EXECUTIVE: Republic of the Union of Myanmar, President Office (Order No. 23/2015), 7th Waxing of Nadaw, 1377 ME (18 December 2015): Union Education Minister concurrently appointed as Union Minister for Science and Technology..... HLUTTAW SESSIONS:- Pyidaungsu Hluttaw: Customs duties decrease because of FTA agreements, fewer vehicle imports: "MYANMAR collected less customs duties this year, in part because the country imported 28,000 fewer vehicles than in the previous year, and in part became certain taxes were exempted under free trade agreements, Deputy Minister for Finance Dr Lin Aung explained at friday Pyidaungsu Hluttaw session at which MPs recorded one bill, discussed another bill, explained two reports and sought comments on the findings of the report of the Public Account Joint Committee and the Bill Committee. Deputy ministers for the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development replied to queries raised by representatives at the session."..... OTHER DOMESTIC NEWS: Let?s party for peace: Date set for Union Peace Conference...Authorities tighten rules around jade mines...Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivers speech at graduation of 17th Intake of DSMA...Vice President Dr Sai Mauk Kham visits poultry farms in Lashio...Vice President U Nyan Tun attends Int?l Migrants Day event in Nay Pyi Taw...No plans to invite more shareholders for Zone-B at Thilawa SEZ...Bureau Veritas Ramps Up Operations in Myanmar...Myanma Postal Service to launch Online Money Order services in 17 towns...Shwebo paddy profitable in Khin Oo...U San Hlaing passes away at 93...Drunk man burns blanket, causes house fire..... EXTERNAL RELATIONS: President meets with French delegation...President receives MBA delegation from Stanford University...Fund to be established to ease burden on SMEs...SLCM ties up with Myanma Apex Bank...Medical aid for the disabled donated to NRH..... "OPINION": "Can Myanmar become a future tiger in Southeast Asia?" Kyaw Thura..... ARTICLE: "Why do our children need so much extra help with their school lessons?" by Myo Myint