HOUSE OF THE WEEK

An abundance of space at FMI City

CERTAINLY, space is not a problem in this house – once you get there. Over the Hlaing River, 45 minutes from downtown, there is a large one-storey house in a big compound waiting for someone ready to trade time for space. ...more

Yangon Weather Forecast, Burma

Commodity prices show generally downward trend

COMMODITY prices show a general drift downwards as the year ends, reflecting the usual seasonal trends over the past year, with price instability in some items as the new harvest comes on the market, Yangon traders say. Low-quality rice, garlic, peanut oil and sugar all rose in price at the end of the year, onion prices were volatile, and high-quality rice.. (Volume 26, No. 504)

'Over the bridge' RE beckons

LIFE beyond the bridges is looking increasingly inviting for many Yangon residents, real estate professionals and transplanted downtown dwellers say. (Volume 26, No. 504)

Govt car auctions drive market

GOVERNMENT auctions have dominated the car market this year, with seized and resold cars bringing prices down a number of times. (Volume 26, No. 504)

Prepaid phone cards sales double in year

SALES of prepaid phone cards have doubled since they first came on the market one year ago – and demand has also doubled, mobile shops say.In December 2008, when they were new on the market, hard to find and plagued with production difficulties, GSM prepaid cards sold for K40,000 or more.... (Volume 26, No. 504)

Fisheries exports falling short of target, again

DESPITE increased volume in some categories, income from fisheries exports is down compared to last year, according to figures issued by the Department of Fisheries. (Volume 26, No. 504)

Plastic industry aims to tie deal with govt

PLASTICS industry businesspeople are working hard to cut a deal with the government, and Chinese traders, to produce composite wood-plastic, both for domestic use and export by March 31. (Volume 26, No. 504)

MES show to be held from Jan 15 to 18

MYANMAR Engineering Society (MES) will host the Process and Products Show 2010 from January 15 to 18 at the association headquarters in Hlaing Campus. (Volume 26, No. 504)

D-net gaming suite dares gamers to enter house of pain

THE straight blacktop road leads nowhere, the white lines down the centre disappearing into the gloom beyond the bright overhead lights that angle downwards towards you on V-shaped brackets. The road is narrow. There are white walls on either side, and across them, heading up, down and sideways, snaking black cables give the impression that you are inside some giant machine. (Volume 26, No. 504)

A year to forget, say developers

“Although YCDC is trying to get developers to raise living standards, in reality most developers won’t comply because of practical difficulties, which will reduce the amount of new building as a consequence. Construction is down by half compared with last year, which also reflects the fall in demand, (Volume 26, No. 503)

Gold ends historic year on a high

GOLD may be immutable, but its price is not. Not in the year 2009, at any rate, which Yangon gold entrepreneurs have dubbed the year of the unstable gold price. (Volume 26, No. 503)

Import of fake and substandard drugs prevented

THE president of the Myanmar Pharmaceutical and Medical Equipment Entrepreneurs Association has called for an end to imports of fake and substandard drugs, which he says are harmful to public health. (Volume 26, No. 503)

India to improve road links with B’desh, Myanmar

ARGATALA, India – India will invest 16.66 billion rupees (about US$357 million) to develop highways in Tripura and Mizoram to improve connectivity of the landlocked northeastern states with Bangladesh and Myanmar, an official said here on December 20. (Volume 26, No. 503)

Composite maker looks to export in Feb

A RECYCLING venture about to be launched could bring in additional foreign currency revenue for Myanmar. Entrepreneurs are preparing to start exporting a composite wood-plastic material, made in part from recycled plastic bags, from next February, said U Aye Lwin, chairman of the Dagon-Seikkan Industrial Zone. (Volume 26, No. 503)

Garment exports dip in 2009

FACING the continuing effects of sanctions and the global recession, Myanmar’s garment manufacturers are struggling to reach last year’s export total of US$385 million, industry sources say. (Volume 26, No. 503)

Country Club greeted with enthusiasm

IT’S a bold move to propose, and then open, an exclusive country club in the throes of the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression. But that is exactly what the management at Pun Hlaing Golf Estate have just done. (Volume 26, No. 503)

Demand strong for Xmas decorationsr

NOBODY in Myanmar was dreaming of a white Christmas – but more and more people were buying Christmas trees, decorating them and exchanging Christmas cards, shopkeepers say. Sales of Yuletide accessories – trees, decorations, cards – were up again this year, as prices, tied to the weaker US dollar, fell compared to 12 months ago. (Volume 26, No. 503)

Luxury Dagon penthouse

THERE’S a lot about this 10th-floor, two-storey penthouse in Dagon township, on Nawaday Street, to like. For instance, it’s epic in proportion – about 5250 square feet – and in a good location that offers plenty of schooling and shopping options. (Volume 26, No. 503)

Game back on

THE disappointment is crushing. A fortnight ago I announced to my immense happiness that through a simple phone call I’d found a place to live in a pleasant apartment in an agreeable township. (Volume 26, No. 503)

Mid-range proves a bright light in prop sector

DEMAND for mid-range property in Yangon remained strong in 2009, despite the effects of two government auctions, industry professionals say. (Volume 26, No. 503)