRohingya have also darkened the economicoutlook for the country.But Aung San Suu Kyi was at pains to sayMyanmar was still open for business.Myanmar is "Southeast Asia's final frontiermarket... we have land, we have [a] good youngworking population, we have unexploredresources," she said.She warned investors not to expect an openseason on the country's abundant naturalresources which include precious stones, vasttracts of arable land and waterways."We have to invest for the sake of socialcohesion," and not "purely for economic gain,"she said, referencing Myanmar's resource-rich butconflict riddled borderlands.

Source: Frontier Myanmarhttps://frontiermyanmar.net/en/aung-san-suu-kyi-beckons-investors-to-myanmar-despite-troubles

NewspapersFrontier Myanmar

12 Nov 2018

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PwC | November 2018 10

Investors Must Know the Impact their Projects Have on Biodiversity and Ecosystems: MCRB

The Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business(MCRB) published a briefing paper titled:Biodiversity, Human Rights and Business inMyanmar, and is intended to help businesses,civil society and government understand howsome types of investments in Myanmar cannegatively impact biodiversity, and thereby affecthuman rights.Ensuring that investment does not have anegative impact on biodiversity is essential forMyanmar to meet its obligations as a party to theConvention on Biodiversity (CBD) which itratified in 1994, and the commitments inMyanmar’s National Biodiversity Strategy andAction Plan (NBSAP) 2015-2020 (see Section3.10.1 of the Briefing Paper). The CBD will holdits 14th ‘Conference of the Parties’ (COP) inSharm El Sheikh, Egypt from 17-29 November2018 which the Myanmar Government isexpected to attend. The briefing paper presentsthe procedures for addressing biodiversity andecosystem services. It provides practicalrecommendations for companies to addressbiodiversity conservation in order to be -– at a

minimum — compliant with the Myanmarenvironmental regulation including the 2018Biodiversity and Conservation of Protected AreasLaw and the 2015 EIA Procedure. It offers adviceon how EIA can be used by companies to improveoutcomes for biodiversity and related humanrights. It also offers advice for companies that arewilling to take extra steps. It signposts resourcesto help business, including sources of biodiversitydata, a major weakness of EIAs in Myanmar.Launching the paper and associated sectoralsupplements on oil and gas, mining, tourism andagriculture, Vicky Bowman, MCRB Director said:“Upfront screening to determine how a projectcould impact biodiversity is essential, so as toavoid, wherever possible, or reduce or mitigatenegative impacts. It’s also a legal requirement inMyanmar, as well as a moral obligation. Gettingthis wrong leads to additional cost, project delays,and conflict with other stakeholders.Source: Myanmar Business Todayhttps://www.mmbiztoday.com/articles/investors-must-know-impact-their-projects-have-biodiversity-and-ecosystems-mcrb

NewspapersMyanmar Business Today

13 Nov 2018

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PwC | November 2018 11

Work on China-Myanmar border zone begins in Muse

YANGON — Work on the first of three plannedtrade zones on the Myanmar-China border isreportedly underway in Muse, Shan State, aheadof a scheduled meeting between governmentofficials from the two countries at a trade exponext month.Business-to-business meetings will also be held atthe expo, whose focus is the development of theborder zones at Muse, Kanpiketee in Kachin Stateand Chinshwehaw in the Kokang Self-Administered Zone, Deputy Minister forCommerce U Aung Htoo was quoted in statemedia as saying.“The border trade zone will be set up on the linesof the Thilawa Special Economic Zoneimplemented by the two governments, which sawparticipation from entrepreneurs,” Aung Htoosaid, according to the Global New Light ofMyanmar. “Invitations for expressions of interestwill be soon issued and a feasibility study will beundertaken for the zone.”The Thilawa Special Economic Zone on Yangon’ssoutheastern outskirts is being developed by aconsortium of Japanese and Myanmar companies

in partnership with both governments and hasattracted many foreign manufacturers by offeringtax breaks and other incentives.Aung Htoo, who is also the secretary of a centralcommittee established to implement the borderzones, said fencing had been assembled aroundthe Jiegao border gate and would also be installedaround a project by New Star Light, a trading andconstruction group with interests acrossMandalay and northern Myanmar.New Star Light’s project in Muse, which waslaunched in 2016, comprises a new city centre,public facilities, a commercial district, villas andhigh-end residential developments on 294 acresof land along the Myanmar-China border.Myanmar and China agreed to establish the threeborder trade zones during a visit to China by StateCounsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in August 2016and a memorandum of understanding was signedin May 2017.

Source: Frontier Myanmarhttps://frontiermyanmar.net/en/work-on-china-myanmar-border-zone-begins-in-muse

NewspapersFrontier Myanmar

13 Nov 2018

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PwC | November 2018 12

What to expect from Myanmar’s top five export sectors

Even though Myanmar managed to bring down itstrade deficit by US$500 million to $1.3 billionduring the period between April 1 and September30 from the same period last year, the volatileexchange rate and rising oil prices may wellcontinue to drive up import costs in the comingmonths.U Yan Naing Tun, director general of theDepartment of Trade, told The Myanmar Timesthis month that the trade deficit is necessary asMyanmar wants to draw more foreign investorsinto the country. “Businesses will need to importthe necessary equipment and materials to operatehere,” he said.But exports appear to be improving too. Duringthe April-September period, higher exports fromthe manufacturing and mining sectors helped tonarrow the trade deficit.In its updated forecast for Myanmar, the AsiaDevelopment Bank revised its current accountbalance deficit, which includes trade, to 3 percentof GDP from 5.4pc for 2018 and to 4pc of GDPfrom 5.5pc for 2019, suggesting that exports, too,are expected to rise.

