The Flower News 2006

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 50 (December 19-25)

• An official from the Road Transport Administration Department denied report on cancelling the registration of vehicles with old models and registered serial numbers plates in Rangoon area. (December 15 news)

• Ngwesin Construction Company opens the first phase of its hotel project in Naypyidaw hotel zone. The first phase includes 10 bungalows and it continues building another 12 bungalows and a five-star five-storey hotel as next phases. (December 15 news)

• Myat Tawwin Company begins building five bungalows and a five-star five-storey hotel building to expand its hotel project that is operating with existing 10 bungalows. (December 14 news)

• According to the FAO announcement Burma is the world second top beans and pulses exporter after Canada. Seventy per cent of its exported beans and pulses volume goes to India. Burma has earned more than US$400million from such export by October in this fiscal year. (December 14 news)

• The elderly literacy rate reached to 94.35 per cent in 2006, it is learnt. The Ministry of Education targets to reach the elderly literacy rate to 95.5 per cent by 2015. (December 14 news)

• The Mandalay Division Union Solidarity and Development Association has donated more than K4.6million to inmates during its 15 visits to Mandalay prisons. (December 13 news)

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 48 (December 5-11)

• A German environmental conservation group will provide assistance for conducting environmental conservation work in Kachin and Shan states, and Mandalay and Ayeyarwaddy divisions. (November 30 news) 

• Travel agencies suggest speeding up the issuing approvals for tourists who are planning to travel to some areas that are restricted for foreigners. So far it takes up to two weeks to have approvals. (November 30 news)

• Number of applicants for departure forms (D-Form) surges after government announced issuing the forms online since early next year. More than 1000 applicants per day are submitting their paper applications because most of them claimed to have unfamiliarity with Internet. (November 30 news)

• Thailand and China are the top choices to visit for Burmese tourists in this opening season and some are also visiting to Cambodia in the corresponding season. (November 30 news)

• Police Chief Brig-Gen Khin Yee confirmed at November 29 press conference the construction of a new parliament in Naypyidaw. (November 29 news)

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 47 (November 28-December 4)

• The Myanma Machine Tool and Electrical Industries opens in October the country's first generator manufacturing factory in Sin-te. China provided US$1.8million loan for installation of machinery in the factory with production capacity of 1800 units per annum. (November 24 news)  

• The Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise will drill new wells in Ma-U-Bin in Ayeyarwaddy Division and Taikkyi in Rangoon Division. A new well, No (35) well, in Nyaungtone in Ayeyarwaddy Division is producing natural gas 7.183million cubic feet and Condensate 84 barrels daily. (November 24 news)

• The Cyprus-based a European Louis Cruise Line will recruit as many Burmese vessel engineers and officers as possible and the recruitment team will visit here in December first week. So far more than 200 Burmese are working at the cruise line. (November 23 news)

• The Ministry of Agriculture and irrigation targets to produce paddy 117million baskets in this fiscal year. It is striving to grow paddy in more than 16.436million acres in order to produce the targeted yield. (November 23 news)

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 46 (November 21-27)

• Ten thousands Burmese workers will be recruited for Thailand's Suvarnabhumi Airport expansion project. Skilled labours will earn Baht250 per day. (November 17 news)

• A Sri Lanka business delegate group held a meet with Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry officials on November 10 to increase bilateral trade. (November 17 news)

• Total of 17387 vehicles and three-wheel motor cycles assembled in 12 industrial zones throughout the country have already been registered. (November 16 news)

• Business operating licences have been issued for 170,479 vehicles and vessels since 1988 to 2006 September. (November 16 news) 

• U.N. Undersecretary General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari said he was very satisfied with his visit to Burma. When asked in his departure the possibility of revisiting here he said he would do it again. (November 13 news)

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 44 (November 7-13)

• The Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Tin Naing Thein said exporters and importers were allowed to request presenting their pricing difficulties at the Export Import Co-ordination Committee's meeting held every other week. The complaints can also be submitted directly to the minister via telephone, email and letter. (November 3 news)

• According to the Myanma Timber Enterprise's figure Burma earned US$3.347million from export of 1363tonnes of teak in this fiscal year so far. (November 3 news) 

• Mine inspections are conducted three times a day in Aungmingalar Highway Terminal where about 120 highway buses are accessing daily. The arriving highway buses are also mine-inspected six times a month. (November 2 news)

• The Bio-diversity and Nature Conservation Association conducted one-month survey on potential impact of the construction of Htamanthi dam project to the environment with the collaboration with experts from the ministries of Mining and Livestock and Fisheries. (November 2 news)

• Brig-Gen Khin Yi denied rumour on moving Padamya Myattshin and Nay-la Buddha images to the replica of the Shwe Dagon Pagoda being built in Naypyidaw. He also said it was untrue of building a Yadanapon new capital in Mandalay. More than 100 people including customs director general (who all are charged with corruption) were sentenced between three to 70 years imprisonment, Brig-Gen Khin Yi said. (November 2 news)

• The Rangoon Division Peace and Development Council is collecting a population census since October third week. Tenants who are staying one month and above and housemaids are also included in the census. (November 1 news)

• U Kyaw Zan Thar interviewed with national convention delegates - professor U Aung Htun Chein, U Aung Khan Ti and U Malan Tu - while he was allowed to attend the NC's opening ceremony held on October 10. The interview was broadcast on October 18 evening program.        

