Sanctions hinder democratisation plan, FM tells General Assembly: SANCTIONS designed to coerce Myanmar would hinder the government?s democra-tisation efforts, the Foreign Minister, U Win Aung, said in an address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 29.?It is disconcerting that some countries have … subjected Myanmar to a wide array of unfair economic sanctions for their political ends,” U Win Aung said, referring to action taken by the United States and the European Union aimed at promoting democratic reform in Myanmar... Myanmar?s road map to democracy ? hope for progress: MYANMAR?S road map to democracy is a hot topic.So, as the end of the year approaches, we are all looking to 2004 having the potential to be a turning point in Myanmar and recent events in Yangon are all directing us that way. Indeed we are at another confluence in Myanmar?s political history. It appears that Senior General Than Shwe is phasing himself out of the day-to-day decision making ? a role he has played as the Military Government?s leader for more than a decade... We?re ready to explain our policies, says Deputy FM: MYANMAR stands ready to explain its domestic political situation if the issue is raised at the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Indonesia this week, says the Deputy Foreign Minister, U Khin Maung Win... UN envoy Razali hopeful of resumption in talks: THE United Nations special envoy to Myanmar, Mr Razali Ismail, has expressed hope for a resumption of talks between the government and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, after meeting both sides during his latest mission to Myanmar last week... •Myanmar replicates world-wide trends in photocopiers; •Boom predicted for local wire and cable; •Locally-made stoves and ovens find favour; •Local models dominate voltage regulator sales; •Chinese lighting products illuminate local market; Electrical Products - A special sector survey, 2003:- Asia leading the world in hi-tech electronics: A NEW generation of electrical products, until recently just play-things for the idle wealthy, are fast becoming an affordable luxury with a hungry, ever-growing market... Myanmar replicates world-wide trends in photocopiers: THE DIGITAL age has come to Myanmar in a rush under many guises, and photocopiers are no exception, with new technology rapidly making the old copying processes redundant... Boom predicted for local wire and cable: LOCALLY manufactured wire and cables have gained a strong hold in the market during the last four years when the private sector entered the industry, say market sources. ?Myanmar products are competitive when compared to their imported counterparts, not just in terms of quality, but price as well,” said Daw Ohn Mar, who began trading in cable in Mandalay in 1987... Low-priced Chinese VCD, DVD players dominate market: ?Because the prices of quality brands about double those of Chinese-made products, the quality of which is not so bad, the Chinese products are much more in demand,” according to Ko Soe Naing, sales executive for Kyaw Electronic Centre in downtown Yangon?s Kyauktada Township... High-end producers lead move to digital cameras: Mainly popular with professional photographers, digital camera sales are not seasonal, unlike 35mm SLR film cameras, sales of which peak during the tourist and Myanmar festivals season between October and May... Chinese lighting products illuminate local market: Daw Mi Mi Ko, purchasing manager at Myanmar Lighting Manufacturing Co., Ltd, fluorescents lamp producer, said the future is very promising, with their total sales climbing dramatically this year to meet rising demand... Noisy karaoke lounges relieve stress: ?We are living in a karaoke culture,” says Lay Phyu, one of Myanmar?s most famous rock singers and producers.?Singing karaoke songs is one of the most popular outlets for stress and excess energy in Myanmar,” says Lay Phyu... Air conditioning?s popularity grows as production increases drag down prices: The Japanese and South Korean brands, such as National, Sanyo, General, Mitsubishi, Sharp, Samsung and LG are popular for their quality but must continuously prove their reliability through the introduction of new technology and consistent high quality. Chinese brands, however, are closing the gap in quality and have a price advantage... UPS sales up as demand for personal computers surges: THE GROWING use of computers in Myanmar has seen a parallel growth in demand for uninterruptible power supply (UPS) units, industry sources told Myanmar Times... Locally-made stoves and ovens find favour: Duwon Electric, which was established in 1966 and began operations by producing amplifiers but moved into electric stoves in 1987, said it had been enjoying stable sales figures even during though slower economic times... Brand loyalty fans the flames as Thais fight China for sales: ?Most customers buy according to their spending power,” said Ko Lin Lin, a representative of Ko Than Oo and Brothers Electric Mart near Yuzana Plaza in Yangon. ?And many of these customers will gravitate towards a brand they already use, or know. They buy a similar product at their next purchase and are prepared to pay the price for the brand they like.”... Local models dominate voltage regulator sales: THE MARKET for voltage regulators, which are used to stabilise direct-current voltage, has slowed over the past five years according to electronic industry sources. With a growing population, and wider access to consumer and luxury products, Myanmar is seeing a growing demand for electricity... Battle rages over flatscreen TV sales: TELEVISION has a variety of applications in society, business, and science. The most common use of television is as a source of information and entertainment for viewers in their homes... Japanese ‘doh? finds foothold in electrical goods market: WHEN a dealer of the electronic products utters the word ?doh”, they are referring to second-hand Japanese televisions, video players, and audio devices manufactured only for the Japanese domestic market, but eventually finding their way into developing country markets like Myanmar... Photo labs expect better days as tourists return: PHOTO PROCESSING sales have declined this year as fewer people are travelling to and exploring the many wonderful sights and attractions this country has to offer, industry sources told Myanmar Times... Auto-washers take away the toil: Before the invention of washing machines, clothes were washed in streams and pounded on rocks. Later they were soaked in tubs and rubbed over corrugated washboards. Crude, hand-operated washing machines began to appear in the late 18th century... Mobile phones still mean business, but risk becoming fashion accessory: GETTING Myanmar connected is the goal of fax, fixed line and cellular phone retailers. And with plans for more fixed phone lines and mobile phone licences, the industry is ready for the inevitable growth in demand... Myanmar?s road map to democracy ? hope for progress • We?re ready to explain our policies, says Deputy FM • UN envoy Razali hopeful of resumption in talks • Private sector role urged to take leading role in Mekong region projects • Government to introduce e-procurement scheme • Journal outlines civil service career opportunities • Festival of light nears • Few seek relief from a time-tested treatment • Security, terror top Bali agenda • Government support essential for integration, says ESCAP official • Chinese consul-general hails stronger relationship • Team appointed to assist convention commission • Tourism operators expect more tourists upcountry • Horn ban helping to reduce accident rate • A