With its natural resources, extensive coastlinesand labour supply, Myanmar has the potential tolift national exports to more favourable levels.Yet, exports from resource-rich sectors such asagriculture have fallen over the years. What’sholding things back in the major exportindustries? More importantly, will thingsimprove?Based on recent interviews with governmentofficials and businesses, here are the recentdevelopments and what to expect in the comingyear from the country’s top five export sectors:Manufacturing potentialThe manufacturing industry has helped to narrowthe gap between imports and exports forMyanmar in recent years. The garment industry,in particular, has enjoyed rising demand fromapparel makers and clothing lines in Europe andJapan.

Source: Myanmar Timeshttps://www.mmtimes.com/news/what-expect-myanmars-top-five-export-sectors.html

NewspapersMyanmar Times

13 Nov 2018

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PwC | November 2018 13

DFID’s lending scheme targets small businesses in Myanmar

The UK’s Department for InternationalDevelopment (DFID) will invest around US$2million to help Myanmar develop a platform tofinance small businesses, reducing theinequalities between SMEs and larger players.The DaNa Facility, a DFID-funded programme,will invest over $1.9 million in the “Shwe Lan”project which aims to initially provide access toworking capital for 300 micro, small andmedium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in thecountry which employ the poor and women, withat least 30pc of those businesses, i.e. 90companies, female-owned. The project will bemanaged by Swiss-based Seedstars and Myanmarfirm Thura Swiss.Myanmar’s small businesses have little access tofinancing and suffered as a result. Banks normallyonly lend against real estate as collateral andMSMEs are virtually excluded from the creditmarket. This lack of finance suffocates the growthof enterprises which support a large part of thepopulation, including the poor, women and othermarginalised groups.Shwe Lan will offer supply chain financing to

MSMEs in two stages. In the first phase, it willprovide businesses with access to finance byintroducing a “merchant financing” product,targeting MSMEs that act as distributors of thelarger companies operating across the country. Inthe second phase, it will provide an “invoicediscounting” product where MSMEs are able touse confirmed orders as collateral for loans.Apart from facilitating MSMEs to grow and createjobs, the project will promote reform of thefinancial sector. Using merchant financing andinvoicing factoring will allow those businesses toaccess credit for the first time. This leads toinnovative practices being introduced to themarket which can benefit the broader financialindustry. When those benefits are demonstrated,Myanmar financial institutions are expected touse it to disburse their own capital andsubstantially scale up the availability of fundingsources.

Source: Myanmar Timeshttps://www.mmtimes.com/news/dfids-lending-scheme-targets-small-businesses-myanmar.html

NewspapersMyanmar Times

14 Nov 2018

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PwC | November 2018 14

Better oil and gas deals needed in the future, say experts

Efforts must be taken to lessen Myanma Oil andGas Enterprise’s (MOGE) tax burden fromcontracts signed with joint-venture firms to workoffshore oil and gas fields, a report states.According to the “State-Owned EconomicEnterprise Reform in Myanmar: The Case ofNatural Resource Enterprises” report by theNatural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI)and Renaissance Institute, under the conditionsof contracts signed decades ago MOGE has to payover US$100 million (over K200 billion) in taxesannually on behalf of joint-venture firms.Among the stipulations under contracts signed byMOGE with foreign oil companies around 1990, isthat if new taxes are imposed, the state-ownedenterprise will be liable to pay the taxes and notthe joint-venture partner.Four offshore oil contracts state that MOGE isentitled to between 15 percent and 20.45 pc of theprofits from JV oil and gas projects, but MOGEhas to pay other taxes including commercial taxes,special commodity taxes and stamp duties forjoint-venture firms, the report states.For example, the contract with France’s Total Co

in 1992 clearly states that MOGE will have to payfor all taxes of the joint-venture partner, thereport says.“The first contracts stated that MOGE shall paytaxes and duties. At that time, taxes and dutieswere not high so it posed no problems for thecountry. But commercial taxes were introducedlater, and stamp duties were officially introducedas well. So MOGE and the country has to paymore,” retired MOGE director and ExtractiveIndustries Transparency Initiative official, U ThanHtay Aung told The Myanmar Times.Today, the production-sharing contracts generateless revenue for the government, the reportstates.Similarly, the agreement for the Shwe NaturalGas Project states that MOGE owns 7.6 pc ofproduction but has to pay internal taxes andduties for 100pc of the project.

Source: Myanmar Timeshttps://www.mmtimes.com/news/better-oil-and-gas-deals-needed-future-say-experts.html

NewspapersMyanmar Times

15 Nov 2018

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PwC | November 2018 15

Moattama Gas Transportation and Telenor Myanmar top foreign tax payers list

Government announced top foreign tax payers listfor 2017-18 FY and Moattama Gas TransportationCo. Ltd and Telenor Myanmar Ltd topped the listof top income tax payers list and top commercialtax payers list respectively, according to InternalRevenue Department.The top ten income tax payers from overseascompanies are Moattama Gas Transportation Co.Ltd which paid above Ks100 billion, TelenorMyanmar Ltd which paid above Ks80 billion,Taninthayi Pipeline Company LLC which paidabove Ks50 billion, Myanmar Brewery Ltd whichpaid under Ks40 billion, KDDI Summit GlobalMyanmar Co. Ltd, PTTEP International Ltd andYangon Aerodrome Co. Ltd which paid underKs30 billion, Total E & P Myanmar Co. Ltd whichpaid under Ks10 billion, Unocal MyanmarOffshore Co. Ltd which paid under Ks8 billionand Myanmar CP Livestock Co. Ltd which paidunder Ks6 billion. There are two companies fromnatural gas transportation sector, threecompanies from oil and natural gas productionsector, two companies from telecommunicationsector, two companies from production sector and

one company from services sector included in thetop ten income tax payers list.The top ten commercial tax payers from overseascompanies are Telenor Myanmar Ltd which paidabove Ks50 billion, Oooredoo Myanmar Ltd,Myanmar Brewery Ltd, Shwe Li (1) HydropowerCo. Ltd and Virginia Tobacco Co. Ltd which paidunder Ks50 billion, Myanmar Distillery Co. Ltd,Huawei Technologies (Yangon) Co. Ltd, DKSHMyanmar Ltd, Lluvia Ltd and Coca Cola PinyaBeverages Myanmar Ltd which paid under Ks10billion. There are two companies from twocompanies from telecommunication sector, sixcompanies from production sector, one companyfrom services sector and one company fromtrading sector included in the top ten commercialtax payers list.

