HANOI – Foreign ministers from the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations insisted last Thursday
that Myanmar must take part in October’s Asia-Europe Meeting
(ASEM), despite objections from the European Union. ASEAN
wants its newer members – Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar – to be
included in the biennial summit in return for the
participation of the 10 European Union candidate
countries. [FullStory]
Thinking Aloud talks to U
Nyein, the patron of the Myanmar Rice Traders’
Association.
THE monsoon paddy harvest is expected to
exceed last year’s figure because of an increased growing area
and favourable weather conditions, the director general of the
Agricultural Planning Department, U Tin Htut Oo, said last
week.[Fullstory]
THE United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
said last week it was seeking another US$26 million from the
international community for alternative income and community
development projects in the Kokang and Wa regions of Shan
State. [Fullstory]
THE government has rejected what it called a
“one-sided and unbalanced” report on Myanmar in the latest
annual survey by the United States on human rights throughout
the world.The report, issued by the US State Department on
February 25, included criticism of a number of countries,
including Myanmar, China and North Korea, over alleged human
rights violations.[Fullstory]
WIN Hlaing of Yangon Division men’s cycling team was the
star performer in the 34th State and Division Cycling
Competition from February 24 to March 1, winning gold medals
in the 1000-metre, 4000m and 100-kilometre races.The Yangon
cyclist also won the trophy for Best Male Rider at the event,
held at the National Cycle Racing Ground in Thuwanna Youth
Training Centre. [Fullstory]
THE government is doing all it can to ensure that
child sex tourism does not occur in Myanmar, the Deputy
Minister for Hotels and Tourism, Brigadier General Aye
Myint Kyu, said last week.[Fullstory]
Honey exports are projected to earn more than
$365,000 in 2003-2004, up from about $310,000 during the
previous 12 months, said U Maung Maung Sein, the
director of the Apiculture Department under the Ministry
of Livestock and Fisheries.[Fullstory]
MYANMA Railways has begun preliminary work on a
bridge over the Yangon circular line on Parami Road that
will help to ease traffic congestion on the busy
thoroughfare.“Trains cross the road 46 times a day and
each time about 150 vehicles are banked up,” said U Myat
Linn, the deputy general manager of Myanma Railways
civil engineering department. [Fullstory]
“The use of train whistles has been banned from
February 24 in three areas that cover seven stations in
three townships,” said U Hla Aye, the general manager of
the Myanma Railways operations department.[Fullstory]
PRICES of pulses and
beans have fallen dramatically in the past two months,
especially those for Black-eyed beans and Black Matpe
varieties, industry sources said last week. [Fullstory]
“Many Myanmar companies face problems
because they sign contracts without consulting lawyers,”
said U Than Maung, an advocate and legal associate with
Kelvin Chia in Yangon, which is affiliated with the
Kelvin Chia Partnership in Singapore.[Fullstory]
“Occupancy has increased since October,
and by four per cent in just the past month. Also, this
financial year, our occupancy rate has increased by two
per cent over the year 2002-2003. We have had more long
stay guests working for airlines, garment factories,
non-governmental organisations, and oil and gas
companies,” said Daw Khin Khin Htay, public relations
manager at Micasa Hotel Apartments.[Fullstory]
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