Information Sheet No.B-1163 (I)

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

MYANMAR INFORMATION COMMITTEE
YANGON

Information  Sheet
No.B-1163 (I)                       26th November,1999

(1) Wood Substitute Fuel Utilization Essential to Make Central Myanmar 
Thriving and Verdant with Forests

    Regions of the Central Myanmar became arid due to low
rainfall and loss of forests. Nine Arid Regions
Greening Project is being implemented to improve the
climate condition of the Central Myanmar. At present
the project has been extended from nine regions to 13.
Utilization of wood substitute fuel has become an
inevitable task to make the regions of Central Myanmar
green and verdant with forests. The year 1995 was
designated as the wood substitute fuel utilization
year. The work to use wood substitute fuel has
achieved success to a certain degree. By using raw
material such as husk, which is the byproduct of rice
mills of the Ministry of Commerce, coal and oil
residue, production of briquettes has been extended in
the nation. Farm by-products are also used in making
briquettes. Broader use of substitute fuel will lead
to reduction in the loss of trees, helping towards
regional greening and improvement of weather.

(2) Minister Leave to Attend ASEAN Joint Ministerial Meeting in Manila

    Minister at State Peace and Development Council
Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Abel and Minister for
Foreign Affairs left Yangon by air on 25 November for
Manila to attend the Special Joint Ministerial Meeting
of ASEAN Foreign, Economic and Finance Ministers to be
held in Manila, the Philippines, on 26 November.

(3) Minister for Health Receives US Congressman

    Minister for Health received visiting US Congressman
John Cooksey and party who called at his office on 25
November. Then, US Congressman John Cooksey and party
went to Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital of Yangon.
US Congressman John Cooksey and party met professors
and specialists at the hospital.

(4) Cooperative Industrial Products Exhibition and Sales Continue

    Cooperative Industrial Products Exhibition and Sales
sponsored by Cooperative Department continued for the
sixth day at Cooperative Commercial Centre in Yangon
on 25 November. Entertainment programmes were
presented at the exhibition. The exhibition and sales
will continue from 9 am to 9 pm till 28 November.
 
(5) Gifts for Child All-Round Development Department

    A ceremony to make donations to Child All-Round
Development Department of Myanmar Maternal and Child
Welfare Association was held on 25 November at the
MMCWA. Mr. Shiobara presented foodstuff and medicines
to the department and Ms. Fumi Katarama of Women's
Federation for World Peace of Japan, cash and toys.

(6) MRCS Central Council Holds 47th Meeting

    The 47th Meeting of the Central Council of Myanmar
Red Cross Society took place at MRCS Headquarters on
Strand Road on 25 November. Present on the occasion
were President of MRCS, members of the Central
Council, EC members of MRCS, Chairmen of Red Cross
Society Supervisory Committees of States and
Divisions, officials of State/Division Red Cross
Brigades, and division police officers. New members
were elected and appointed at the meeting for each
vacancy in the Executive Committee and the Central
Council. The minutes of the previous meeting were
approved at the meeting. The report of the Executive
Committee was also presented to the meeting. A general
round of discussions on financial statement and Red
Cross activities in States and Divisions then
followed. In the afternoon session, those present
approved the resolutions of the meeting.

(7) MMA to hold Conference on Medical Specialities

    The 9th Medical Specialities Conference of Myanmar
Medical Association will be held at MMA building from
3 to 6 December. Doctors who want to attend the
conference are to register at the association as of 1
December.

(8) Seminar on Cash Management Held

    The Seminar on Cash Management jointly organized by
Myanmar Banks Association and UE Myanmar Ltd, Yangon,
Myanmar, was held at the Traders Hotel, Yangon on 25
November. Present at the seminar were Secretary of
Myanmar Banks Association and officials of the
Ministry of Finance and Revenue, the State-owned and
private banks and UE Myanmar Ltd. Division Manager of
UE Myanmar Ltd Mr Francis Au Seng Juat explained
matters related to De La Rue Cash System. Chief
Operation Officer of UE Myanmar Ltd Mr Pankaj Pandit
presented three pieces of US Currency Verifier
Equipment to Myanmar Banks Association. Mr Ben Thorpe
and Mr Fergus Graham of De La Rue (England) discussed
monetary management and explained matters pertaining
to De La Rue equipment. Those present also took part
in the discussion. De Le Rue cash-counting machines
distributed by UE Myanmar Ltd are extensively used at
the State-owned and private banks.

(9) Chinese Suzhou Municipal Delegation Leave for Home

    The Chinese Suzhou Municipal delegation led by
Chairman of the People's Congress Mr. Huang Jundu left
Yangon by air on 25 November.

(10)    Thailand Exhibition '99 to Be Held

    A press conference on Thailand Exhibition '99 to be
held in the Tatmadaw (Defence Services) Convention
Hall from 1 to 4 December, was held at the Kandawgyi
Palace Hotels on 25 November. Over 120 companies from
Thailand will open over 130 booths at the exhibition,
and consumer goods, household goods and Thai food will
be on sale.

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