Except for Thilawa SEZ, backed by the #Japanese, the other 2 have not been very successful dealing with issues like a lack of funding/investments for #Dawei SEZ & damaging environmental/resources concerns for #Kyaukphyu SEZ, in addition to #Rakhine being seen as violence-prone
With this announcement of another #SEZ in #Mon#Mawlamyine, it appears #Myanmar is hoping to once again attract #Japanese investments & somewhat replicate & model the success seen in #Thilawa#Yangon. At least 50 Japanese firms operate in that SEZ.
In new #Myanmar#Mon state #SEZ, a deep-sea port is expected & also aimed at enabling connection to #Yangon#Thilawa#SEZ. Unclear how big new SEZ will be, how much investments targetted, what operational timeline is. #WorldBank estimated growth to decline to 0.5% in FY2019/2020
#Myanmar will hold its general #elections later this year on November 8. Government hopes to create more jobs, boost #economic growth through projects like new #SEZ. But #Japanese investments in nation have been criticised by some rights groups like @hrwhrw.org/news/2020/07/2…
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In the #Thai invite letter to @ASEAN foreign ministers, which I've also seen, @MFAThai minister Don says the "meeting is intended to be an informal dialogue that could be part of the initial steps of the #Myanmar peace process" #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
Victims buried in a mass grave after #Myanmar#military launched air strikes on a #Kachin Independence Organization #KIO anniversary celebration Oct 23. At least 80 people said to be killed, 100s more injured. Fatalities may rise over hindered medical aid #whatshappeninginmyanmar
Despite atrocities committed, #Myanmar#military remains defiant by calling air strikes & killings of civilians in #Hpakant#Kachin "fabricated" & "rumours". They've now cited own "sources" saying only ethnic #Kachin Independence Army #KIA personnel & resistance fighters killed
#Myanmar#military again takes issue with foreign embassy/UN statements condemning air attacks, insisting comments made "without proper verification" & can be seen as "intentional dissemination of rumours" & "meddling of the internal affairs" of Myanmar. #WhatsHappeninglnMyanmar
#Myanmar#military's air attacks on #Hpakant#Kachin during a Kachin Independence Organization #KIO concert Oct 23 killed at least 80 people & 100s more injured. #KIA says the army carried out a "mass killing" which is "1 of the most cruel & deplorable action" against civilians.
#Myanmar's #ethnic armed group #KIA/#Kachin Independence Organization #KIO adds that the #military regime's latest attack only "encourages stronger revolution against" the Myanmar army. KIA has been clashing with the military for over 60 years. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
Some prominent singers/artists said to have been killed/injured in #Myanmar#military air attacks aimed at #Hpakant, Kachin. #Kachin Independence Army has upped its clashes with military since Feb 2021 #coup. #KIA had rejected army's offer of peace talks #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
Videos of aftermath of #Myanmar#military air strikes on #Hpakant#Kachin sent to me for use. Increasingly, Myanmar military has been/will be using air attacks to target #ethnic territories controlled by ethnic armed groups/civilian resistance forces #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
🧵In less than 2 months, #Myanmar & #Russia met at least 3 times via high-level physical visits. #Military chief now making 2nd trip to Russia with his last one only in mid-July. Attending Eastern Economic Forum, he'll likely engage Russian defence again #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
#Russia's Vladivostok Eastern Economic Forum's aimed at attracting investments into Russia. Unclear if Russian President Putin will attend. Since #Moscow attacked #Ukraine 5 months ago, nations like #US & #EU have introduced/expanded sanctions on Russia #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
But in latest rebuttal to @ASEAN, #Myanmar#military remains obstinate & defiant as it objected to #ASEAN's accusation that military has shown "lack of progress" in implementing 5-point plan to resolve crisis. Military staged #coup on Feb 1, 2021. 2/5 #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
#Myanmar#military in turn accuses @ASEAN of making "1-sided assessment" of its 5-point consensus implementation efforts & that bloc was not appraising results in an "objective and fair manner based on the factual updates and situations on the ground" 3/5 #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar