The New Light of Myanmar (Saturday, 12 January, 2002)(1/2)

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The New Light of Myanmar (Saturday, 12 January, 2002)(1/2)
--------------------------
1. Senior General Than Shwe inspects Indakaw Industrial Zone
2. Secretary-1 meets with archbishops and bishops of Catholic
   Bishops Conference of Myanmar
3. - Secretary-1 addresses second and third four-monthly work
     coord meeting of Ministry of Commerce
   - Cooperative Products Exhibition and Market Festival open
4. Kayah State USDA holds mass rally to support nation-building
   endeavours
5. - Htidaw hoisted atop ancient pagoda
   - Basic computer course concludes
6. Management Committee for Observance of 55th Anniversary
   Union Day meets
7. Cash donated to MMCWA
8. Minister visits floating book fair of MV Doulos
9. Tiger Myanmar Amateur Open Golf C'ship continues

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( 1 ) Senior General Than Shwe inspects Indakaw Industrial Zone

Yangon, 11 Jan-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe inspected
factories of Ministry of Industry-2 in Indakaw Industrial Zone in Bago
Township, Bago Division, this morning. Accompanied by Vice-Chairman of the
State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence
Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, members of the State
Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Soe Win, Maj-Gen Aung Htwe, Maj-Gen
Khin Maung Than, Quartermaster-General Maj-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo,
Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, and Maj-Gen Tin Aye of Ministry of Defence, Chairman of
Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command
Brig-Gen Myint Swe, Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor of
Yangon U Ko Lay, senior military officers, and officials of the State Peace
and Development Council Office, the Senior General arrived at Indakaw
Industrial Zone at 10 am today.

The Senior General and party were welcomed there by Chairman of Bago Division
Peace and Development Council Commander of Southern Command Brig-Gen Aung
Min, Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin and Deputy Ministers for
Industry-2 Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin and Lt-Col Khin Maung Kyaw and officials.
At the briefing hall of the Radiator Plant, Minister Maj-Gen Saw Lwin
reported to the Senior General on efforts made by the ministry yearly for
increase in production, targeted production of factories and plants and
implementation of work, new projects of factories and plants and projects
being implemented by the ministry in Indakaw Industrial Zone.

Afterwards, Managing Director U Soe Thein of Myanma Automobile and Diesel
Engine Industries reported on the situation of plants that manufacture parts
for automobiles, objectives of construction of the plants and investment,
progress of construction work of the Disc Wheel Plant, Metal Bearing Plant
and Radiator Plant and plans to be carried out for construction of the
Foundry Plant, Ball Bearing Plant, Aluminium Conductor Plant and Reinforced
Steel Plant. Later, Managing Director Col Myo Tint of Myanma Agricultural
Machinery Industries reported to the Senior General on implementation of
projects by the tiller engine plant, the engines to be manufactured and
production capacity, requirementsÊ of electricity and water at the plant.

 Next, Managing Director U Ye Tun of Myanma Industrial Construction Services
reported on progress of construction the factories and plants at the zone,
work done for water supply, construction of roads and greening work at the
zone. Later, the Senior General gave guidance regarding the reports. He said:
Efforts are to be made for timely completion of the new factories being
constructed by the Ministry of Industry-2. The factories should strive to
manufacture high quality machine parts that can win the confidence of
customers. Research and development work is to be performed for better
quality of products year after year.

Endeavours are to be made for extended production of new brands of machinery
parts. Research and development is to be conducted without being complacent
with producing of few items. Development cannot be achieved if everything is
to be made relying on foreign countries. Concerted efforts are to be made to
be independent. The Ministry of Industry-2 is to take the main responsibility
of building a modern industrialized country.

As the ministry is responsible for industrial development, tasks are to be
performed with far-sightedness. Inventions are to be made and ways are to be
found with the belief that the industry sector of the State must develop. I
have already laid down five objectives for development of industry. Tasks are
to be carried out in accordance with the objectives. Later, the Senior
General and party inspected various types of radiators, disc wheels and ball
bearings manufactured by plants under the Myanma Automobile and Diesel Engine
Industries displayed at the Radiator Plant.

