Tourists help buoy harp sales: ?When I visited Myanmar last year, I bought a 28-inch harp as a gift. This time, I plan to buy two medium-size harps for my relatives,” said Mr Pierre, a French visitor who was shopping for souvenirs at Bogyoke Aung San Market.Ko San Aung, the owner of Lovers musical... Govt praises Thai initiative in hosting Bangkok forum: THE Foreign Minister, U Win Aung, has praised Thailand for its initiative in hosting a multilateral forum earlier this month that enabled Myanmar to outline its roadmap for a transition to democracy... Tokyo aim achieved: MYANMAR hopes that its political situation will be better understood by Japan following a meeting between the prime ministers of the two countries in Tokyo earlier this month, the Foreign Minister, U Win Aung, said last week... High of 40C, low of 13C in Yangon for 2003: YANGON experienced its coldest temperature so far this year on December 18 when the mercury dipped to 13 degrees Celsius, the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology said last Friday... Domestic travel industry suffers downturn: THE number of domestic travellers has dropped by 50 per cent compared with last year, transportation industry sources said.U Zaw Min, a manager at Eait-si-tan pilgrimage travel company, said that the number of domestic travel businesses has fallen from more than 40 to about 30 since last year... Astrological guides in demand for 2004: There are about 10 different titles dealing with astrological forecasts on the market. Some of the titles are published as 12 separate booklets dealing with each of the 12 signs of the zodiac... Quality the key in pulses exports: IMPROVEMENTS in the quality of beans and pulses have enabled Myanmar to maintain its position as one of the world?s leading exporters of the commodities in recent years, an agricultural researcher said earlier this month... Australian eye doctors provide free treatment: A TEAM of Australian eye surgeons is in Myanmar to provide free treatment to hundreds of monks, nuns and lay people at a hospital in southern Sagaing Division... ASEAN meetings focus on tourism and agriculture: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) has established working groups to encourage cooperation in the promotion of the agricultural and tourism sectors, say leaders from regional business organizations... Banking sector shows signs of recovery after troubled year: MYANMAR?S private and part-government owned banks, especially smaller banks, have enjoyed steady growth over the last quarter due to increased customer confidence, banking sector sources said last week... Penang seeks increased trade with Myanmar: The 38-person Penang delegation included state government executives and 18 traders. They met with Myanmar traders at the Grand Plaza Park Royal on December 17, with the assistance of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry.