The New Light of Myanmar (Monday, 21 January, 2002)(2/2)

[Okkar66126@xxxxxxx]

The New Light of Myanmar (Monday, 21 January, 2002)(2/2)
------------------------------------
1. - State Councillor and Secretary General of State
     Council of PRC arrives to pay official visit to Myanmar
   - State Councillor and Secretary General of the State
     Council of PRC meets Secretary-1
2. - Secretary-1 hosts dinner in honour of Chinese guests
   - Secretary-1 attends opening of Myanma Ten Traditional
     Arts and Crafts Exhibition 2002
   - Secretary-1 and wife attend dinner hosted by
     MMA president
3. - Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspects development
     in Pangsan, Tachilek
4. Secretary-1 attends opening ceremony of Myanmar-Thai
   Friendship Trade Fair 2002
5. - City Housing Project Management Committee meets
   - Myanmar-Japan IT Working Group holds coord meeting
6. Commander inspects regional development tasks
7. USDA holds mass rally to support national, rural
   development tasks
8. 11th Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) Military Band
   Contest concludes
9. Bhangra and Gidda dance troupe presents entertainment

---------

( 4 ) Secretary-1 attends opening ceremony of Myanmar-Thai Friendship Trade
Fair 2002

Yangon, 20 Jan-Opening ceremony of Myanmar-Thai Friendship Trade Fair 2002
jointly organized by Myanmar-Thailand and Thailand-Myanmar Cultural and
Economic Cooperation Associations was held at Regina Shan Yoma Department
Store Complex at 10 am on 18 January, with an address by Secretary-1 of the
State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Gen Chavalit
Yongchaiyudh, Member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Aung
Htwe of Ministry of Defence, Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and
Development Council Commander Brig-Gen Chit Than, ministers, Chief of Staff
(Navy), Chief of Staff (Air), the Chaingrai district commissioner and
members, high-ranking officials of departments, wellwishers, Myanmar
Ambassador to Thailand U Myo Myint, Thai Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Oum
Maolanon, President of Myanmar-Thailand Cultural and Economic Cooperation
Association Lt-Gen Kyaw Than (Retd), the chairman of Thailand-Myanmar
Cultural and Economic Cooperation Association and members, officials of the
State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, members of
state, district and township Peace and Development Councils, service
personnel, members of Union Solidarity and Development Association, those of
Red Cross Society and Auxiliary Fire Brigade, those of Maternal and Child
Welfare Association, those of Women's Affairs Committee, students, band,
dance troupes, Myanmar and Thai entrepreneurs, guests from Thailand and local
people. First, General Secretary Gen Sanon Kajomklan of Thailand-Myanmar
Cultural and Economic Cooperation Association and General Secretary Col Ba
Hein (Retd) of Myanmar-Thailand Cultural and Economic Cooperation Association
explained the purposes of the fair.

Afterwards, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen
Khin Nyunt made a speech. He said: It is a great pleasure for me to deliver
the opening remarks at the opening ceremony of the Myanmar-Thai Friendship
Trade Fair 2002. At the outset, allow me to extend a most cordial welcome to
His Excellency Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and all the Thai visitors who have
especially come to Tachilek to grace the occasion with their kind presence.
The very fact that the Trade Fair is being attended by the leaders and
high-ranking officials from both sides underlines the importance and the
significance of the occasion.

In other words, the trade fair stands as a symbol of commitment by the
Governments of both nations to further consolidate the existing ties of
amity, goodwill and cooperation. Myanmar and Thailand are neighbouring
countries linked by land and water through a common border of more than 1,300
miles. We in Myanmar have a saying: Grass depends on the island, the island
on the grass. There are many areas and instances where Myanmar and Thailand
have to depend on each other through good times and bad. Prosperity and
development of one country can definitely contribute to the progress and
well-being of the other.

There is no other way: our two peoples must cooperate with each other for our
mutual benefit. On the part of Myanmar, we only wish to see the strengthening
of friendship and cooperation between us. We are committed to make the
Myanmar-Thai Border, one of peace, harmony and prosperity. Our considered
view is that there are no big issues between our two nations and whenever
matters arise, we will be able to resolve them peacefully and successfully in
the spirit of amity and understanding. In this regard, it is most gratifying
to note the all-round strengthening of friendship between the two countries
in recent months.

