Tourists from Australia, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and Russia have been given visa-on-arrival access for US$50 each at Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw international airports. Starting from October 1, passport holders from the six countries will no longer require pre-arranged approval, the authorities said. “We hope the new regulations to ease access to Myanmar will lead to more travelers from around the world,” said Daw May Myat Mon Win, chair of the Myanmar Tourism Marketing Association.

Mining to resume at suspended jade blocks (The Myanmar Time, 7 October)

Jade mining at private blocks in Lonekhin and Hpakant, Kachin State, which had been temporarily suspended since July, have been permitted to resume this month, according to Myanmar Gems Enterprise, which is under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation. The suspension was ordered during the rainy season between July and September. While mining permits for some blocks in the gem tract areas have been expiring progressively since April 2016 some blocks have valid terms lasting until 2020, the ministry said.

Constructing product pipeline between India and Myanmar to transport petroleum: Assam industry minister (The Economic Time, 5 October)

Assam industry minister Chandra Mohan Patwary said that a product pipeline will be constructed between India and Myanmar to transport petroleum product from Northeast India to Myanmar. IIM Kolkata will assist Assam government in obtaining geographical indication for Assam tea. Patwary said capacity of two refineries Numaligarh Refinery and Bongaigaon RefineryNSE 0.00 % is augmented following which Indian export petroleum products will be exported to Myanmar. “The work for Barauni in Bihar to Guwahati in Assam pipeline has started by GAIL India Limited. The project will require over Rs 6,000 crore investment.”

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