Eco news

[sayagyi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Commodity prices

Items			Unit		1995		1996
1997		up

Gasoline		Gallon	180		280		180
0%
FEC			1 dollar	116		170
270		52%
Gold			Kyat		25,100	36,000	44,200	58%
Cooking oil		Viss		172		216
302		32%
Toyota Corolla	one 		740,000	1,020,000	2,600,000
87%
Refrigerator	one		56,500	78,000	100,000	33%
TV set 14"		one		29,500	35,000	56,000	37%
Radio-cassette	one		7,800		10,000	17,500	50%
Biscuit tin		one		425		630
890		45%
Maltova		one		235		295		420
33%
Onion			viss		22		100
150		160%
Garlic		viss		140		200		160
6%
Rice			sack		1,440		1,680
1,750		10%

Other news
* Betel Chewing is prohibited at Rangoon railway station, which is known
as "Kwun-gyan" station. But smoking is not.
* It is learnt that sale of liquor is soaring in Moulemain. The most
popular brands are Mandalay rum and Mandalay beer. Foreign whisky is
bought as for present and to bribe.
* In Mandalay and other cities, the prices of house and land plots are
flourishing.
* Since November 1997, the Mandalay Daily is published. It is said that
the daily is of a fraternity with "Yadanabon newspaper, which is published
by Central military command.
* The black ticketing is announced to be punished severely. Those who can
give information will be awarded 10,000 kyats. But the people want to get
rid of special quota system, which provides certain quota for VIP. 
* Mandaly "Zegyo" market complex has been reconstructed. But as the
shopping rooms of upper stories are not useful for shops, they are
transformed as nursery school, playground, and gust house.

CCN