Afterwards, the Senior General and party inspected power-tillers, tractors
for general purpose and farm machinery manufactured by plants and factories
under Myanma Agricultural Machinery Industries and various kinds of tires for
automobiles produced by plants and factories under the Myanma Tyre and Rubber
Industries.

Then, the Senior General and party inspected Poza printing machines,
parquet-making machines, various kinds of wires, cables, batteries and dry
cells manufactured by Myanma Machine Tool and Electrical Industries. Next,
the Senior General and party inspected motor vehicles assembled by the
Ministry of Industry-2. Later, they also inspected production process of
radiators at the Radiator Plant. The Senior General and party inspected
samples of ball bearings produced by Ball Bearing Plant and production
process there.

Later, the Senior General and party inspected construction of the Disc Wheel
Plant and installation of machinery. Then, they inspected construction of
tiller engine plant, arrival of machinery, proposed sites for construction of
foundry plant, ball bearing plant and aluminium conductor plant. Minister
Maj-Gen Saw Lwin conducted them around the sites. Next, the Senior General
and party left Indakaw Industrial Zone for Yangon at 12.30 pm in a motorcade.
On their return trip to Yangon, they inspected No-2 Express Road and
extension of Maung-magan Kantha Road in Dagon Myothit (South) township.

___________________________

( 2 ) Secretary-1 meets with archbishops and bishops of Catholic Bishops
Conference of Myanmar

 Yangon, 11 Jan - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, together with officials of the State Peace and Development
Council Office, arrived at the Catholic Bishops Conference of Myanmar on Pyay
Road here this morning. Chairman of CBCM Archbishop of Pathein Charles Bo,
other archbishops and bishops welcomed the Secretary-1 and party. Also
present were the deputy commander of Yangon Command, officials of the State
Peace and Development Council Office, archbishops and bishops of Pathein,
Mawlamyine, Haka, Myitkyina, Yangon, Mandalay, Taunggyi, Kengtung, Loikaw,
Toungoo, Lashio and Pyay. The archbishops blessed the gathering. Archbishop
Charles Bo introduced other archbishops and bishops to the Secretary-1.

 Then, Archbishop Charles Bo extended greetings. Later, the Secretary-1 said
that it is an auspicious day for the State and the people as he has the
chance of meeting with all the archbishops and bishops of the Catholic
Bishops Conference of Myanmar. In Myanmar, there are over 100 national races
living in unity. Although it is a predominantly Buddhist country, all the
people have freedom of faith.

The government has also seen to it that everybody can enjoy freedom of faith.
Since 1948 when the nation regained independence, national brethren had
adopted different ideologies due to foreign instigation. Armed struggles
arose. The national races and families have gone through bitter experience.
The nation lagged behind in national and regional development and improvement
of living standard. Since the Tatmadaw government assumed the duty of State,
it has striven to achieve stability, peace and tranquillity, national
solidarity and mutual trust and respects among national brethren in
cooperation with religious leaders and national race leaders.

Due to mutual trust, unity and honesty of the national brethren, peace and
tranquillity are prevalent in every region. As a result of cooperation with
the government in striving for regional development and improvement of their
living standard, the national brethren are now enjoying peace and
tranquillity. All faiths help promote peace, loving-kindness, goodwill and
compassion for mankind. The archbishops are also performing missionary tasks
and religious duties so that the people can enjoy peace. They are in fact
discharging noble religious duties to enable the people to live lives of
bliss.

The government is like a parent and all the national people living in the
country are the children of the government. With parental loving-kindness,
compassion and goodwill, the government has striven to achieve peace and
tranquillity and to improve the living standard of the people. As a result,
peace and tranquillity are prevailing in the country, and things are changing
and developing.

