4G launch in Myanmar by March

Currently, mobile operators are offering 2G, 3G and highly limited 4G with the use of 900MHz and 2,100MHz frequencies. The installation of 1,800MHz should be able to provide extensive 4G networks, it is hoped. 
An official from the department said: “We are discussing the installation of 1,800MHz with consultant companies.” 
Mobile operators are making necessary preparations for 4G licences in the hope that they may get permits before March. 
“During the first three months of 2017, the installation of 1,800MHz can provide the people with a faster 4G network,” said Lars Erik Tellmann, CEO of Telenor Myanmar.
Currently, 4G is available only in Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw. Telenor is expanding its 4G network to Bago Region and Ooredoo to Magway Region. – Myanmar Eleven
 Myanmar trade deficit reaches $3.3 bn 
 Myanmar has reported a deficit of US$3.27 billion so far this fiscal year as exports have reached $7.7 billion and imports $10.99 billion.
From April to December 16, the country’s total foreign trade reached $18.7 billion, down $344 million compared with the same period last year.
Last year, there was a trade deficit of $4.3 billion for the same period.
Maritime trade amounted to $13.7 billion, while border trade was almost $5 billion. 
The government plans to cut luxury imports under the second five-year national development plan that runs until 2021.
According to the Central Statistical Organisation, there was a trade deficit of $91.9 million in 2012-13, $2.6 billion in 2013-14, $4.9 billion in 2014-15 and $5.4 billion in 2015-16.
The Ministry of Planning and Finance earlier estimated that this financial year’s trade deficit would reach $3.1 billion. – Myanmar Eleven
 Falling prices force down gas earnings
 The Myanmar Ministry of Commerce has reported that the country has earned more than US$1.6 billion from natural-gas exports this financial |year (beginning in April) up to mid-December.
Revenue fell $1.2 billion year on year, with $3.08 billion being earned from natural-gas exports during the same period last year. 
The ministry has blamed falling natural-gas prices.
Myanmar started exporting natural gas to China in 2014 from the Shwe gas project off the Rakhine coast.
The Yadanar gas project run by Total, a French integrated oil and gas multinational, exports gas to Thailand. 
The Yadanar, Yetagon, Zawtika and Shwe gas projects are expected collectively to produce 515 billion cubic feet of natural gas for export and 160.6bcf for domestic use in the next fiscal year, according to the second five-year National Development Plan, which runs until 2021. 
According to the plan’s projections, the Yadana project will produce 206.2bcf, Yetagon 73.4bcf, Zawtika 89.4bcf and Shwe 146bcf.
According to the Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise, gas production during this fiscal year will reach 689.8bcf, including 14.2bcf from onshore blocks and 675.6bcf from offshore blocks. |– Myanmar Eleven
 Hydropower plants on Youn River studied
 Attapeu province in Laos will conduct a feasibility study on the construction of small hydropower plants.
The study will be carried out on the Youn River in Sanxay district in an area that shares a border with Dakcheung district in Xekong province.
The Attapeu Provincial Administration Office signed a memorandum of understanding on the construction of small hydropower plants on the Youn River with ABT Construction Company on Wednesday.
Other major power plants (at least eight) will come online soon, including the Xekaman 1 with capacity of 322 megawatts, Nam Ou 5 with 240MW, and the Nam Lik and Nam Phay hydro plants.
 According to the Ministry of Energy and Mines, as of 2015 Laos had built |38 power plants at a cost of more than 81.7 trillion kip (Bt360 billion) with a |total installed capacity of 6,265MW. Combined, they can generate 33,315 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. – Vientiane Times
 Myanmar rice exports drop as of mid-December 
 The Myanmar Ministry of Commerce has reported that as of mid-December, nearly 600,000 tonnes of rice have been exported this fiscal year, about 110,000 tonnes down from the same period last year.
From April 1 to December 16, the country exported around 590,000 tonnes of rice as compared to more than 700,000 tonnes recorded last year.
Myanmar exports rice mainly to China through Muse but also to more than 30 other countries by sea.
This year’s rice exports have fallen as the Chinese authorities imposed tighter controls at Muse and fighting took place between the Myanmar military and ethnic rebels near Muse in late November.
Muse saw exports worth more than US$2.2 billion and more than $1.1 billion of imports.
The border trade saw a drop of more than $238 million in exports and more than $6 million in imports year on year, according to the ministry.
The Myanmar Rice Federation says a greater proportion of rice is now being exported by sea, with about 60,000 tonnes sailing to African markets| every month on average. – Myanmar Eleven
  Laos urges infrastructure development in Mekong Basin 
 Laos has suggested that cooperation between the Mekong Basin countries and China focuses on the development of infrastructure for improving connectivity and boosting commercial production.
The proposal was made by the Lao delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith at the 2nd Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on December 22-23.
Cambodia’s Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn and Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi co-chaired the meeting.
Participants reviewed the progress made and exchanged views on the future direction of the MLC framework since the successful convening of the 1st Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting last March. – Vientiane Times