Source: Eleven Myanmarhttps://elevenmyanmar.com/news/moattama-gas-transportation-and-telenor-myanmar-top-foreign-tax-payers-list

NewspapersEleven Myanmar

16 Nov 2018

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PwC | November 2018 16

KBZ Bank and Denko Trading top domestic tax payers list

Kanbawza Bank also known as KBZ Bank andDenko Trading Co. Ltd topped the list of topincome tax payers list and top commercial taxpayers list respectively, according to InternalRevenue Department.The top ten income tax payers from localcompanies are KBZ Bank which paid above Ks20billion, Myawady Bank Ltd and MyanmarEconomic Holding Ltd which paid above Ks10billion, Shwe Taung Development Company Ltd,International Beverages Trading Co. Ltd,Ayeyawady Bank Ltd, Myanmar Winery &Distillery Co. Ltd and Cooperative Bank Ltd whichpaid under Ks10 billion, Myawaddy Trading Ltdand Myanma Awba Group Co. Ltd which paidunder Ks5 billion. There are four companies frombanking sector, three companies from productionsector, one company from construction sector andone company from trading sector included in thetop ten income tax payers list.The top ten commercial tax payers from localcompanies are Denko Trading Co. Ltd which paidabove Ks20 billion, City Mart Holding Co. Ltd,International Beverages Trading Co. Ltd, PT

Power Trading Co. Ltd and Asia Energy Co. Ltdwhich paid under Ks20 billion, Shwe Byain PhyuCo. Ltd, Kyaw San Co. Ltd, Ayeyar HintharTrading Ltd, Regency Material Trading Co. Ltdand Benhur Trading Co. Ltd which paid underKs10 billion. All top ten commercial tax payers arefrom trading sector.Among top 1,000 income taxpayers list, KBZ Bank, which paid above Ks20billion, topped the list of highest income taxpayers in banking sector. Myanmar EconomicHolding Ltd, which paid above Ks10 billion, ledthe top income tax payers list in productionsector. Shwe Taung Development Company Ltd,which paid under Ks10 billion, topped the topincome tax payers list in construction sector.International Beverages Trading Co. Ltd, whichpaid under Ks10 billion, led the top income taxpayers list in trading sector. Shwe Nar Wah Co.Ltd, which paid under Ks3 billion, topped the topincome tax payers list in services sector.

Source: Eleven Myanmarhttps://elevenmyanmar.com/news/kbz-bank-and-denko-trading-top-domestic-tax-payers-list

NewspapersEleven Myanmar

16 Nov 2018

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PwC | November 2018 17

$24.3m NEDA loan to be sought for town development in East-West Economic Corridor of GMS

Relevant union level organizations submitted inUnion Parliament a matter of seeking a loan ofUS$24.3 million from NEDA (NeighbouringCountries Economic Development CooperationAgency) to implement a development project inthe towns along the East-West Economic Corridorof the Greater Mekong Sub-region by theConstruction Ministry and Katyin Stategovernment.The loan is to be combined with US$80 millionborrowed from the Asian Development Bank(ADB) for urban development projects in Kayinand Mon states. The ADB loan will be used inHpa-an of Kayin State and Mawlamyine of MonState and the NEDA loan in Myawady of KayinState, said Deputy Minister for Planning andFinance Maung Maung Win.The ADB loan was approved by Union Parliamenton March 19 this year and the loan agreement wassigned on September 12. NEDA is an organizationformed by the Thai ministry of finance with theaim of forging economic relations withneighbouring countries.The 30-year NEDA loan will have an interest rate

of 1.5 percent a year and 10-year grace period. Asthere is 46.16 percent in grant elementcalculations, the loan has a lower interest rate,said the deputy minister.The project period is for six years from 2019 to2024. The project includes enough safe drinkingwater supply, garbage management, maintenanceof ancient buildings and infrastructuraldevelopment. The deputy minister said thanks tothe project, local people will improve their socio-economy.

Source: Eleven Myanmarhttps://elevenmyanmar.com/news/243m-neda-loan-to-be-sought-for-town-development-in-east-west-economic-corridor-of-gms

NewspapersEleven Myanmar

16 Nov 2018

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PwC | November 2018 18

Yangon Aerodrome Company announces new milestones and upgrades for Yangon International Airport

Yangon Aerodrome Company Limited (YACL) isincreasing the capacity of Yangon InternationalAirport (YIA), the gateway to Myanmar, andstepping up marketing to open new internationalroutes, even as YIA is likely to close 2018 with theslowest growth in air passenger traffic in fiveyears.At a media briefing today to announce the fivemillionth passenger arrival so far this year, YACLsaid that 2018 is expected to show an increase of2.5% of around 6 million in air passenger traffic atYIA, compared to 5.92 million for the whole of2017. Over the past five years, air passengergrowth at YIA – by far the busiest of Myanmar’sthree international airports – had increased at anaverage of 8.6% per year.YACL said that while tourist arrivals from Asianmarkets continue to grow in 2018, those fromEuropean and North American markets appear tohave been impacted by international mediareports on domestic Myanmar issues.“While there has been a slowdown in visitorgrowth, we have continued to expand YIA’scapacity and capability while intensifying efforts

