The New Light of Myanmar (Wednesday, 9 January, 2002)(1/2)

[Okkar66126@xxxxxxx]

The New Light of Myanmar (Wednesday, 9 January, 2002)(1/2)
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1. Mandalay Division USDA holds mass rally
2. Secretary-1 accepts donations for all-round construction
   of Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image
3. New Phyu Creek Bridge built to ensure smooth, secure
   transport for about 5,000 cars travelling daily on
   Yangon-Mandalay Highway
4. - Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than inspects upgrading of Yangon-
     Mandalay Highway, building of bridges in Bago Division
   - Independence Day Exhibition continues
5. - Minister U Win Aung Leaves for Thailand
6. - Refresher course on facts for life opened
   - TV retransmission station, Township IPRD offices inspected
7. Minister attends opening of rural road, tube well in Thanlyin
8. - Myanmar Products Expo to be held in Taunggyi
   - Floating Book Fair of MV Doulos continues
9. - Tiger Myanmar Amateur Golf C'ship opens
   - USDA CEC member tours Kahcin State

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( 1 ) USDA members urged to strive with utmost physical, intellectual ability
for success of present five-year national economic plan and rural development
task

Mandalay Division USDA holds mass rally

Yangon, 8 Jan- A mass rally to support national development and rural
development tasks organized by Mandalay Division Union Solidarity and
Development Association was held in the compound of the Basic Education High
School of Hanmyintmo village, Kyaukse Township, Kyaukse District, Mandalay
Division, at 9 am today.

It was attended by USDA members of Chanayethazan, Aungmyethazan,
Mahaaung-mye, Chanmyathazi, Pyigyi-dagun, Amarapura and Patheingyi townships
of Mandalay District, Kyaukse, TadaU, Singaing and Myittha townships of
Kyaukse District, PyinOoLwin, Madaya, Sintgu, Thabeikkyin and Mogok townships
of PyinOoLwin District, Meik-tila, Wundwin, Thazi and Mahlaing townships of
Meiktila District, Myingyan, Natogyi, Taunggyi and Ngazun townships of
Myingyan District, Yame-thinn, Pyinmana, Lewe, Tatkon and Pyawbwe townships
of Yamethin District, NyaungU Township of NyaungU District and
representatives of regional USDAs all over the country totalling over 21,000.
Secretary U Tin Maung Oo of Mandalay Division USDA chaired the mass rally
with Divisional USDA executives U Sein Myint and U Soe Aung. Aungmyethazan
Township USDA executive Daw Thin Thin Oo acted as master of ceremonies and
Kyaukse District USDA executive Daw Hla Hla Aye, co-master of ceremonies.

Chairman of the mass rally Secretary of Mandalay Division USDA U Tin Maung Oo
said the gathering of the USDA members representing the entire Mandalay
Division reflects their duty consciousness and patriotism. We welcome the
duty consciousness of the members and the resolutions of the mass rally held
in Yangon Division. We are here to discuss the State's endeavours, national
duties and the sector of the USDA members.

 Building of a modern and developed nation is the most important sector of
the national cause. National solidarity and endeavours to ensure peace and
stability and to promote the economic and social sectors are included in
building a peaceful, modern and developed nation. The State had been able to
carry out the tasks during the past over ten years. All have witnessed the
extent of success in implementing the tasks. Concerning the national
re-consolidation, the government has chosen the most objective stand,
striving patiently to ensure non-disintegration of the Union and national
solidarity.

Because of the government's correct stand, mutual understanding among the
national groups has been achieved; and the 17 armed groups have returned to
the legal fold and joined hands with the government. This is the basic factor
leading towards progress of the entire Union. Due to the development,
national re-consolidation and peace and stability, efforts can be made for
progress of the Union and building the economic infrastructure.

All the sectors are gaining progress. As more and more dams are being built
in the agricultural sector, the irrigated acres can be extended. Progress in
the use of water has led to increase in land use. After strengthening the
agricultural forces, the government has given priority to the progress of the
transport sector. Thus, a network of roads including the Union Highways have
emerged in the nation. The large river-crossing bridges have been built with
the internal forces alone.

