Information Sheet No.B-1010 (I)

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

MYANMAR INFORMATION COMMITTEE
YANGON

Information  Sheet
No.B-1010 (I)                3rd August, 1999

(1) Senior General Gives Guidance on National Industrial Development 

    Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief
of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe met with the
representatives of the 18 industrial zones of states and  divisions,
who are to attend the seminar on industrial development, in the hall of
the Ministry of Defence on 2 August. In his address, Senior General
Than Shwe said the purpose of meeting with the industrialists was to
discuss the tasks to build infrastructure essential for building an
industrialized nation,  and encouraged them to coordinate the plans
openly for industrial development at the seminar that would follow. As
the local industries were scattered in various parts of the country,
they were organized to establish at possible locations, and industrial
zones were set up  beginning 1995. He cited the objectives for national
industrial development. The major aim was to establish import
substitute industries and the industries primarily essential for the
country. Plans are under way to provide basic needs for development of
the industrial zones such as land, water and power supply, as well as
financial and technological assistance, supply of raw materials and
other material assistance as much as possible. In giving financial
assistance, it has been planned to provide it not only in kyats  but
also in foreign currency, and to scrutinize the taxes, which have been
a burden to the industrialists, and give exemption.  The government
would provide actual requirements for development of private
industries. Industrial Development Central Committee led by
Vice-Chairman  of the State Peace and Development Council, General
Maung Aye was formed and arrangements are to be made for development of
the State's industrial sector with added momentum. Senior General later
inspected machine parts of Myanma Automobile and Diesel Engines
Industries, Myanma Agricultural Machinery Industries and Myanma Machine
Tools and Electrical  Industries, parts produced by industrialists,
transformers,  lathes and industrial equipment, paddy threshers, Eya-1
tillers and tillers produced by Aung San Technical High School. 

(2) Union of Myanmar and Republic of Azerbaijan Establish Diplomatic
Relations

    The following is the Press Communique on the establishment of
diplomatic relations between the Union of Myanmar and the Republic of

Azerbaijan issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today:
    The Government of the Union of Myanmar and the Republic of Azerbaijan,
guided by the principles enunciated in the Charter of the United
Nations and being desirous to establish relations of friendship and
mutually beneficial cooperation on the basis of the principles of
equality, non-interference in the internal affairs of the others,
respect for independence and territorial integrity, have established
diplomatic relations at Ambassadorial level on 3 August 1999.

(3) Seminar on Development of Industries of Industrial Zones Commences

    Myanmar Industrial Development Committee held a seminar on development
of industries of the industrial zones in the meeting hall of the
Ministry of Industry-2  on 2 August. The Central Committee for
Industrial Development laid down five fundamental principles for the
establishment of an industrialized nation based on agriculture  and
mechanized farming, namely, to extensively adopt mechanized farming
system, to establish new factories and plants, to run existing
factories and plants at full  capacity, to ensure effective and rapid
development of industrial zones, to establish new industrial zones and
to develop private industrial sector all the more. Myanma Industrial
Development  Committee was formed with the Minister for Science and
Technology as chairman and Myanma Industrial Development Working
Committee with the Minister for Industry-2 as chairman. Nine
subcommittees were formed and assigned duties, and ministers were also
assigned duties to supervise industrial zones. The representatives of
industrials zones reported on conditions of their works, investment,
labour, water and power supply, transport and communication and tax. 
The ministers in charge of industrial zones fulfilled their
requirements. The seminar will continue till 6 August.

(4) National Convention Convening Commission Meets

    National Convention Convening Commission ( NCCC) held a meeting at the
meeting hall of NCCC Office  on 2 August. National Convention Convening
Work Committee and National Convention Convening  Management Committee
reported  on the  National Convention matters. Members of the NCCC took
part in the discussions. 

(5) Seminar on Infant Feeding and HIV to be Held

    Seminar on Infant Feeding and HIV jointly sponsored by Myanmar Medical
Association (Central) and UNICEF  will be conducted at Auditorium (A)
of MMA on 4 August 1999.
(6) Minister Meets ICRC  Official 

    Minister for Home Affairs met Resident Representative Mr. Leon de
Reidmatten of International  Committee of the Red Cross  who called at
his office on 2 August.

(7) Stimulant Tablets Seized in Tachilek

    A combined team comprising members of local intelligence  unit and
Myanmar Police Force, waiting near Siwinhtaung Village, Mongphone
Village-tract in Tachilek Township, Shan State (East), stopped and
searched a car whcih left Tachilek on 21 July. They arrested Sai Owun,
driver, and Sai Yi, conducter of Tachilek,  together with WY brand
219,600 stimulant tablets, one pistol, one hand-phone  used in Thailand
and 19,700 bath. Action is being taken against the two according to law.


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