Information Sheet N0.A-0488(I)

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                                          Information Sheet    
                            
                              N0.A-0488(I)            4th July 1998

(1)		Myanmar Women's Day Observed
		A ceremony to observe Myanmar Women's Day organized by the Ministry of
Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement and the Myanmar National Working
Committee for Women's Affairs was held at the International Business Centre on
3 July.  Myanmar has a population of 47.25 million, and there are 23.89
million women, making up 50.3 per cent of the population.  According to laws,
traditional culture and customs, Myanmar women have been enjoying rights on
par with those of men in successive eras and at the present time, the
Government is making efforts to promote the development of Myanmar women by
enacting laws and bylaws and laying down effective programmes.  The Government
formed the Myanmar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs with the aim
of systematically striving for the development of Myanmar women and the
Myanmar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs is two years old on
this day. During the period of two years, MNWCWA has laid down programmes
systematically for the women sector throughout the country, and in this
regard, significant success has been achieved.  A new chapter has being opened
in the history of Myanmar because Myanmar Women's Day could be designated and
observed on a national level.

(2)		Agreement on Granting Y 800 Million Signed
		Minister at the office of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman
Brig-Gen Abel and Ambassador of Japan Mr Kazuo Asakai signed an agreement on 3
July. According to the agreement, the Japanese Government will provide a grant
aid of Y 800 million for boosting food production.  The grant aid will be used
to purchase fertilizers and agricultural machinery with a view to boosting
food production in the border areas of Myanmar.

(3)		Tatmadaw Columns Seize Heroin, Opium, Arms in Kutkai Township
		A combined group including members of military columns, Defence Services
Intelligence Unit, Myanmar Police Force and Lashio Special Anti-Drug Squad led
by Tactical Operations Commander of North-East Command raided the houses of U
Wan Kwe Shin and U Bong Khaw in Loikham Village, Kutkai Township, northern
Shan State, on 27 June.

		The group nabbed nine persons with narcotic drugs, chemicals and arms from
the houses.  These narcotic drugs included heroin weighing 27.35 kilos, opium
weighing 1,839.4 kilos, brown opium powder weighing 4.85 kilos, 221 gallons of
lysol, 2,760 kilos of sodium hydroxide, 4,280 kilos of sodium carbonade, 128
gallons of acetic anhydride, 20 litres of hydrochloric acid, 80 drums of
sodium metol, 19 bags of bone charcoal powder and paraphernalia.  The
authorities seized assorted arms.  Action is taken against the culprits under
the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotrophic Substances Law by Lashio Special Anti-
Drug Squad.

                             OFFICE CALLS IN YANGON ON 3 JULY

(A)		Minister for Industry-1 received Chief Engineer Mr Zhang Huimin and party
of China National Complete Plant Export & Import Wuhan Corporation at his
office.

(B)		Secretary of Myanmar Investment Commission received Ramesh R Budhrani of
Unistar International PLC of Dubai, UAE, at the commission office.

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