HOUSE OF THE WEEK

Space abounds in this Tarmwe two-up

LOADS of space and enviable proximity to the downtown area are the upsides to this house in Tarmwe township....more

A dramatic year in Myanmar politics

THE past 12 months saw a renewed focus – both locally and internationally – on Myanmar politics, which was reinvigorated by a series of unlikely events. However, we can expect even greater scrutiny as the nation prepares for a planned general election, which Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) Senior General Than Shwe confir-med in his Independence Day message would take place sometime this year. (Volume 26, No. 505)

Air Bagan begins Chiang Mai service, plans further expansion

LOCAL airline Air Bagan last week began regular charter flights between Yangon and Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. (Volume 26, No. 505)

Agriculture census underway: ministry

THE great agricultural census of 2010 is already well under way, according to agriculture officials. (Volume 26, No. 504)

Jumbo documentary filming starts

A FRENCH film company is making a documentary about Myanmar elephants working in the logging industry. Last month, a small team from Compass Films spent three weeks in the Bago Mountains filming parts of the Myanmar segment of the program, which is to be shown on the National Geographic Channel. (Volume 26, No. 505)

Estate agents predict a better year

THE sense of a turning tide – in the right direction – is encouraging real estate professionals about the future of their industry, in the coming year and beyond. (Volume 26, No. 505)

An important year in Myanmar’s future

AT The Myanmar Times we enter each year optimistic that Myanmar is making positive progress towards both democracy and development. Sometimes, with the benefit of hindsight, that optimism has been misplaced. Conflict escalates, or the economy stagnates. Some years are, inevitably, better than others.(Volume 26, No. 505)

Local firm makes renewable energy easy

MYANMAR took a further step towards increased renewable energy use in the new year with the arrival on the market of solar-powered table lamps. (Volume 26, No. 505)

Huge compensation payout following Hlegu factory fire

STATE-RUN Myanma Insurance last month paid out the equivalent of US$1.5 million in compensation to the owners of a Hlegu township whiskey factory destroyed in a fire in August. (Volume 26, No. 505)

Tourists, astrologers prepare for eclipse

THE longest annular solar eclipse for more than 1000 years will be visible from many of Myanmar’s major tourist destinations, a local expert said last week, providing a boost for the recovering tourism sector. (Volume 26, No. 505)

MAI purchases new aircraft

MYANMAR Airways International (MAI) has acquired a second new aircraft in order to increase its flight frequency.
MAI marketing executive Daw Aye Mra Tha told The Myanmar Times on January 5 the aircraft, an Airbus A320 that can accommodate 162 passengers, came into service on January 2. (Volume 26, No. 505)

Tourism rebound continues

MORE than 16,000 foreign travellers passed through Yangon International Airport on tourist visas in October 2009, the highest single-month figure since March 2007, government figures show. (Volume 26, No. 505)

New book showcases Myanmar Buddhism

A NEW photography book on Buddhist faith in Myanmar was launched last month and is now available in both local and foreign bookstores. (Volume 26, No. 505)

YCDC introduces waste-management program early

YANGON City Development Committee (YCDC) last month launched a waste management program months ahead of its originally planned introduction date. (Volume 26, No. 505)

Manaw festival begins in Myitkyina

MORE than 300,000 festival-goers are expected to attend the week-long Kachin Manaw festival in the state capital Myitkyina, organisers say. (Volume 26, No. 505)

Central Bank treasury bonds find a waiting marketplace

MYANMAR’s central bank has issued new two-year treasury bonds available from January 1. Existing three- and five-year bonds will continue to be sold to the public. And the bonds are already proving a hit with consumers.

Sales continue to attract bargain hunters

CUSTOMERS are flocking to New Year sales, rivalling the shopping boom usually seen in this country before major local festivals like Thingyan, say industry sources.