Myanmar 20250114: Consternating, Dubious, Opposing
Mekong Memo Myanmar Weekly: Business, politics, finance, trade & legal news.
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Here is this week’s edition of the Mekong Memo for Myanmar.
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Headlines:
Airstrikes Kill Dozens as Violence Persists
Scam Operations Target Regional Victims
Internet Freedom Plummets Under Junta
Belarus Partnership Moves Beyond Weapons
Power Woes Drive Solar Demand
Military Transfers Officers to Civilian Posts
Russia Delivers Combat Jets
Thailand Property Market Benefits
DICA Business Documentation Changes
Ag Sector Eyes Revival with Exports
Child Casualties Mount in Conflict
Junta Targets Student Data
Airstrikes Kill Dozens as Violence Persists
Multiple military airstrikes across Myanmar have killed more than 80 civilians in recent days. In Rakhine State's Ramree township, at least 41 people died and 50 were injured when jets bombed Kyauk Ni Maw village, destroying 500 homes. Separate strikes in Kachin State killed 15 civilians at a gold mine. The attacks come as the Arakan Army now controls 15 of 17 townships in Rakhine State.
Read more: The Defense Post (Kachin Strike), Al Jazeera (Rakhine Attack)
Scam Operations Target Regional Victims
More than 6,000 people from 21 countries are reportedly being held captive in Myanmar's human trafficking networks, with Chinese nationals making up the majority. Recent high-profile cases include Chinese actor Wang Xing, who was rescued after being lured to a scam compound. Chinese authorities say that they have made headway in dismantling fraud syndicates and arresting 53,000 suspects since July 2023. Hong Kong has deployed a task force to Thailand to rescue a dozen victims.
Read more: The Nation Thailand (Trafficking Report), SCMP (Operations Analysis)
Internet Freedom Plummets Under Junta
The Myanmar Internet Project confirms that there has been a severe deterioration in internet freedom since the 2021 coup. In 2024, the junta imposed more than 130 internet blackouts across 82 townships. Major cities usually are able to maintain access, but the regime arrested 374 people for critical social media posts. The United States has sanctioned military-owned telecom company Mytel for enabling surveillance and human rights abuses.
Read more: RFA (Internet Report), Irrawaddy (Sanctions)
Belarus Partnership Moves Beyond Weapons
Belarus and Myanmar held their first Business Forum, expanding cooperation beyond arms dealing. The meeting was set up to look into partnerships in agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, veterinary products, food production, automobile manufacturing, higher education, and seafood production. Both countries say they will sign a technology transfer MOU, with Belarus continuing to refuse to condemn Myanmar's 2021 military coup at the United Nations.
Power Woes Drive Solar Demand
Myanmar continues to suffer severe power shortages, with Yangon residents receiving only eight hours of electricity daily. The junta announced plans to mandate solar panel installation during building construction and ordered acceleration of solar projects. The regime's Energy Commission, formed in December, intends to reduce dependence on hydropower and LNG, though critics make clear that the policy seems to especially benefit military-linked businesses.
Read more: Irrawaddy (Demand), EVWind (Policy), Eurasia Review (Criticism)
Military Transfers Officers to Civilian Posts
The junta has reassigned senior military officers to civilian ministries to try and cover manpower shortages. Recent transfers include colonels and lieutenant colonels moving to roles in sports, youth affairs, anti-corruption, and general administration. More than 300 military officers were reassigned to civilian positions between 2023 and May 2024.
Read more: Mizzima
Russia Delivers Combat Jets
The Myanmar Air Force has completed the acquisition of six Russian Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets under a $400 million deal, another step toward improving its military capabilities to counter rebel groups and defend territorial integrity. The delivery comes as Myanmar pivots away from Chinese-manufactured jets due to technical issues, raising concerns in China over losing influence in the region. The jets were officially commissioned during a military anniversary, and are showing of Russia's expanding role in Myanmar's defense sector.
Read more: The Defense Post (Su-30 Delivery), Economic Times (China Concerns)
Thailand Property Market Benefits
Myanmar buyers ranked second behind Chinese purchasers for Thai condo transfers in the first nine months of 2024. Sales reached 1,050 units worth 5.46 billion baht, up from 347 units worth 2.25 billion baht in 2023, despite an initial bump in the road due to junta currency restrictions.
Read more: Irrawaddy
DICA Business Documentation Changes
Myanmar's Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA) has mandated online submission of documents for company share and director changes. The purpose of the change is to reduce the potential for delays and disputes, and requires specific supporting documentation to be sent by email.
Read more: VDB-Loi
Ag Sector Eyes Revival with Exports
Ginger farmers, facing reduced exports and lower prices, are shifting to supply domestic markets, while waiting for an export resumption that hopefully will stabilize earnings. The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation is asking for bids for pineapple exports to China under a renewed phytosanitary agreement. This deal, allowing sea trade, is a breakthrough after years of frozen cross-border exports.
Read more: GNLM (Ginger), GNLM (Pineapple)
Child Casualties Mount in Conflict
UNICEF says that more than 750 children were killed or injured in Myanmar's conflicts during 2024, an average of two casualties daily. Between January and September, 250 children were killed by landmines and unexploded ordnance. They say that roughly six million children are facing worsening humanitarian conditions, with more than 3.5 million people displaced. Sobering numbers.
Read more: Vietnam News
Junta Targets Student Data
The military regime has requested detailed student information from universities and private schools, possibly in anticipation of better focusing their conscription efforts. Obviously this is worrying to many students and their parents, but township administrations have reportedly demanded lists of students over 15 years old, including health information, an unusual involvement of the General Administration Department in education matters.
Read more: Irrawaddy
That’s it for this week… THANK YOU.
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