 Infrastructures necessary for the improvement of living standard and
regional development have been built. Efforts are being made to enable all
the national people to have peace of mind in accord with religious teachings.
The nation is a developing one, so it is not a wealthy one. However, measures
are being taken to enable all the people to have peace of mind. If there is
material development and there are also its attendant worries and misery, it
does not mean living a life of bliss. Every faith places emphasis on peace of
mind, not on material development.

The essence of being rich is to have peace of mind. The government will
promote freedom of faith for all the people. Continued efforts are to be made
to maintain peace and tranquillity in the nation, to enable the people to
have peace of mind and higher standard of living and to build a peaceful,
modern and developed nation. Then, the Secretary-1 presented gifts to
Archbishop Charles Bo. Next, the Secretary-1 posed for photos together with
all the archbishops and bishops of CBCM.
___________________________

( 3 ) Nation sees annual increase in value of exports, resulting from
import-substitute industries

Secretary-1 addresses second and third four-monthly work coord meeting of
Ministry of Commerce

 Yangon, 11 Jan - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended the second and third four-monthly work
coordination meeting of the Ministry of Commerce for 2001 at the meeting hall
of the ministry this afternoon. Also present were ministers, deputy
ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office,
directors-general and managing directors of departments and enterprises under
the Ministry of Commerce, advisers, directors of states and divisions,
managers, officials of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of
Commerce and Industry and guests. Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone
reported on the basic trade policy of the ministry, condition of annual
exports, work performance during the third four-month period of 2001, export
promotion of the ministry, purchase of paddy and annual export of rice,
import and export services, condition of border trade, staff welfare and the
work performance of the ministry. The Secretary-1 said that now is the time
when the government is making all-out efforts in all sectors for the
development of the Union of Myanmar and the improvement of the national
economy.

The government is working hard, adopting the attitude that national
development and strong national economy contribute to the social development
of the national people and improvement of their living standard. In an effort
to improve the national economy, reliance is placed mainly on the production
sector and the commercial sector, and at the same time, efforts are being
made to develop the services sector. In other words, efforts are being made
to develop the industrial production sector on the basis of the agriculture
sector. Impetus is being given to export promotion and development of
import-substitute production work. The scope of the commercial activities is
to be extended.

 In this way, the national economy is being improved. Production development
rests on commercial development and extension of foreign markets. Therefore,
the international trade sector needs to take the lead in striving for the
development of export-oriented production work and import-substitute work.

 The trade sector contributes 23.9% of GDP in Myanmar. Measures are being
taken to improve the trade sector so that the contribution of the trade
sector to GDP can grow by 11.9 % during the present five-year plan period and
up to 24.5% in the 2005-2006 financial year, the last year of the plan. As
the trade sector has been assigned an important role in striving for the
development of the State and improvement of the national economy, the
Ministry of Commerce, which, on the State's behalf, is working for the
development of the trade sector, needs to take the lead efficiently in accord
with the national goal.

On behalf of the State, the Ministry of Commerce needs to give encouragement
to the businesses of national entrepreneurs in accord with the economic
policy of the State. Before the market economic system is not
well-established, the ministry needs to provide supervision and necessary
assistance for businesses in the private sector so that they can thrive
within the framework of the law and rules and regulations and the private
sector and the State sector contribute to the development of each other.

 In every economic sector of the State, the participation of the State sector
is being reduced gradually, and that of the private sector and the
cooperative sector is being increased. The government is also working to
formulate an economic policy to promote the initiative of national
entrepreneurs in the field of the national economy.