The progress in the transport sector has directly contributed to promotion of
links among the national races and the economy. The government has initiated
its efforts for development of energy sector and has been laying down and
implementing the short-term national economic plans. The government has
relied on the internal strength in implementing the first short-term
four-year plan and the second short-term five-year plan.

 They were implemented with the nation's own human resources, capital and
public participation. The national education promotion programmes have been
laid down and implemented to develop the education, health and science and
technology sectors, which are important sectors. At present the 30-year
national education promotion plan has been laid down and implemented. The
project to develop the human resources is being widely implemented in the
nation.

 The present five-year plan is being implemented at a time when success is
being achieved in every field. One of the most important sectors is the rural
development. Over 70 percent of the nation's population live in rural areas.
Inclusion of the rural development in the five-year plan is in accord with
the objective conditions. The rural poverty rate can be reduced by fulfilling
the basic requirements such as transport, water supply, agriculture and
livestock breeding, education and health.

One of the most profound matters to be presented at this meeting is the
address delivered by USDA Patron Senior General Than Shwe at the opening of
courses of the association held in Hmawby on 26 December 2001. In his
address, the Senior General said " As the USDA was formed to serve the
national interests, the association should make harmonious efforts with
greater momentum for its further progress. The USDA members are urged to
strive with their utmost physical and intellectual ability for the success of
the present five-year plan and rural development task in accord with the
future tasks."

 The time has arrived for all the members to take more active part in
national and rural development undertakings in accord with the resolutions of
the previous Annual General Meeting and the Head of State's guidance. All the
members should always keep in the fore Our Three Main National Causes and
should uphold the conviction that safeguarding the nation on all fronts is
the national duty; the development of the country is the national duty;
building a new nation for today's new generation is the national duty; and
further improvement of the living standard of the entire people including the
rural people is the national duty. Executive Daw Theingi Aung of Singaing
Township USDA, Kyaukse District, tabled a motion calling for support of the
State's national development undertakings. She said peace and stability is
prevailing in the nation due to the State's efforts paving the way for
emergence of good economic foundations.

 The government has built 128 dams during the period of over ten years for
progress of agriculture sector. At present, there are 4.9 million irrigated
acres of land in the nation up from 2.5 million acres in 1988. In the past
there were only four river water-pumping stations in the nation; there are
now 258.

 The agricultural sector is gaining progress due to increase in land and w
ater utilization. During the past ten-year period, the nation's sown acreage
has increased by 5.8 millions acres from 19.9 million acres to 25.7 million
acres. There are now 17,874 miles of motor roads in the nation up from 13,635
miles in the past. People can now travel with ease on the roads linking
Sittway and Yangon; Kawthoung and Yangon; Putao and Myitkyina; and Myitkyina,
Mandalay and Yangon.

 A total of 136 over-180-foot-long bridges including the facilities on
Ayeyawady, Thanlwin and Chindwin rivers have been built in the nation. At
present, there are 3,859 miles of railroads up from 2,793 miles in the past.
Yeywa Hydel Power Project will generate 780 megawatts, Bilin Hydel Power
Project 280 megawatts, and Paunglaung Hydel Power Project 280 megawatts
totalling 1,340 megawatts on completion.

Eighteen industrial zones have been set up in the nation for industrial
development. The government is giving encouragement to the private sector to
build large, medium and small scale industries. The Ministry of Industry-1
has built 33 new factories from 1988 to 2001. At the end of the present
five-year plan, the ministry will invest K 90,278.96 million and US $
1,699.86 million to build 39 factories. The new factories has so far employed
35,846 persons. The government has given priority to development of human
resources.

There are now 39,081 schools in the nation up from 33,747 in 1988. Over seven
million students are attending classes at the schools. There are now 144
institutions of higher learning up from only 32 in the past. In its efforts
in restoring and safeguarding the ancient cultural heritage, the government
has rebuilt the Myanan Sankyaw Shwe Nandaw (Palace) in Mandalay which is the
symbol of the nation's sovereignty.

