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NEWS & VIEWS FROM MYANMAR



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NEWS & VIEWS FROM MYANMAR
WEEKLY BRIEF FROM MOFA, YANGON, MYANMAR

Vol.1			3 FEBRUARY 1999			No. 5
NEWS & VIEWS FROM MYANMAR
Sr No.			CONTENTS				Page

		INTERNAL DEVELOPMENTS
	1.	A step towards preservation of environment
	2.	Advanced technology for promotion of agriculture growth
	3.	Progress achieved in Myanmar's Communications Sector	2

FOREIGN RELATIONS

	4.	Diplomats on tour to observe development projects	3
	5.	Myanmar delegation attends ARF Workshop on Disaster
		Management

		GENERAL NEWS
	6	Seminiar on Managing Grain Quality
	7	Bridge across Dokehtawady River inaugurated

		ECONOMIC NEWS

	8	Mvanmsr Rioms rshlo 						5


INTERNAL DEVELOPMENTS

A step towards preservation of environment

	The project for greening of the nine arid districts in Myanmar is now in full
swing. The townships covered by the project have seen great changes as a
result, and the dry zone has gradually become green and pleasant with
favourable weather conditions.
	Preservation of trees and forests means that of soil, water and weather.
Tasks for production and use of firewood substitute fuel are to be implemented
in time for nine arid zone greening work and preservation of trees and
forests.
	Indiscriminate felling and cutting trees in the forests for fuel and making
charcoal was found to be the main cause of forest depletion in Myanmar. The
Forest Department under the Ministry of Forestry therefore has laid down
projects for greening of the regions. Under the projects, measures for
reforestation, conservation of both reserved and non-reserved forests, and
tidal forests are being undertaken with might and main.
	With a view to expanding the project for greening of the arid districts, the
project is being implemented in 13 districts. It covers conservation of
forests, establishment of firewood plantations, construction of dams and
reservoirs at appropriate places, utilization of underground water and
production and use of firewood substitute fuel.
The use of firewood substitute fuel has become an essential requirement.
Accordingly, the year 1995 was designated as firewood substitute fuel year
with a view to making the central region of Myanmar lush and green and
preservi ng forests and trees. The project for using firewood substitute fuel
has been carried out under the leadership of the Ministry of Forestry with
public participation.

	In Myanmar, firewood and charcoal are mainly used as fuel, and it can be
estimated that over 24 million cubic tons of firewood is being used each year
as fuel; thus, production of briquettes is a must. Only when other kinds of
fuel can be used extensively instead of firewood, can the forests be preserved
all the more. People also need to cooperate and participate in the work to
produce and use briquettes extensively therebv preservinst the ecolorv and
forests of the countrv.

Advanced technology for promotion of agriculture growth

	The seminar on " Netafim Advanced Irrigation Technologies " jointly organized
by the Natafim Irrigation Equipment and Drip System of Israel and the Supreme
Enterprise Limited of Myanmar was held at the Equatorial Hotel in Yangon on 29
January.
	Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Agriculture Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin said,
"Since the economy of Myanmar is still dominated by the agriculture sector, we
remain engaged in generating all-round growth of other economic sectors, with
agriculture sector development as a base, and with the transformation towards
the marketoriented economy, we are making all-out efforts to promote
agriculture growth both vertically and horizontally.
The following are the salient points of the address:
-	Today, the local private entrepreneurs are actively participating in the
reclamation of fallow and waste agricultural lands all over the country to
boost the productivity of agricultural sector which is the mainstay of our
economy.
-	Although the capital investment and the management capabilities are
currently in their hands they are lacking in advanced technologies such as
high yielding varieties, effective and efficient management of farm resources
including land and water resources, utilization of irrigation water with
maximum effectiveness and farm mechanization.

-	It is hoped that local entrepreneurs and Netafim would be able to establish
direct ties between them so that this advanced technology can be practically
transferred on our lands in the very near future.

Progress achieved in Myanmar's Communications Sector

	The Government of the Union of Myanmar has been making continuous efforts for
all-round development of the country.
	The Ministry of Communications, Post and Telegraphs is carrying out extension
of telephone lines in the communications sector, greatly contri buting toward
econom ic development of the nation.
	As a result of the Government's efforts in the field of communications,
modern facilities such as auto exchanges, CDMA mobile phone and IDD systems
have been installed in the major cities of the country. Moreover, a
computerized exchange system was launched in the country, and people in major
cities like Yangon and Mandalay are now using electronic mail boxes to send E-
mails to foreign countries.
As a part of modernizing the country's communications facilities, a digital
auto exchange capable of operation 3,000 lines was inaugurated in Yangon
Division recently. This auto exchange, S-12 SPC Digital Switching Equipment
,was presented by the Government of the Republic of the China  as a gift in
honour of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General

Than Shwe's visit to Shanghai Bell Telephone Equipment Manufacturing Co.
Ltd.on 11 January 1996 during his official visit to China. The newly-installed
digital auto exchange will ensure smooth communications for the subscribers in
the area.
	To realize the economic objectives laid down by the Government, Myanmar Posts
and Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications, Posts and
Telegraphs is making endeavours to render all-round services to customers and
implementing a project to install equipment to establish Internet service by
which people can have access to websites all over the world upon completion of
the project.


