High Inflation Impeding Burma's Economy, Says NLD

Skyrocketing inflation is impeding economic growth and placing a heavy burden o­n the Burmese people, the National League for Democracy, the main opposition party, concluded Friday following a two-day workshop o­n the economy.

“Basic commodity prices have increased from 30 to 60 percent since the military regime promoted a salary increase for government workers in April 2006,” said Soe Win, the moderator of the workshop held in NLD headquarters in Rangoon. “Inflation is also correlated with corruption.”

The workshop concluded that inflation, governmental corruption and unnecessary development projects cause citizens to suffer. Participants analyzed the present economic situation and reflected o­n grassroots events in their respective states and divisions.

“Inflation is the critical source of the current economic crisis,” said Myint Thein, an NLD spokesperson.
The military regime launched an anti-corruption campaign in May 2006, after more than 500 workers in the Customs Department were arrested and charged in corruption cases.

On Monday, three civil servants in Burma’s Electric Power Supply Enterprise in Wetthikan Township in Pegu Division were sentenced to three years in prison for collecting improper payments from local residents, The New Light of Myanmar reported.  

Among the workshop participants, all members of the NLD, were businessmen and former officials of the transportation, post and telecommunication and trade ministries.