Therefore, the government departments and entrepreneurs need to cooperate in
striving for the development of the private sector in the trade sector in
accord with the requirements of the State. A study of international economic
changes shows that all the nations are competing with one another by
safeguarding their own national interests and laying down the law and
restrictions in opening up, maintaining and protecting new markets. Some big
nations which are gaining the upper hand in the field of science, technology
and economy are attempting to wield economic influence on developing nations
and international economic and financial institutions, thereby monopolizing
the world economy. Under these circumstances, advances in information and
communication technologies contribute to the globalization process. And big
nations which are gaining the upper hand in the economic field are
manipulating currencies, markets and trading activities. Therefore, the
nations which have things in common in the economic and cultural fields and
geographical features have allied themselves with one another and set up
regional economic cooperation organizations, cooperate in the trade and
economic sectors and promote trading and economic cooperation. These are
significant changes in the world economic sector. Today European Union has
introduced Euro Currency among its members. It is a significant change, and
it is necessary to wait and see the outcome. The Union of Myanmar is actively
cooperating with such regional organizations for economic development and
cooperation as ASEAN and BIMST-EC. It is promoting economic and development
cooperation with Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the PeopleÕs Republic of
China, Japan, Korea, India and Pakistan. In six nations out of ASEAN members,
the system concerning the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) has been introduced.
By 2006, Myanmar will integrate itself into AFTA and reduce customs duties in
the trade sector among ASEAN members. Being a leading commercial
organization, the Ministry of Commerce needs to keep track of financial,
currency and economic changes and condition of commercial organizations, and
at the same time, to find ways and means for the promotion of national
interests. It is necessary to make preparations for the further strengthening
of the national economy, promotion of regional economic and development
cooperation, the development of foreign trade, earning more foreign currency
and stability of Myanmar Kyat. As regards export promotion, the main duty of
the Ministry of Commerce, systematic arrangements are to be made for the
development of export production work and for the improvement of packaging,
storage and transport systems. In addition, continued efforts are to be made
to produce and distribute new goods and value-added goods and to find new
markets and regular markets. It is vitally important to set up a regular
market based on agricultural products.

According to the data of the ministry, the volume of foreign trade in 1998-99
was over US $ 3,700 million. The foreign trade volume is increasing yearly.
The volume of foreign trade during a period of nine months at the end of the
third quarter of fiscal 2001-2002 was over US $ 4,200 million. Moreover, the
value of exports are increasing and that of the imports are decreasing.
Efforts should be made till there is no deficit in the foreign trade.
Decrease in the value of imports should not be the result of trade
limitations, but it should be the result of development in import-substitute
industries. The government firmly believes that border trade will continue to
develop as long as the nation's friendly ties with her five neighbours are
further strengthening and prospering; and with this belief, the government
has permitted the legal border trade. Goods worth over US $ 152 were traded
at the border in the second four months of fiscal 2001-2002 and over US $ 171
million in the third four months.

These amounts are higher than the mounts of the same period during the
previous year. As border trade has relations with bilateral ties, officials
should give a close supervision for mutually beneficial progress of the
border trade. In addition to US dollars, kyats should be used in the border
trade to help stabilise the local currency. Due to formation of the border
area law enforcement bodies, the border trade is developing systematically
and the State's revenues from the trade are increasing. Officials and traders
should see the bodies as the ones which are rendering assistance to them and
should make coordinations and cooperations with them. Staff of the ministry
and the border areas should safeguard the interests of the border traders as
the border trade is linking with the large markets.

Officials should stay away from imposing unnecessary restrictions and
limitations which are against ensuring smooth flow of commodities. The
government staff of the business sector should be free from corrupted
practices and should have good morality. Government staff should understand
the StateÕs policy, the national goal, apply thrifty methods and gave
supervision at different levels. As the private sector is vitally important
for national economic progress, the staff should render assistance to
national entrepreneurs to enable them to freely conduct business within the
frame of the law.

The government bodies should give encouragement to the private sector to
participate more in cooperating business with ASEAN, BIMST-EC and friendly
nations. Plans are in progress to introduce the account trade system between
Myanmar and Thailand and Myanmar and Malaysia. Efforts should be made for
soonest realization of the system on common interests. Arrangements should be
made from now on for progress of the e-Commerce system as IT is dominating
the trade sector. All the staff are urged to strive in unity and harmony for
progress of the Union of Myanmar in accord with the mottoÑadvance through
trade.