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 43 (October 31-November 6)

• Myanmar Economic Bank is planning to accept more three, six and nine months fixed accounts. It is part of an attempt to increase public awareness on savings in the banks. (October 26 news)

• An Euro half million worth ruby will be auctioned during 2006 mid year gems emporium in which 291 pearl lots and 4237 gems lots are auctioned from October 19 to 22. (October 26 news)

• Nat-ye-kan Tin Maung Htwe presented its golden harp award to an American writer and photographer, Ms Brenda Davidson who will hold a photo exhibition here in early next year. (October 26 news)

• Authority clarified on a news broadcast by VOA on October 14 that said the sexually abuse of three navy soldiers to Ma Khin Than Kyi, a 18-year-old resident of Yechanpyin Village in Sittwe Township, and it is reported that such case didn't happen in the area.

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 42 (October 24-30)

• Under the ASEAN integration system of preference Malaysia exempts taxation on 11 more export commodities from Burma. (October 20 news)

• An NGO, Save the Children, will expand its micro-financing program, through which small loans are currently provided for low-incomers in some of Rangoon's townships, in country areas since next year. So far it provides loans to more than 10,000 people from Rangoon's five townships. (October 19 news)     

• The Rangoon City mayor will hold monthly meets with street vendors and they will be allowed to submit any complaint directly to the mayor in those meetings on misbehaves of Yangon City Development Committee's staff and polices. (October 19 news)

• Gusty wind and torrential rain destroyed stairways and brick seats along the way leading to Popa pagoda in Popa plateau and the damage is estimated about K5million losses. The heavy rain also tore down three restaurants in the foot of the plateau. (October 18 news) 

• Muse 105^th mile trade zone handled 70 per cent of the country's total border trade volume, according to the Ministry of Commerce's releases. Meanwhile Burma-China bilateral trade volume has accounted for US$518.654million in 2005-06 fiscal year and $164.52million in 2006-07 fiscal year so far. (October 17 news)

• An official from the Ministry of Immigration and Population denied the rumour that said national identity cards are to be made in Naypyidaw after October 28, saying that the ID cards will be available within 28 days once complete set of required documents are submitted.

• Flower News journal interviewed an American travels writer and photojournalist, Brenda Davidson-Shaddox, who wrote Burma's tourist directory, culture and environmental issues. Brenda said from the point of normal US citizen that US's policy towards Burma was completely a mistake and imposing sanctions just affected the public.    

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 41 (October 17-23)

• Online trading becomes widely practised in trading sector and rates of levying commercial taxes would be the same for online and regular trading, U Sein Aye, a director from the Internal Revenue Department said. (October 14 news)  

• Construction work on Sitagu International Buddhist Missionary Centre being built in Rangoon Division's North Dagon Township is completed about 40 per cent so far. (October 14 news) 

• The Internal Revenue Department will introduce self assessment system in addition to the official assessment system for collecting taxes from the individuals, U San Tun, the department's director general said October first week. (October 13 news)

• Burma is covered with about 1.278million acres mangrove forest of which 431235 acres are in Rakhine State and Tanintharyi and Ayeyarwaddy divisions. (October 13 news)

• More than K22.6million worth gems and jewelleries hidden in six watermelons are confiscated on September 29 in 105^th mile trade zone, according to the Market Information and Research Team. (October 12 news)

• Information Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan said at a press briefing that the signature campaign would not affect at all on the release of detained five student leaders. Chief Justice U Aung Toe, vice chair of the national convention convening commission, said the NLD's chance of competing in the emerging election could be learnt once the basis principles of the constitution is completed. (October 9 news) 

• U Kyaw Zan Tha, the BBC's desk editor who is in Burma for covering news on the opening of national convention, said the attitude of Burmese government could also be reported because of allowing them coming in the country. When asked how much extent could he report about the ongoing national convention he said much could be done as interviews had been made. U Kyaw Zan Tha will visit Mandalay and leave here on October 16.        

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 40 (October 10-16)

• Public needs not worry for rice stock as this year's paddy yield is planned to have enough for 100million population, chairman of the Commodity Prices Control Committee U Aung Thaung said at a meeting held September last week in Naypyidaw. It is said that about 1500million baskets of paddy are produced in this year. (October 8 news)

• About 5210 vehicles have been assembled in this fiscal year so far and the number of vehicles assembled in the whole year is expected to exceed last year's figure of 6020 units. (October 8 news)

• Individuals and private businesses' staff whose incomes with K30,000 and up are to pay taxes, according to the Ministry of Finance and Revenue's announcement number 119/2006. And private businesses are responsible for collecting and paying their staff's taxes to the Ministry, said U Sein Aye, a director from the ministry's Internal Revenue Department. (October 6 news)  

• Grassroots to state/division levels local administrative structure are being transformed to be in line with the upcoming constitution, Prime Minister General Soe Win said at the Myanmar Police Force Day ceremony held on October 1. He also said MPF would continue to be the strong force at the new administrative structure. (October 6 news)

• Under the Japanese Grassroots Grants Assistance Scheme the Japanese government donated US$92,000 worth pharmaceutical and medical equipment to Jivitadana Sanga Hospital. (October 6 news) 

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 39 (October3-9)

• There is a slight increase of sales and rentals in property market. About K20million worth apartments in areas such as Sanchaung and Kamaryut townships rather than in downtown areas are traded. (September 29 news)

• Vehicle trade in Thanthuma vehicle trading complex is cool during this month but it is expected to become active in coming opening season. (September 29 news)

• The Renewable Energy Association in Myanmar (REAM) will provide technical assistance for free to villages, which are situated close to rivers and seas, that are interested in producing electricity from tide. (September 29 news)

• Burma-Thai friendship bridge is reopen on September 24, a resident from Tachileik said. Thai border authorities had announced the temporary closure of the bridge on September 19. (September 28 news)

• Mahapunngakayi monastic education school in Loikaw's Mingalar Quarter accommodates more than 70 students - orphans and kids from impoverish families - in this academic year. It provides students the required learning facilities. (September 28 news)

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 38 (September 26-October 2)

• The renovation of 168 ancient pagodas in Bagan will begin in October with public donations. The first 1175 pagodas in Burma's cultural city were renovated since 2004-05 fiscal year. (September 23 news)

• Monsoon season onions are grown earlier than usual in order to fulfil market demand and about 17805 tonnes of onions are expected to produce in October. (September 23 news)

• Discounted rice is sold in Bago Division's Pyay Township with K400 per pyi with the arrangement of Pyay rice and paddy traders and industry association. (September 22 news)     

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 37 (September 19-25)

• The Myanmar Fisheries Federation will begin issuing country of origin certificates for export fishery products since September 19. Previously the certificates were issued by the UMFCCI. (September 15 news)

• Vehicle prices that surged last month become stable in Hanthawaddy vehicle trading complex. Meanwhile vehicle trade is also cool down and the prices are expected to drop again. (September 15 news) 

• Eggs prices are up slightly due to lesser supply from delta region as a result of transportation problem. Local egg market is still unaffected by the resurfacing of bird flu in other countries. (September 15 news)

• Ten export/import companies have opened accounts at the Myanmar Citizen Banks by the end of August to pay export/import licence fees online. (September 14 news)

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 36 (September 12-18)

• Under the Japan's grassroots grant assistance program the Japanese government donated more than US$0.13million to the hospitals in Lashio in Shan State and Thaton in Mon State for installing necessary equipment in the hospitals. (September 9 news)

• Form-19 (tax clearance form) will not be required when applying for passports but applicants will have to submit it when they are allowed to withdraw passports. The move is to prevent crowding at the Office of Passport Issuing Board and Internal Revenue Department where passports and Form-19 are issued. (September 9 news)

• About 2.4million viss of dried Mangoes are exported annually to Indonesia, Malaysia, China and Bangladesh. (September 9 news)

• A business consular from European Union visited Burma late August to help to-be-exported fishery products to EU meet the required production and quality standards. (September 9 news)

• A youth development centre in Wa-nat-chaung village in Rangoon's Hmawbi Township that began with 20 children now accommodates 150 children, and it is also helping educational development of the kids living nearby the centre, said its secretary U Robin. (September 9 news)

• Burma accommodates the Asia's second biggest elephant population, the Wildlife Conservative Society said. The WCS's 2003 figure shows that between 4000 and 5000 elephants are found in Burma. (September 1 news)

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 35 (September 5-11)

• Land plots to build for warehouses and bus terminals will soon be leased in Myawaddy trade zone, which is to be established like Muse 105^th mile trade zone, an official from the Department of Border Trade said. The Myawaddy special economic zone will also be established closed to 500-acre Myawaddy trade zone. (August 31 news)

• Hospitals, villages and charity associations that lack of fundamental requirements can contact the International Friendship Group for the assistance. The group is comprised with about 50 women from different origins who are staying in Burma. (August 31 news)

• Onion prices increased about K100 per viss daily during this month and dropped again about K25 per viss on August 25. About 1.84million viss onions are supplied from central Burma to Rangoon on August 23 while 0.19million later this month. (August 31 news)

• Child Focus Network will spray dengue vaccinations in 30 and 15 orphanages and social schools in Rangoon and Mandalay respectively in September to help protect students' health. (August 31 news)

• Innwa Bank Limited is granting short-term loans to any individuals, companies and associations with operational businesses. Loans are granted with priority basis and national construction projects, special industry projects and import substitute manufacturing businesses are listed in top category. (August 31 news)   

The Flower News Vol. 2, No 24 (June 20-26)

• The Myanmar Anti-Narcotic Association will conduct 12 HIV/AIDS educational training courses in each state and division during this year in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund. It has already completed the training in Hpa-An in Kayin State in June. (June 16 news)

• The establishment of a new international fund, 3D Fund, is planned to fight malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS in Burma and it is expecting to receive US$20million per year from donator countries and associations that comprised with UK, Australia, European Commission, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, said the patron of the fund, Mr Andrew Jaccobs. It will collaborate with government ministries, relevant regional authorities, UN agencies, NGOs and private organisations. (June 16 news)             

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 23 (June 13-19)

• The local businesses are said not to have anxiety for resuming their commercial poultry breeding farms as the infected areas in central Burma have been checked clear from the disease. (June 8 news)

• The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement will open rehabilitation centres for people who are addicted to drug in Pyay, Myawaddy and Kawthaung. (June 8 news)

• The Sasanarhetkita monastic education centre in South Okkapala Township accommodates about 90 students during this academic year and since most of the students are orphans the centre is needing contributions such as stationery, texts and uniforms to facilitate them. (June 8 news)

• The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries granted K50million loan during April first week to cow breeding farms in Rakhine State. There is 12.3-million cow population in Burma. (June 8 news)

• Potato production will have 0.215million tonnes surplus in 2010 as per acre production averages 3250 visses since 2004. (June 5 news)  

• Air Mandalay will launch its new flight from Naypyidaw to Sittwe since June first week.     

