Climate, Food, Economy
September 16, 2025
This extensive study carried out in Myanmar included around 1,000 consumers, 150 business owners and 100 NGOs. The study sought to measure awareness and attitudes towards consumer spending and allegiance to products produced in the ASEAN trading block.
This study set out the competitive landscape within Myanmar, profiling key players, channels to market, value chain, pricing analysis and market size.
Pyu Creek Dam Project in Pyu Township of the Bago Region on 16 March 2013. Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation U Khin Zaw oversaw land preparation and foundation work for diversion canals.
Kun Creek Diversion Project was also surveyed during installation of sluice gates and pouring concrete slabs.
Original Link Myanmar Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation
A few excerpts from the article; Power requirements prompt rushing Yangon’s gas-fired plant Projects from ElevenMyanmar states, “Gas-fired power plant projects in the Yangon region are rushing to complete by the end of this year as the city requires more energy, according to an official from the Ministry of Electrical Power. There are about 1500 villages in Yangon suffering from daily power shortages,” the official said on condition of anonymity.
The article continues; Two power generators with a capacity of 120 MW each, were donated by Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, and have arrived in Ywama Township where a gas-fired power plant will be constructed before end of this year. Three local power plant projects, which will complete this year’s end, will generate 50 megawatts (MW) each, and additional projects in Hlawgar, Ywama, and Tharkayta townships of Yangon.
Energy Storage Power Corporation’s (ESPC) offers a quickly implementable solution to Yangon’s pressing power requirements for gas-fired plants. New installed capacity takes time but there is a faster way to add to Yangon’s gas-fired power station output. “Power Augmentation” which can add Megawatts without having to install any new capacity. [Read more…]
Agriculture in Myanmar takes the lions share of the economy employing 61.2% of its total labor force.
Main objective of Ministry of Agriculture adn Irrigation (MOAI) is to increase crop production through germination and vigor testing of new seed varieties.
Net sown area of 12.02 million hectares with Cereal Crops covering the largest portion, with Pulses and Oil Seed Crops occupying the next largest segment.
“Mango yields are down by one-third compared with last year,” said U Kyaw Soe Naing of the Myanmar Fruit and Vegetable Producers and Exporters Association. Yields are down because we didn’t get enough rain,” he said, adding that the cost of land to grow mangoes on has also risen about 10% over the last year.
The mango export season is from late April to mid-July, with most fruit shipped to China, said Ko Khun Naw, owner of Shwe Thi Hann Kabar sales. He said a 15-kilogram box of loose mangoes was selling for 60 to 90 yuan ($10-15) on April 29. [Read more…]
Investment in oil, natural gas, and the power sector, coupled with increases in tourism, construction, and exports, continue to drive Myanmar's growth.
The investment environment has improved following reforms to unify multiple exchange rates and an easing of economic sanctions imposed on Myanmar by industrialized countries.
Considering these factors, GDP is forecast to continue to see steady growth ahead. Risks to growth momentum include a slower-than-expected progress in key economic reforms and possible adverse impact on trade, investment, and tourism. [Read more…]
If you are coming to Myanmar, you will have to fill out a Customs Declaration Form when entering the country.
The forms are straight forward and easy to fill out.
Prohibited items include: Drugs, Firearms, Pornography, Counterfeit Currency and Endangered Species.
Scans of Front and Back of Customs Form [Read more…]
The main economic sector in Myanmar is agriculture, of which rice is the most important commodity. In 2012, total planted paddy areas amounted to 18.76 million acres, followed by oil seed crop sown areas accounting for 10 million acres.
In Myanmar 83% of paddy is derived from monsoon paddy production and 17% is from summer paddy production. In 2011, export taxes on private sector rice was reduced from 10% to 2%.
Myanmar Rice Supply Chain by U Htin Aung Shein & U Kyaw Myint 2012 PDF
As announced in mid-April, “YCDC is going to seize billboards operated by private companies after March 31”, a spokesperson for YCDC’s Department of Administration said.
The March 31 YCDC announcement said billboard leases that had been authorized in the 2012-13 financial year, which ended March 31, would not be renewed in the following financial year. However, YCDC will continue to allow billboards under its control. [Read more…]
Financial Development in Myanmar (190 pages) is a new book published by U Soe Tin, Myanma Economic Bank (Retired), Myanma Apex Bank (Advisor)
This book has been prepared in two parts: The History of Banking in Myanmar and Present Banking Development in Myanmar. The information contained in this new book includes; Information on banks, banking laws, important regulations, interest rates, discount rates, prime tare, LIBOR-SIBOR, and international regulations focusing on those workings in Myanmar.