 The official visits to Myanmar by Thai Prime Minister Dr Thaksin Shinawatra
and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Gen Chavalit
Yongchaiyudh have laid the foundation for a new era of relationship.

 I personally would also like to thank Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh for  the
kind invitation extended to me to visit Thailand, during which both sides
were able to discuss practical ways for enhancing the relationship. Our two
countries share the noble objective of striving for lasting friendship
between our two peoples and I am fully confident that through our joint
efforts, we will surely be able to attain this noble goal.

 The growing sentiments of goodwill and friendship must be accompanied by
increased commercial and business links. The economies of Myanmar and
Thailand are compatible and complementary and there exist many areas for
mutually beneficial commercial activities. Moreover, the process of
introducing new trade measures including the introduction of account trade as
well as the strengthening of transport linkages will impart new momentum to
the dynamic economic activities.

In this aspect, I wish to thank the Thai Government for undertaking to build
a second Friendship Bridge between Tachilek and Mae Sai. The new bridge will
not only facilitate cross-border trade but will also contribute to the
development of the area. It is also our hope that Thai investors will look
into the possibilities for investment as there are indeed many prospects. The
growing officials and commercial ties are further deepened by the development
of closer people-to-people ties.

At the initiative of His Excellency Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, the two
nations were able to set up Cultural and Economic Cooperation Associations.
The exchange of visits between the two Associations and the holding of the
first Joint Meeting in Yangon last November have brought our two peoples
closer in culture, economic, health and education sectors. Moreover, the
reciprocal visits of cultural troupes recently have also enabled our two
peoples to have a better appreciation of the culture and civilization of the
respective nations.

 The present Myanmar-Thailand Friendship Trade Fair is also organized by the
Myanmar-Thailand Cultural and Economic Cooperation Association in conjunction
with its Thai counterparts. Myanmar is well represented by the participation
of all the major economic Ministries of Myanmar as well as by the private and
cooperative sectors. But this trade fair would not have been possible without
the support of the Ministry of Commerce and the assistance of the Eastern
Shan State Peace and Development Council and I wish to place on record our
heartfelt thanks to them.

I would therefore like to express our sincere appreciation to the organizers,
the sponsor Regina International Co Ltd as well as to all those who are
involved in making the arrangements for the Trade Fair. I am fully confident
that the Trade Fair Will successfully meet its objectives of promoting
friendship, cultural cooperation and trade relations.

In conclusion, allow me to wish for the everlasting friendship between
Myanmar and Thailand, for the success of the Myanmar-Thailand Friendship
Trade Fair, for the success and well-being of His Excellency Prime Minister
Mr Thaksin Shinawatra and Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister of Defence; and for the health and well-being of all the Guests
present here today.

Then, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
made a speech. Later, Chairman of Myanmar-Thailand Cultural and Economic
Cooperation Association Lt-Gen Kyaw Than, Chairman of Thailand-Myanmar
Cultural and Economic Cooperation Association formally opened the fair. Next,
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and guests viewed around the
fair. Then, they attended cultural concert presented by Myanmar and Thailand
cultural troupes.

At the fair, booths of export agricultural produce of the Ministry of
Commerce, border trade, traditional medicine of the Ministry of Health,
agricultural produce of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, products
of factories under the Ministry of Industry-2, forest products and wood
products of the Ministry of Forestry, travel service of the Ministry of
Hotels and Tourism, educative display of the Ministry of Home Affairs,
exported products of five co-operative societies of the Ministry of
Cooperatives, educative display of the Ministry of Information and consumer
goods, foodstuff, foreign medicines, traditional medicines, embroidery,
marine products, finished wood products, electronic goods, crops of the
region, stationary at the 40 booths of business firms and entrepreneurs from
Myanmar and 54 booths of business firms and entrepreneurs from Thailand were
on display.

 Then, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh proceeded to the
Regina Entertainment Hotel where they had lunch together with the guests who
attended the opening ceremony. Later, Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh accepted
675,000 bhat donated by 19 wellwishers from Thailand for Myanmar-Thailand
Cultural and Economic Cooperation Association and handed over the donation to
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt accepted K 38.8 million and 75,000 bhat
donated by 11 Myanmar entrepreneurs for Myanmar-Thailand Cultural and
Economic Cooperation Association and handed over the donation to Chairman of
the association Lt-Gen Kyaw Than (Retd). Next, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt presented
gifts to Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and party.