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 22 (June 6-12)

• A vice chairman of a local non-government organisation, Renewable Energy Association Myanmar, U Soe Myint said the establishing of tidal power plants to generate electricity was feasible in areas closed to Kyaikkhami Pagoda and nearby villages in Mawlamyine, and the interested villages could ask the association for the costs of establishing such particular power plants. (June 2 news)      

• An Indian trade group comprised with representatives from the pharmaceutical companies will visit Burma in June. (June 2 news)   

• The head of the Mental Health Hospital (Yangon) Dr Zaw Sein Lwin called for public donations to cater for about 800 patients accommodating at the hospital. The hospital is to spend about K0.15million per day for meals for the patients. (June 2 news)

• The Department of No (1) Basic Education announced that 1892 basic education schools that provide up to Grade-8 education level were open in 2006-07 academic year. (June 2 news)

• Burma enabled to increase its exports to Bangladesh during May second week due to the favourable weather condition as well as the rising demands from the partner country. (June 2 news)

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 21 (May 30-June 5)

• Exporters are warned of confiscating their fisheries products transported to Muse 105^th mile trade zone once actual and declared lists of products to be exported are found unequal. (May 26 news)

• MAI, Silk Air and Bangkok Airways are offering special discount for Rangoon to Bangkok and Singapore flights. (May 26 news)

• Fish prices remain stable despite about 50 per cent lesser supply due to losses at some fishery farms because of Cyclone Mala. (May 26 news)

• The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime organised a drug use reduction workshop on May 19 at the Grand Plaza Park Royal Hotel with the collaboration of the Myanmar Anti-Narcotics Association. The workshop is part of a project initiated with the assistance of he European Commission. (May 25 news)

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 20 (May 23-29)

• Electricity generated from Yenwe hydropower plant in Bago Division will soon be distributed to Rangoon via national power grid. The plant to be completed within a few months is expected to generate about 125million kilowatts annually. (May 19 news)

• Burma-Thailand border trade becomes speedy and the local side has earned more than US$0.7million from export to its partner country within a week of late April. (May 19 news)

• Onion price in Bayintnaung wholesale market falls gradually due to entering of the new harvested crop from throughout the country. (May 18)

• Burma and Laos agreed to intensify collaboration on development of the border areas so as to facilitate tourists and goods transportation services along the border and Mekong River. (May 18 news)       

• At the invitation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, U Nyan Win, the United Nations' under-secretary general for political affairs, Mr Ibrahim Gambari, arrived in Rangoon this morning via Singapore by Silk Air. (May 18 news)

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 19 (May 16-22)

• The Minister for Information Brigadier General Kyaw Hsan blamed the KNU at the press conference held in Karen village from May 12 to 13 for expelling the Karen to border areas in fear of contacting with the government while denying the international accusation of more than 10,000 Karen driving out to the refugee camps in border areas. (May 15 news)

• Eighteen people are injured because of landmines in Mone region since this January to date and the number of landmine casualties is much higher compared to last year that saw 14 people injured. (May 13 news)   

• The Union of Myanmar Economic Holding Limited doubled import of palm oil to 20,000 tonnes per month and eight or night edible oil tankers carrying 2,000tonnes and above palm oils per month imported from Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore will arrive in Yangon Port. (May 12 news)

• An official from the Office of Passport Issuing Board confirmed that over 60-year olds, disabled persons and people who couldn't come to the office in person because of various reasons could make passports available at their home since April this year. The office will charge K25,000 only for sending the office's staff to the applicants' home for passport application process to be completed within one day. (May 12 news)   

• The Malaysia-based Demak Motors Corporation planned to build a motor cycle manufacturing factory in Burma in 2007, the Malaysian Bernama news agency reported. (May 12 news)

• Htoo Trading is completing an international standard five-storey hotel in Mawlamyine. The hotel to be named as the Mawlamyine Strand will become the first international standard hotel in Mawlamyine. (May 12 news)

• The Mandalay and Yangon Gold Entrepreneur's associations are jointly selling gold in Shwebontha Street since April 23 in order to cater the higher gold demand in Rangoon. (May 10 news)

• Wontoll Company has signed last month five-year trading agreement with Slovakian company to export organic honey to Slovakia. With the highest quality Burma's organic honey is regarded as the best in Slovak market. (May 10 news)        

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 18 (May 10-16)

• Basic education students will enable to enrol at the schools throughout the country in May last week which is prescribed as a school enrolment week since 1999-2000 academic year. (May 5 news)

• The Ministry of Education will operate 28 mobile schools in 2006-07 academic year to provide education for students whose families are moving various places because of their work nature. (May 5 news)

• The Deputy Minister for Education, U Myo Nyunt denied the rumour of amending the basic education high school's curriculum in forthcoming academic year. The rumours were speculated based on the regular modification training conducted for teachers who teach English, Mathematics and Physics subjects in basic education high school level. (May 4 news)

• The Minister for Information Brigadier General Kyaw Hsan said at a press conference held on April 26 in Kengtong that embassies of NLD's foreign masters in Rangoon had paid very frequent visits to the NLD headquarters and exchanged documents for 51 times in March this year only. The article written by travelling reporter said the embassies had contacted 38 times during April in which 23 times were made from the United States Embassy followed by the British Embassy with four times. First secretary Miss Anne Macro, Mr Rurik Mile Marsden, Ambassador Ms Vicky Bowman (ranks are translated as mentioned in the article) have met with U Lwin while the British Embassy's driver sent mails to the headquarters. (Photos included: ---- P1 caption says 21.4.2006 label (1) HE Ms. Vicky Bowman, label (2) British Embassy first secretary Mr Rurik Miles Marfden ---- P2 caption says 21.4.2006 label (3) British Embassy first secretary Miss Anne Macro)

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 17 (May 3-9)

• Beans and pulses produced from upper Burma and nearby Rangoon were exported mostly to Malaysia and Singapore via Asia World Port. (April 27 news)

• Chinese Information Minister Mr Wang Xudong visited Burma on April 23 to develop collaboration on information and communication technology sector as part of establishing the Greater Mekong Sub-region information superhighway network, the Xinhua news agency reported. (April 27 news)

• The State Peace and Development Council's 4/2006 press conference was held in Kengtung township on April 26 in which Information Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan gave details about the involvement of internal and external dissenters in drug trafficking and rapes under political disguise. Meanwhile Director General of the Myanmar Police Force, Brig-Gen Khin Ye said US$74million worth 847 heroin blocks were captured with the collaborative efforts of international organisation. (April 26 news)

