The New Light of Myanmar (Saturday, 23 February, 2002)(2/2)

[Ok Kar <okkar66126@xxxxxxxxx>]

The New Light of Myanmar (Saturday, 23 February,
2002)(2/2)
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1. State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior
General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Brunei
Darussalam
Secretary-1 receives ROK Trade Minister of Foreign
Affairs and Trade Ministry
Secretary-1 attends cash and kind donation ceremony
2. Secretary-1 attends dinner hosted in honour of
delegates to 47th Nursing Conference
3. Minister receives Korean guests
Minister receives Malaysian guests
S&T Minister receives guests
4. Minister receives Korean delegation
Minister and Korean delegation view MFLF
Myanmar and Korea sign contract
5. USDA members able to fully participate in
development of rural areas where 35 percent of them
live USDA Special General Meeting (2002) successfully
concludes
6. UMFCCI and KITA sign MoU
Contracts signed for purchase of marine products
7. Coord meeting on holding IWD held
Myanmar delegation leaves for Indonesia, Cambodia and
Laos
Commander and minister inspect hydroelectric power
projects
8. Work coordinated to hold 7th Mekong Tourism Forum
Minister inspects ships at Thakayta Wharf
Educative talks on blood donation held
9. Forms for gems and jade plots to be submitted
Myanmar beat Singapore 4-0 in ASEAN soccer

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( 5 ) USDA members able to fully participate in
development of rural areas where 35 percent of them
live USDA Special General Meeting (2002) successfully
concludes


Yangon, 22 Feb Ñ The second-day second session of the
Special General Meeting of the Union Solidarity and
Development Association (2002) was held at the
Pyidaungsu Hall of the USDA Executives Management
Training School of the Central Public Relations Unit
in Hmawby at 10.10 am on 20 February. It was attended
by member of the Central Panel of Patrons of USDA
(Central) member of the State Peace and Development
Council Maj-Gen Soe Win of the Ministry of Defence,
Secretay-General of USDA U Than Aung and members of
the Secretariat, CEC members, secretaries of
state/division USDAs and delegates of
state/division/district/township USDAs.
Secretary-General U Than Aung presided over the
meeting with CEC members of USDA Thura U Aung Ko and U
Thein Aung. Daw Aye Aye Khaing, Executive of Loikaw
Township USDA in Kayah State, acted as master of
ceremonies, together with Daw Aye Aye Nu, Executive of
Taninthayi Division USDA. Then, the delegates of
states and divisions presented the findings of the
panel discussions.

 First, in his report, Secretary of Myawady Township
USDA of Kayin State U Than Daing said that USDA is a
national organization formed with the offspring of the
national people to serve national interests. Since
1993, Kayin State has participated in regional
development tasks with the assistance of local
authorities. In the transport sector of Kayin State,
306 miles of tarred roads, 95 miles of gravel roads
and 334 miles of earth roads totalling 735 miles of
roads have been built. Eight bridges, 180 feet long
and above, have been constructed. Transport in the
region is now in good condition. The flow of commodity
is smooth, and social dealings are improving.

 The living standard of rural people has become
higher. In the communication sector, three microwave
stations, one auto-telephone station, two satellite
stations and 14 rural communication stations have been
built, and 940 telephones and 500 telephone lines
installed. Altogether 240 auto-exchange lines and 225
mobile lines have been extended in Hpa-an,
Thandaunggyi and Mya-wady. As 100-watt TV sub-stations
have been set up, the people in the region can now
watch programmes of Myanma Radio and Television. A
relay station has been set up in Hpa-an on
self-reliance, and the people can also watch Myawady
TV programmes. Satellite telephone system has been
introduced, and the people can now contact the whole
nation from Papun. With regard to rural water supply,
members of the association have actively taken part in
the water supply tasks. A canal, a floodgate and
drains have been built in Myainggyingu region.

Htinu Dam has been repaired in Phalu region.
River-water pumping projects have been implemented in
Hpa-an Township. As a result, summer paddy and cold
season crops as well as monsoon paddy can now be
cultivated, and this can generate the income of local
farmers. Executive of Haka Township USDA of Chin State
Doth Hlay Par said that as the nation is in stable
condition, 12 political, economic and social
objectives are being implemented with added momentum.
Economic infrastructures are making progress. An
objective has been laid down to turn Chin State into a
region of tea plants. To distribute 23,617 baskets of
seeds of tea plants to farmers, the Government and
Chin State have spent K 1.896 million and K 2.257
million respectively. So far, 1,003 acres of land have
been placed under tea plants. Arrangements are being
made to grow 7.6 million tea saplings in coming June.