Then, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt had a cordial meeting with wellwishers and guests
before the ceremony came to an end. At the fair, officials of the Ministry of
Commerce and Myanmar Investment Commission gave accounts of matters relating
to export and import and investment in Myanmar. In the evening, traditional
costume show, stage show of Myanmar and Thailand singers, magic shows and
Myanmar-Thailand friendly boxing matches were held at a grand scale in
commemoration of the fair. The fair continues till 27 January.
__________________________

( 5 )  City Housing Project Management Committee meets

Yangon, 20 Jan- The City Housing Project Management Committee held its
coordination meeting No 2/2002 at Meeting Hall-4 of Yangon City Development
Committee this morning with an address by Chairman of the Committee
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

 Also present on the occasion were Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and
Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Myint Swe,
ministers, deputy ministers, the vice-mayor, the director-general of the
State Peace and Development Council Office and departmental heads. In his
address, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said that future work programmes were laid down at
the first meeting of the committee and the Head of State Senior General Than
Shwe had given guidance to take measures for stabilising the prices of
housing and real estates to enable service personnel, pensioners, grass-root
level and middle class people to overcome the problem resulting from the
exorbitant housing prices.

 Hence, the City Housing Management Committee was formed, he said. The
committee is to take an initial step for stabilising those prices by making
direct dealings with construction entrepreneurs and those who really need
housing and real estates, with a view to stabilising and bringing down the
prices of housing and real estates, he said. He urged all to discuss matters
for achieving the objectives in accordance with the guidance of the Head of
State.

Then, Vice-Chairman of YCDC Vice Mayor Col Maung Pa reported on rate of
taxation being collected by YCDC, housing projects already developed and
being developed by YCDC, and real estates being managed by YCDC. Afterwards,
Director-General of Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development U
Arnt Kyaw reported matters on housing requirements of the city and projects
implemented by the department. Then, Commander Brig-Gen Myint Swe and those
present at the meeting took part in the discussions. The meeting then ended
with the concluding remarks by the Secretary-1.

---------

Myanmar-Japan IT Working Group holds coord meeting

Yangon, 20 Jan- The Myanmar-Japan IT Working Group held a coordination
meeting at MICT Park building in Hline Township this evening. Present were
delegates of Myanmar and Japan. The delegates discussed human resource
development, improvement of tele-communication infrastructure, nurturing
software industry, improvement of legal infrastructure and IT application.
Then, the meeting approved feasibility study in the agricultural sector, the
administrative sector and the financial sector with the use of Information
Technology.
__________________________

( 6 ) Commander inspects regional development tasks

Yangon, 20 Jan - Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council
Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Myint Swe, accompanied by Secretary of
Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Kyaw Tint and
division-level departmental officials, left for Htantabin Township in Yangon
North District this afternoon and inspected agricultural and regional
development tasks.

The commander and party inspected fertilization of summer paddy in 10-acre
farm of U Kyaw Shwe in Yogwa village and irrigation of summer paddy patches
by Kyunngu river water pumping station. Arrangements have been made to
irrigate 1,000 acres of summer paddy by Kyunngu river water pumping station.
The commander cordially greeted farmers and heard report by responsible
officials.

Then, the commander met with township-level departmental officials, chairmen
of ward and village Peace and Development Councils and members of social
organizations at Htantabin Township Peace and Development Council office and
left instructions on cultivation of summer paddy and winter crops and
coordination of departmental personnel for the regional development tasks.
Chairman of the township Peace and Development Council reported on
agricultural and regional development tasks in the township.

 After hearing the reports by those present, the commander fulfilled the
requirements. Afterwards, the commander inspected work being implemented for
the prevention of bank erosion at Kyunngu Jetty. Htantabin Township has put
34,875 acres of summer paddy, 6,457 acres of pulses and beans and 1896 acres
of oil crops under cultivation. Yangon North District has also put 102,353
acres of summer paddy, 60,982 acres of pulses and beans and 14,509 acres of
oil crops under cultivation. Then, the commander proceeded to local battalion
in Hlinethaya Township and inspected vegetable plantations and fish breeding
ponds.

