LFM News Service 10-19-18

First Tourists Arrive on New Free-Visa System, 21 Western Countries to be Added
As an initial phase of implementing its new tourism strategy, the tourism ministry launched a free-visa system for tourists from Japan, South Korean and China’s Hong Kong and Macau on Monday. The move is likely to be followed in the coming years by the lifting of visa requirements for citizens of another 21 countries—especially western countries—in an effort to counter the fall in tourist arrivals to the country since the 2017 Rohingya crisis.  Read More

Clashes at Myanmar garment factory leave dozens injured
Riot police rushed to the scene of clashes at a strike-hit Myanmar garment factory on Monday after protesting workers say dozens were injured when they were attacked by a mob of "hired thugs".  Read More

No substantive deals reached at second day of peace talks
No agreement was reached on the issues of non-secession and self-determination at the summit held in Nay Pyi Taw, as the talks adjourned on their second day, according to leaders of the armed ethnic groups.  Read More

Illegal trade takes a heavy toll on country’s economy
Smuggling and illegal trade continue to be a major problems for the country’s economy, says the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI).According to the Business Sentiment Survey
issued by UMFCCI in May, illegal trade stands at sixth among the top 10 issues hampering the country’s economy.  Read More

Myanmar fighter jet crashes that killed pilots and girl cast spotlight on accident-plagued army flight record
Two Chinese-made fighter jets flown by Myanmar's air force crashed on Tuesday morning (Oct 16), killing both pilots and a young bystander and drawing attention to the accident-plagued record of one of Asia's largest armed forces.  Read More

Estranged brother of Myanmar's Suu Kyi bids to sell lakeside home
The estranged brother of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi said on Thursday he is making a new bid to sell the lakeside house where the democracy activist turned politician spent 15 years under house arrest.  Read More