Briefs

Myanmar Economic Bank (MEB) is launching money-transfer services for Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand via Krung Thai Bank (KTB). 
 Additional service fees will not be applied, according to MEB.
 The Foreign Affairs Ministry in Myanmar announced that senior government officials from Myanmar and Thailand had signed a memorandum of understanding on February 2 to launch money-transfer services between the two banks, as well as two agreements to upgrade Dawei general hospital and to cooperate on fishing-industry issues.
 The announcement said migrant workers in Thailand could transfer their salaries to MEB’s branches across Myanmar from April 3.
 
REGISTRATIONS FOR WELFARE
ASSISTANCE TO OPEN IN APRIL

The Finance Ministry will accept registrations from low-income earners for welfare assistance from April 3 to May 15, after which new welfare cards will be given to those who qualify.
 The benefits include financial assistance and free bus and railway travel.
 Krisda Chinavicharana, director-general of the Fiscal Policy Office, said those who had previously registered for benefits should do so again to get the new welfare cards.
 Low-income earners can register at three state-run banks: Krung Thai Bank, the Government Savings Bank and the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives. 
 
FPO GRANTS PICO-FINANCE 
LICENCE, WITH MORE TO COME

The Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) has granted a pico-finance licence to one operator, while 11 other informal lenders that passed inspection will likely be granted licences next Monday when a government project to solve underground-debt problems is launched.
 The pico-finance licences allow operators to collect interest on small loans at no more than 36 per cent per annum. 
 Krisda Chinavicharana, FPO director-general, said the government wanted to have pico-finance operators in every province, as the licences permit the holders to extend loans in their own province only. 
 So far, about 80 informal lenders have applied for the licences. The licensing of such operators is aimed at providing an additional means for the poor to gain access to capital.
 
URGENT PROBE INTO PAYALL
FOLLOWING BOT COMPLAINT

The Commerce Ministry will urgently investigate the reliability of Payall Group, as the company has not submitted an account balance for the 2015 fiscal year.
 The move comes after the Bank of Thailand filed a complaint with the Economic Crime Division, accusing Payall Group and its president, well-known star Film Ratthapoom, of operating e-money services without a proper licence.
 Bangjongjitt Angsusingh, director-general of the ministry’s Business Development Department (DBD), said Payall Group, a registered company, had a Trustmark certification for e-commerce business issued by her agency.
 The DBD Trustmark confirms the identity of an e-commerce business, whether it is an individual or an entity that does business or trading of goods or services by means of electronic media through the Internet. 
 This is to guarantee the trustworthiness of such enterprises, assuring consumers that the business operates with a clear address and background and that goods and services are being purchased from a certified website.
 
FIRST PTT ‘NOO NICH’ OUTLET
GEARS UP TO SERVE CHEAP FOOD

PTT has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Commerce Ministry to cooperate in the setting up of cheap fast-food shops at more than 600 fuel stations nationwide under the ministry’s “Noo Nich” project, in order to keep people’s living costs down. The first Noo Nich shop at a PTT petrol station will serve customers in the next two weeks.