___________________________

( 7 ) Life expectancy of people in Bago Division rises due to better health
services Bago Division (West)

 USDA holds mass rally to support national, rural development tasks

 Yangon, 20 Jan - To support the national and rural development tasks of the
Government, a mass rally, organized by Bago Division (West) Union Solidarity
and Development Association, was held at the ground on Mingyi Hill near
Nawaday Bridge in Pyay on 15 January morning. Over 23,600 members of USDA
marched in the Khittaya, the Nawaday, the Bayintnaung, Duttabaung and the
Saya San columns to the ground where the mass rally would be held. Secretary
U Thet Oo Min of Bago Division (West) USDA presided over the rally together
with Secretary U Thein Zaw of Pyay District USDA and Secretary U Aung Than Oo
of Thayawady District USDA. Executives Daw Pwint Oo Han and member Daw Mo Mo
Aung of Pyay Township USDA acted as masters of ceremonies. Secretary U Thet
Oo Min of Bago Division (West) USDA made a speech. He said that the
Association has been formed with the sons and daughters of the people with
the aim of serving the national interests and it has actively been taking
part in tasks to build a new modern developed nation.

 It is needed to accept the guidance of Head of State Senior General Than
Shwe and the USDA members, totalling over 18 millions, are to accept the
Government's nation-building endeavours as national task, to maintain the
prevalence of peace and tranquillity, to participate in nation-building
endeavours and to lay emphasis on rural development tasks. Then, Executive U
Khin Aung Win of Pyay District USDA tabled a motion calling for support of
development tasks being undertaken by the State. He said the State has
constructed 13 dams including Taungnawin Dam, Taungnyo Dam and Wegyi Dam in
Bago Division (West) after 1988, benefiting over 199,620 acres of land.
Moreover, Bawbin, Gamone, Minhla and Thonze dams are under construction.
Simultaneously, the Government has built motor roads, railroads,
river-crossing bridges, airports and jetties in the division.

Six 180 feet and above bridges including Nawaday Bridge can be witnessed, he
said. Similarly, 18 industrial zones including Pyay Industrial Zone were
established and assistance is being provided to be able to set up small,
medium and large factories and workshops. In the education sector, there were
33,747 basic education schools in 1988 and now there are 39,081 schools. In
the division two universities, three colleges and 2,223 basic education
schools have been opened, he pointed out. In conclusion, he said, the
association is to actively take part in the tasks for the continued
development and on behalf of 18 million members, he tabled the motion calling
for support of development tasks being undertaken by the State.

Then, Executive Daw Sanda Win of Thayawady District USDA seconded the motion
of Executive U Khin Aung Win calling for support of development tasks being
undertaken by the State. She said in health sector, there are 30,000 beds for
patients in 843 hospitals because private clinics and health care centres are
permitted to open. Medical Institutes produce about 5,000 practitioners
yearly. The association took part in health care services of the State and
Pyi Khine Phyo Goodwill Hospital in Okshitbin in Pandaung Township in the
division had been opened, she added. The State is also paying attention to
rural development tasks for the emergence of a new, modern, developed nation.


The State has constructed 2,642 miles of earth road, 1,396 miles of gravel
road, 281 miles of tarred road, 39 large bridges, 642 small bridges and 16
suspension bridges in rural areas. Moreover, new schools, hospitals,
dispensaries, power stations, industries and agriculture and livestock
breeding farms are emerging all over the country, she said. Afterwards,
Executive U Zaw Wai Lin of Minhla Township USDA tabled the motion calling on
the members to take part in the rural area development tasks. He said the
State has constructed 29 miles of tarred road, 77 miles of gravel road, 299
miles of granite road and 846 miles of earth road in Bago Division (West).

Altogether 427 bridges including six 180 feet and above bridges including the
Nawaday Bridge, 59 concrete bridges, 226 wooden bridges and others have been
built in the division. For rural area development, the Government has opened
303 hospitals and dispensaries, and the association has taken part in health
care services including provision of medicines in the division. The life
expectancy of the people in the division has increased up to 60.8 years from
57.6 for male and 64.9 from 62 for female due to the opening of 22 rural
station hospitals, 56 health departments and 22 health branches, he added.
For water supply in rural areas, the Government has sunk and dug 7,547
artesian wells, ponds and lakes all over the country and in the division 46
were sunk and dug.