 It is also restoring and renovating the ancient edifices of Bagan which are
the soul and the heritage of the Myanmar people. The people are contributing
donations to the project with full generosity. Similarly, it has rebuilt or
renovated the Kambawzathadi Palace in Bago, the palace in Shwebo and ancient
edifices in Inwa region and Rakhine State. Two Universities of Culture have
been opened in Yangon and Mandalay.

 The State has been sponsoring the Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing
Arts Competitions to preserve traditions and culture. Myanmar is a model
country in preserving traditions and culture. At present, peace and stability
is prevailing in the nation; the State and the private sector are striving
for further progress of the infrastructures and economy; development in the
agricultural sector is leading towards industrial progress; greater efforts
are being made to develop human resources; and the fruits of development are
evident in Mandalay Division. It is required to further accelerate the
development momentum, to protect the national development and for the people
to participate in striving to gain continued progress.

 The task to build a peaceful, modern and developed nation should be handed
down to the new generation youths. Executive U Maung Maung Aye of Pyigyidagun
Township USDA seconded the motion calling for support of the State's national
development tasks tabled by Executive Daw Theingi Aung of Singaing Township
USDA. He said it was the motion that all the people and the association must
support emphatically. All have witnessed the development of nation due to the
cooperation of the people in the government's national development tasks.
Executive Daw Theingi Aung reported that tasks for construction of
fundamental economic structures were undertaken with momentum for national
solidarity and peace and stability.

All-round development has been achieved in Mandalay Division. Since 1988,
1,146 miles of roadsÑ 1,046 miles of tar roads, 67 miles of gravel roads and
33 miles of earth roads have been built in the transport sector in Mandalay
Division. The six-lane Yangon-Mandalay Highway project is being implemented.
Altogether 1,317 bridges including four over-180-foot-long bridges were built
in the division. A new Mandalay-Sagaing Ayeyawady River Bridge is under
construction. The Mandalay International Airport with the longest runway in
Southeast Asia has been built. There are 7,972 industries in Mandalay
industrial zones-1 and 2, Myingyan industrial zone and Meiktila industrial
zone. Advanced jeeps can be manufactured in the zone.

In Kyaukse Township, cement plant, bicycle factory, sewing machine factory,
plastic bag factory, blanket factory, asbestos brick factory and candy
factory are being built by the Ministry of Industry-1. Another cement plant
is also being constructed by the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd. In
Mandalay Division the number of basic education schools increased from 3,680
to 4,416. Altogether 108 multimedia teaching centres have been opened. There
are 27 e-education learning centres in higher education sector and
arrangements are being made for opening of 14 more centres.

 There were seven universities and colleges in Mandalay Division in 1988 and
now there are 13 institutions of higher learning. Yadanabon University,
Mandalay Technological University, Meiktila Institute of Economics, Mandalay
University of Computer Studies, Kyaukse University and Aerospace and
Engineering University were established.

Environmental tasks were also significantly implemented in Mandalay Division.
Five districts in Mandalay Division are included in 13 Districts Greening
Project. Greening and environment activities were implemented in nearly six
million acres of reserved forest areas and buffer zones. Modern medical
equipment was installed in Mandalay hospital. Modern hospitals and new
institutes of medicine were established. Progress has been made in Mandalay
in accord with the policy of the government.

He cited increased irrigated areas and land utilization in the agricultural
sector, establishment of industrial zones, construction of roads, railroads
and bridges in transport, emergence of international airport and increasing
number of schools and universities in Mandalay and Meiktila.

 He spoke of the need for members of USDA to participate in national
development tasks while safeguarding the better foundations. He emphatically
seconded the motion tabled by Daw Theingi Aung. Next, executive U Myo Myint
of Aungmyethazan Township USDA tabled the motion calling on all USDA members
to participate in rural areas development tasks. The government is
implementing the 12 objectives for national development and also carrying out
the short-term, medium-term and long-term plans for better economic
foundations.

All plans have gained success, exceeding the targets. All  USDA members have
witnessed that the government is making efforts for narrowing the urban and
rural development gap in third short-term five-year plan. The plan covers
proportionate development of agriculture, industry and energy sectors.
Development of human resource is a requirement. The main objective is
development of rural regions where over 70 per cent of the population of
Myanmar reside.

