173 detained migrants return

The migrants served prison sentences in Malaysia for illegal entry, and then they had to stay at the detention centres under Malaysia’s Immigration Department until they were finally cleared to return home.

Ayeyarwady Foundation, together with Myanmar Airways International and Myanmar Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, arranged for the transport of the migrants.

The free transportation arrangements were offered to Myanmar migrants in Malaysia who wanted to return home due to safety concerns. Last month, a series of violent attacks targeting them occurred in Selayang district in Malaysia. Malaysian police have also increasingly targeted for arrests illegal Myanmar migrants since then. 

 

FDA opens more offices

The Myanmar Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has opened its offices in Muse, Myawady and Tamu border trade centres, near the China, Thailand and India borders to inspect imported food products, according to Win Zaw, director of the FDA.

The FDA inspected the quality of the imported products and issued import health certificates to apply for import licence at the Ministry of Commerce.

“The FDA has to inspect the quality of food before issuing import health certificates in line with the ministry’s regulation. After that, we have to check the food products approved for import by the ministry whether they are harmful to health or not and whether they are edible or not,” the director said.

At present, the FDA has recruited staff to inspect food products in the market and foods imported. The FDA will open more offices at all border trade centres if needed. 

 

Investors drawn to pharmaceutical market 

The success of India in Myanmar’s pharmaceutical market has prompted others in the industry to explore possibilities. 

In addition to India, pharmaceutical products from China, Thailand, and Korea can be found in the market. Countries such as Italy, Japan, Syria, Pakistan and Vietnam have expressed interest in doing business in the pharmaceuticals sector in Myanmar and they will be in Myanmar for discussions about that.

“Those pharmaceuticals which are not yet in the local market are planning to hold a seminar in Myanmar. Together with the seminar, their products will be launched here. Moreover, medicines for hospital use will also be showcased here. About 10 countries are planning to visit here. They have keen interest in Myanmar’s pharmaceutical sector. They are also looking for local partners. Those companies are connecting with more than 30 foreign countries,” said joint secretary Thin Nwe Win of Myanmar Pharmaceutical and Medical Equipment Entrepreneurs Association.