"Nay Pyi Taw, 10 July — U Kyi Tha of the Gwa constituency asked the Pyithu Hluttaw on Friday about the government?s tender policies and procedures, with the deputy minister responding to the query. Daw Lei Lei Thein of the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development explained directives on tender procedures for procurement, construction, services, and rental, adding that government departments invite tenders for procurement of lower monetary value, but open tenders are required when higher costs are involved. Tender systems differ from ministry to ministry, she said. Dr Win Myint of the Hlaing constituency queried the number of SIM cards sold, annual earnings and taxes from foreign mobile operators. Licences have been issued to Myanma Posts and Telecommunications, Ooredoo Myanmar Ltd and Telenor Myanmar Ltd. Deputy Minister for Communications and Information Technology U Win Than in response said MPT, in partnership with KSGM Co Ltd, sold over 8.66 million SIM cards from September 2014 to June 2015, earning K9.154 billion with commissions deducted and K574.967 billion from calls, mobile data and recharges. Ooredoo is required to pay U S$1.010 billion in tax in three installments for its 15-year mobile services in the country. It has paid K741.653 billion (US $757.5 million), which is 75 percent of the total sum. It will pay the remaining $252.5 million this fiscal year. Telenor has paid K363.155 billion (US $375 million), 75 percent of US $500 it owes to the ministry, with the remaining payment of $125 million to be made this fiscal year. MPT does not have to pay the tax, the deputy minister noted. MPT is licensed for 15 years from 24 March 2014 to 23 March 2030, while Ooredoo and Telenor are licensed from 5 February 2014 to 4 February 2029, with the ministry hinting at possible extension in accordance with the communications laws, rules and regulations. The Pyithu Hluttaw approved the Red Cross society bill, the evidence act amendment bill and the oil well bill."