The Yangon Times 2006

The Yangon Times Vol. 2, No. 9 (December 7-13)

• Two Thai companies conduct a survey in November first week for establishing bio-diesel plant in Myeik district in Tanintharyi Division. (December 3 news)

• Asia World Company won 30-year operating licence for No (4) Ahlone Wharf with build-operate-transfer (BOT) system. It will spend K1.4billion and US$1.5million for building the wharf in Ahlone Township. (December 2 news)

The Yangon Times Vol. 2, No. 8 (November 30-December 6)

• The Prisons Department begins providing formal education classes since last academic year in Insein, Mandalay and Meiktala prisons in order to help inmates continue their education. Total of 91 inmates is attending the classes in this academic year. (November 25 news)   

• Rice trade is cooling down while there is regular supply to the Rangoon market. There is no potential of rice prices to continue rising, a rice wholesaler in Bayintnaung complex said. (November 25 news)

The Yangon Times Vol. 2, No. 7 (November 23-29)

• ASEAN countries and China show their interests in investing in Burma's business tourism sector, said U Chan Nyein from SST Company that participated in Nannin trade fair. (November 19 news)    

• Groups of pickpocket are stealing commuters' mobile phone handsets on passenger buses and they ask ransom of at least K50,000 in return of those handsets. (November 18 news)

• About 800 officials attended the public health, agriculture, research, electricity energy and rail transportation sectors related courses conducted in South Korea with the arrangement of Korea International Corporation Agency. About half of the attendees have already completed the courses. (November 18 news)

• Rental market is active while sales of apartments and houses are sluggish in property sector during this month. (November 18 news)

The Yangon Times Vol. 2, No. 5 (November 9-15)

• Private companies including Htoo Trading, Shwe Than Lwin, Kanbawza and Eden are allowed to grow coffee plants in 30,000 acres in Southern Shan State's Yett Sot. Coffee plants are targeted to be grown in 0.1million acres. (November 4 news)

• The Ministry of Finance and Revenue said it its notification issued dating back on June 5 that tax payers will be relieved up to K12,000 a year for their spouses and children. The ministry's separate announcement said private and co-operative sectors are required to pay 2 per cent sale tax on their border export earning. The tax is to be paid with Kyats. (November 3 news)
  
  
  

The Yangon Times Vol. 2, No. 4 (November 2-8)

• The Yangon General Hospital's medical social care department is organising to establish Medical Social Care Foundation, a non-government organisation, to help provide impoverished patients medications. (October 28 news)

• Under the grassroots grant assistance program the Japanese government donated US$65,531 on October 20 for building a monastic education school in Ayeyarwaddy Division's Kyonpyaw Township. (October 28 news)

• Maungdaw border checkpoint in Rakhine State, one of the checkpoints bordering with Bangladesh, will be upgraded as border trade zone. The bilateral trade with Bangladesh accounted about US$60million in 2005-06 fiscal year and of which $21.108 million is from border trade. (October 28 news)

The Yangon Times Vol. 2, No. 3 (October 26-November 1)

• An Airbus A310 aeroplane purchased by the private Air Bagan Airways arrived in Yangon International Airport on October 23. The airline plans to use the Airbus plane for international operations and its first international flight to China's Kuminn is scheduled on January 8. (October 24 news)

• Vehicles assembled in Rangoon's industrial zones are to be displayed at an exhibition to be held in Tamadaw Hall in early November. (October 20 news)

• Independent representatives-elect Dr Hmu Htan of Thantlang Township constituency in Chin State, U Aung Thein of Ywangan Township constituency in Shan State and U Tun Kyaw of Namhsan Township constituency in Shan State (North) from the delegate group of representatives-elect proposed a suggestion on replacing a principle that 'the State shall not demonetise the currency in circulation' as a detailed basic principle in the citizenship, basic rights and the responsibilities of Citizen's chapter economic opportunities, the New Light of Myanmar was quoted. They also suggested providing legal protection to Burmese working abroad. Their suggestion also included the authorities' prescribing necessary laws to solve problems appeared because of opening of checkpoints that hindered commodity flows and causing prices rise. (October 20 news)

