Western Union to Launch International Money Transfer Services in Myanmar

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU), a global leader in payments, today announced the signing of Myanmar Oriental Bank, its first Agent to offer Western Union® Money Transfer^SM Services in Myanmar. The service will offer Myanmar citizens a reliable and swift way to receive money from family and loved ones from around the world.
Western Union is one of the first global money transfer companies to operate in Myanmar, paving the way for formalized international money transfers three months after countries led by the US, European Union and Australia decided to lift investment and trade bans against the country.
Over two million Myanmarese are estimated to be employed across Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh, Japan, Korea, US, Europe and Australia.
Myanmar Oriental Bank, a leading domestic bank in operation for 19 years, is among the first batch of private banks to be authorized to operate foreign currency services in Myanmar.
With a network of 19 locations, including representation in main commercial cities of Yangon, Mandalay, Mawlamyaing and Monywa, the Bank will work with Western Union to activate its services in accordance with Central Bank regulations.
“We are encouraged by the speed with which Myanmar Oriental Bank, the Myanmar Central Bank and others in Myanmar are facilitating economic change for their people. Western Union is pleased to be a part of this defining economic change in Myanmar,” said Drina Yue, Managing Director and Senior Vice President, Western Union, Asia Pacific.
“We are proud to provide a reliable financial link between overseas Myanmarese and their families back home. Our aim is to expand our network expeditiously and provide 100 percent coverage of countries popular with millions of Myanmarese abroad,” she said.
“We are extremely proud to be linked into Western Union’s impressive global network linking Myanmar to the rest of the world,” said Mr. Mya Than, Chairman of Myanmar Oriental Bank.

For details go to:

http://pymnts.com/news/businesswire-feed/2012/september/11/western-union-to-launch-international-money-transfer-services-in-myanmar-20120911005891/

source:pymnts.com

Orient-Express to Launch New River Cruiser in Myanmar

Orient-Express Hotels, owners or part-owners and managers of 45 hotel, cruise and luxury rail businesses in 22 countries, is to launch a new river cruiser in Myanmar in July 2013.

For details go to:

http://www.orient-express.com/latest_news.jsp

source:various

Singapore Airlines to start daily Yangon service

SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines (SIA) said Wednesday it will start a daily service to Yangon in October to meet growing business and tourist demand for flights to Myanmar’s largest city.
The announcement by one of the world’s top airlines comes amid growing international interest in once-isolated Myanmar, which launched political reforms after ending nearly half a century of military rule last year.
“Demand has been growing strongly for both business and leisure travel to Myanmar, and Singapore Airlines looks forward to serving the country for the first time,” SIA executive vice president Mak Swee Wah said in a statement.
SIA will take over seven of the 16 flights run every week by its regional wing SilkAir from October 28, using 323-seat Boeing 777-200 aircraft to boost the group’s weekly seat capacity to Yangon by 55 percent.

For details go to:

http://www.brecorder.com/business-a-finance/industries-a-sectors/77326-singapore-airlines-to-start-daily-yangon-service-.html
source:Business Recorder

Announcement from Ministry of Hotel & Tourism of Myanmar

Union of Republic of Myanmar, Ministry of Hotel & Tourism announced that foreigners are NOT permitted to travel to Sittwe, Mrauk U, Vesali, Mahamuni and Mailar temporarily until further notice. (30th August 2012)

Flight Check in Reminder

In order to manage air traffic flow, starting from 1st September 2012, all the domestic flights must be operated on time by departure SLOT period which is allocated by DCA. Therefore, for the convenience of the passengers and to provide better quality service, kindly be informed that package tour groups and individual passengers are requested to check-in one and a half hours ahead of departure time and check-in counters will be closed 30 minutes before the departure time.
Thank you for your cooperation and continued support to us.