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Information Sheet N0.A-0652 (I)



MYANMAR INFORMATION COMMITTEE
YANGON
Information  Sheet

                              N0.A-0652 (I)                 17th  October 1998

(1)		World Food Day Commemorative Ceremony 

		A ceremony to commemorate 1998 World Food Day was held at Myaypadethagyun of
Myanma Agriculture Service of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation in
Bahan Township on 16 October. Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation gave a
speech and in his address the Minister said,  "Myanmar has taken all  possible
measures to achieve all round development of agriculture, live-stock and
fisheries sectors  that are producing food.  Among the Peninsular countries of
the South East Asia region, Myanmar is relatively the largest country with a
total cultivable land area of 18 million hectares and of that about half
remains as fallow and cultivable waste land.  Therefore the current cultivated
land area of 9.2 million hectares is further being expanded, by developing new
agriculture land from those fallow and cultivable  waste land.  In the
production of basic commodities, rice, pulses, sugar-cane and cotton
production are being intensified as basic crops, with the out-look toward
achieving increased overall crop production of all kinds. The main objective
of intensifying food production is not only to meet domestic food
requirements, but also to assist other food deficit  countries on humanitarian
grounds.  Being endowed with abundance of land, water and other natural
resources, the nation is highly favoured for food production from agriculture,
forestry, livestock and fisheries. These resources are being managed and
exploited in a sustainable  and environmentally friendly  manner in producing
food. Apart from introducing proper forest reservation and management system
in forestry sector, inland fresh water fish and prawn production and marine
fishery in both near-shore and off-shore areas are being increased, taking
into serious consideration the importance and sustainability of the
environment".

(2)		Mid-Year Gems Emporium Displays 1,386 Lots at Reserve Price $ 11.37m

		A total of 1,386 gems lots at a reserve price of $ 11.37 million are on
display at Mid-Year Myanma Gems Emporium. The emporium displays 962 jade lots
at a reserve price of $ 5.96 million, 254 gem lots at $ 3.5 million and 170
pearl lots at $ 1.91 million. Sponsored by Myanma Gems Emporium Central
Committee, it will be held from  16 to 22 October. Over 300 merchants of 51
companies from 13 countries will attend the emporium to be held at Myanma Gems
Mart. More quality stones and lots are included in this emporium than in the
previous sales as the State is providing assistance to gems miners such as
rendering advanced cash and loans and speedy foreign  currency services and
curbing smuggling gems abroad. The reserve prices for the lots are lower than
in the past sales due to currency devaluation and economic  instability in
international scene. Over 50 new merchants from Canton and Yunnan provinces of
the People's Republic of China are expected to attend the emporium,
coordinations are under way to sell jade blocks to Yunnan by land. 

(3)		Local Company to Mine Gold at Phayaungtaung

		Myanmar Golden Point Family Co Ltd has agreed with No 2 Mining Enterprise
today to mine gold on production-sharing basis at Phayaungtaung, Patheingyi
Township, Mandalay Division. The contract permits Myanmar experts to mine gold
at areas including the 13 blocks allotted by the Ministry of Mines for the
third time. The ministry is cooperating with foreign firms in mining gold,
copper, zinc and platinum, allotting 16 plots in the first assignment and 11
in the second time. 

(4)		Benefit-Sharing Agreement on Raw Salt Production Signed

		A benefit-sharing agreement on raw salt production at Setse in Tanintharyi
Division  was signed by Myanma Salt and Marine Chemical Enterprise and
National Golf Practising (Myanmar) Ltd  at the office of MSMCE on 16 October.

(5)		Minister Receives ICRC, Red Crescent Official

		Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement received Head of Office
of South-East Asia and East Asia Regional Delegation of the International
Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Federation Dr. Johan Schaar
together with President of Myanmar Red Cross Society Dr Hla Bu at his office.

(6)		Minister Received ICRC, Red Crescent Officials

		Minister for Home Affairs received Head of Office of South-East Asia and
East Asia Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross
and Red Crescent Federation  Dr Johan Schaar and International Federation of
Red Cross Representative to Myanmar Red Cross Society Mr Floyd Barnaby at his
office.

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