• The Japan International Cooperation Agency opens NGO/JICA-Japan desk library and the library membership is free. (October 19 news)  

The Yangon Times Vol. 2, No.2 (October 19-25)

• Sales of apartments and detached houses are hardly made during this week while rentals of apartments situated in six downtown townships' busy streets increase. (October 14 news)

• An intellectual property rights association will be established in October under the umbrella of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industries. (October 14 news)

• The Myanmar Police Force establishes police guard stations on a trail basis in the crowded areas of Rangoon's 15 townships so as to reduce crime rates in those areas. (October 14 news)

• About 30,000 tonnes of fruits and vegetables enter the Rangoon's second biggest crops wholesale market in Danyingone daily. (October 13 news)

• The Korea International Cooperation Agency contributed US$170,000 worth a vehicle and inspection equipment to the Ministry of Electric Power No (2). (October 13 news)

• An official from the Internal Revenue Department said businesses that could prove strong evidence of no income would not be levied, denying the accuse that said the department's officials were collecting taxes on businesses which are at losses. (October 13 news)
  
  
  
  

The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 52 (October 5-11)

• US-based Apolo cruise shipping is recruiting 100 Burmese sailors via local Crew Transport International labour agency for its ships operating to Brazil. (September 30 news) 

• The Ministry of Communications, Posts and Telegraphs said anyone could file a complaint at its recently opened complaint centre if they are doubtful of their telephone connections, which are purposely disconnected. (September 29 news)

The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 51 (September 28-October 4)

• Eel exporters will be confined after September 20 when 100g crab is found exported. (September 23 news)

• Burmese labours are still popular in Malaysia and the numbers of labour recruited by the Malaysian companies are still unchanged despite the Malaysian government's announcement to reduce foreign labours to 1.5million from 1.84million, according to the local labour recruiting agencies. (September 22 news)

• Prices of salted fish are likely to be upped due to surging salt price. The price of salt, major raw material for producing salted fish, went twofold after Cyclone Mala hit the country. (September 22 news)

• The K14-million renovation work on 40-year old Nawyin-hmwe Bridge that links Kautkataoung and Lakkana villages in Karin State's Pha-An Township is completing with the arrangement of Lawkattasariya Foundation. (September 22 news)

• The Ministry of Culture is building a new palace of King Anawrahta on about 15-acre land near Tharapa Gate in Bagan, and the construction work, contracted to Htoo Trading Company, is expected to be completed in 2007-08 fiscal year. The ministry already spent nearly K1900million for building work done during last two fiscal years. (September 22 news)            
  
  
  

The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 49 (September 14-20)

• The Ministry of Finance and Revenue has earned K94.4million last fiscal year from land taxation in Rangoon. Rangoon's 32 townships are divided into three categories for collecting land taxes. (September 11 news)

• Construction workers' daily wages increase to K2000/3000 from K1000/1500 since August last week. (September 9 news) 

• Private Air Bagan is planning to buy two A310 (airbus) aeroplanes from China Eastern Airline for use in its international flights to be begun in December. The airline's first international flights will be operated to Thai, Singapore and Malaysia. (September 9 news)

• Aungzabu monastic education school in Rangoon Division's Kawhmu Township provides 774 children from nearby 14 villages primary to middle school education. The school is financing the students from selling crops grown in the monastery compound while half of annual cost for stationery is donated by Botahtaung Monday Cleaning Association. (September 9 news)

The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 48 (September 7-13)

• Myanmar Red Cross Society will move its head office to a temporary place for one year as its current building will soon be renovated with the assistance of Norway Red Cross Society. (September 2 news)

• Officials from Europe and US-based cruise liners will come to Burma in late September to recruit Burmese sailors. About 150 Burmese are working in those cruises. (September 2 news)

• In an attempt to help support security tightening of Rangoon the Fishery Department warns fishing boats just to carry their crews but not additional people who do not have identity cards issued for fishermen. (September 2 news)

• Bangladesh monthly imports about 4000 boxes of soap produced by Padonma soap factory in Mon State's Paung Township. A box contains 80 soap blocks. (September 2 news)      