to open up new markets. We are confident that, inpartnership with all the relevant stakeholders inthe tourism industry, the community and theMyanmar government, 2019 tourist air passengertraffic will surpass that of 2018,” said Mr Ho CheeTong, Chief Executive Officer of YACL.“As the investor and operator of Myanmar’s maininternational airport, we have a responsibility toenhance infrastructure while striving to deliver ahigh level of safety, security and service. YIA isthe gateway to Myanmar and it is important thatwe deliver an outstanding experience for touristsand business travellers,” he said. YACL took overYIA’s operation and management in October 2015under a Public-Private Partnership tender fromMyanmar’s Department of Civil Aviation and theMinistry of Transport and Communications. Theagreement is for 30 years of operation, with anoption to renew for a further 20 years (10+10).Source: Consult Myanmarhttps://consult-myanmar.com/2018/11/16/yangon-aerodrome-company-announces-new-milestones-and-upgrades-for-yangon-international-airport/

NewspapersConsult Myanmar

16 Nov 2018

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PwC | November 2018 19

Feasibility study to be conducted for Muse railway project

The Ministry of Transport and Communications,China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group, andChina Railway Group will be conducting afeasibility study of the Muse – Mandalay RailwayProject, Minister of Transport andCommunications U Thant Sin Maung said.An agreement on the feasibility study, part ofChina’s One Belt, One Road initiative, was signedin October.This project aims to connect Ruli East RailwayStation in China to Muse, Larshoe, Kyaukme, andPyin Oo Lwin in Mandalay with 43.5 kilometres ofrailway track.China Railway Group proposed the feasibilitystudy for the project last year and this wasapproved by Myanmar’s government in October.The study will include an environmental impactassessment and social impact Assessment.If the project is found to be feasible, the ministrywill invite international bidding to implement it.The feasibility study is expected to be completedwithin a year and is believed to mainly involvesoliciting public opinion.“At present, the Muse-Mandalay road is heavily

trafficked and if implemented, the railway line isexpected to reduce the traffic burden on the road.The standard gauge railway line is also predictedto reduce the time and cost of transportinggoods,” U Thant Sin Maung, said.The Muse – Mandalay Railways is one of the fivepriority transport corridors, under the NationalTransport Master Plan.

Source: Myanmar Timeshttps://www.mmtimes.com/news/feasibility-study-be-conducted-muse-railway-project.html

NewspapersMyanmar Times

16 Nov 2018

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PwC | November 2018 20

Mineral Development Bank to provide loans to gems, mineral SMEs

Myanmar yesterday opened the first MineralDevelopment Bank (MDB) to provide bankingservices to small and medium size enterprises(SMEs) in the gems and mineral sector.“The MDB was established to provide loans fordeveloping technologies in the extraction of gemsand minerals and production of finishedproducts,” said U Ohn Win, Minister for NaturalResources and Environmental Conservation,during the opening ceremony.U Yone Mu, chair of the MDB, said the bank willadhere to the capital requirements of the CentralBank as well as its interest rate policy. The MDBwill also extend loans without collateral if thetransactions are approved by the Central Bank, hesaid.The main aim of the MDB is help SMEs in thegem, mineral and gold sectors to transition fromthe selling raw stones and minerals to developingvalue-added products for salegems-2.jpg“Our country needs to move up the value chaininto finished products. The MDB will start fromassisting and providing financing to those who are

running their own businesses,” U Yone Mu said.As there are many SMEs involved in the sector,the ministry has a vested interest in developingand driving growth in the sector, he added.For the right to handle foreign currency, the MDBwill apply for a license from the CBM threemonths after the bank’s opening. To qualify forthe license, the MDB must show US$5 million incapital. If approved, the bank will also offerservices to sellers at international gem expos, saidU Yone Mu.The opening of the MDB comes as the annualGems Emporium is taking place in Nay Pyi Taw.So far, a total of 50 gem lots have been sold,fetching a total of K795 million. The emporiumwill continue until Saturday.

Source: Myanmar Timeshttps://www.mmtimes.com/news/mineral-development-bank-provide-loans-gems-mineral-smes.html

NewspapersMyanmar Times

16 Nov 2018

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Hotel investments continue to rise despite lower tourist arrivals

Singapore-listed company Memories Group Ltdyesterday launched three new hotels in Myanmar,located in Mawlamyaing, Yangon and Mergui,respectively, even as tourist numbers dip andoccupancy rates fall across the country.The 72-room, 3-star Hotel Suggati will beMawlamyaing’s newest hotel and is beingpositioned as a business hotel. Mawlamyaig is thefourth largest city in Myanmar, located 300 kmsouth east of Yangon, at the mouth of ThanlwinRiver. The city is the capital and largest city ofMon State and the main trading center andseaport in south eastern Myanmar.“This city does not really have many options inthe hospitality sector and we hope to fill a niche,”said Leila Nortier, general manager of HotelSuggati.In Yangon, Memories has opened Awei Metta, a46-room hotel targeting business and leisuretravelers. The property shares its grounds withthe Pun Hlaing Golf Course, which has hosted theAsian Tour Myanmar Open for the past two years.At the Mergui Archipelago, the group also openedthe Awei Pila luxury resort, housing 24 tented

villas on the island of Pila.“Each of these hotels is designed differently andeach will appeal to a different visitor. Awei Pila ismost definitely a leisure resort, set on a secludedisland. Awei Metta is a high-end stopping pointfor business travelers and visitors stayingovernight in Yangon. And we expect Suggati willbe popular with Yangonites and expats coming fora nice relaxing weekend,” Ms Nortier said.The three hotels are coming to market at a timewhen tourist arrivals from the west have fallenand hotel occupancy rates in Myanmar have takena beating. According to the Ministry of Hotels andTourism, Myanmar received 2.5 millioninternational visitors up to September this year,which is flat compared with the same period lastyear. While tourist arrivals from Thailand, China,India and Malaysia are up between 5pc and 33pcyear-on-year, a drop in the number of touristsfrom Europe offset those gains.Source: Myanmar Timeshttps://www.mmtimes.com/news/hotel-investments-continue-rise-despite-lower-tourist-arrivals.html

NewspapersMyanmar Times

16 Nov 2018

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2. Weekly Key Policy News

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Weekly Key Policy NewsHeadlines

President proposes new foreign economic relations ministry as investment wanes

Ministry to solicit EOI for border economic zones

Parliament to pass tax bill to curb corruption

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E-commerce legislation forthcoming on the back of growth potential

Central Bank provides new details on foreign-bank directive

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President proposes new foreign economic relations ministry as investment wanes

YANGON — President U Win Myint proposed theformation of a new Ministry for Investment andForeign Economic Relations in a letter to theUnion parliament on Tuesday, as foreign directinvestment falls amid low business confidenceand concern among Western investors over theRohingya crisis. Attorney General U Tun Tun Oopresented the request on behalf of Win Myint,explaining that the ministry would promotesustainable, accountable and responsibleinvestment on behalf of the state and its citizensand would also manage economic assistance fromthe United Nations and internationalorganisations. Win Myint’s proposal, which willbe debated on November 15, comes as thegovernment struggles to meet its foreign directinvestment targets. In the fiscal half-year fromApril to September, the Myanmar InvestmentCommission approved US$1.8 billion in foreigninvestment, well below its $3 billion half-yeartarget. Though Myanmar’s leaders including StateCounsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi have beenpromoting investment overseas, a weakening andvolatile currency, outdated laws and pervasive

corruption are deterring foreign capital, whilemilitary atrocities in Rakhine, Kachin andnorthern Shan states continue to harmMyanmar’s international reputation. Tun Tun Ootold parliament that every country should seek topromote the interests of its people throughconstructive regional and internationalcooperation. “In our 21st Century world, politicsis inseparable from the economy and politicaldevelopment is directly related to economiccooperation,” he said, admitting the challenge ofattracting international investment is now “biggerthan before”. He said the new ministry wouldhandle international loans, provide the supportand assistance needed for economic developmentand promote investment. On assuming power inearly 2016, the National League for Democracy-led government cut the number of ministries from36 to 21, but it has also created three newministries.Source: Frontier Myanmarhttps://frontiermyanmar.net/en/president-proposes-new-foreign-economic-relations-ministry-as-investment-wanes

NewspapersFrontier Myanmar

13 Nov 2018

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Ministry to solicit EOI for border economic zones

The government is moving ahead with plans todevelop three areas along the Myanmar-Chinaborder as economic zones, Deputy CommerceMinister U Aung Htoo said.The plan to develop the border economic zones isone of five agreements signed during StateCounsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s visit to Chinalast year.In July, the central committee set up to steer theproject held its first meeting on implementing theborder economic zones which are aimed atboosting manufacturing and tourism in bothcountries.According to the Ministry of Commerce, the threeareas in Myanmar identified for the project arearound Muse and Chin Shwe Haw in Shan State,and Kan Pite Tee in Kachin State.Currently, the area between Muse and Shweli, inChina’s Yunnan, is being prioritised fordevelopment and next month, the two countries,with help from the private sector, will discuss indetail what industries to focus on in the economiczone, U Aung Htoo, explained.He said the ministry will soon solicit “expressions

of interest” to implement projects in the economiczones and the proposals from the private sectorwill be analysed for their suitability forimplementation in the economic zones.The value of border trade in the Muse area isestimated to have reached US$5.8 billion (K9.7trillion) last year. In Chin Shwe Haw and Kan PiteTee, it reached $570 million and $110 million,respectively.

Source: Myanmar Timeshttps://www.mmtimes.com/news/ministry-solicit-eoi-border-economic-zones.html

NewspapersMyanmar Times

13 Nov 2018

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Parliament to pass tax bill to curb corruption

Parliament is set to pass a tax management billthat is expected to curb corruption and increaserevenue, a senior member of a PyidaungsuHluttaw (bicameral parliament) committee saidon Monday.U Myat Nyana Soe, associate secretary of thePyidaungsu Hluttaw Joint Bill Committee, saidthe tax bill will no longer require taxpayers todirectly deal with tax staff.“All work can be done by using computers andsoftware, eliminating corruption,” he said duringthe session of the on Monday. “The law will helpprevent the country’s tax revenue from beingwasted or misused.”The bill was submitted by the executive on May22 and has been discussed thoroughly in previoussessions.“It is an important law so it has been delayedslightly,” said Pyithu Hluttaw MP U Khin Cho,who is a member of the Public AccountsCommittee.Once the bill is enacted, the country’s taxcollection will meet international standards, saidU Myat Nyana Soe.

The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Commission for theAssessment of Legal Affairs and Special Issuesmet six times to discuss the bill with the MyanmarSupreme Court, the Ministry of Planning andFinance, and the Union of Myanmar Federation ofChambers of Commerce and Industry.The Internal Revenue Department, which willimplement the law, is hoping for passage of thebill during the current bicameral parliamentsession.Several Myanmar laws govern taxation, includingthose related to income tax, commercial tax, andspecial commodity tax.The new tax-related bill is expected to harmoniseall these laws, including the yearly tax laws ofMyanmar, according to U Myat Nyana Soe.Since it was first submitted in May, the bill hasundergone several changes, including the removalof 12 provisions, amendment of 78 provisions andaddition of eight provisions.

