INFORMATION SHEET ( N0.A.0346(I) )

[OKKAR66127@xxxxxxx]

                                  INFORMATION SHEET ( N0.A.0346(I) )

N0.A.0346(I)
11 March 1998

(1)		Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Concludes Goodwill Visit
		Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad and Datin Seri
Dr Siti Hasmah Haji Mohamad Ali and goodwill delegation, which was on a
goodwill visit to Myanmar at the invitation of Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing, departed
for home on 10 March at 3:45 pm by special flight.
 
(2)		Dr Mahathir Says Situation in Myanmar has Improved Markedly 	after
Opening Up
		At the Traders Hotel in Yangon at 1 pm Premier Dr Mahathir of 
Malaysia met the Press telling them he has seen marked improvement in Myanmar
since his last visit in 1988 and since Myanmar switched to market economy. In
reply to queries by newsmen, Dr Mahathir said common currencies of the ASEAN
countries were being used as also that of other countries in the region,
adding regional currencies were being favoured in trade. He said he noticed
only a couple of hotels during his 1988 visit and a large number today. He
said there are industrial establishments, foreign and local investments, all
of which are the outcome of the market-oriented economy. He said Malaysia
wanted to invest more, but there are constraints due to financial crisis. Once
there is recovery, there will be more investments. Today, he said, there is
more inclination to trade than to invest. When it comes to trade, he said,
there is the question of what to buy, and he sees many possibilities.
		"The focus today is more on trade than investment," he said. Regarding the
ASEM meeting in London, he said those who attended the Bangkok meeting would
be attending, and that the participants would be individual Asian countries,
not ASEAN members. 
		Regarding a query quoting a passage from the New Light of Myanmar editorial,
Dr Mahathir said he might not have used the same words but it had the same
meaning. He said Malaysia is not a super power but he believed many nations
had the right to make their own decisions without outside pressure. Going back
to trade, he said a tally of imports and exports would have to be made.
Today's bilateral trade is in Malaysia's favour.
 
(3)		Cash Donation for Myanmar Medical Association
		Professor U Khin Maung Lat of New York, the United States of America,
donated cash for new building of Myanmar Medical Association at the premises
on 10 March.
 
(4)		Computer Associations to Be Formed in April
		Plans are under way to form Computer Experts Association and Computer
Entrepreneurs Association in April 1998.
 
(5)		Seminar on Environment and Natural Resources Development and Conservation
Management Held
		A seminar on environment and natural resources development and conservation
management sponsored by Higher Education Department of the Ministry of
Education was held at Yangon University Council Hall on 10 March. Assistant
United Nations Secretary-General Assistant Administrative Officer of UNDP
Regional Director of Asia and the Pacific Region Bureau Dr Nay Dun explained
environment and natural resources development and conservation management.
Those present put forward suggestions and Dr Nay Dun replied to the questions.
 
(6)		100,000 Amphetamine Tablets Seized in Hsenwi
		A combined group comprising members of Defence Services Intelligence Unit of
Hsenwi Township, Lashio Special Anti-Drug Squad and service personnel of
Customs Department, acting on a tip-off, searched 500 plastic packets of W
brand amphetamine numbering 100,000 tablets hidden in the fuel tank of a white
van, which was coming from Chinshwehaw to Lashio, at the hot spring checkpoint
in Hsenwi Township on 7 March afternoon. 
		Action is being taken against driver Wai Soe of Ward-8, Lashio 
Township, under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotrophic Substances Law.
 
OFFICE CALLS IN YANGON ON 10 MARCH
(A)		Minister for Hotels and Tourism received Managing Director Mr Yasuhiro
Matsuda and party of Myanmar Centre/ Tokyo at his office.
(B)		Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs received 
Vice-President Mr Koortrade and party of Telrad Telecommunication & Electronic
Industries Ltd of Israel at his office.
(C)		Minister for Energy received Chairman Tan Sri Dato' Mohd Hassen Marican
of Petronas Nasional Berhad Company of Malaysia together with Country Manager
Mr Roney B Zaideil of Petronas Thailand Co Ltd at his office. Similarly, the
minister received Senior Manager Mr Y Takita and party of Mitsui Co Ltd of
Japan at the same venue.
(D)		Minister for Mines received Chairman Mr Nigel Forrester and geologists of
Mount Burgess Gold Mining Co of Australia at his office.
(E)		Minister for National Planning and Economic Development received
Assistant United Nations Secretary-General Assistant Administrative Officer of
UNDP Regional Director of Asia and the Pacific Region Bureau Dr Nay Dun at his
office.
(F)		Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay received an
economic delegation led by Secretary of CPC Yangzhou Municipal Commission of
the People's Republic of China Mr Wu Dong Hwa and a 20-member troupe led by
Principal of Teachers Training School of Yangzhou Ms Haw Myin Hwa at his
office.
 
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