 In conclusion, the Secretary-1 urged the ministry staff to strive for the
trade sector to effectively assist towards national progress, national
economic development and further improvement of the living standard; to
strive harmoniously with the private sector to extend trade with the world
countries and to develop electronic-based trade businesses which are
flourishing in the world; to strive to gain linkages with friendly nations to
enable the nation's products to gain regular markets; and to strive with
national outlook for the nation to get abreast of other nations without
relying on anyone and to serve the national interests.

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Cooperative Products Exhibition and Market Festival open

Yangon, 11 Jan -Cooperative Products Exhibition and Market Festival opened at
the Cooperative Trade Centre at Saya San Plaza here this morning, attended by
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. The
Secretary-1 unveiled the signboard. Also present were ministers, the
Attorney-General, the Auditor-General, the chairman of Civil Service
Selection and Training Board, officials, members of the leading committee for
holding the exhibition, guests and the public.

Minister for Cooperatives Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe and U Maung Maung of Saya San Plaza
Construction Committee formally opened the exhibition. The Secretary-1 and
party visited the booths of the ministries and enterprises on the first
floor. They then enjoyed the song and musical programme presented at the
exhibition. On the ground floor, the Secretary-1 and party visited the booths
of industrial cooperative syndicates. They were conducted around the
exhibition by Minister Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, Director-General of Cooperative
Department U Soe Win and officials.

__________________________

( 4 ) National solidarity and peace & stability are basic forces required for
national progress

 Kayah State USDA holds mass rally to support nation-building endeavours

Yangon, 11 Jan - A mass rally to support national and rural development tasks
organized by Kayah State Union Solidarity and Development Association was
held at the sports grounds in Loikaw, Kayah State, on 9 January.

It was attended by members of Loikaw, Dimawhso, Shadaw and Pruhso Township
USDAs in Loikaw District, and executives of Bawlake, Pasawng and Mese
Township USDAs in Bawlake District totalling over 4,200.

Kayah State USDA Secretary U Kyaw Swe presided over the mass rally together
with Bawlake District USDA Secretary U Bo Yal and Loikaw Township USDA member
Dr Myo Lwin Myint. Loikaw Township USDA members Daw Kay Thwe Myo Myint and
Daw Nan Aye Aye Moe acted as master of ceremonies and co-master of
ceremonies.

 Chairman of the mass rally Secretary of Kayah State USDA U Kyaw Swe said the
USDA, a national organization, was formed with the sons and daughters of the
people to serve the national interests. All the USDA members are required to
actively take part in developing the nation and rural areas.

At the opening of Myanmar Affairs and International Studies Course No 4,
Management Course No 23 for USDA Executives and International Relations
Course No 7, USDA Patron Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance, saying that
he would like to give the duty to be discharged by the USDA members at
different levels; and out of the future tasks laid down by the Eighth USDA
Annual General Meeting, the fourth one is to carry out organizing work with a
view to contributing to the implementation of the third short-term five-year
national economic plan and the fifth one is to participate in rural
development tasks.

 In conclusion, he urged all the USDA members to accept the State's
nation-building endeavours as the national task, to maintain and safeguard
peace and stability, to actively take part in national development endeavours
and pay attention to rural development tasks. Executive of Loikaw Township
USDA, Kayah State, Daw Aye Aye Khaing tabled a motion supporting the
nation-building endeavours of the State. She said Dawthacha Dam, Loinanpha
Dam, Hsawkhidawh river-water pumping station, Hose Dam, Hohta Dam, Namhuhtwe
Dam and Ngwedaung Dam have been built in Kayah State.

There were 86,000 acres in 1988, and there are now 123,000 acres of
cultivated land. At present, paddy is cultivated on 76,567 acres. But there
were only 61,051 acres in the past. Kayah State has produced 410,000 baskets
of paddy. The Tatmadaw government has built 270 miles of tarred roads, 30
miles of gravel roads and 280 miles of earth roads totalling 580 miles in
Kayah State.

