The Gravey Train

[bust]

I read the article as being about the enthusiasm of NGO's to help while they are getting paid in $US but their reluctance to part with them to help the people they claim they are there to assist.

 

Not sure if you have been to Burma but if you have you will be aware of the strong desire for the $US as apposed to the local Kyat.

[dullnight]

"Not sure if you have been to Burma but if you have you will be aware of the strong desire for the $US as apposed to the local Kyat."

 

 

This is some Bust certified assertion... many times in Burma I see foreigners or myself trying to close deals in USD but the local parties involved convert it in Kyat in their accounting. That the amount of Kyat they will get from their customer's USD is more than if this same customer had paid in Kyat directly is more the issue IMO.

 

Besides I can't say I'm very impressed by the quoted article...

[bust]

Try and keep in the context of the post.

 

Small street vendors are always keen to be paid in $US......maybe it's different when doing large business deals like yourself. That's not a side of Burma I am familiar with. :smirk:

[dullnight]

"Small street vendors are always keen to be paid in $US"

 

OK busted boy, so now, why are they keen on getting USD ? would that be because "the amount of Kyat they will get from their customer's USD is more than if this same customer had paid in Kyat directly"

 

You can smirk as much as you want you you failed to show why I was out of context. There is a very little spread between buying and selling USD in Burma's very accessible currency exchange black market (around 10kyat spread or 0.008USD), the small street vendors you understand and relate to so deeply will have no problem buying USD with their hard earned Kyat if they crave those USD so much and you are as generous in local currency as you are in foreign hard currency.

 

In the article you quoted , not that I ever been a to a burmese barber, 10USD is about 5000kts, most probably way more than the same barber could charge local customers and more simply a rip off. You don't need to do serious business in Burma nor dig up bloated bodies in the delta to understand that much...I had thought so until I came across your ever so enlightened writing...

[bust]

OK smart boy, so now, why are they keen on getting USD ? would that be because "the amount of Kyat they will get from their customer's USD is more than if this same customer had paid in Kyat directly"

 

No.....it would be beacause the Kyat doesn't get you very far across the border.... :grin:

 

 

[dullnight]

Ohh boy... do you understand what a 1% spread is ?

 

USD is plentiful at least in Yangon,and probably elsewhere, what people care is getting an extra margin superior to that 1% spread when they sell their goods in USD. Besides it's easy to transfer both Kts and USD across the borders thanks to a well working underground banking system in Burma.

[bust]

Ohh boy... do you understand what a 1% spread is ?

 

Nope.... :grin:

 

Something I sure you will be more than happy to educate me on.

[dullnight]

check my before last post to begin with... this thread is good instance of what may happen when discussing trade issues with someone with the commercial savvy of a dead snail but the ego of a cyber Bill Gates... he won't let it go...

[bust]

You are so gullible...

[Mekong]

Bust, just laugh at the ignorance,

 

I happen to know a little bit about your involvement and headaches with Burma via a mutual friend of ours. There is no need to say anything else, those of us who of know your involvement decide whom to listen to.