‘I realised it would be a great painting?: WHILE travelling in Shan State along the road returning to Mandalay artist Zaw Win Pe, 43, caught a glimpse of the sun setting above the landscape, highlighting the earth in rich pinks, purples, blues and yellows. The colours overwhelmed his thoughts and emotions, and he ?realised it would be a great painting”... ‘SARS a ‘wake-up call? about what could happen with the flu?-- 3 million chickens inspected, but no flu: A SENIOR government official has further confirmed that no cases of bird flu have been detected in Myanmar after inspection of more than 3.3 million chickens at over 2000 poultry farms throughout the nation... Liberalise economy to attract investment, say experts: Investment growth has been stagnant in Myanmar since February 2003, but experts on FDI say that Myanmar has enormous potential to attract more foreign investment because of its rich resources base and low cost labour... National convention, the crucial and most important step to democracy - Govt: THE importance of involving national groups in drafting a constitution has been highlighted in a government research paper presented to a seminar on the road map for a transition to democracy... Yangon company plans luxury river cruises: A YANGON company that has taken over the lease of the luxury river boat, the Pandaw 1, plans to offer trips on the Irrawaddy River upsteam from Mandalay and to destinations on the Chindwin River, it said last week... Energy conservation efforts boost solar power: U Win Khaing, the managing director of the Myanmar Solar Energy System, a branch of the United Engineering Company, said solar energy was attractive to consumers because it was cheap and reliable... Japan resumes human resources aid to Myanmar: The decision to resume new aid, which was taken last December, was prompted by signs of progress toward democratisation in Myanmar, Reuters quoted a Japanese Foreign Ministry source as saying... Diplomatic course launched: The three-month course, which began last week, is the 10th since MOFA launched the training program for civil servants and members of the business community in July 2000... Three private banks return to normal operations: THREE of Myanmar?s twenty private banks resumed normal operations last week after being given the green light by a government committee, according to banking industry sources... Myanmar businesses become aware of marketing strategies: DURING the 1960s motorcycle buyers automatically opted for English brands such as Triumph, BSA, or Royal Enfield. But a decade later Japanese bikes such as Suzuki, Honda or Yamaha were the vogue. What caused this turn around? Savvy marketing techniques... Construction sector cries out for financial support: YANGON?S construction sector has said it would need financial support to continue many on-going projects.With the Asian financial crisis in 1997 and the banking situation since February last year, activity has slowed in the building sector.