Source: Myanmar Timeshttps://www.mmtimes.com/news/parliament-pass-tax-bill-curb-corruption.html

NewspapersMyanmar Times

13 Nov 2018

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E-commerce legislation forthcoming on the back of growth potential

E-commerce in Myanmar is expected to developfast over the next five years, when legislationgoverning the industry is targeted to come intoforce.“Despite being left behind, Myanmar has mostlyleapfrogged the era of shopping malls and othermodern trade platforms into the digital age. InMyanmar, the modern retail trade will expandaccording to GDP but e-commerce will growexponentially,” said Daw Win Win Tint, chair ofthe Myanmar Retailers Association.Things could develop even faster if theforthcoming legislation is aligned with the ASEANe-commerce agreement signed in Singapore onNovember 12. The agreement, finalised after ninerounds of negotiations which started last June,aims to facilitate cross-border e-commercetransactions and foster greater regional growth,said Chan Chun Sing, Singapore Minister of Tradeand Industry.By 2025, ASEAN’s Internet economyis expectedto hit US$200 billion of which e-commerce is setto expected to expand to $88 billion, Mr Chansaid.

Domestic potentialMyanmar is among the ASEAN nations with thestrongest potential for growth in e-commerce.“More and more people are seeking to start onlineshops on Facebook. They have become savvierwith deliveries and payments. Meanwhile, peopleare gradually moving online for their shoppingneeds. I think we will see a high percentage ofgrowth in e-commerce in 2019,” said U Min Min,CEO of Myanmar online marketplaceBarlolo.com. U Mike Than Tun Win, founder andCEO of travel portal Flymya, said demand foronline shopping options has spiked along withMyanmar’s quick and sudden access to theinternet. “Myanmar people are very interested inonline shopping as Myanmar was the last todigitalise in the region, so internet speed is betterthan in Cambodia and Thailand, and people wantto purchase online because it just takes a fewminutes.”Source: Myanmar Timeshttps://www.mmtimes.com/news/e-commerce-legislation-forthcoming-back-growth-potential.html

NewspapersMyanmar Times

14 Nov 2018

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Central Bank provides new details on foreign-bank directive

Foreign banks will be allowed to expand theirbranch networks in Myanmar next year,according to two senior officials of the CentralBank of Myanmar (CBM) yesterday.“More foreign bank branches will be allowed nextyear. Foreign banks can no longer be blockedfrom doing business in Myanmar because thelocal banks are not developed or ready yet. Weneed to focus on building up the financial sectoras a whole,” said CBM vice governor U Soe Thein.U Soe Thein and his colleague, deputy governor UBo Bo Nge, were addressing the media in Yangonfollowing a November 8 CBM directive permittingforeign banks to lend to local businesses. In thepast, foreign banks were only allowed to lend toforeign enterprises in foreign currencies.“Foreign banks will be able to provide financing todomestic firms in Myanmar kyats as well as inforeign currencies. They will also be givenpermission to provide the full suite of trade-financing services,” U Bo Bo Nge said.U Soe Thein added that “the interest rate forloans in foreign currencies is not fixed and can bemade based on the market rate. Meanwhile, kyat

loans will be permitted if rates do not exceed themaximum bank lending rate of 13 percent fordomestic banks.”However, foreign bank branches will not beallowed to accept immovable property such asland and buildings as collateral.They are also not allowed to offer retail bankingservices such as personal savings accounts, moneytransfers and card services.“In terms of kyat, foreign banks are not allowedto accept fixed deposits but they can if the fundsare in foreign currency. However, we have notmade a decision on whether to allow interest onforeign currency accounts,” U Soe Thein said.“The approvals granted so far have been givenafter taking the local banks into consideration asthey still have to meet our capital requirements,”he said.

Source: Myanmar Timeshttps://www.mmtimes.com/news/central-bank-provides-new-details-foreign-bank-directive.html

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3. Weekly Investment News

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Weekly Key Investment NewsHeadlines

Invest Myanmar Summit 2019 to be held on Nay Pyi Daw

German firms eye Myanmar’s water sector

FDI has risen under the NLD: U Set Aung

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More Singapore firms planning to invest in Myanmar in next two years

Construction ministry receives 12 bids for Yangon elevated expressway

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Invest Myanmar Summit 2019 to be held on Nay PyiDaw

The Invest Myanmar Summit 2019 will be held onJanuary 28, 29, 2019 at Myanmar InternationalConvention Centre 2 (MICC II) in Naypyidaw. Itsgoal is to highlight business opportunities forlocal and foreign investors.The summit is the first of its kind, and organizedby the Union of Myanmar Federation ofChambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI).The summit will showcase Project Bank. This willorganize strategic national projects so thatinvestors can easily choose where they should puttheir money.“What’s special about the Invest MyanmarSummit 2019 is that we have enthusiasticparticipations from the government and businesscircles. Government representatives will includepeople from the Union level, as well as State andRegional levels,’’ said U Zaw Min Win, Presidentof UMFCCI. UMFCCI is negotiating withgovernments from Karen State, Chin State, MonState, Rakhine State, Shan State, Yangon Region,Mandalay Region, Ayeyarwady Region, andTanintharyi Region to participate in summit.Myanmar has been organizing numbers of

investment expos, forums and summits. However,U Wai Phyo, Vice President of UMFCCI, said thatthey are not very effective because there were veryfew meetings between the investors and thoseorganizations in need of investments.“Most of the events are to share information, anddiscuss about the potential. The time wheninvestors and those who want investments meet isvery short—almost nothing,’’ he added.U Wai Phyo will chair the Invest MyanmarSummit 2019, and said that he will “try to givemore time to the meetings focusing on connectinginvestors and those who seek investments.”This year, Yangon Regional governmentorganized the Yangon Investment Forum inYangon for the first time and received over 1,100attendances with 400 foreigners. MyanmarInvestment Commission is calculating amount ofactual investment inflow, and found out thatMyanmar only received $4.3 billion in 2018 FiscalYear out of an actual $6 billion that was approved.Source: Myanmar Business Todayhttps://www.mmbiztoday.com/articles/invest-myanmar-summit-2019-be-held-nay-pyi-daw