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 16 (April 26-May 2)

 ·         Private sector will enable to continue the operation of the road toll collection in this fiscal year. (April 21 news)

·         Current gold price fluctuation has made the sale dull even though last year’s sale in similar period was promising due to the various ceremonies. (April 21 news)    

·         Five out of six time bombs exploded in Rangoon’s downtown area on April 20 and the authorities detonated an unexploded bomb. (April 20 news)

·         The Minister for Rail Transportation, Maj-Gen Aung Min said the opening of the Thanlwin River Rail Bridge, Burma’s longest rail bridge, and Thanlwin Railway Station, the country’s third biggest rail station, on April 17 allowed public to travel from Dawei in Burma’s southern area and Myitkyina in Northern area by train. (April 20 news)

·         Candidates who completed four-month advanced diploma in business administration course provided at the MHR teaching centre could register for world-wide acknowledged student membership that allows the candidates attending at the universities in UK, USA and Canada. (April 20 news)  

·         The State Lottery Department will increase selling numbers of 11-ticket lottery books to more than 2.4million from about 2.29million books. With the increased numbers of lottery tickets the department will enable to award total of K147.27million. (April 20 news)

·         Chicken price is likely to increase once consumption regains the speed as new day-old-chicks hardly are raised because of the bird flu outbreak in central Burma. The Ministry of Livestock and Fishery, and the Livestock Breeding and Fisheries Development Bank plan to provide day-old-chick and animal feeds for poultry farms in disease outbreak area that culled their birds in order to prevent the disease spreading. (April 20 news)

·         UMFCCI’s K733.4million head office in Lamadaw Township will be available for office operation during this month. (April 20 news) 

·         The Myanma Agriculture Service’s Economic Development Unit will expand collection of the agriculture-related data in seven more townships throughout the country. The data collection was started last April in the country’s seven disperse areas. (April 20 news)

The Japan Myanmar Supporting Service Organisation will continue plantation of the poppy-substitute plants in Pinlaung region in Shan State under the memorandum of understanding signed with the government’s Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control

Flower News Vol. 2, No. 15 (April 12-18)

 ·         The State Peace and Development Council held its this year’s third press conference on April 9 that explained the terrorists’ sabotage acts which intends to damage the government and public sectors. The Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan said the commodity price committee would be established in respective areas in addition to the one in Rangoon. Meanwhile anyone who were dissatisfied with the police would directly complain to the Myanmar Police Force’s Planning and Training Department, the director general of the Myanmar Police Force, Brigadier general Khin Yi said at the conference. He also said the suspicious explosive device found at the Yangon International School was a prank made by two Grade (10) foreign students, adding that the government would not penalise them even though they could be given for at lease one year imprisonment. It is learnt that the school is planning to confine the students. (April 9 news)

·         The Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s two storey head quarters was caught on fire on April 7. (April 9 news)

·         The Myanmar Rice and Paddy Traders’ Association set the price list in an attempt to avoid rice price rising due to the report of civil service’s salary hikes. It also announced that the rice and paddy wholesalers and retailers were to follow the association’s instruction that ordered them prepared daily report. (April 7 news)

·         The All Bus-line Control Committee’s 1115 city buses will operate during Thingyan Water Festival in order to facilitate the public transportation. (April 7 news)

·         The Minister for Home Affairs, Major General Maung Oo said the salary hikes and commodity prices increases were unrelated and government and private sectors were required to collaborate for prices control. (March 7 news)

·         Vehicle prices, depending on the models, are up about 0.8million due to nearing water festival as well as the general commodity price hikes. (March 7 news)

·         More than US$30million could be earned from export of about 0.12million tonnes onion that are expected to be produced in 2006 from new harvesting land, an onion exporting company said. (March 6 news)

Flower News Vol. 2, No. 14 (April 5-11)

 ·         A senior official from the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department confirmed that Burma began bringing the recent bird flu outbreak under control. (March 31 news)

·         German Agro Action will provide Euro 50,000 for expanding home gardening project in Rangoon’s Htantapin and Ayeyarwaddy’s Nyaungdon townships. The project is conducted to assist the households for fulfilling their basic needs. (March 31 news)

·         Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Myanmar Rice and Paddy Traders’ Association and the Japanese New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation had met during this month for establishing a power plant, which will be fuelled with paddy husks, in Dedaye in Ayeyarwaddy Division. (March 31 news)

·         The prices of Hilsa and fresh water shrimp in Rangoon’s Central Fish Market increase even though their supplies are up. (March 31 news)

·         The Japan International Cooperation Agency will donate digital camera and camera accessories to the Myanma Agriculture Services so as to assist MAS helping farmers utilise agricultural technique more efficiently. (March 31 news)

Number of tourists visiting to Ngwe Saung Beach, which was dropped about 50 per cent in post-Tsunami, is up again during this tourist season. (March 31 news)    

Flower News Vol. 2, No. 13 (March 29-April 4)

 ·         Regular supply of the variety of commodities to Thirimingalar wholesale market generates the stable price and the commodity prices will be up when the supply arrived the market behind the regular period. (March 24 news)

·         The Friends of Rainforest in Myanmar completed this month a project to supply electricity with solar power to 250-households in Thangyigone village in Popa area. The project is conducted since last December in collaboration with the Renewable Energy Association Myanmar and the project cost of more than K100million was funded by the British Embassy.  (March 24 news)          

·         The Ministry of Information at the Ministry of Information Burmese new administrative city, Pyinmana Napyidaw will begin using the government online system in coming month that enables the ministry to link online with its departments. (March 23 news)

·         Burma restricted the bird flu infected areas for animal disease control and the relevant authorities and the departments of Health and Livestock Breeding and Veterinary are conducting necessary disease control measures. (March 23 news)    

·         According to a local labour agency, Bahrain’s shipyard was offering 214 vacancies for Burmese workers with two years contract. (March 23 news)

·         E-Empire Media Group that is publishing the Flower News and Yangon Times weekly journal opens its branch office in Pyinmana on March 22. (March 22 news)

·         Myanma Port Authority is dredging the Yangon River everyday to facilitate the international cargo vessels that are using the river for cargo transports. (March 22 news)  

·         The World Trade Organisation announced that the ASEAN countries including Burma had to legislate and practise the intellectual property rights laws beginning from July 1 2013. (March 13 news)     

·         Two hotels and 19 inns are available for lodging before the opening of the new hotels in nine hotel zones in Pyinmana.    

