With tinted windows and their militia name emblazoned on the side of their Ford truck, “Pan Say” fighters cruise the sleazy streets of Muse, Myanmar’s main gateway to China and awash with weapons and cash from casinos, drugs and sex. Ten armed groups run the Shan State border town of Muse, which is separated by […]
China hardsells big ticket but low on trust, India’s soft power push in Myanmar education and health
September 11, 2018 by
As Delhi seeks to expand its engagement with Myanmar, it is in sectors such as education, health and entertainment services that India hopes to make an impact in a country crowded with several international players, and completely dominated by China. In a state-of-the art classroom at the steel and glass Myanmar Institute of Information Technology […]
The wily ways of a Myanmar-China border town
November 6, 2017 by
One of many towns of the Myanmar-China border, Bhamo, Myanmar has long been a hub for illegal trade with China, including illegally logged charcoal currently sold. Most of the charcoal is bound overland for brisk business with China, yet Bhamo still finds itself without enough money coming in. Bhamo has a long history of diversifying […]
Mandalay trader petitions for mining halt
August 18, 2016 by
A Mandalay trader is circulating a petition calling for an immediate but temporary halt to jade mining and a revamp of export procedures, warning the Mandalay market could be headed for disaster if business continues as usual. The petition will shortly be submitted to a Regional and Union-level officials, with its main backer hoping it […]
Over-Extraction, Chinese Slowdown Blamed for Jade Price Slump
June 21, 2016 by
RANGOON — With the government’s biannual gem emporium looming at the end of this month, prices for Burmese jade have continued to slide against weakening demand. Industry insiders have blamed an economic slowdown in China, over-extraction in jade mines, and market uncertainty linked to the transition of power to a democratically elected government in Burma. […]
The smuggled stone that was once more precious than gold
July 18, 2014 by
Myanmar, also known as Burma, is one of the world’s largest Jade producers – but with trade bound by international sanctions, many of the precious gemstones are smuggled out of the country. At first, I think it’s a waterfall. A wave of liquid sound comes towards me over the brackish waters of the Irrawaddy River. […]
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