Won't renew Belt and Road deal with China, says Panama president amid US pressure
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Panama will not renew its participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), President José Raúl Mulino announced after a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The decision makes Panama the first Latin American country to withdraw from the global infrastructure initiative.
A broad agreement between Panama and China to contribute to China's Belt and Road initiative, under which the Asian country expanded investment in Panama during previous administrations, will not be renewed, Mulino said as per a Reuters report.
Mulino stated that the agreement is set for renewal in the next one to two years, and his government will evaluate the possibility of terminating it earlier. "We'll study the possibility of terminating it early," he said. Panama initially joined the initiative in 2017 under a previous administration. "I do not feel that there is any real threat at this time against the (neutrality) treaty, its validity, and much less the use of military force to make the treaty," Mulino said, adding that it will be important to have face-to-face talks with Trump.
The BRI, launched by China in 2013, has served as a key mechanism for Beijing to extend its global economic influence by financing infrastructure projects in various countries. Panama joined the initiative in 2017 during the administration of former President Juan Carlos Varela, securing increased Chinese investments in infrastructure..
Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are a key driving force for national economic development and also provide essential support to a country’s overall growth. Therefore, efforts will be made to promote the development of MSMEs and their products.Therefore, in celebration of the 79th Anniversary of Union Day, a Union-level MSME product exhibition and fair will be held at the Nay Pyi Taw square from 8 to 13 February. The exhibition and sales fair will include 15 booths representing the Nay Pyi Taw Council, regions and states. In addition, a total of 124 booths will be featured, comprising booths from ministries, enterprises, trade and business networking, technology booths, agricultural machinery and product booths, small-scale manufacturing and production cooperative booths, as well as association booths.To promote the development of MSMEs and MSME products, the State has been providing comprehensive support measures, including technology transfer, inviting participation in trade fairs, organizing and awarding prizes at local product exhibitions and competitions, facilitating the scaling up of enterprises, establishing online market platforms, assisting access to international production and trade networks, and facilitating access to loans to meet financing needs. Accordingly, MSME operators are urged to continue making sustained efforts and actively engage in these initiatives.At the MSME product exhibition and fair, the participating booths will be systematically arranged to enable a diverse display of MSME products, locally produced goods, agricultural products, machinery, and industrial products, categorized by booth type. In addition, the MSME product exhibition and fair will feature micro-, small- and medium-scale products, including food and beverage items, consumer goods, handicrafts, textiles and garments produced by small-scale manufacturing enterprises, as well as products from production cooperatives. Products under the “One Region, One Product” (OROP) initiative from each of the 15 states and regions will also be showcased.Efforts should be made to enable the agriculture and livestock sectors to produce value-added products and export them internationally. With regard to products and market competition, products of the same type should be offered at lower prices, or, if prices are the same, be of better quality. Products should be manufactured in line with market demand, while continued efforts will be undertaken to produce high-quality goods that are suitable for export to international markets.There are four key requirements for MSMEs: raw materials, investment capital, inputs, and human resources. If locally produced agricultural and livestock raw materials are utilized by MSMEs to manufacture products and thereby enhance domestic production, this will help support the growth of the local economy.To promote the development of MSMEs and MSME products, the State has been providing comprehensive support measures, including technology transfer, inviting participation in trade fairs, organizing and awarding prizes at local product exhibitions and competitions, facilitating the scaling up of enterprises, establishing online market platforms, assisting access to international production and trade networks, and facilitating access to loans to meet financing needs. Accordingly, MSME operators are urged to continue making sustained efforts and actively engage in these initiatives.gnlm
Ngwehsaung, Chaungtha and Shwethaungyan beaches in Pathein Township, Ayeyawady Region, saw a total of 1,035,448 visitors, both domestic and international, this year, including the Thadingyut period, according to the region Directorate of Hotels and Tourism.During the four-day holidays from 4 to 7 October, 4,881 local and foreign travellers visited Pathein, while 16,699 to Ngwehsaung, 15,391 to Chaungtha and 680 to Shwethaungyan, totalling 37,651 visitors.From January to 15 October 2025, 247,778 visitors visited Ngwehsaung beach, whereas 200,439 to Chaungtha and Shwethaungyan and 1,035,448 to Pathein.“Although the Thadingyut holidays in 2024 had one extra day than those in 2025, we found that more travellers visited beaches during last year’s holidays. For the upcoming Tazaungdine holidays, about 60 per cent of hotel rooms in Ngwesaung, Chaungtha, and Shwethaungyan have already been booked in advance. Similarly, around 70 per cent of rooms have been reserved for the three-day National Day and holidays in the same month. It is expected that the rate of bookings will further increase as the holidays approach. We are satisfied with the high number of visitors during the previous Thadingyut holidays. Since tourism income benefits everyone and contributes to both the country and its people, collective efforts to attract more travellers during the open season can support the social and economic development of the Ayeyawady Region,” said U Aung Thu Oo, director of the department.The domestic travellers visited Bagan and the beaches in Ayeyawady Region during Thadingyut festivals, and foreign tourists are also expected to visit there, the hoteliers considered. — Thitsa (MNA)/KTZHGNLM
