Salt business persons are at a loss as Pa-nga salt price declines

15 December 2011

Ja-Loon Htaw, Independent Mon News Agency – Salt farmers in Pa-nga Village, 

Thanphyuzayart, Mon State, are suffering as the salt price has declined and because 

of the lack of demand for salt during the current salt-producing season. Earlier this 

month as new salt was produced, almost every salt producing business suffered a

big loss, as merchants simply did not come to buy salt, said Nai Tin Aung a resident 

of Pa-nga who owns 30 acres of salt-plots.

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Chinese back at Salween dam site

15 December 2011

Chinese engineers who in August left what is going to be the highest megadam 
in Southeast Asia on completion, after 4 of their colleagues were returned by 
unknown abductees opposing its construction, are now back at Tasang on the
Salween, some 140 km from the Chiangmai border, according to sources on
the Thai-Burma border.

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Japanese development aid to resume?

15 December 2011

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Japan may resume funding development projects in Burma 

after an 8-year halt, in light of changes taking place in the country.

Foreign Affairs Minister Koichiro Gemba will arrive on a three-day visit on December
25 to talk with high-level government officials and opposition group members, 
including Aung San Suu Kyi.



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Fees extorted in awareness campaign

14 December 2011

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Authorities from Buthidaung are collecting money 

from drivers after sticking human trafficking posters on their vehicles, 

said one owner.

“The town authorities, who include township administration officers and traffic 

police, forced us to pay,” an owner said.

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Vehicles continued to be requisitioned

14 December 2011

Portering, forced labor and requisitioning of motor vehicles have not ceased 

in rural townships like Namtu, 39 miles northwest of Lashio, the biggest city 

in northern Shan State, despite the change in governments, according to locals.

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Japan’s Dam aid to Burma needs researching

12 December 2011

The Karenni National Progressive Party has urged Japan's government to reconsider 

its involvement in the No.2 Lawpita Hydro-power plant in Karenni State under 

the Oversea Development Assistance program.

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