The Government is building a network of transport so
that people can travel throughout the nation.
Haka-Kalay road, Haka-Gangaw road, Haka-Matupi road
and Matupi-Mindat road have been repaired. Previously
it took two days to cover 120-mile-long Kalay-Haka
road, but now it takes only eight hours. Similarly,
people from Haka can go to Mandalay in 24 hours. In
addition, it is found that Anawrahta Bridge across the
Ayeyawady River and Hsinbyushin Bridge across the
Chindwin River contribute to the transport sector of
Chin State. On completion of
Monywa-Alone-Yagyi-Kalaywa road, the region will
thrive more than before. In the time of the present
Government, 98 miles of tarred roads, 252 miles of
gravel roads and 710 miles of earth roads totalling
1,060 miles have been built in Chin State.

 There are 283 miles of 222 roads which can be
negotiable by jeep, and 308 bridges have been
constructed. Out of 1,350 villages in Chin State,
basic education schools have been opened in 1,165
villages. In 25 basic education high schools, Media
3-Platform has been installed; in 10 schools, Media
2-Platform is being used. There are four e-learning
centres. Arrangements are being made to open another
three e-learning centres. Seven post-primary schools
have been opened for students who are going to attend
the fifth standard.

Measures are being taken to open another 67
post-primary schools. These tasks reflect the goodwill
of the government towards development of human
resources in Chin State. Health care is being provided
with 21 hospitals, 67 rural health centres and 237
rural health branches in Chin State. The 50-bed
hospital in Haka is being upgraded to a 200-bed one. A
nursing training school has been opened in Falam.
Next, Secretary of Sagaing Division USDA Daw Moe Moe
Thein said that in Sagaing Division, 264 rural roads
stretching 663 miles and one furlong and 173 bridges
have been built at a cost of about 303 million.
Arrangements are being made to build 682 roads
stretching 2,429 miles and two furlongs. Altogether
918 lakes have been built in 360 villages of eight
districts in Sagaing Division. Up to 2000-2002, 484
wells and lakes have been built in 324 villages.
Sagaing Division USDA has built 80 wells and is
arranging to build another 350 wells.


 During a period from 2002-2006, 209 lakes, 423
artesian wells and 1,134 wells will be built in 1,540
villages. In the education sector of Sagaing Division,
literacy campaigns and plans to send all children of
school age to school are being launched. It is found
that 91% of children of school age are now going to
school. Multimedia teaching centres have been opened
in 83 basic education high schools; and ten branch
schools, in 37 townships of Sagaing Division.
Altogether 30,000 CD ROMs are being used in teaching
students. Language labs have been installed in 192
middle schools, and 130 post-primary schools have been
opened as well. There are 375 libraries in villages,
and Myawady TV relay stations have been set up at 42
villages. E-libraries have been opened in 58 townships
and villages in the division where 33,000 CD ROMs on
various fields of study are available. Arrangements
have been made to renovate 28 high schools, 45 middle
schools and 1,035 primary schools in Sagaing Division
and to install teaching aids in these schools.
Secretary of Taninthayi Division USDA U Kyaw Kyaw Htay
said that a total of 0.13 million net farmland has
been increased in the agricultural sector with an
increase of 0.16 million sown acreage per year.

Yinwa dam was built in Kawthoung and the State has
provided K 100 million for land reclamation in
Taninthayi Division. In transport sector, Ye-Dawai
rail road that served the interests of regional and
local people was constructed. Pyindaunghsu Highway
which links Kawthoung and Mawlamyine is under
construction. The five major bridgesÑWinwa with a
length of 500 feet, Palauk with a length of 500 feet,
Palaw with a length of 600 feet, Taninthayi with a
length of 1,360 and Pathoung with a length of 800 feet
were constructed and put into service, and
Kwekukyaukpha Bridge, Thamoklutlut Bridge, and
Lehnyamandaing Bridge are under construction.
Altogether 663 miles of roadÑ409 mile tarred road, 86
mile gravel road and 196 mile earth road was
constructed in the region.

 In the Dawei District, Zalun Station road,
Shinmotti-Shwegutaung road, Sawwa-Shinmotti road, and
Kyaukyat-Pauktaing road were turned into gravel ones.
Tasks have been carried out for rural and regional
water supply in Ketsarpyin Ward, Shinmotti Village,
Zahar Village, Maungmeshaung Village, Talaingtaung
Village and Pauktaing Village, and arrangement is
being made for water supply in Kadet Ngeseik Village,
Dewikan Village, Kanyonkun Village, Kahtawni Village
and five villages in Thayetchaung Township. In
addition, Roads of Pandet-in, Nabulai and Kanbauk
Villages were turned into gravel ones. Arrangement has
been made for establishing model villages.

 In Myeik District, Myeik-Taninthayi Road was
renovated, water supply was undertaken in Sonbyaw
Village, rice and clothes were provided to 18
households in Pyicha Village, rice and clothes were
provided to 20 households in Kade Village, funds were
provided to Zayatseik Village for electrification,
sports gear was donated to Htaminmasa Village Primary
School and funds were provided to Pyicha Village for
water supply. In Kawthoung District, 25 needy students
were given free studies in 2001-2002 academic year,
the entrance road of Ten-mile Village Monastery was
paved, arrangement was made for Village USDA members
to be able to attend auxiliary midwifery training,
books and stationery were donated to schools,
sanitation work was carried out at Maliwan Village and
Phawthok Village. As the Government has laid down and
is implementing tasks for uplifting the national
education standard, all USDA members are taking part
in the project.

Altogether 70 primary schools were renovated in the
district and arrangement has been made to extend the
multimedia classrooms and e-Education learning
centres. A total of 1405 USDA members will engage in
the rural education campaign as teachers and
instructors. Then, Secretary of Bago Division (West)
USDA U Thet Oo Min said that two-mile and four-furlong
long road was turned into laterite one, and two-mile
and seven-furlong long was constructed in Pyay
District in cooperation with officials, departments
concerned and local people.

For agricultural purpose, altogether 14 dams including
Nawin Dam, Taungnyo Dam and Pegyi Dam were constructed
in the aftermath of 1988. In Thayawady District, two
concrete reservoirs and two earth dams were built and
the dams could irrigate 12,000 acres of farmland.
Altogether 33 artesian wells have been sunk for rural
water supply with the help of USDA members at
different levels. New buildings were constructed for
eight schools in Bago Division (West) and the schools
were also renovated. A total of 22.5 miles of road was
turned into laterite and gravel one under the
arrangement of local authorities and 38 streets,
24-mile and 3.76 furlong-long, was being turned into
laterite and gravel ones with the support of Township
Development Committee. The USDA members took part in
the tasks to ensure the successful implementation of
the project.

 A new road with a length of nine-mile and two furlong
was constructed by USDA members in collaboration with
local people under their own programme. Arrangement
was being made to open ten libraries in villages with
the help of the respective education officers and the
USDA members at different levels were making
arrangement to open 24 libraries for rural development
this year. Arrangement has been made to renovate 84
schoolsÑ14 with the assistance of the public, 42 with
the help of the Government and the public, 28 with the
aid of the Ministry of Education, and the USDA members
will render their assistance in the project. The USDA
members at different levels in the division are making
arrangement to renovate 18 schools.

 In conclusion, he said that the USDA members in Bago
Division (West) will make earnest efforts in national
and rural development tasks under the guidance given
by Patron of USDA Commander-in-Chief of Defence
Services Senior General Than Shwe. Afterwards,
Secretary of Bago Division (East) USDA U Saw Maw Tun
said that a total of ten dams have been built in Bago
Division (East) as a development task for the nation.
As a result, irrigated acres have increased to 50,854
acres. Moreover, 23 122-foot embankments could be
constructed so that 255,561 acres of farmland could be
prevented from floods. In education sector, a
university, a degree college and three colleges have
emerged. Seven BEHSs, 36 BEMSs and 167 BEPSs have been
opened. In transportation sector, four bridges which
are 180 feet long could be built. Five other bridges
are under construction. Yangon-Bago six-lane road has
been built. Bago-Taungoo road is being upgraded to a
four-lane road.