Moreover, Loikaw-Aungban railroad has been extended. At the opening of
Myanmar Affairs and International Studies Course No 4, Management Course No
23 for USDA Executives and International Relations Course No 7, USDA Patron
Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance, saying, "The national solidarity and
peace and stability are the basic forces required for the national progress."

 In accord with the guidance, the government is upholding Our Three Main
National Causes  non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of
national solidarity, and perpetuation of sovereignty has striven to end
internal strife. Due to the efforts, 17 armed groups have returned to the
legal fold and are joining hands with the State in striving for national
progress. Thus, the entire nation including border areas is gaining
unprecedented progress.

 The USDA members should discharge the duty of safeguarding and further
promoting the national development. On behalf of 18 million members, she
tabled the motion supporting the State's nation-building endeavours. Member
of Loikaw Township USDA, Kayah State, U Tu Reh seconded  the motion. He said
all the people have witnessed the unprecedented national developments. due to
the increase in the number of irrigation facilities, Kayah State was able to
extend 15,516 acres of cultivation land. It produced 410,000 baskets of
paddy. The nation put 860,000 acres of land under cotton, 400,000 acres under
sugarcane and 800,000 acres under maize.

The government has open technological universities, government technological
colleges, government technological institutes, computer universities,
government computer colleges and government computer institutes in the entire
national for human resources development. In Kayah State, it has built the
Loikaw College, a government technological college and two learning centres.

A border area youth development school, domestic school and midwifery school
have also been opened in the state. Eleven high schools and some middle
schools in the state have multimedia teaching centres. The government has
opened a nursing training school and upgraded the hospitals in the state.
Kayah State is covered by the border areas and national races development
project. New roads totalling 580 miles in length have been built in the
state.

The government used K 336.54 million to develop the state during the period
from fiscal 1989-90 to fiscal 2001-2002. TV retransmission stations and
communications have been extended in the state. Next, Executive of Loikaw
District USDA, Kayah State, Daw Ku Myar said the rally was held to support
the cooperation of USDA members in carrying out rural development tasks. In
Kayah State, 26,567 sown acreage have been supplied with water from Minor 11
Hsawkhidaw River-Water Pumping Project. A total of 31 four-inch diametre
tube-wells and 158 one-and-a-half-inch tube-wells for supplying fresh water
in rural areas and 138 tube-wells for 138 primary schools have been sunk.

Altogether 30,000 acres of fallow and virgin land are being reclaimed.
Htayhngalya Village and Laymaing Village in Loikaw Township and Ngwedaung
Village in Dimawhso Township are designated as model villages with respect to
upgrading the standard of villages, and agruculture and livestock breeding
tasks are being undertaken. Arrangements are being made to extend fish
breeding ponds of land up to 100 acres in three years, and at the end of
2001, 64.37 acres of fish breeding ponds have been put into service.

 A total of 31 rural development roads including Noekoe-Htayhngalya road,
Naungpale road and Kyephogyi road, and 14 bridges have been constructed. As
is known to all, the condition of transport in urban and rural areas and the
living standard of rural areas are improving. The number of basic education
schools has increased from 333 to 383 in Kayah State and another eight basic
education schools have been built under the rural development project. On
behalf of 18 million of USDA members he emphatically tabled the motion in
support of the cooperation of USDA members in carrying out rural development
tasks.

Then, executive of Dimawhso Township USDA, Kayah State, U Tin Oo said the
State has opened new schools in border areas and rural regions and thus there
are 16,711 more students in Kayah State; they will contribute towards human
resource development for the State; Kayah State USDA has provided stationery
needed to these schools. The number of rural health care centres rose from 16
to 19 and station hospitals from four to eight. Consequently the health
standard of entire people including those in rural areas becomes higher than
it was in the past.

Then, the rally passed the decisions in support of the State's development
tasks as well as rural development tasks laid down by the State and
participation of USDA members in national and rural development tasks. Then,
the rally ended with shouting of slogans.

__________________________

to be continued ...