ASEM milestone as new members join: MYANMAR and 12 other countries were formally admitted to the Asia-Europe Meeting dialogue grouping last Thursday on the eve of its two-day summit in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi. The colourful enlargement ceremony at a Hanoi hotel, described by the Vietnamese Prime Minister, Mr Phan Van Khai, as a ?momentous event” for ASEM, brought its membership to 39... Summit opens: ?Political dialogue should be further strengthened so as to turn ASEM into an important force for securing peace, security and sustainable development,” said Mr Luong, who described the expansion of ASEM as an important step for the grouping... Bumper monsoon for hotel operators: ?We are up 40 per cent on 2002, our best previous year,” said the general manager of Traders hotel, Mr Raymond Bragg, referring to occupancy rates during the monsoon season, from May to September... New momentum emerging in bilateral ties,says visiting Indian Foreign Secretary: In an exclusive interview with Myanmar Times on October 4, the day after he arrived for a three-day visit, Mr Saran said a meeting with the Prime Minister, General Khin Nyunt, had reflected a desire ?to take this relationship forward.”... South Korean donation aids hepatitis campaign: The equipment was handed over by KOICA?s representative in Myanmar, Ms Baek Sook-Hee, to Professor Dr Paing Soe, the director general of the department, at a ceremony at its headquarters on Ziwaka Road, Dagon township, on October 5... Growth in news journal market welcomed by veteran journalist: ?As a journalist, I welcome the increase in the number of journals because they are the eyes and ears of the nation and the information they provide broadens the knowledge of the public,” said Lu Du Sein Win, 64... Round-the-world solo flyer pays a visit to Mandalay: A 54-YEAR-OLD American pilot who has been travelling around the world in a single-engine airplane since 2000 landed at Mandalay International Airport late last month on a flight that began in Chiang Mai, Thailand... Young performers set sights on prizes at festival of traditional culture: This will be the sixth year she has competed as a dancer in the competition, held each October since 1993 to sustain traditional culture and to encourage young people to develop an appreciation of Myanmar?s performing arts... Certificates aiding ICT sector, says test centre: COMPUTER specialists holding professional certificates from internationally recognised companies will play an important role in the development of Myanmar?s information and communication technology industry, said an official from a leading domestic ICT business... Myanmar businesses still learning the value of MBAs: IN many parts of the world a master of business administration degree is a well-established entry ticket into the world of gainful employment. The skills of graduates from such programs are highly valued in the labour market... Interior work to begin on United Condominium 2: INTERIOR work on United Condominium 2 on Anaw-rahta Road in Lanmadaw township will start this month, Dr Sein Win, managing director of United Construction, said last week.United Construction plans to finish the 12-storey building by April 2005, he added... Iron Cross concert heats up MCC: Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thin, a new member of the Iron Cross band, also performed and her unique performance style and dress are starting to win fans.She has a strong voice and her first song Lone Wa Ma Thet Saing Daw Bar (Nothing to do with you at all) was a wise choice... Few women take on director?s role: But behind the scenes women are scarce and there are precious few in the director?s chair. More than 90 per cent of Myanmar directors are male and since 1930 only 15 women have attempted the role... UNICEF hails progress on water, sanitation: MYANMAR is making greater progress in providing clean water supplies and improving sanitation and hygiene, the country representative of the United Nations Children?s Fund, Ms Caroll Long, told a workshop in Yangon on October 7.