 
Flower News Vol. 2, No. 12 (March 22-28)

• A Myanmar engineering consultant firm in the United States planned to recruit young engineers from Burma. The firm established in 1961 so far has employed eight Burmese engineers. (March 17 news)

• The national grid established in Magwe and Pyay are planned to be extended to Toungup and Thandwe in Rankhine State in order to facilitate the fuel problem. (March 17 news)  

• Twenty-five Bangladeshi companies participated at the first Bangladesh pharmaceutical trade fair held in Sedona Hotel on March 10 in an attempt to seek market opportunities in Burma. (March 17 news)

• An education-servicing agency said the British Mander Portman Woodward College offered Burmese students to join its entrance subjects that would enable the students to proceed to renowned universities in Britain. (March 17 news)   

• Many people have applied to buy the Myanmar Citizens Bank Ltd's 25,200 share units by February 28. The bank has also signed an agreement with the Myanmar Securities Exchange Centre Co., Ltd for trading the shares and anyone who has the bank's shares can freely trade them via MSEC. (March 17 news)    

• According to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism six hotels being built in hotel zone in Pyinmana would begin accommodating the guests since March 20. (March 16 news)

• Construction work in Pyinmana, in which government ministries officially moved since February 16, is accelerated in the opening season and buildings for the ministries and its offices, highway road link that overpass the city, and four-storey staff quarters are already completed. (March 16 news)

• The Japanese government donated US$ 92,313 to Jivitadana sangha hospital under its grassroots grant assistance program. (March 16 news)

• The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Myanmar Red Cross Society donated medicated mosquito nets and toilet accessories to the 30 highland villages in Eastern Shan State in collaboration with the Australian Red Cross Society. (March 16 news)

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 11 (March 15-21)

• Thirimigalar Market's market administrative authority will increase charges for electricity to threefold, as generators are to use when government's power supply is off. (March 10 news)

• Chicken price, which went down to bottom line because of the blow of bird flu, becomes stable currently and has reached K2,000 per viss in wholesale market. (March 10 news)

• Watermelon and muskmelon are exported daily to China, as those fruits cannot be grown in China during this season. Burma has earned more than US$4.6million from export of those fruits from last April to January this year. (March 10 news)

• The Directorate of Trade said Burma had earned US$1.626million last year from coffee export. (March 10 news)

• Rice price is still stable though new harvest rice enters into the market. Ongoing sale of old harvest rice has resulted in the price to get stable. (March 10 news)

• Burma and India signed three memorandums of understanding on satellite communication, energy and Buddhist studies sectors during the visit of Indian President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. Under the MoU for remote sensing India will provide hardware and software that are required for the ground data receiving station. The MoU on energy cooperation covers the Indian companies to get involved in offshore oil and gas drilling in Burma as well as to prioritise India's GAIL Company for natural gas export. The MoU all includes bilateral collaboration on Burma-India gas pipeline linkage and other energy projects and technologies. (March 9 news)

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 10 (March 8-14)

• The private domestic airlines will begin operating flights to Pyinmana since March. The airlines planned to operate two or three times a week to Pyinmana. So far Myanma Airways is operating to Pyinmana daily. (March 4 news)

• A local company is arranging to export US$79,000 worth varieties of flower to Singapore. (March 4 news)

• The Myanma Pearl Enterprise expects to produce about 0.4million pearl in 2006-07 fiscal year. It has produced more than 0.3 million pearls in 2005-06 fiscal year. (March 4 news)

• More than 2097.57 acres wastelands are exploited for cultivation of onion in this fiscal year. Onions were grown in 2602 acres wastelands last fiscal year. (March 4 news)

• Under the Japan's grassroot grant assistant program the Japanese government donated US$83420 to the National Blood Bank in Rangoon and $73485 to national health laboratory in Mandalay. (March 4 news)

• The Ministry of Forestry is conducting five-year greening project for Pegu range since 2004-05 fiscal year. (March 4 news)

• The British Dublin Metropolitan University conferred a Dr of Human Letters to the general secretary of the YMCA, U Thar Nyan on March 1 for his efforts in humanitarian assistance. (March 4 news)       

• The Myanmar Red Cross Society will continue its HIV/AIDS education campaigns in three major cities during this year. The education campaigns were initiated since 2002. (March 3 news)

• The construction materials' prices increase in this opening season due to the hiking labour and transportation costs. (March 3 news)

• The MS Columbus river cruise carrying 288 passengers and 174 crews arrived Rangoon's Nanthida port on February 24. The majority of the passengers are from Germany and the rests from Australia, Switzerland and Holland. (March 2 news)       

• During Indonesia President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's visit to Burma both sides agreed to establish a joint commission for bilateral cooperation in an attempt to collaborate more in various sectors. The foreign affairs ministers signed on March 1 the memorandum of understanding for establishing the commission. (March 2 news)

• The Myanma Petrochemical Enterprise said the new fertiliser factories would be established in each state and division in order to help support the development of those regions. (March 2 news)      