The PutaO region of Kachin State in the northernmost part of Myanmar, which has ice-capped areas, including Mount Phonkanrazi and Mount Hkakaborazi, attracts a large number of international tourists. These snow-capped regions are popular destinations for mountain trekkers. Good transportation links and regional stability are especially important to enable tourists to visit these preferred areas safely.In addition, many domestic and international tourists visit the snow-capped trekking areas in China, which are contiguous with northern Myanmar. This is a result of regional stability and good transportation links. Therefore, for any economic activity, including tourism, to be carried out successfully, maintaining regional peace and stability must be given top priority.Businesspeople across the world accepted that tourism is often highlighted for its role in economic development. But it is more than that. It is a catalyst for social progress, delivering education, employment and creating new opportunities for all. Activities of a tourism operator can contribute to the State’s economy as well as the socioeconomic life of the people.Tourism development is linked not only to accommodation and good service provision but also to various sectors, including education, healthcare, transportation, energy, roads and bridges, urban development, rural development, small, micro, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and investment. In addition, there are various forms of tourism, and even people with limited abilities can participate in suitable tourism activities.In ethnic minority regions, residents and youth can also engage in tourism-related work. Surveys show that 54 per cent of the workforce in the tourism sector are female providers and employees. Tourism provides numerous opportunities for entrepreneurs and MSME operators, and it significantly contributes to poverty reduction and regional development.Businesspeople across the world accepted that tourism is often highlighted for its role in economic development. But it is more than that. It is a catalyst for social progress, delivering education, employment and creating new opportunities for all. Activities of a tourism operator can contribute to the State’s economy as well as the socioeconomic life of the people.The theme for World Tourism Day 2025 is “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”. It emphasizes tourism’s ability to drive positive change and highlights the need for more than just growth, focusing on transforming the sector for a more sustainable future for both people and the planet.Myanmar, with its natural wonders, diverse ethnicities, rich customs, and unique way of life, boasts a wealth of attractions. Its traditional cuisine, ancient religious sites, and cultural heritage form the backbone of its tourism industry, setting it apart from other nations. These tangible and intangible cultural treasures capture the imagination of both domestic and international tourists. Now, Myanmar is opening up to allow travellers to explore new attractions across the country, offering them experiences that can positively shape perceptions of Myanmar and its tourism potential.GNLMPhoto Credit to Rainforest cruises
The government is responsible for providing financial support and connecting to foreign markets to ensure a stable market presence. Accordingly, the relevant ministries must collaborate with entrepreneurs to offer the necessary technology, human resources, technical knowledge, education, and dissemination.Currently, the Ministry of Industry, in collaboration with various agencies, is organizing technical training sessions and discussion forums. They are working to develop MSME businesses and provide support in technology and human resources. Since the government is focusing on MSME development, now is a good time for entrepreneurs to train their workers to become skilled labourers and technically proficient employees.Myanmar is a developing country striving to advance both agriculture and industry simultaneously. Therefore, it implements policies aligned with the country’s context and needs. In efforts to promote the growth of MSME businesses, addressing the shortage of skilled labour and producing competent workers is also a crucial task. Hence, the government offers various technical training programmes to enhance the skills of its workforce, ensuring the development of qualified personnel suitable for the workplace.Now is the best time to operate MSME businesses in Myanmar due to strong financial and technological support from the government and the creation of favourable conditions. Therefore, businesspeople should avoid hesitation in managing their industries and actively, confidently follow the government’s leadership to both develop the nation’s industrial sector and increase their benefits.As a nation, to ensure that MSME businesses are well-informed and able to sustain themselves in the long term, Myanmar has opened higher education schools specializing in industry, agriculture, and livestock for those who have successfully completed KG+9 (grade nine). Teaching young students agricultural and industrial technologies from an early age is an appropriate strategy for a developing country like Myanmar, striving for progress. In implementing suitable policies for the country, Myanmar looks to the practices of foreign nations as models. However, simply copying other countries’ approaches exactly will not be effective; policies must be adapted to fit the nation’s interests and circumstances.Starting from the 2023-2024 academic year, since students who have completed KG+9 can now pursue vocational education, basic education schools teaching vocational subjects such as agriculture, livestock, and industrial technology have been established. In the 2025-2026 academic year, up to 89 basic education and higher vocational schools in industry, agriculture, and livestock have been opened across 88 districts. Moreover, recognizing the current era as a technological age, eight Polytechnic Universities have also been established to provide integrated education combining practical science subjects such as computer and technology studies.Now is the best time to operate MSME businesses in Myanmar due to strong financial and technological support from the government and the creation of favourable conditions. Therefore, businesspeople should avoid hesitation in managing their industries and actively, confidently follow the government’s leadership to both develop the nation’s industrial sector and increase their benefits.GNLM
