Burma’s military regime has confirmed an agreement in mid August to sell Shwe gas (Arakan’s A-1 and A-3  offshore  blocks)  to  China, according to Burma’s senior Energy Ministry official. “Yes, we have decided to sell the gas from A-1 and A-3 to China and details are under negotiation. Once we reach an agreement, we will go ahead,” the official, who asked not to be named, told Reuters. “If everything goes well, the gas from these offshore blocks will be sold to China through a pipeline,” he added, refusing to give further details.

Public protests have broken out across Burma’s old capital Rangoon after the military government unexpectedly removed fuel-price subsidies, resulting in a 500% spike in rationed fuel prices. The shock policy is part of the government’s emerging economic and financial reform program and notably coincided with a high-level mission to the country of International Monetary Fund (IMF) and  World Bank officials, who have long pressed the junta to reduce or abolish a range of price subsidies.

People of Burma continue demonstrations despite menacing gangs employed by the junta to brutally stop protesters. The Burmese Junta has arrested over 100 protest- ers in 15 days. In Burma arrest  means  torture and a lengthy jail sentence; some- times  even death.

 

The Burmese military government earned $US 2.16 billion from gas exports to Thailand during the 2006- 2007 fiscal year, accounting for 43 percent of Burma’s exports, according to a Myanmar  Times report citing statistics released by the Burmese government’s Customs Department. Gas sales to Thailand doubled from $US 1.08 billion reported during the 2005-2006 fiscal year.