business

Residents from Lun-Nya village area, in Hpa-an Township voiced their opposition to a proposed cement factory planned for their area, over concerns that it could endanger their health and fears that they would receive no compensation. As many as 300 villagers raised their concerns at the meeting attended by representatives from Ultra Tech’s Cement Factory and ministers of the Karen…

Following the good feel surrounding the ceasefire between the Karen and Burma government, villagers forced relocated 10 years ago returned in hope to their old village, only to find it occupied by a palm oil company. Following their forced relocation by Burma Army, Karen villagers from the east of Myeik Town, in southern Burma began to return to their old…

Grave concerns over government plans to build six hydroelectric dams on the Salween River. The dam projects would be used to sell hydropower to Burma’s neighbors, China and Thailand. The planned dams lie in ethnic conflict zones where the critical issue of control over natural resources remains unresolved. Members of Burma’s Rivers Network (BRN) including the Karen Rivers Watch, Shan…

A report launched this week by the Burma News International highlighted the impact of business on the country’s fragile peace process. The report – Economics of Peace and Conflict – details how economic engagement trends connected to the peace process “have already caused serious negative impacts on local communities and may threat the durability of peace agreements.” Burma News International…

The jailing of 10 activists by Burma’s government was slammed by regional human rights groups who accused the government of muscling out local villagers in favor of multinational development projects. The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), that represents 47 member organizations from 16 nations across Asia, has criticized Burma’s decision to throw 10 rights activists in prison.…

Japan joined a meeting between Thailand and Burma to discuss how to kick-start the Dawei $60 billion mega project in southern Burma. It was the first time the three countries had met to discuss Japan’s role as a potential investor in the massive Dawei project that includes, a deep-sea port, industrial zone, rail and road links to Thailand, power plants…

Monks and residents from Hpa-an protest against the destruction of the town’s historic football ground to make way for the construction of a hotel and shopping mall. As many as 500 monks gathered on Friday, September 27, at the Hpa-an Maebaung Monastery to demonstrated against the building of the hotel and shopping mall on Myoma Football ground. The Myoma football…

The Karen National Union in a move to get behind locally owned businesses has offered its support to Karen entrepreneurs. The Karen National Union’s Mergui-Tavoy District said it is ready to offer its support to Karen companies wanting to set up business in its area. In a recent meeting in Dawei, with members of the recently founded and Karen owned…

In an exclusive interview with Karen News, General Baw Kyaw Heh, the Vice Chief of Staff of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and is its second highest commander explained his concerns about the current peace building process with the government and why he thinks the recent ceasefire focus is now on business and not on peace. Gen Baw Kyaw…

Burma’s government in a move to speed up trade and tourism between Thailand, announced yesterday, August 28, that it would allow foreigners holding its visa’s to travel into the country by any of the four entry points. The four border gates are between Myawaddy-Mae Sot, Tachileik-Mae Sai, Kawthaung-Ranong and Htee Khee-Sunaron. Speaking at the ceremony held to mark the opening…