In efforts to rapidly develop the nation’s economy, agriculture and livestock breeding – being the primary livelihood for the majority of the ethnic people in the country and serving as a vital artery of the national economy – play a crucial role. Therefore, promoting and expanding industries based on these sectors proves to be the most effective approach.Myanmar’s geographical conditions provide strong potential for the successful development of diverse crops, fruits, and livestock industries. It is therefore crucial to utilize this advantage effectively and efficiently. Since agricultural and livestock activities are primarily based in rural areas, focusing on these sectors will help raise rural incomes and, consequently, reduce poverty levels. The successful development of agriculture and livestock will play a significant role in advancing poverty alleviation efforts across the country.Therefore, to ensure the food security of the entire population, efforts must be made to achieve year-on-year progress in the cultivation of paddy, oilseed crops, various pulses, and meat and fish production. It is necessary to continue striving to meet the targeted goals for the ten main designated crops. Only then can the nation guarantee food security for its citizens, increase surplus crop production, and export these surplus products to foreign markets to generate national revenue.As the government works to transform the country into an Agricultural Powerhouse, it has focused on promoting the cultivation of regionally suitable, profitable crops with strong potential in international markets. To foster robust and sustainable crop production, the government has facilitated access to modern and advanced agricultural techniques. Furthermore, to ensure affordable availability of essential agricultural inputs for farming and livestock, support has been provided not only through imports but also by encouraging domestic production and distribution of these resources.According to the 2024 preliminary census, about 70 per cent of Myanmar’s population lives in rural areas, and over half of that rural population is involved in agriculture, livestock, or forestry in some capacity. To develop agro-based industries rooted in agriculture, it is important to encourage domestic investors and financially capable entrepreneurs to actively invest in and engage with these sectors. At the same time, priority should be given to ensuring access to essential inputs, financial support, and human resource development. With the establishment of basic education schools that offer courses in agriculture, livestock, and industrial technology, students from these institutions are expected to become a dependable and skilled workforce for the country’s agricultural and livestock industries in the future.Therefore, to ensure the food security of the entire population, efforts must be made to achieve year-on-year progress in the cultivation of paddy, oilseed crops, various pulses, and meat and fish production. It is necessary to continue striving to meet the targeted goals for the ten main designated crops. Only then can the nation guarantee food security for its citizens, increase surplus crop production, and export these surplus products to foreign markets to generate national revenue.
By Nikita SharmaDonald Trump said that negotiations with India are still going on and that things will be clearer by the “end of this week”. Hours after announcing that India will pay 25 per cent tariffs along with a penalty, United States President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that talks with India are still going on.Donald Trump reiterated that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is his “friend”, India is a country that has “one of the highest tariffs” in the world.(X/Narendra Modi)While addressing a press conference at the White House on Wednesday, Trump was asked what is the additional penalty he has levied on India for “supporting” Russia and whether other countries are also facing the same threat. To this, Trump said that the US is still negotiating with India before expressing his displeasure over India being a member of the BRICS.Trump said that BRICS, which is a group of eleven emerging economies around the world, is an “attack” on the dollar, which is something he said he is not going to let anybody too. “Well, we are negotiating right now and it's also BRICS. BRICS, which is basically a group of countries that are anti the United States and India is a member of that if you can believe it...It is an attack on the dollar and we are not going to let anybody attack the dollar. So it's partially BRICS and it's partially trade,” said Trump.Apart from India, BRICS includes Brasil, Russia, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran.Trump reiterated that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is his “friend”, India is a country that has “one of the highest tariffs” in the world and added that the US had a “tremendous” trade deficit with India. “We had a tremendous deficit. As you know Prime Minister Modi is a friend of mine, but they don't do very much business in terms of business with us. They sell a lot to us, but we don't buy from them. You know why? Because the tariff is so high. They have one of the highest tariffs in the world. Now, they are willing to cut it very substantially. But we will see what happens. We are talking to India now. We will see what happens. It doesn't matter too much whether we have a deal or we charge them a certain tariff. But you will know at the end of this week,” he said.Is Trump open to tariff negotiations with India?The US President was also asked whether he is open to negotiating with India on the tariffs, to which he said that the talks are still going on.“We are talking to them now. We will see what happens. India was the highest or just about the highest-tariff nation in the world...We will see. We are negotiating with India right now,” he said.India on US’ 25% tariffsAfter Trump’s big tariff announcement, the Indian government said that they have taken a note of and are studying its “implications”.“India and the US have been engaged in negotiations on concluding a fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement over the last few months. We remain committed to that objective,” the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a statement.Ref : Hindustan times