• Korea International Cooperation Agency provides technical assistance and training to the country's national level vaccine production project. It also donated US$30,000 worth laboratory equipment to the Ministry of Health on August 30. (August 30 news)

The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 47 (August 31-September 6)

• Patients with emergency cases who plan to take medication services in foreign countries can get their passports within one-waiting day with a special surgeon's recommendation. The Office of Passport Issuing Board also relaxes some regulations for anyone to have passports easily. (August 26 news)

• A five-member group led by a professor from South Korean national university and a Japanese journalist group visited Myanma Agriculture Service in Rangoon Division's Hlegu Township to study physic nuts plantation and research done in Burma. (August 26 news)

• A Malaysian joint venture garment company in Burma is planning to send 20 female-employees to its mother factory in Malaysia. (August 26 news)

• The Ministry of Health will distribute measles vaccines to 13million children throughout the country in collaboration with UNICEF and MRCS. WHO, UNF and RC (USA) will also assist vaccine distribution to be done from November 19 to December 2 and in next January. (August 26 news)   

• Tenants in Rangoon who don't have family registration cards are facing difficulties in doing NRC (national registration cards). (August 26 news)

• Rangoon commodities price control committee is negotiating with edible oil traders for stabilising edible oil prices. The committee has collaborated with rice and paddy traders for stability of rice prices and for opening special retail shops that sell rice with discount rates. (August 25 news)

• Tobacco selling near basic education primary schools is banned in an attempt to reduce smoking. (August 25 news)   

The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 37 (June 22-28)

• Day-old-chicks from Rangoon are transported again to other states and divisions except restricted areas. (June 18 news)

• The Myanmar Pharmaceutical and Medical Equipment Enterpreneurs Association would strictly inspect the marketing of unregistered medicines as some such illegally sold medicines had resulted in the loss of lives, said the chairman of the association, U Maung Maung Lay. (June 17 news)

• There are more than 0.55million acres rubber plantation throughout the country in 2005-06 fiscal year in which more than 260,000 acres are in Mon State. Burma plans to grow rubber in about 1.5million acres by 2030. (June 17 news)

• The United Nations Population Fund will conduct training for general practitioners in six cities to help prevent transmission of venereal disease from mother to kids. The training will be held in collaboration with the Myanmar Medical Association and the Department of Health. (June 17 news)

• Two journalists, the chief executive officer of e-Empire Media Group, U Ko Ko and a freelance Min Naing Soe left Burma on June 12 to participate in intellectual exchange program held in Seoul from June 13 to 20. (June 17 news)     

• The Indian Air India opens its branch office in Rangoon to facilitate its operations from Rangoon to India's cities via Bangkok. (June 15 news)  

The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 36 (June 15-21)

• The United Nations Development Program will help build mini-hydropower plants in villages in Northern Chin State and the plants will use the turbines produced from Kalay industrial zone to generate electricity. (June 13 news) 

• The contribution of fishery sector to Rangoon's GDP value is targeted to exceed K48.97million. (June 12 news)

• Live eels will be auctioned for the first time in Muse 105^th mile trade zone on June 15 under the arrangement of the Myanmar Marine Products Producers and Exporters Association and Myanmar Eel Traders Association. The auction is expected to balance the local eel traders with Chinese sides that offer less-than-market prices. (June 12 news)   

• The falling international gold price and gold blocks supply from Mandalay have contributed the gradual drop of local gold price that reaches to K430,000 per tical at the end of June first week. (June 12 news)

• The Japanese company, Torizen Foods Ltd, donated K8million for the expansion of a monastic education school in Inntakaw in Bago Division. (June 12 news)   

 
The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 35 (June 8-14)

• The Fédération Internationale de Football Association has agreed to assist the Myanmar Football Federation US$1million for establishing a football academy in Mandalay. The local sport federation has established a national football-training centre in Rangoon with the assistance of FIFA. (June 3 news)

• The Department of Fishery's newly established fish inspection quality control group begin inspecting fishery products processing plants that are mainly exporting to the European countries in an attempt to drive the plants producing standard meets products. (June 1 news)               

The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 34 (June 1-7)