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 8 (February 22-28)

• The Asia Wealth Bank Limited, whose operating licence was withdrawn last April, announced that its depositors could withdraw their funds by February 28. (February 16 news)

• Antique shops are selling the antique-replica-products that are made with old wood due to scarcity of the authentic ones. Shop owners said foreigners were interested in buying imitation ones though locals preferred the real ones. (February 16 news)

• Chonnam National University and KBH Company from South Korea met with officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation for collaborating in the agricultural sector. (February 16 news)

• Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise will establish a 100-mile gas pipeline from Nyaungdon to Tharbaung in Ayeyarwaddy Division and 120-mile pipeline from Myaingkalay to Rangoon for natural gas distribution. It will also extend the existing 193-mile long pipeline from Magwe to Taunggyi. (February 16 news)

• Three Raags Jazz Band from Germany will hold an international music seminar during this month in collaboration with the Gita-Meit musical school in Rangoon. (February 16 news)

• As a first step to export Burmese organic ginger a local company and Yogi Botanical Company from Germany surveyed the ginger plantation in Southern Shan State during February first week. (February 16 news) 

• Myanma Electric Power Enterprise is granting the electricity meter boxes under the special project for those in Tarmwe Township who still don't have the access to use the electricity. Under the project the enterprise has already granted the meter boxes for the households in about 13 townships in Rangoon. (February 16 news)

• Burmese hats made with bamboo are exported to the beaches in Thailand regularly, and last year more than 5,600 bamboo hats are imported. (February 16 news)    

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 7 (February 15-21)

• The Korea International Co-operation Agency plans to spend US$2million this year for the development programs in the country's education, agriculture, information and technology, electrical power and rail transportation sectors. (February 9 news)

• An official from the Ministry of Commerce said that an increase in export value and decrease in import value implied the improvement of the Burma's economy. Burma earned last year US$2,700million from exports while it imported US$1,679million worth commodities. (February 9 news)

• The Myama Oil and Gas Enterprise will build 26 more compressed natural gas filling stations. There are 19 operating CNG filling stations so far and seven stations are still under construction. (February 9 news)   

• A local labour recruiting agency, which is providing free services for those who want to work at the Singapore dockyard, said officials from the dockyard would interview the candidates late February. (February 9 news)

• The Ministry of Energy said in an announcement that development works in Rakhine offshore's Shwe blocks would be completed in May this year. Tests drilling in two wells were completed last December and January respectively and the test drilling will be continued at five more wells. (February 9 news)

• UNICEF and local health care associations are working to increase the iodine consumption in Rakhine State. (February 8 news)  

The Flower News Vol. 2, No. 6 (February 8-14)

• The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation is collaborating with the Multi-functionality of Agriculture ASEAN-Japan for the four-year all-round agricultural development project in Inle region in Nyaung Shwe Township. (February 3 news)

• Demand of low-end vehicles became higher than the supply and the low-end vehicle prices were likely to be up, a broker from the Thanthuma vehicle-trading centre in Thingangyun Township said. (February 3 news)

• Ministry of Co-operative and Sakura technical services co-operative association will jointly send 83 on-the-trainees for the first time to undertake the training to be conducted in Japan by the Japanese Technical Services Co-operative society. The trainees will have to work three years at the Japanese factories. (February 3 news)      

• The FMI trading centre will use the registered agents for trading its shares in order to speed up the share trading business. (February 2 news)

• While international development agencies are providing humanitarian assistance along Rakhine State and Bangladesh border area, the United Nations Children's Fund is conducting development program for the children in Rakhine State. (February 2 news)

• The Agricultural Mechanisation Department begins works on establishing a factory that will produce 10,000 push-tractor a year. (February 2 news) 

The Flower News No. 5, Vol. 2 (February 1-7)

• The Myanma Railway has successfully converted its light locomotives to be operated on compressed natural gas and they will be used for the operations in Rangoon circular railway and other outskirts tracks. (January 26 news)

• Mandalay is planning to hold its biggest trade fairs, which will include about 150 exhibitors, for the second time from February 3 to 7 in its city hall. (January 26 news)

• The semi-government Myanmar Citizens Bank Limited will sell K5,000 shares to public in an attempt to increase its capital to K500milllion for the extension of its businesses. (January 26 news)    

• The opening ceremony of the Burma-Thailand second goodwill bridge, which is attended by the foreign ministers of both sides, is held on January 22. The bridge linking Tachileik and Maesai will help boost the bilateral trade. (January 25 news)

• Most of the Burma's export commodities are agricultural and fisheries products and about 64 per cent of the total export went to China, India, Thailand and Bangladesh. (January 25 news)

• This year's Naga New Year Festival held from January 12 to 16 attracted regular number of tourists of which Australian and German are the highest. (January 25 news)

• The Burmese translated version of the Asian Copy Rights hand book will be published at the end of January. (January 25 news)  

• Burma-Thailand joint trade fairs would be held at the three-pagoda town from January 28 to February 5 by the arrangement of the two countries' joint border affairs committee, the IMNA news agency reported. (January 20 news)      

The Flower News Vol.2, No.4 (January 25-31)

• Shwe Dagon Pagoda attracted more than 117,500 tourists last year and the number is up compared to the previous years. (January 19 news)

• Muse 105^th mile trade zone would be open by February, and the opening of the zone would enhance the bilateral trade between Burma and China, the director general of the Department of Border Trade, U San Pyae was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency. (January 19 news)

• The Department of Fisheries will carry out conservation works for protecting fish breeding and catching areas in Ayeyarwaddy Division, which are deteriorated because of the nature and human being. (January 19 news)

• A press conference regarding with the surrendering and seizing of the SSA (South) soldiers is held in North Eastern Command on January 17. (January 19 news) 