NewspapersMyanmar Business Today

13 Nov 2018

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German firms eye Myanmar’s water sector

German companies will be travelling to Yangon,Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay to explore Myanmar’smarket focusing on water and wastewaterinfrastructure and a conference on the topic ishosted by the German Federal Ministry ofEconomic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) and theGerman Water Partnership (GWP), incollaboration with the German Embassy inYangon.“A lot of the infrastructures need to bemodernised and upgraded in terms of water andwaste water in the big cities, including Yangonand Mandalay, it is a starter. Our Germanexpertise can help.“We do not only offer high tech and newestmachinery. We also offer partnership and systemand help to get ahead here,” said Martin Klose,delegate from the Delegation of German Industryand Commerce in Myanmar (AHK Myanmar).Myanmar’s Water and Waste WaterInfrastructure Conference was held on November12 at Novotel Hotel Yangon.The delegates and companies are organising amarket exploration to Myanmar with focus on

water and wastewater infrastructure betweenNovember 12-16.The five-day delegation aims to introduce themarket and the water and wastewater industry toprimarily German small and medium-sizedenterprises (SMEs). Moreover the conference willinclude company visits, seminars, workshops andmeetings with local institutions as well as sitevisits in Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay.Mr Klose also said that it will be a start of adiscussion for new business opportunities andcollaboration.“The German companies are now interested in themarket and trying to provide products andservices. Currently, I do believe that there arecertain projects to engage in Mandalay,” heexplained. Hopefully the business trip will resultin partnerships and deals and there’ll beopportunities where German businesses will takepart in.

Source: Myanmar Timeshttps://www.mmtimes.com/news/german-firms-eye-myanmars-water-sector.html

NewspapersMyanmar Times

14 Nov 2018

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FDI has risen under the NLD: U Set Aung

Foreign direct investments (FDI) have increasedunder the NLD government, said U Set Aung,deputy minister for planning and finance.“The total approved FDI during the two yearsfrom April 2016 to the end of March 2018 underthe current government is 16 percent of the totalFDI approved during the entire period from 1988to March 2016. That is why progress is being seenin the investment sector,” he said at the PyithuHluttaw meeting held on November 13.When the Myanmar Foreign Investment Law waspassed in 1988, 1110 foreign businesses wereallowed to invest during the 28-year period andtotal the investment amount was US$63.7 billion.In comparison, 360 foreign businesses wereallowed to invest in Myanmar between April 2016and March, 2018. Total investments amounted to$12.4 billion, U Set Aung said.To encourage more investments in the Myanmareconomy, the Myanmar Investment Commissionhas identified several sectors as priority sectors.Tax exemptions and other benefits are given toinvestors in these sectors, which includeagriculture and livestock, forestry and marine

products.“Those who invest in the prioritised sectors havethe privilege to enjoy 3-7 years exemption fromincome tax, depending on their business or theregional situation,” said U Set Aung. If there areapplications for these prioritised sectors, theauthorities will provide all the support required,he added.U Set Aung was responding to questions aboutthe benefits of investing in Myanmar by PyithuHluttaw MP U Khin Cho from HlaingbweTownship in Kayin State.However, U Khin Cho said he was not satisfiedbecause “instead of the official who is directlyresponsible, the deputy minister was sent toprovide answers. So, I stopped questioningbecause nothing will be different if I continuedwith other related questions,” he said.

Source: Myanmar Timeshttps://www.mmtimes.com/news/fdi-has-risen-under-nld-u-set-aung.html

NewspapersMyanmar Times

15 Nov 2018

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More Singapore firms planning to invest in Myanmar in next two years

Singapore companies have big plans to expand inASEAN over the next two years and Myanmar,with its growth potential and overall investmentclimate, is on the cards for many, according to arecent survey by the Singapore BusinessFederation (SBF).The survey, conducted from December 2017 toMarch 2018, collected views from 1036 Singaporecompanies across all major industries. Of thosesurveyed, 70 percent have overseas operations, ofwhich 75pc is in ASEAN.Currently, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand,Vietnam and the Philippines are the top fiveASEAN sources of revenue for most Singaporefirms. Over the next two years though, Singaporecompanies have identified Myanmar as one of thetop five priority markets to enter, with 26pc ofthose with plans to expand in ASEAN targetingexpansion in Myanmar.Most of the businesses with Myanmar investmentplans are involved in the distribution of products,while more than a third want to form jointventures with local companies, operate asubsidiary or open a representative office in the

country.The companies say they’re interested in Myanmardue to the potential customer demand the countryoffers and the overall investment climate.Notably, the availability of favourable andtransparent foreign investment regulations andskilled labour were among the top reasons forSingapore companies wanting to invest inMyanmar.While the results imply improvements inMyanmar’s foreign investment regulatoryframework, the country still lags its ASEANneighbours in this aspect though.The survey also revealed several weaknesses inMyanmar, including the lack of physical anddigital infrastructure and high levels ofbureaucracy.When expanding into the region, Singaporecompanies revealed the need for support incomplying with local regulations.Source: Myanmar Timeshttps://www.mmtimes.com/news/more-singapore-firms-planning-invest-myanmar-next-two-years.html

NewspapersMyanmar Times

15 Nov 2018

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Construction ministry receives 12 bids for Yangon elevated expressway

YANGON — The Ministry of Constructionannounced on Thursday that it had received 12applications to build an elevated ring road aroundYangon through a public-private partnership,which sources previously said could require asmuch as US$1.5 billion in private investment.The ministry unveiled plans to conduct a tenderfor a 20.5 kilometre elevated highway in Januaryand then in May announced that the project hadbeen expanded to a 47.5 kilometre four-laneelevated ring road.On May 18, the ministry invited expressions ofinterest from local and international companies,which generated an enthusiastic response, with53 companies and consortiums signaling interest,according to a ministry announcement on July 4.Twelve companies and consortiums have nowsubmitted applications, as follows:1. VINCI Highways (France)2. Team Korea Consortium: GS Engineering &

Construction Corp, Posco Engineering andConstruction Co. Ltd, Lotte Engineering &Construction Co. Ltd, Daewoo Engineering &Construction Co. Ltd, Daelim Industrial Co.