In addition, Hanthawady International Airport is under
construction. In industry sector, eight factories
including the multi-purpose diesel engine factory in
Indagaw village could be built. In communication
sector, six microwave stations, three auto-telephone
stations, 64 local telephone stations, 119 post
offices and 48 telegraph offices could be constructed.
Kanbawza Thadi Palace of Bayint Naung who built the
second Myanmar Empire could also be reconstructed. In
2001-2002 fiscal year, USDA in collaboration with
Progress of Border Areas and National Races and
Development Affairs Department has constructed
five-mile gravel road, eight-mile laterite road and
2-mile earthen road at a cost of K 4.944 million and
two concrete bridges and three wooden bridges have
been built at a cost of K 3.51 million. Out of
targeted 15 villages, telephones have been installed
at Minywa, Kyaikpadaing, Thongwa, Myintsu and Natywa
villages. In a bid to deliver post to villages,
door-to-door delivery postal service has covered 22
villages after opening of a postal service in Thaya
Aye village in Bago Division.

 Further extension of postal service has been under
way. In economic sector, a total of 27,455 acres have
been irrigated as a result of construction 36 river
water pumping projects. A total of 3,973 acres could
also be irrigated from 346 tube-wells and 195,000
acres from 75 other water supply projects. Paddy sown
acreage has increased from 1.2 million to 1.45
million. In education sector, 141 post-BEPSs have been
opened and plans are under way for opening of more 72
schools. Out of 247 schools, 28 schools have been
maintained by Ministry of Education, 42 in
collaboration with the ministry and the people. A
total of 177 schools are being maintained under the
arrangement of the people.

 In addition, e-Education Learning Centres have been
introduced in 15 schools. Media 3 Platforms have been
installed at 49 schools and Media 2 Platforms in three
schools. In accordance with the guidance of the Head
of State, basic and high school level cultural
training courses could be opened. The courses were a
great help to uplift of national prestige and
integrity and uplift of the morale and morality of the
members of the USDAs. From 1 March to 12 April in
2001, a total of 44,538 trainees could make their
study at 3,289 learning groups jointly organized by
Basic Education Department and the USDA as a task of
total elimination of illiterate under the Education
For All programme. The in-charge of special organizing
group had supported 108.85 tons of sawed wood for
making furniture at 36 BEPSs and 1187.85 tons for
maintenance of 298 BEPSs and other schools.

Next, Executive of Magway District USDA Daw Moe Thuza
said that members of USDA had participated in
maintenance work gathering gravel, laying sand and
surfacing with asphalt of 57-mile 7- furlong long
Gangaw-Pale tar road in Gangaw township, 16-mile
one-furlong Kyaukhtu-Tapyin Pauk road. Moreover, they
also took part in upgrading of eight-mile long
Laungshe-Thigon road in Saw township. Magway Division
USDA has implemented supply of fresh water to the
villages where water is scarce. The efforts covered
emergence of a lake, two hand pumping tube-wells, two
tube wells in five villages in Magway district. In
addition, Four lakes in four villages in Pakkoku
district, one lake and three hand pumping tube-wells
in four villages in Minbu district, one lake, 17 hand
pumping tube-wells and one tube well in 19 villages in
Thayet district have been dug. To sum up, seven lakes,
22 hand pumping tube-wells, three tube wells have been
implemented in 32 villages in seven townships in
Magway Division.

In drinking water supply task, plans are under way for
implementation of 66 hand pumping tube-wells under the
sponsorship of the USDA and the people in Magway
Division. Arrangement are being made for digging of
three lakes and 106 tube wells in collaboration with
department concerned, local authority and the people.
We would like to have 34 tube wells in 34 villages in
eight townships dug by the government. In conclusion,
she said that Magway Division USDA will participate in
rural area development tasks. Moreover, she promised
that all members of the USDA would exactly follow the
Guidance of the Patron of the USDAÑbreed patriotic
spirit, safeguard the Union from disintegration at the
cost of your lives so that the nation becomes
developed and breed strong siprit as true members of
USDA.

Then, Mandalay Division USDA Secretary U Tin Maung Oo
said that in Mandalay Division, over 4.3 million
people lived in 5,550 villages and they were doing
agriculture on 3.248 million acres for a living; there
were 2.5 million cultivated acres and now there are
9.9 million acres; so 25.5 million more baskets of
paddy, 22 million more viss of edible oil crops and
9.5 million more baskets of beans and pulses could be
produced; in addition to the Union Highway, 1,170
miles of different kinds of roads, 1,317 small and
large bridges including four above-180-foot bridges
were constructed; under the rural development tasks,
altogether 73,380 USDA members took part in
construction of 122 miles of earth roads, 58 miles of
gravel roads and three bridges and plans were under
way to build 44 more miles of roads in 31 townships. A
total of 35 rural communication stations and 1,150
rural telephone lines had been installed and
arrangements were being made for installation of rural
telephone stations in 62 villages.

