Parliament cuts budget by MMK 400 billion
The Myanmar parliament has cut the government budget by more than MMK 400 billion for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. Lawmakers cited shifting policies and reducing excess spending as reasons for the reduction. The reduction leads to a budget of roughly M
Northern Alliance armed groups announce ceasefire
Three of the armed ethnic militias in the Northern Alliance (NA) have announced a one-month, unilateral ceasefire in northern Shan State as negotiations with the Myanmar military (Tatmadaw) continue. The ceasefire was announced by The Ta’ang Nation
New conflict negotiation arm to be formed
The Myanmar government is planning a new organization to negotiate with ethnic armed groups. The new Peace Secretariat will hold dialogues with armed groups that are signatories to the 2015 Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, U Zaw Htay, director general
Myanmar Visa requirements eased for Asian visitors
The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism (MHT) will extend visa preferences for people from Japan, South Korea, China and India. The initiative is aimed to boost Myanmar’s tourism numbers. Since late 2018, visitors from Japan and South Korea have enj
KBZ Bank hires American law firm after UN accusations
According to a CNBC report, Kanbawza Bank (KBZ) is seeking counsel from a US-based law firm after it was named in a recent UN report calling for broad sanctions against military-affiliated companies. KBZ hired the law firm Williams & Connolly for