I have included the Preface and Table of Contents of Chapters 1-14 and References. [Read more…]
Fishing operators say they support a recent decision to reduce the fishing season to 45 days, from three months, to help fish populations recover. They say illegal operators from Thailand and China are using sophisticated technology to boost their hauls, and stripping the seas bare in the process.
A fishing company owner in Yangon, who did not want to be named, said there are many illegal boats trawling commercial fishing grounds in Myanmar’s territorial waters using technologies that are unavailable to domestic operators. He added that the illegal foreign operators were able to bribe officials during the previous government to ignore their activities, but added that many in the industry hope the new government will take the issue seriously. [Read more…]
Chinese Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) signed with Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Development Corporation (SIPC) on the 24th Myanmar onshore D mine. By cooperation with Sinopec, CNPC obtained the Myanmar Oil Production "ticket" to jointly develop Myanmar's "D Block."
The Transfer of Contract, Which divides a co-equity ratio SIPC 70%, Sinopec gained 30% interest from CNPC. CNPC said that Myanmar is the world's 10th largest natural gas storage, investment in mining and reserves of 900 trillion cubic feet. About 254.9 billion cubic meters of natural gas fields or more. At least four of the joint projects are located in the "Myanmar onshore D Block."
Petrol Prices around Yangon Myanmar April 2013
$1 = 870 Kyat
Prices are per Liter
Diesel 860K
Gasoline 814K
Octane 870K
The negative impacts of Myanmar tourism are slowly becoming visible. We spoke with trishaw drivers, horse-cart drivers, ethnic minority villagers, pagoda trustees, monks, comedians, tour guides, hoteliers, artisans, restaurant managers, food sellers on the street, embassies, NGOs, tour operators, travel agents, taxi drivers and many more.
The booklet features the works of a range of cartoonists, including Ngwe Kyi, Thit Htoon, Harn Lay, Aw Pyi Kyeh and Chit Thu of the Do's and Dont's while evisiting Myanmar.
Myanmar Do's and Dont's for Tourists, Illustrated Cartoon Booklet PDF
Kyat Exchange Rates for USD, Singapore Dollar and Euro in Yangon: April 15-20, 2013
Initial experiences and the further development potentials and needs in sub-Saharan Africa, the report focus is on the impact of biofuels for small-scale development and use by households, farmers, communities. Its emphasis is on the sustainable development of biofuels to increase modern energy access to these stakeholders and thereby improve their lives and livelihoods.
In recent years several developing countries have gained positive experiences with small-scale production and use of fuel crops.
Small-Scale Production and Use of Liquid Biofuels in Sub-Saharan Africa PDF
There are dozens of organizations in the U.S. and internationally that are working to promote biofuels. While some organizations are limited to a niche, such as the promotion of corn ethanol or algal fuel, others are more broad-based and promote the use of all biofuels, no matter the feedstock or production process.
Below, is a compiled list of national groups that include biofuel promotion as part of their core mission. Also included agricultural associations that promote biofuels.
List of Biodiesel Associations both Internationally and within the USA
If Yangon’s population continues to grow at the current rate of 1.15 million people a year, the number of people living in the city by 2017 will double. Yangon is Myanmar’s most densely populated region and according to the Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC), 7.1 million people reside in the city.
Main roads in downtown areas such as Sule Pagoda, Bogyoke, Mahabandoola and Merchant roads have average per square foot prices of between K1 (US$1175) to 1.5 million ($1762) for apartment living space.
Myanmar Times: Property and Real Estate Report Myanmar, Oct 2012 PDF
The Rakhine Coastal Zone is bounded by the Bay of Bengal in the west and has a total land area of 367,780 sq.km. The mountain ranges within the state stretch from Bangladesh to the Chin State and slope downwards from north to south having average elevations of about 900 meters.
The Deltaic Coastal Zone consists of the entire river – mouth areas of three major rivers, Ayeyarwady, Sittaung and Thanlwin. Administratively, this coastal zone lies within Ayeyarwady Division, Yangon Division and Mon State.
The Taninthary Coastal area is the longest coastal zone of Myanmar and is bounded by Andaman Sea in the west. This coastal zone covers south of the Gulf of Mottama upto the mouth of Pakchan River.
National Report of Myanmar, Sustainable Management of The Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystems PDF