FOREIGN RELATIONS

Diplomats on tour to observe development projects

	The Ministry of Foreign Affairs arranged 3-day field trip for diplomats
accredited to Myanmar. Eighteen Ambassadors including two from Bangkok and
four Charge d'Affaires a.i. accompanied by their wives joined the up-country
tour of Myanmar from 29 to 31 January 1999.
	They visited Mandalay, Thaphanseik Dam and Sinphyushin Bridge in Sagaing
Division in the central part of Myanmar for the first day and enjoyed the
panoramic view at Mandalay Hill before resting at Nanmyo Guest House.
	On the second day, they toured Myanansankyaw Shwenandaw (Golden Palace) in
Mandalay and proceeded to Bagan and Nyaung-U where they visited the
Lacquerware Institute and Bagan Archaeological Museum and studied at Anawrahta
Bridge Project and Mone Creek Dam. On the third and last day, they went to
Paunglaung Multi-Purpose Dam Project, South Nawin Dam, Nawadei Ayeyawady River
Bridge at Pyay and Bo MyatTun Bridge in Nyaungdon on the delta and observed
the project for reclamation of the wetlands in Zibyukyun area.
	The Minister for Foreign Affairs who headed the group stressed the importance
of those projects for the development in agriculture sector as well as for the
population residing in these areas. By implementing those all-round
development projects in rural areas, the local populace will get employed and
raise the poverty line. As Myanmar is an agro-based nation, she assumed that
she has the responsibility to feed not only her people but also the world
community.
	The diplomats participating in this tour responded positively and thanked the
Minister to make them feel the reality of the country.

Myanmar delegation attends ARF Workshop on Disaster
Management

Myanmar delegation headed by Myanmar Ambassador to Thailand U Hla Maung
attended the RFA Workshop on Disaster Relief held in Bankok from 25 to 29
January 1999. 
	The delegate from ARF(ASIAN Regional Forum ) member nations discussed 
conducting more effective rescue operations. They agreed on a ten-point
programme on raising awareness on disaster prevention and relief between the
government and the people, conducting of courses on relief work, exchange of
experience among ARF countries, establishment of communication centres,
accessing Internet, cooperation in disaster preparedness, cooperation with
international organizations and nations, standardization of terminology and
data bases and promotion of cooperation.


GENERAL NEWS

Seminiar on Managing Grain Quality

	Seminar on Managing Grain Quality organized by Resintech-GSI Asia Pacific Sdn
Bhd and Myanmar Grain Systems Ltd with the co-sponsorship of Ministry of
Agriculture and Irrigation, Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Cooperatives
was held at the Equatorial Hotel on 28 January in Yangon.
	Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo in his
opening speech spoke of the importance of the post-harvest technology for
boosting agricultural production and stressed the need to disseminate proper
modern techniques on storage and post-harvest technologies.
	Myanmar has plenty of arable land and the government is giving encouragement
to local entrepreneurs to reclaim and cultivate crops on the virgin and fallow
lands and wetlands in accord with the economic objective for development of
agriculture as the base and all-round development of other sectors of the
economv as well.
	Today the government, the Tatmadaw and the people including intelligentsia
and intellectuals and entrepreneurs, are joining hands to boost production in
the agriculture sector. They are also cooperating in the tasks for development
of the agriculture sector while endeavouring to accelerate the already-
achieved progress in the agriculture sector, agro-based industries must be
established.
	The government encourages and supports the boosting of production in the
agriculture sector and cultivation of four-pillar crops-paddy, cotton,
sugarcane and beans-as well as kitchen crops in appropriate places.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation has set the target of 166 per cent
in multiple cropping by the year 2001, the end of the second Five-Year
Economic Plan, and it has made a  considerable progress compare with that in
other Asian countries.

Bridge across Dokehtadady Rivre inaugurated 

	A bridge across Dokehtadady Rivre was inaugurated at the entrance to Mandalay
International Airport on 26 January.
	Transport in the area was very difficult before construction of the bridge.
Now local people could enjoy the benefit of smooth transport with the
inauguration of the newly built bridge.
	The bridge was built for the convenience of local people during monsoon,
providing access to Mandalay International Airport, for better transport for
tourists visiting ancient regions such as Innwa and Sagaing and for regional
development.
	Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the bridge, Minister for
Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun revealed the construction of roads, bridges,
irrigation networks and agricultural work in the whole country being
undertaken. At present, 29 bridges are being built.
	The bridge across Dokehtawady River is a pre-stressed and reinforced concrete
one which is 700 feet long and 72 feet wide with two six feet wide pedestrian
lanes on both sides. It was built at a cost of over K 399 million.

ECONOMIC NEWS

Myanmar Sigma cable factory established

	The State Peace and Development Council has laid down the political, economic
and social objectives and is striving with great momentum for all sectors for
emergence of a modern and developed nation.

	Public Works of the Ministry of Construction is engaged in building roads,
bridges and other structures for the State while Department of Human
Settlement and Housing Development is involved in setting up new towns,
upgrading wards and enhancing social environments for urban development in the
collective  endeavours of the respective ministries for national progress
	In order to boost production, generate job opportunities and offer work
experiences to the public, DHSHD has also set up industrial zones for local
and foreign industrialists in Yangon and its environ.
	Local and foreign industrialists have thus far established factories in
Yangon, especially in Hlinethaya Industrial Zone and manufacturing of goods is
in progress as plants have already been set up. More industries are being
built in the zones.
Set up by Myanmar Sigma Cable Co Ltd, a joint-venture of Sigma Cable Co
Set up by Myanmar Sigma Cable Co Ltd, a joint-venture of Sigma Cable Co Ltd of
Singapore and Stellar Myanmar Co Ltd of Myanmar, the factory open on 2
February 1999, will manufacture power cables. The company has leased a 6.323
acre plot from DHSHD on an annual fee of three US dollars per square meter on
a  long-term agreement. The factory was established with an investment capital
of more than 9 million US dollars and equipped with modern machines.
	The factory will produce 4560 metric  tons of lower voltage power cables and
underground cables yearly. Sixty per cent of the products will be for domestic
market and the remaining 40 per cent for export.

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