 Efforts were being made to promote education sector
after laying down plans for the development of
national human resources; in Mandalay Division the
number of rural basic primary schools was extended up
to 659 and post-primary schools up to 65 and plans
were under way to extend up to 194 primary schools;
Mandalay Division USDA had renovated 98 schools in
cooperation with the public; preparations had been
made for renovation of 255 schools; moreover the
association had opened 67 affiliated schools. The
State had been practising the modern education system
and high schools in rural areas as well as in towns
got multimedia teaching centres; in Mandalay Division,
USDA members hand in hand with local people carried
out tasks for opening multimedia teaching centres in
113 schools and continued efforts were making to open
more multimedia centres for high school branches and
BEMSs.

In health sector, the State had constructed 85
hospitals and dispensaries in Mandalay Division; blood
donation associations were formed in each township and
so 1,456 blood bottles were donated; medical
treatments were given to 130 snake-bite patients and
other 700 patients at Kinbat Village dispensary in
Amarapura Township, which was established by the
association; more 31 dispensaries and traditional
clinics would be opened soon. He spoke of the
development of respective regions and sectors,
construction tasks and better opportunities of the
public included in the guidance of Patron of USDA
Senior General Than Shwe at the USDA Special General
Meeting. He seriously pledged, in accordance with the
guidance of the USDA Patron and future tasks laid down
at the Special General Meeting, USDA members would
breed patriotism and strong spirit for the development
and non-disintegration of the Union and actively
participate in implementation of national and rural
development tasks after organizing the entire public.
Afterwards, USDA Secretary-General U Than Aung
declared the approval of three resolutions passed and
one matter put at the Special General Meeting. Then,
the meeting adjourned for a while. The second-day
third session of the Meeting was held at 12.10 pm.
Member of the Panel of Patrons of USDA (Central)
Maj-Gen Soe Win of the Ministry of Defence presided
over the third session. Aungmyethazan Township USDA
Executive Daw Thin Thin Oo of Mandalay Division acted
as master of ceremonies together with Bago Division
(East) USDA Executive Daw Aye Thin Khaing. Maj-Gen Soe
Win said that USDA members had determined to implement
tasks upholding "Our Three Main National Causes" and
to take part in national and rural development tasks
being carried out by the State and held mass rallies
in various parts of the nation.

The 70 per cent of the nation's population were rural
people and 35 per cent of USDA members lived in rural
areas and thus USDA members could fully participate in
carrying out rural development tasks. Rural
development tasks and rural area organizing tasks were
to be carried out at the same time; organizing
activity meant good forming, good policy, good future
tasks and active organization; so it was needed just
to actively carry out organizing tasks; priority
should be given to implementing tasks for the
interests of people in rural areas; at the same time
efforts were to be made for organizing matters in
rural regions with four capabilities, three abilities
and four outlooks.

 The first four-year economic plan and the second
five-year economic plan were successful more than
expected and the third five-year economic plan was
being implemented with added momentum; construction of
road, bridges and dams, generation of 2,000 megawatts,
extended construction of factories and development of
human resources were under way by the State; at the
same time rural development tasks were being
implemented with might and main; consequently living
standard of the rural people would be higher and basic
literacy in rural areas would increase, there would be
a lot of scholars in various parts of the nation and
people would enjoy good health, fitness and long life
expectancy; and it meant successfully making an effort
for alleviation of rural poverty. The meeting
successfully ended at 12.45 pm. After the meeting,
Maj-General Soe Win, Secretary-General U Than Aung,
secretaries and CEC members, together with secretaries
of USDAs from states and divisions, posed for a
documentary photo. Local USDA CEC members had a
documentary photo taken together with USDA
representatives from states and divisions.
___________________________

( 6 )  UMFCCI and KITA sign MoU

Yangon, 22 Feb - A ceremony to sign a memorandum of
understanding on Myanmar-Korea Business Partnership
2002 (KITA-UMFCCI) between the Union of Myanmar
Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry
(UMFCCI) and Korea International Trade Association
(KITA) of the Republic of Korea was held at the
Traders Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road at noon today.
Present on the occasion were Minister for Commerce
Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister of Trade of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea
Mr Hwang Doo-Yun and delegates, President of UMFCCI U
Win Myint and executives, officials of the business
organizations under the federation, Vice-President of
KITA Mr Kun-ho Cho and Korean entrepreneurs, local
entrepreneurs and guests.