The donations of the public and the participation of the members of the
association can be seen evidently, he pointed out. Then, member Daw Amar Cho
of Minhla Township USDA seconded the motion tabled by Executive U Zaw Wai Lin
of Minhla Township USDA calling for participation in the rural area
development tasks. She said the government is striving for development of
modern agriculture in carrying out five basic needs for deve- lopment of
rural areas. In livestock breeding sector, it is also rendering assistance to
be able to turn manageable scale livestock breeding into commercial scale
one. In the division, monsoon paddy fields are extended up to 914,752 acres
in 2001 and there is also progress in livestock breeding sector.

 In conclusion, she urged all the members of the association to actively take
part in the rural area development tasks and seconded the motion calling for
participation in the rural area development tasks. Then the rally passed
resolutions in support of the national and rural development tasks carried
out by the State and active participation of USDA members in the tasks. Next,
the rally ended with chanting of slogans.
___________________________

( 8 ) 11th Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) Military Band Contest concludes

Yangon, 20 Jan- The closing ceremony of the 11th Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and
Air) Military Band Contest in commemoration of 57th Anniversary Armed Forces
Day was held in conjunction with the prize presentation ceremony at People's
Square on Pyay Road this morning, attended by Chairman of Leading Committee
for Observance of the 57th Anniversary Armed Forces Day member of the State
Peace and Development Council Chief of Armed Forces Training Maj-Gen Kyaw
Win.

Also present were member of the State Peace and Development Council
Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Chairman of Management Committee for
Observance of the 57th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Chairman of Yangon
Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen
Myint Swe, Chief of Staff (Navy) Rear-Admiral Soe Thein, Chief of Staff (Air)
Col Myat Hein, Deputy Chiefs of Armed Forces Training Maj-Gen Win Myint and
Brig-Gen Aung Kyi, Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the contest
Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo and senior military officers,
military attaches of the foreign missions, officials, Tatmadawmen and their
families, teachers and students. First, the bands took positions at the
People's Square.

 Then, Maj-Gen Kyaw Win presented first, second and third prizes to band
leaders of No 4 Operations Control Command, No 7 Operations Control Command
and No 12 Operations Control Command in the C class respectively and first,
second and third prizes to band leaders of North-East Command, Defence
Services (Army) Officers Training School and Coastal Region Command in the B
class respectively. He presented the best band leader award to the leader of
Commander-in-Chief (Navy)'s Office Band. Next, he also presented first,
second and third band leader awards to winners of the bands in the C class
and B class respectively. The Commander-in-Chief (Air) Office Band won the
best band award.

Afterwards, he took the salute of bands and left the People's Square. Then,
Chief of Armed Forces Training Maj-Gen Kyaw Win accepted musical instruments
worth K 477,000 donated by U Saw Aung Naing and family of Moonlight Musical
Instrument Co Ltd. Maj-Gen Kyaw Win presented cash prizes to Tamway BEHS No 4
and Shwepaukkan BEHS No 6 which presented demonstration in the closing
ceremony and the prize presentation ceremony. Similarly, Adjutant-General
Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Chief of Staff (Navy) Rear-Admiral Soe Thein and Chief of
Staff (Air) Col Myat Hein presented special prizes to the respective bands.

___________________________

( 9 )  Bhangra and Gidda dance troupe presents entertainment

Yangon, 20 Jan- Under the cultural cooperation programme between Myanmar and
India, visiting Bhangra and Gidda dance troupe of India presented Indian
traditional dances at the National Theatre on Myoma Kyaung Street in Dagon
Township this evening. Present on the occasion were Minister for Sports
Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint, Chief of Staff (Navy) Rear-Admiral Soe Thein, Chief
of Staff (Air) Col Myat Hein, Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt, Deputy
Minister for Transport U Pe Than, Deputy Minister for Science and Technology
U Nyi Hla Nge, departmental officials, Indian Ambassador Mr Vivek Katju and
ambassadors of foreign missions, officials of embassies and people. The dance
troupe presented variety traditional dances to the audience. The
entertainment programme will continue tomorrow evening.

------------------------------------

http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/