Office closures in Myanmar due to the annual Water Festival.

Asian Tigers has advised that the company’s offices in Myanmar will be closed from 12 – 21 April for the New Year Water Festival.  The company has requested that no shipments should be sent to the port on Yangon to arrive after 1 April otherwise they will incur demurrage costs as all government offices, banks and shops will be closed during this period.  Backlogs are expected immediately after the celebrations resulting in delays.

It is called the 'Water Festival' as it is traditional for people to gently sprinkle water on each other as a cleansing ritual and sign of respect.  However, the New Year falls during the hottest part of the year so many people take the opportunity to cool down by dousing strangers and passers by in vehicles in boisterous celebration. The act of pouring water is also a show of blessings and good wishes.