 Only when requirements of the rural areas are fulfilled, will the poverty of
rural people be reduced. In the guidance of Patron of USDA Senior General
Than Shwe for rural area development, he said: "I have already told you that
rural area development is included as a sector in the objectives of third
short-term five-year plan. Priority is to be given to development of rural
areas where 70 per cent of the whole population live. Requirements are to be
fulfilled to grassroots level.

Out of the main requirements of rural areas, constant efforts are to be made
for development of transportation, water supply, mainstay of rural
areasÑagriculture and livestock breeding and education and health. Such
practical requirements are to be carried out in collaboration with people and
reduction of poverty in rural areas is to be targeted".

 In efforts to raise the living standard of the national people, rural areas
cannot be left out. The USDA emphatically supported the resolution to carry
out the tasks of the five basic requirements of rural areas in the third
short-term five-year plan. Members of USDA came to the mass rally to discuss
the point and all USDA members are responsible to carry out the tasks. Rural
area development sector was included in implementation of the short-term plan
for economic development.

Irrigated areas and sown acreage have increased. Altogether 128 irrigation
networks were built for development of rural areas and the agricultural
sector. Farmers can now enjoy the benefits. The government is implementing
the education promotion programmes in all parts of the country including
border areas.

 There are now 678 basic education schools and students from border areas
passed the matriculation examination the previous year and they can continue
their higher education. Social welfare training schools for youths of border
areas and Nationalities Youths Resources Development Degree College were
opened in Yangon and Mandalay. It is obvious that the government uplifted
even the education of youths in border areas. In a decade 5,334 schools were
opened in rural areas and now rural children have opportunity to learn middle
school level education. In some villages e-learning centres are opened
beginning this year. The number of rural health care centres increased from
1,337 to 1,402 and there were 64 regional health care centres and there are
now 84. The USDA participated in the tasks of uplifting social lives of rural
people. Some 10 million youths attended cultural courses.

Families from rural areas and members of USDA are the majority of the nation.
Members of the association are youths from rural areas. Rural areas
development works will improve with the active cooperation of USDA members.
Rural areas development tasks are very basic tasks. These tasks will be
successful if they can be undertaken with diligence and perseverance. The
2001 Annual USDA General Meeting laid down the rural areas development tasks
as the future tasks. The USDA is to participate in these tasks for success
hand in hand with the government as national duty.

 Then, Executive of Mandalay District USDA Daw Hnin Shwe Zin seconded the
motion of Executive U Myo Myint of Aungmyethazan Township USDA calling on all
USDA members to participate in rural area development tasks. She said rural
area development tasks are to be implemented seriously for the nation. The
nation could not bring about the essence and fundamental policy of
development without rural area development. It is an agro-based nation and
there will be progress in rural area development in line with the progress of
agricultural economy. She said the government is striving for the development
of rural areas. In Mandalay Division, about 1,170 miles of roads, 1,317
bridges and 189 miles of railroad have been constructed.

 In communication sector, about 35 rural areas communication stations have
been constructed and 1,150 telephone lines have been installed and more lines
will be extended by the respective ministry. There were only 1,241 tube-wells
before 1988 and new 2,324 tube-wells have been sunk at present. The sharp
progress has been achieved in agriculture sector. About 2.5 million of
cultivable acres of land produced 276 million baskets of paddy in 1988 and
now over 3.24 million acres have produced 531 million baskets of paddy at
present.

There is a rise in production of oil crops. There are more irrigated fields
due to new 32 dams and 68 river-water pumping projects of the government. In
education sector, 659 basic education primary schools and 65 post-primary
schools have been opened in the division. The association has lent a hand in
renovating 50 schools and handed them over to the Ministry of Education. Due
to the cooperation of the association with other organizations, over 92 per
cent of school-age children have now pursued their education and 98.8 per
cent of the population in the division have become literate.

 For health care services, 85 dispensaries, five medical institutes, two
midwifery training schools and three nursing schools have been opened, and
the living standard of the local people has improved due to the success of
education and health promoting tasks. The previous annual general meeting of
the association has adopted the resolutions to ensure the success of five
rural area development tasks. So, the association has supported the rural
area development tasks laid down by the State.

