Flood death toll increases to 99
Myanmar state-run media announced that the death toll of the floods, which have wrought destruction on hundreds of towns and villages across the country, reached 99 on Aug. 9, while more than one million people have been affected. Some 439,000 acres of paddy field have been destroyed, out of a total 1.2 million acres inundated, the government mouthpiece said. (Source: Myanma Ahlin)
SMS donations for flood victims raise $100,000: MPT
State-owned telecom provider Myanmar Post and Telecommunication (MPT) said it received around $100,000 to support the victims of Myanmar’s devastating floods through donations made via SMS from Aug. 6-9. The company said it had not yet decided how it would use the money to help the victims. Foreign telecom operators Telenor and Ooredoo have run similar supports campaigns that allow users to make donations via SMS. (Source: Messenger Newspaper)
Myanmar beer production jumps to 40 Mln gallons
Beer brewers in Myanmar have been ramping up production since the country began its economic reforms, with total beer production rising from 26 million gallons in the 2012-2013 fiscal year to 40 million gallons last year,
according to a statement by the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development. Myanmar’s reforms have boosted economic growth and consumer demand, while allowing foreign brewers Carlsberg and Heineken to set up breweries in the long-isolated country. Previously, military-owned companies controlled the alcohol market. (Source: Daily Eleven)