 Minister Brig-Gen Pyi Sone made a speech on economic
cooperation between Myanmar and the Republic of Korea
and Minister Mr Hwang Doo-Yun on prospects of
Korea-Myanmar bilateral cooperation. Afterwards,
President of UMFCCI U Win Myint and Vice-President Mr
Kun-ho Cho signed the MoU and exchanged documents.
After the ceremony, 14 industrial and export-import
companies of Korea and 77 companies of Myanmar
discussed matters relating to bilateral trade.

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Contracts signed for purchase of marine products

Yangon, 22 Feb - Ceremonies to sign contracts for
purchase of marine products were held at Myanma
Fishery and Livestock Fair-2002 on Upper Pzundaung
Road in Mingala Taungnyunt Township. On 21 February,
local companies including Good Brother, Ruby
Consulting & Trading, Great International, Annawar
Fisheries, General Myanmar and United Myeik signed
contracts worth US$ 3.2 million for purchase of 560.50
MT of fish and prawn with companies from China, Japan,
Macao, America, New Zealand, Hong Kong and England.

Similarly, contracts worth US$ 1.7 million for
purchase of 540 MT of fish and prawn were signed by
local companies including Belle Myanmar, Kyaw Soe
Naing, International Fisheries and Min Zar Ni and
foreign companies from Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong and
Singapore. During the period of the fair held from 16
to 22 February, 19 local livestock and fisheries
companies signed contracts worth US$ 27.25 million for
purchase of 7,823.73 tons of fish and prawn with 14
companies from abroad.
___________________________

( 7 ) Coord meeting on holding IWD held

Yangon, 22 Feb -A coordination meeting organized by
Myanmar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs
on holding the International Women's Day which falls
on 8 March, 2002, was held at the meeting hall of the
Social Welfare Department this morning attended by
Vice Chairperson-1 of the Leading Committee on holding
the IWD Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Vice Chairperson-2 Prof
Daw May May Yi and members of the leading committee,
working committee and sub committee. First, Vice
Chairperson-1 Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe made an opening
speech. Then, members of the sub committees reported
on their works done. Those present also took part in
the discussion and the meeting came to an end with
concluding remarks by the vice chairperson.

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Myanmar delegation leaves for Indonesia, Cambodia and
Laos

Yangon, 22 Feb - A Myanmar delegation led by Minister
for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein left for
Indonesia, Cambodia and Laos by air this afternoon to
discuss matters pertaining to the Sixth ASEAN Finance
Ministers Meeting (AFMM). The delegation was seen off
at the airport by Minister at the Prime Minister's
Office Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe, Deputy Minister for F & R
Brig-Gen Than Tun, Laotian Ambassador Mr Ly Bounkham,
Cambodian Ambassador Mr Nim Chantara and Indonesian
Ambassador Mr Nasaruddin Koro, directors-general and
managing directors of the ministry and their families.
The delegation comprises Governor of the Central Bank
of Myanmar U Kyaw Kyaw Maung and Director U Nyo Myint.

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Commander and minister inspect hydroelectric power
projects

Yangon, 22 Feb - Chairman of Shan State (North) Peace
and Development Council Commander of North-East
Command Brig-Gen Myint Hlaing and Minister for
Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut went to Shweli
Hydroelectric Power Project to be implemented on the
Shweli River in Nankham Township on 19 February. They
inspected construction of a 28-mile-long earth road
linking Nankham and the project site. In the briefing
hall of the project, Director of Hydroelectric Power
Department U Biya Lyain Hsan and officials reported on
progress of work in building the earth road,
arrangements to surface the earth road with gravel and
other matters.

The minister gave instructions on construction of
roads and bridges to convey materials and machinery
for the project and called for implementation of the
project in the open season. Next, the minister
inspected the sites chosen for construction of the
power plant, a diversion tunnel and an embankment and
condition of the route along which power lines will be
installed. He then inspected roads and bridges along
Mantet, Namsaung and Pankham motor roads.