Ltd, Korea Expressway Corporation, KoreaOverseas Infrastructure & UrbanDevelopment Corporation (Korea)

3. China Communications ConstructionCompany Ltd (China)

4. JFEE/Marubeni Consortium: JFEEngineering Corporation, MarubeniCorporation (Japan)

5. BSSIC Consortium: Bangkok Expressway andMetro Public Company Limited, Ch.Karnchang Public Company Limited, ShweTaung Infrastructure Investment CompanyLimited, Shwe Taung Expressways CompanyLimited, Sumitomo Corporation, IHICorporation (Thailand, Japan, Myanmar)

6. CRIG-CDL Consortium: China RailwayInternational Group Co. Ltd, CapitalDevelopment Limited (China)

Source: Frontier Myanmarhttps://frontiermyanmar.net/en/construction-ministry-receives-12-bids-for-yangon-elevated-expressway

NewspapersFrontier Myanmar

16 Nov 2018

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3. Weekly New Tenders

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Tenders (Myanmar)List

Note: tenders information are collected from http://www.mmtimes.com/, https://tender.yangon.gove.mm, http://consult-myanmar.com/, and http://www.myanmar-opportunities.org/mm/tenders http://www.buildersguide.com.mm/en/ .

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No applicable Tenders announced for the week ending 16 November 2018

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Tenders (Multilateral organizations) List

Note: tenders information are collected from https://wbgeconsult2.worldbank.org, www.devex.com, www.adb.org, https://www.ungm.org

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ADB: TA-9620 REG, Preparation of the ADB Ventures Facility - 001 Project Manager (52295-001)Closing Date: 17 November 2018

ADB: TA-9584 REG, South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Regional Energy Cooperation -Senior Programs Analyst (52070-001)Closing Date: 21 November 2018

ADB: TA-9629 REG, Asian Development Outlook 2019-2021 - Asian Development Outlook 2019 (Subproject 1) - Southeast Asia (52216-002)Closing Date: 22 November 2018

ADB: LOAN 47152-002 MYA, Irrigated Agriculture Inclusive Development Project - ADB-04 Irrigation Systems Management Unit (ISMU2)Closing Date: 05 December 2018

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4. MIC Permitted Projects

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MIC Permitted Projects (Meeting 18, 2018)

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No. Name of Company Type of Investment Form of Investment

1 Myanmar BAF Joint Venture Co., LtdPig breeder farm and sales of weaner and fattener

Joint Venture

2 Tiger Infrastructure Myanmar (TIM) Co., LtdConstruction, leasing and maintenance of telecommunication towers, proving services and power system

Joint Venture Investment

3 Southern Myanmar Development Co., LtdConstruction of pipeline jetty and storage facilities, importation, storage, distribution and sales of fuel

Joint Venture

4 Myanmar Noble Co., Ltd Private higher education university Wholly Myanmar Owned

5 Royal British International Co., Ltd Education services Wholly Foreign Owned

6 Victoria Uni Co., Ltd Victoria University College Wholly Myanmar Owned

Source: DICA

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5. Upcoming Events

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Upcoming Events (November 2018) List

Date Location Name of Event Sector Price Focus Points

15-16 Nov 2018 YangonMyanmar LPG Trade Summit

EnergyUSD 1,395

“focuses on developing LPG supply chain inMyanmar, LPG imports into Myanmar &storage, establishing logistics & distributionnetwork of LPG in Myanmar, best practice inLPG cylinder management & safety, LPGmarketing & increasing adoption/usage inresidential & commercial market,...”

16-18 Nov 2018 Yangon Myanbuild Construction Free

“an international building and constructionindustry exhibition and conference whichshowcases a wide range of industry-relatedproducts and services from variousinternational brands”

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Note: Events information are collected from https://www.go-myanmar.com/events-and-conferences and https://10times.com/myanmar .

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Upcoming Events (December 2018) List

Date Location Name of Event Sector Price Focus Points

29 Nov - 01 Dec 2018

Yangon Myanwater Water Free

“an international water and wastewatertechnology show which discusses varioustechnologies relating to the water andwastewater management…”

06-08 Dec 2018

Yangon Agrilivestock MyanmarAgriculture and livestock

Free

“economists are anticipating huge growthwithin Myanmar's livestock and agricultureindustry over the course of the next decadeas rising domestic demand as well as acompetitive export market pave the way forincreased investment in the sector…”

06-09 Dec 2018

Yangon

Myanmar International Textile & Garment Industry Exhibition

Textile and Garment

Free

“an international exhibition whichshowcases machinery for man-made fibreproduction, machinery for winding,texturing, twisting, knitting machines, textilechemicals, etc”

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Note: Events information are collected from https://www.go-myanmar.com/events-and-conferences and https://10times.com/myanmar .

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© 2018 PricewaterhouseCoopers Myanmar Co Ltd. All rights reserved. In this

document, “PwC” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers Myanmar Co Ltd, which is

part of the network of member firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers International

Limited, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.

www.pwc.com/mm

PwC Myanmar Weekly Business Intelligence Publication

For further information please contact:

Jovi SeetSenior Executive [email protected]

Brandon [email protected]

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