• Most of the tourists visiting to Kambozathadi Palace in Bago are from Thailand and the palace attracts at least 300 Thai tourists per month. (May 29 news) 

• The Myanma Posts and Telecommunications plans to expand its international express mail services to additional 30 countries. MPT began the service to 33 countries since April this year. (May 28 news)

• The Singapore construction sector is recruiting more than 100 Burmese engineers via a Singapore employment agency and local Danar Management and Services Overseas Employment Agency. (May 24 news)

The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 33 (May 25-31)

• Every business and person who have export earnings are allowed to buy fuel from the Ministry of Energy, the sole importer of the fuel, with US$2.8 per gallon. The business organisations and associations claimed that such move to buy fuel with export earnings had accelerated their operations. (May 21 news)

• The Myanmar Arts and Crafts Asiayone will issue copyrights guidelines for painters in May last week in order to prevent disputes among them. (May 21 news)

• Thai's Air Asia is expected to become the fourth airline that operates between Rangoon and Bangkok since July or October. The airline is said to operate the route daily. (May 21 news) 

• Local alternative medicine manufacturing company, Fame has signed an agreement with Korean Didius Inc on April 29 for producing alternative medicine for H5N1 bird flu disease. (May 20 news)

• Asia Tawwin Orchid Company is planning to grow orchid in 500 acres in Muse District in an attempt to export to China, and so far it has already begun plantation in 60 acres. (May 20 news)

• The Korean Airline is planning to operate to Burma four flights per week since October. (May 20 news)

• A press conference for 15^th European film festival will be held at the France Embassy on May 23. The festival to be shown films from France, Italy, Germany and Britain will be held from June 3 to 10 in Rangoon's Naypyidaw Cinema Hall. (May 19 news)

The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 32 (May 18-25)

• Government officials who earn K80,000 and above after salary rises since April become interested in opening current accounts in government banks to help solve problems of cash handling. (May 15 news)

• Rangoon's property market sees better trades since April third week and the number of rentals is doubled than that of sales. (May 15 news) 

• Energy departments and associations from ten ASEAN countries met on April 24 in Grand Plaza Park Royal Hotel to set up standard guidelines for renewable energy sector. (May 14 news) 

• To help develop the country's agricultural sector the Myanmar Agricultural Development Bank will grant K41,000million in 2006-07 fiscal year. The bank has provided K34,390.56million loan last fiscal year. (May 14 news)

• Burma was recorded at the Southeast Asian bird flu conference held in Vietnam as the country that enabled to control the disease quickest which is resulting in the least losses compared to other regional member countries, Dr Aung Gyi from the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department sai     d, adding that the country also had faced the shortest disease outbreak. (May 14 news)  

• With the completion of four out of 15 major hydropower projects in 2007-08 fiscal year, additional more than 730megawatts electricity would be distributed, the Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan said. (May 13 news)

The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 31 (May 11-17)

• A central market accommodating 224 retail shops is open in Naypyidaw on May 4. The market will house total of more than 500 shops, cinema halls and shopping centre when the whole project is completed. (May 6 news)

• The Myanmar World Distribution Co., Ltd is providing service for those wanting to use MPT satellite terminal system within two weeks. The system allows users to use telephone, Internet, email and facsimile services simultaneously. (May 6 news) 

• The World Health Organisation is seeking funds to provide Burma necessary medical facilities and medicines for combating bird flu. (May 6 news)

• The Yangon Airways begins round trip flights from Naypyidaw to Mandalay, Heho and Kengtong since May 1 in addition to Naypyidaw to Rangoon operation. (May 6 news)     

• Mangoes export to China's Yunnan Province via Muse border trade zone begins since mid April this year. (May 5 news)

• Charter flights carrying South Korean passengers will arrive in Yangon International Airport twice a week between May third week and October last week. (May 5 news)

• Thai Airways is expected to launch a budget airline for domestic and regional operations later this year. The subsidiary Euarng Luang budget airline will operate to Laos, Cambodia and Burma. (May 5 news)    

The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 30 (May 4-10)

• Passports are available within one month from applying regular channel, an applicant who submitted the application on March 22 and withdrew his passport on April 24 said. (May 2 news)

