UNOCHA says it deplores the “increasingly desperate” conditions in Arakan State, after the suspension of most humanitarian work in March. The UN humanitarian affairs office said that the suspension emphasizes how hundreds of thousands of Rohingya are highly reliant on aid, and slammed the Burmese government’s restrictions as a violation of “basic human rights”. Acknowledging the needs of Arakanese Buddhists as well as the Rohingya, the statement urged further discussions “for the benefit of all communities”.

Strong winds ravaged parts of Pegu Division’s Shwe Taung Township on 12 April, leaving two dead and about 20 homes destroyed. Winds felled several trees, one landing on a truck full of villagers en route to their local pagoda. Two men, aged 40 and 60, were killed, and another five people were injured. Affected villages are Kathittan, Shin Nge and Malakargong. Several servicemen and members of the National League for democracy came together to help clear the debris and see to those injured.

The total export value created by Burma’s garment sector in the 2013-14 fiscal year hit a record high, amounting to over US$1 billion, an increase of about 25 percent from the previous year, according to an official from the Ministry of Trade and Commerce who also noted that he expected investment to pour into the garment sector in industrial zones such as the Thilawa Special Economic Zone, construction of which is currently underway.

The Central Bank of Myanmar has announced that the state-owned Bank of India has been given permission to open a representative office in Burma, joining nearly 40 foreign banks which are waiting for the green light to open branches in the country, a move expected this year. Founded in 1906, BOI was nationalised in 1969. It currently has over 4,500 branches in India and across the world.

Speaking with Burmese President Thein Sein on 4 April, Takehiko Nakao, president of Asian Development Bank (ADB), praised the social and economic reforms in the country and reaffirmed ADB’s support to speed up development and poverty alleviation. Nakao also mentioned that ADB is keen to support investment in Burma’s energy, transport, urbanisation, agriculture, education and health sectors.

Over 600 residents from towns across Mandalay and Magwe divisions gathered in Chauk, Magwe on Monday to call for change to the 2008 Constitution. The focus of the protest was articles 59(f), which bars NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi from the presidency and 436, which upholds a military veto for constitutional change. Local NLD member Soe Myint said the protestors had permission from local authorities in accordance with the Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Processions Law but that police have vowed to arrest organisers for failing to adhere to the outlined route. No arrests have been made so far.

The Myanmar Film Development Company (MDFC) has been floated as a publicly listed company with shares now available for purchase. The MDFC, founded by many well-known faces of the Burmese film industry, has already sold most of the 150,000 shares placed on sale, according to a company spokesperson. Shares were made available primarily to members of the film industry, although 5,000 are now available to the general public. The MDFC has announced that profit from the sale will be spent on the building a DVD factory in Rangoon.

Singaporean firm Surbana International Consultants Pte Ltd, which specialises in consultancy for large-scale construction projects, has opened a branch office in Rangoon. Surbana’s president Liew Mun Leong, speaking at the launch ceremony in Rangoon on Sunday, said the consultancy firm will continue to look to expand in Burma. The firm is currently involved in two housing projects overseen by the Ministry of Construction, and hopes to be involved in a wide range of large construction projects. Transport infrastructure is to be a focus for Surbana, who will pursue links to future airport projects.