• Fifteen Chinese volunteers, who will offer services in Burma's agriculture and sports sectors, arrived on January 11. (January 18 news)

• The targeted export value of US$5 billions would be fulfilled if raw materials were transformed and exported as the value-added products, the deputy director general of the Directorate of Trade, U Myo Oo said. Burma mostly exported raw materials and has earned $3billion last year. (January 18 news)

• Coal production was up about 72 per cent in 2005, China's People's Daily Online reported. Burma produced 367,025 tonnes of coals last year and there were about 212,950 tonnes in 2004. (January 18 news)

• The Myanmar Airways International will change its Rangoon-Singapore flight schedule starting from January last week. (January 18 news)

• The Department of Health Planning will emphasise protection of dengue fever in townships and villages since early this year. (January 18 news)

• The Ministry of Health and UNDP are developing a HIV/AIDS awareness project on illustrations for young people. (January 18 news)      

Vol. 2, No. 3 (January 18-24)

• A local company is planning to export one-kilo packages of rice to Singapore. Total of 45 tonnes of rice will be exported and previously the company has exported such value-added rice packages to Malaysia. (January 12 news)

• An agreement for the Tran-Asia railway network that will link Bhutan, Nepal, Burma and India would be signed soon, PTI news said. (January 12 news)

• An expert from the World Health Organisation has checked the migratory birds in the Moeywingyi wildlife sanctuary for examining bird flu and has found no evidence of the disease in those birds. (January 11 news)

• Thailand would gain massive natural gas reserve if collaborate with Burma for its natural gas exploration, Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was quoted as saying by the Thai News Agency. (January 11 news)

• Officials from two Japanese companies and the Myanmar Engineering Society tested the welding skills of the Burmese labours on January 9. Thirty-one candidates will be chosen for three-year on-the-job training to be conducted in Japan. (January 11 news) 

• The Department of Health Planning will begin implementing its three health projects, which are achieved with the collaboration of media industry, NGOs and UNICEF. (January 11 news)

• The Greater Mekong Sub-region member countries including Burma will collaborate with Asia Development Bank for implementing the grouping's tourism development strategy for 2006-2015. (January 11 news)  

• The domestically assembled Jeeps regained business deals currently and the transactions of low-end vehicles are still regular. (January 11 news)   

• A 67-foot blue whale stranded and died at the beach of Ah-hlap-wei-paden village in Mon State's Paung Township on January 3. (January 10 news)

The Flower News Vol.2, No.2 (January 11-17)

• Burma, being an agricultural country, would benefit from the six topics on agriculture and services, which are being negotiated at the World Trade Organisation's 6^th ministerial level meeting held in December in Hong Kong, an official from the Market Information and Research Team said. (January 5 news)

• Myanmar Citizens Bank Limited will sell its B-status share to the public, and the amount and number of shares to be sold for each individual or group will be decided by the company's board of director. (January 5 news)

• Burma will choose three candidates for participating in a regional level quiz contest to be held in Malaysia in August as part of ASEAN Quiz 2005-06 fiscal year project. (January 5 news)

• Yangon City Development Committee is planning to install Japan-made water purifiers at the water reservoirs in Thuwana and Thaketa townships. Though the committee is planning to distribute water via its water pipes the residents in some areas of those townships are still relying on reservoirs as a source for water. (January 5 news)

• The national level elderly people literacy rate increased to 94.1 per cent in 2005-06 academic year due to summer literacy campaigns, a senior official from Myanmar Education Research Brach said. (January 5 news)

• The Yadanamyitta association is conducting five-day training for trainers every two months where it teaches HIV/AIDS awareness and protection in accord with Buddhist literature, and health caring for the patients. (January 5 news)

• Fresh water fishing accounts 5.8 per cent in Rangoon Division's GDP, according to the figures released by the Department of Fisheries. (January 5 news)

• More than 8,000 tonnes of crabs are exported to China in 2004-05 fiscal year under border and normal trade systems. (January 5 news)   

• Ministry of Hotels and Tourism will scrutinise and accept the private sector's proposals for operating hotels, and travel and tours businesses in Pyinmana. So far there are one hotel, four hotels that are still under construction and two digit numbers of guesthouses in Pyinmana. (January 4 news)

• Myanma Electric Power Enterprise allows about 100 applications a day for installing electricity metre boxes since last September. Once the metre boxes are installed at the houses the residents can use the electricity supplied by MEPE. (January 4 news)     

The Flower News Vol.2, No.1 (January 4-10)

• The Ministry of Commerce said the vehicles checking station for monitoring imported commodities from China would be open early this year in Muse border checkpoint. (Dec 29 news)

• International Federation of Red Cross granted SFr 430millions (US$327.1million) for national Red Cross' activities during 2006-2007. Asia Pacific countries including Burma will receive SFr 7.36million. (Dec 29 news)

• Vehicle prices are on a declining trend late this year. Market experts suggest that the market would stir again during 2006 and the luxury vehicles operated with CNG were likely to enter into the local market. (Dec 29 news)    

• The Ministry of Forestry has planted varieties of plantations in more than 1.9millions acres from 1980 to 2005. (Dec 29 news)

• Two travel and tours agencies jointly provide elephant trekking service every Saturday in Pokyar forest elephant camp centre in Bago Division's Yedashe township since December 24. (December 28 news)

• The Department of Forestry is surveying for protection from wild elephants since last May in Rangoon, Mandalay, Bago and Ayeyarwaddy divisions. Locals estimated that there were about 600 wild elephants in those divisions. (December 28 news)        

• A private company claims that it has imported the first trucks to be operated on CNG. The trucks using only two fibreglass gas containers can drive more than one day with one time gas filling. (December 19 news)