HLUTTAW SESSIONS:- PYIDAUNGSU HLUTTAW: Pyidaungsu Hluttaw approves signing agreement on establishing ASEAN tourism secretariat, JICA loan: "Nay Pyi Taw, 23 Jan — Pyidaungsu Hluttaw approved proposals of the government to sign the agreement on establishing a regional secretariat for mutual recognition of ASEAN tourism experts and to receive Yen 10.5 billion loan for the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology from JICA on Friday...Afterwards, two representatives discussed receiving the loan from the JICA before Deputy Minister for Communications and Information Technology U Thaung Tin explained the arrangements. Later, the Hluttaw session approved the loan."...PYITHU HLUTTAW: DHSHD to build staff quarters in Shadaw Township: "Nay Pyi Taw, 23 Jan — At the 5th day session of Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House) on Friday, Daw Nang Nwam of Shadaw Constituency asked whether there is a plan to construct staff quarters for departmental personnel far from Shadaw Township in Kayah State. Deputy Minister at the President Office U Kyaw Kyaw Win replied that a total of 179 local staff and 119 personnel from other townships are discharging duty at 25 departments in Shadaw Township. At present, 86 staff members far from Shadaw Township need staff quarters. Township Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development plans to build staff quarters on 47.04 acres of land but still seeks permission for construction..."...AMYOTHA HLUTTAW: Recovery plans for environmental degradation explained in Amyotha Hluttaw: "Nay Pyi Taw, 23 Jan — The Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House) session here on Friday saw a question arise as to plans for the recovery of environmental degradation caused by some ministries. U Aye Myint Maung, Deputy Minister for Environmental Conservation and Forestry, responded that cautious efforts are underway to minimize serious damage to the environment through supervisions at all levels. The ministry has instructed mining companies to refill open pits with topsoil from exploration sites and grow perennial trees and shady trees in order to maintain ecosystems..."..... DOMESTIC NEWS: Vice President Dr Sai Mauk Kham visits Bombay stock exchange, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Tata Memorial Hospital...Rice trading expected to increase in coming fiscal year...Myanmar to launch trade information portal to boost trade transparency at year-end...Government emphasizes rural development, socioeconomic development in effort to reduce poverty...UEC urges local commissions and ministries to exert more efforts on greater electoral transparency...Union ministers discuss transition period of universities, colleges...Public Works, construction companies asphalting road sections in Kachin State...Pyaungpya Dam in Myingyan Tsp to sufficiently irrigate sesame plantations...Health staff vaccinate novices as mass immunization in Myanaung Tsp...Shwe Htila weekly news journal to come out in Meiktila in early Feb...School officials honour first prize winner in mathematic skill contest...Dawei District gets K690 million fund for emerald green project in 23 villages...Departmental officials distribute stoves, saplings to locals in Taungtha...Demonstration for democracy education system should be in accordance with law during democratic transition: officials...Tatmadaw hands over 42 child soldiers to parents, guardians... EXTERNAL RELATIONS: Myanmar still relies on imported western medicine...Myanmar U-20 win over Azerbaijan U-21 with 2-0...Japanese experts share knowledge how to preserve ancient cultural buildings... "PERSPECTIVES": "Legacy of older generations" by Myint Win Thein..... "ARTICLE:"National University of Singapore: A University stands and shines top in Asia" by Sayar Mya