 The agriculture sector of rural area in the division has also improved.
Transportation, teaching and learning at school and health care tasks have
been undertaken. The most significant undertaken is that there are clusters
of dams in the division and it can be described as the Irrigated Land. In
conclusion, she urged all to participate in the rural area development tasks
being implemented by the State for the emergence of a peaceful, modern and
developed nation.

She heartily seconded the motion tabled by Executive U Myo Myint of
Aungmyethazan Township USDA calling on all USDA members to participate in
rural area development tasks. Then the rally passed the decisions in support
of the State's development tasks, rural development tasks and participation
of USDA members in national and rural development tasks. Then, the rally
ended with shouting of slogans.

___________________________

( 2 ) Secretary-1 accepts donations for all-round construction of Lawka
Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image

Yangon, 8 Jan- A ceremony to donate cash to the funds for all-round
development of Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image was held at Gandakuti
Kyaungtawgyi on Min-dhamma Hill in Insein Township at 8 am today, attended by
State Peace and Development Council Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present on the occasion were Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and
Development Council Yangon Command Commander Brig-Gen Myint Swe, ministers,
deputy ministers, the vice-Mayor, officials of the State Peace and
Development Council Office, departmental heads, members of the Lawka Chantha
Abhaya Labha Muni Image Construction Committee and wellwishers. The
Secretary-1 and party paid obeisance to the Buddha Image.

Then, the ceremony was opened with recitation of Namo Tassa three times.
Secretary-1 Chief of Office of Military Intelligence Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt
presented K 4 million donated by officers, other ranks and families of
military intelligence units under the auspices of the Chief of Office of
Military Intelligence and wife to Commander Brig-Gen Myint Swe.

 Afterwards, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Commander Brig-Gen Myint Swe,
Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung, Minister at the State Peace and
Development Council Chairman's Office Lt-Gen Min Thein, Minister for Commerce
Brig-Gen Pyi Sone and Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint accepted the
donations from the wellwishers.

