Briefs

Around 70 proposed foreign investment projects worth about US$ 3.4 billion (Bt85 billion) have been submitted to the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC), just two and a half months before the end of fiscal year 2016-17, says Aung Naing Oo, secretary of the MIC.
As of January of this the fiscal year, Myanmar has received foreign investment projects worth about $4.5 billion and the number of foreign investments is expected to exceed the projected amount, according to the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration.
“The projected amount is about $6 billion. We have already received investments worth about $4.5 billion. It’s nearly three months before the end of this fiscal year.
“And we received foreign investment projects proposals worth about $3.4 billion. When combined, they will be more than $6 billion,” said Aung Naing Oo.
He added that foreign investments made in November and December last year were very strong.
Between April and mid-December, the MIC granted permits to 78 investments worth $2.1 billion. Total investment, including investment promotion, has reached $3.4 billion. – Myanmar Eleven 

China to buy 20,000 tonnes of organic rice from Laos

China has approved the purchase of 20,000 tonnes of organic rice a year from Laos, according to Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith. 
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith said in talks with Khong district authorities in Champassak province last week that Chinese premier Li Keqiang had agreed to the deal.
The Chinese prime minister told Thongloun that 20,000 tonnes of rice was quite a small quantity for China. But Lao officials and farmers will have to work hard to produce this amount of organic rice for shipment.
“Laos will need to deliver 20,000 tonnes of genuine organic rice to China. The shipment must not contain nonorganic rice,” Thongloun said. 
About 4,000 tonnes of sticky rice and nonglutinous rice has already been delivered to China, and this year the shipment was to be 8,000 tonnes and now China has approved an increase from 8,000 tonnes to 20,000 tonnes. 
The rice is being grown in Savannakhet province and Khong district, Champassak province.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in October last year, only the IDP Rice Mill in Savannakhet province was able to produce rice of sufficient quality to meet the standard required by Chinese buyers.| There are many rice mills in Laos but they are inefficient and the finished product is of low quality. Based on a nationwide survey, only the IDP Rice Mill has been able to meet Chinese standards. – Vientiane Times 

Philippines sees improved trade relations with Iran

Philippines’ department of agriculture is anticipating increased two-way trade in agricultural goods with Iran following a meeting with the Western Asian nation’s ambassador to the Philippines.
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol on Monday said that, in particular, the Philippines may soon import Iranian apples as Tehran was “keen on bringing its produce to Philippine markets.”
Pinol said that he met last week with Ambassador Mohammad Tanhaei “to discuss the request of the Iranian government.”
“I’m still waiting for the results of a pest risk analysis [on samples of Iranian apples],” he said.
“[If everything turns out okay, rest assured that [the document on] importation of apples is ready for signing,” Pinol added.
The agriculture chief said Iran was also interested in exporting into the Philippines cherries, pomegranates and pistachios.
Further, he said Iran was willing to work with the Philippine government in research and development activities related to rice, biotechnology and modern farming.
For his part, Pinol chief said he requested a reduction of the tariff on Philippine bananas, on which Tehran collects a 24-per cent levy.– Philippine Daily Inquirer