On 20 February, the minister inspected construction of
Htonpho-Kywenapha-Yeywa gravel road, 22 miles long,
leading to Yeywa Hydroelectric Power Project in
Mandalay Division. In the briefing hall, the project
director and officials reported on progress of work,
future tasks and requirements. The minister gave
instructions. Afterwards, the minister inspected
construction of the embankment, the diversion tunnel
and the earth road, 36 miles and seven furlongs long,
linking Yeywa Project and Belin.
___________________________

( 8 ) Work coordinated to hold 7th Mekong Tourism
Forum

Yangon, 22 Feb - A coordination meeting on holding the
7th Mekong Tourism Forum and the 13th Meeting of the
Working Group on the Greater Mekong Subregion to be
hosted by Myanmar was held at the Sedona Hotel on Kaba
Aye Pagoda Road this afternoon, attended by Chairman
of the Central Committee for Organizing the Meetings
Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin. Also
present were ministers, deputy ministers, heads of
department, officials of the Ministry of Hotels and
Tourism, hoteliers and tour operators.

The minister said that the 7th Mekong Tourism Forum
and the 13th Meeting of the Working Group on the
Greater Mekong Subregion to be sponsored by Pacific
Asia Travel Association (PATA) will be held at the
Sedona Hotel in Yangon from 4 to 6 April. There is a
Caravan Tour which will come through Myanmar-Thai
border under the sponsorship of the Association of
Thai Travel Agents -ATTA. Over 250 representatives
from other nations will attend the meetings. As the
7th Mekong Tourism Forum will be held in Myanmar, it
will contribute to promotion of Myanma tourism.

The objectives of the 7th Mekong Tourism Forum are to
promote the cooperation between the State sector and
the private sector, to serve as a forum where those
attending the meeting can discuss matters on
development of tourism industry in Greater Mekong
region and to advertise regional tours for the
international market. He called on all to make
necessary arrangements for the meetings.
Director-General of the Directorate of Hotels and
Tourism U Khin Maung Latt reported on arrangements to
hold the meetings. Then, a general round of
discussions followed. The meeting ended with
concluding remarks by the minister.

---------

Minister inspects ships at Thakayta Wharf

Yangon, 22 Feb - Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla
Myint Swe inspected cranes and loading capacity of
Shwe Li cargo liner and modern communication equipment
of coastal liner Taunggyi at Thakayta Wharf of Myanma
Five Star Line this afternoon. The managing director
of Myanma Five Stars Line reported on equipment and
other points of Taunggyi coastal liner. The minister
also inspected fish breeding ponds and the papaya
plantation in the wharf compound. Minister Maj-Gen Hla
Myint Swe also gave instruction.

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Educative talks on blood donation held

Yangon, 22 Feb - A ceremony to give educative talks on
blood donation organized by leading group of blood
donors of the Auditor-General's Office was held at the
office this afternoon. It was attended by
Auditor-General Brig-Gen Tin Aye, Deputy
Auditor-General U Khin Win, Director-General Daw Thin
Thin, officials and staff. The auditor-general made an
opening speech. Dr Thida Aung of the National Blood
Bank and U Aung Kyaw Kyaw of the Central Health
Education Centre gave talks on blood bank and blood
respectively.

___________________________

( 9 ) Forms for gems and jade plots to be submitted

Yangon, 22 Feb-Myanma Gems Enterprise has been making
contacts with the respective gems entrepreneurs to
grant permits of gems and jade blocks that expired
during January and March 2002 in accord with the
Myanma Gems Law. Forms for gems and jade blocks that
will expire during April and June 2002 are being
accepted up to 15 March 2002 in accord with the rules
and regulations. The respective gems entrepreneurs are
to submit their forms to MGE (Head Office) not later
than 15 March 2002, and the entrepreneurs who have the
rights to engage in blocks that expired during January
and March 2001 are to contact MGE (Head Office) as
soon as possible.

---------

Myanmar beat Singapore 4-0 in ASEAN soccer

Yangon, 22 Feb - Myanmar youth team beat Singapore
youth team 4-0 in the match of group-A of the year
2002 First ASEAN Youth U-17 Football Tournament in
Kuala Lumpur this evening. In the first half of the
match, Tun Min Oo scored two goals for Myanmar Team.
In the second half, Kyaw Kyaw Soe and Tun Tun Win
scored one goal each. On 24 February, Myanmar team
will play against the host Malaysia team.

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