Today's donations included K 5 million presented by Olympic Construction and
Asia Wealth Bank Ltd, K 5 million by U Thein Win-Daw Ni (Shwe Thanlwin Co), K
2.5 million by Chairman U Tin Sein of Myanmar Universal Bank, K 2 million
each by Kanbawza Bank Ltd, U Aung Htwe (Golden Flower Construction) and CD
Prakash (a) U Maung Maung, Chankali Devi (a) Daw San Myint (Super Coffee Mix)
and family, K 1.5 million by U Shwe Kyaing and U Shwe Hlaing (Wa Wa Win
Construction), K 1.2 million by U Win Aung-Daw Moe Mya Mya (Dagon
International Co Ltd), K 1.1 million by U Maung Maung (Asia Express
Construction), K 1 million each by Chairman of Yuzana Co U Htay Myint, Tosta
Group Ltd, Htut Khaung Phwintphyoyay Co, SPA/FMI Group of Companies and U
Maung Maung Myat-Daw Nanda Win (a) Tin Myo Win and family, K 500,000 by the
Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, K 1 million
by U Maung Maung and brothers (Great Wall embrocation), K 1 million by U
Maung Weik and family, K 1 million by Thudawsin Sannan from Mindhamma Hill, K
700,000 by Daw Hla Nyein and brothers and sisters, K 500,000 by Daw Aye Pu, K
500,000 by U Kyin Ti - Daw Myint Myint Kyi (Chantha Construction), K 500,000
by U Tin Win-Daw San Win (KN Co), K 300,000 by U Win Thein (Phwintphyo Aung
Construction), K 300,000 by U Than Myint  Secretary-1 accepts donations for
all-round construction of Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image (Aye Yeik Mon
Co), K 1 million by Shwe Kyar Byan Construction, K 300,000 each by U Kyaw Win
(Myanmar Golden Crown Construction), U Than Lwin (Steel Stone Construction),
U Aung Than and Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Ottama, K 200,000
by U Myat Min (Myanma Ahla Construction), K 200,000 by U Maung San, K 300,000
by Dr U Aung Thein, U Tin Yu (Nibban Steinless Steel Centre), K 211,100 by U
Ba Ni, U Kyaw Myint (Myanma Thabawa International Co Ltd), K 200,000 by U
Maung Ngwe (Ngwe Win Aung Construction), K 150,000 by Myanmar Rice
Wholesalers and Brokerage Association, K 100,000 by Chairman of Myanmar Rice
Merchants Association U Nyein-Daw Ohn Kyin, K 100,000 by U Myint Shwe (Shwe
Bayin Construction), K 225,000 by Chairman U Maung Hla of International
Fisheries (Taninthayi) Co Ltd-Daw Shu Hlaing, K 180,000 by U Kyar Maung-Daw
Mya Mya (Taninthayi Fisheries Co Ltd), K 100,000 each by Joint Managing
Director U Kin Sein of Taninthayi Fisheries Co Ltd, Managing Director U Hla
Maung Shwe of Shwe Family Co, Managing Director U Than Hlaing Zaw of Aqua
Shop Co, U Win Myint (Ever Live), U Than Win Aung (Pale Nadi Co), Shwe Thazin
Syndicate Co Ltd, U Kyee Sein (Shwe Khayu Co Ltd), Daw Myint Myint Yi (Nay
Lin and sons Co Ltd) and Staff Officer U Tun Htwe of Forest Department, K
380,000 by U Myo Chit-Daw Phyu Phyu Than, K 200,000 by U Ko Ko Htwe (Tawwin
Family Co), K 100,000 each by Myanmar Rice MillersÕ Association, Myanmar
Pulses and Beans and Sesame Merchants Association, Dr Ko Ko Gyi (Diamond Star
Co), U Kyaw Kyaw Win (Summer Co), U Hsan Lwin-Daw Tin (Twantay Fish Breeding)
and U Nyo Win-Daw Ohnma Lwin (Minzani Co), K 203,800 by Director of Yangon
Division Forest Department Lt-Col Ko Ko Gyi (Retd) and wife, K 110,000 each
by Daw Wa Yin and family and Daw Po and family, K 100,000 by Secretary of
Myanmar Rice Millers' Association U Tin Win and Treasurer U Htwe, K 100,000
by U Taw Taw-Daw Htay Htay and family, K 110,000 by U Than Htut-Daw Cho Cho
and family, K 110,000 by U Kyi Win-Daw Than Shein and family, K 103,800 by
Daw Kyin and Maung Aung Naing-Ma Mya Mya Win and family, K 103,800 by U Thein
Htay-Daw Phyu Phyu Thin an dfamily, K 100,000 each by U Chit Swe-Daw Thaung
Yi, Ma Aye Aye Cho (Shwe Hintha Custom Clearance Service), K 100,000 by U Ton
Kee-Daw Kyin Lwan, K 15,314,484, FECs and US$ 3,529 by the people. Donors
presented K 60,223,384 and 3,929 FECs and US dollars at the ceremony.

The Secretary-1 thanked the donors, saying wellwishers presented over K 60
million at the 12th donation ceremony for all-round development of Mindhamma
Hill. A total of donations amounting to K 700 million have been received so
far for the project.

As the public is making donations, the officials have also formed the
committees and subcommittee to effectively use the funds. Although the task
is enormous, success has been achieved in implementing the project in a short
period due to generosity of the public and efforts of the respective bodies.
The hill is a historical place.

 The pagoda built by Yakyaw Sayadaw has been restored. The ancient buildings
on the hill have also been restored for long-term existence. Arrangements are
under way for more donors to take part in implementing the massive project.

The relics conveyed from Sri Lanka and other relic donated by Sayadaws were
enshrined in the hair-knot of the sublime image. The Myanmar architects have
built the glass-walled hall of the image. The Secretary-1 and party inspected
the glass-walled hall and progress in constructing the Gadakudi Hall and
religious buildings. They then viewed the seinphudaw, hngetmyatna and the
htidaw to be hosted on top the ancient Shwedagonlay Hsandawshin Pagoda at
Kyaikpadaing village, Thanatpin Township, Bago Division.

___________________________

to be continued ...