• Less supply of gold to Rangoon and price rise in international gold market had resulted in the local gold price unstable, jewellery shops said. Most of the gold supplies to Rangoon are from Mandalay followed by from Malwlamyine and Shwekyin. (May 1 news)

• Russian fish businesses were keen to invest in Burma's fishery sector as a result of the invitation of the Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, during his visit to Russia in April first week. (May 1 news)  

The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 29 (April 27-May 3)

• Six more tax-free markets will be open in Rangoon in addition to its existing six markets. (April 23 news)

• The director general of the Myanmar Police Force, Brig-Gen Khin Ye said a possible price rate for rice would be set with the assistance of the Myanmar Rice and Paddy Traders' Association in order to control the fluctuating rice price. (April 23 news)

• A charter flight carrying 38 Spanish tourists has arrived on April 3 and left here on April 7. (April 23 news)

• Mobile telecommunication connection in Bago Division becomes better since water festival and the Myanma Posts and Telecommunications is also leasing 2,000 Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) mobile telephones in the division. (April 22 news)

• China offered Burma a 1-acre land in Nannin for construction of national business building. China was planning to establish an International Business Park in Nannin and Burma was still considering to accept the offer that requires for long term commitment to maintain the building, the general secretary of UMFCCI, U Sein Win Hlaing said. (April 22 news)    

• More private companies are interested in onion growing due to the government's incentive that allows the growers to export their own crops and about 40 companies have grown onion in 2005-06 fiscal year. There were about 10 companies only in 2004-05 fiscal year. (April 22 news)

• Bangkok Airway will introduce Rangoon-Bangkok budget flights since later this month. The airline charges US$205 for the route and the budget flights will save customers about US$62. (April 22 news)

• The Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise will enable to transport total of 110million cubic-foot natural gas to Rangoon daily after completion of expansion of 14-inch to 20-inch diameter natural gas pipeline that links Gulf of Moattama and Rangoon. (April 20 news) 

The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 28 (April 20-28)

 ·         Increased number of members, achieving a range of prizes in international exhibitions and enabling sending more member companies to the international fairs had contributed the UMFCCI to set 2005 as the most successful year, the chamber’s chairman, U Win Myint, said at its annual meeting held on March 31. (April 18 news)

·         Postgraduate students from the German’s Cologne University and Yangon University had conducted a research on Theingyizay wholesale market building and its nature in 2005 as part of the bilateral Burma-Germany research collaboration program, and they planned to do it again the similar research if permitted. (April 18 news)

·         Seven tourists from European countries including Germany, Britain and Switzerland visited Phangarum snow-capped mountain in Puta-O from April 5 to 17 with the arrangement of Myanmar Himilaya Trekking and Culture CO., Ltd. (April 18 news)      

·         The Department of Hydropower and Thailand’s MDX Group of Companies signed an agreement on April 3 to form a joint venture company that began works on establishing a 7110 megawatts hydropower project on Thanlwin River in Southern Shan State with the investment of about US$6000million. (April 17 news)

·         Burma established a committee on March 31 that comprised with government and private organisations for drafting national report on combating desertification which will later be submitted to the United Nations. (April 17 news)

·         Fish prices were up because of hiking production cost and other overheads but not because of higher consumption due to the outbreak of bird flu, the chairman of the Myanmar Fish Farmers Association, U Than Lwin said. (April 17 news)

·         Experts from the Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development would visit bird flu virus infected areas in Mandalay and Sagaing to help control the disease. (April 17 news)

·         The Green House Trading Co., Ltd received this year’s first green light on March 30 to export 1096 tonnes rice, which are harvested from the wetland cultivation area. Government allowed exporting rice that is cultivated in wetland areas only. (April 17 news)

·         Ms Umezaki Michiko replaced Mr Takahiro Sasaki, the then-country representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, since March 20. (April 17 news)

·         M.S.Europea carrying 268 passengers and 207 crews will arrive in Thilawa port on April 21. (April 17 news)

YMCA will expand its micro credit project during this year that provides loans to low-income households to help establish their own businesses. It began the project in 2004 in Hlaingthaya and Mingaladon townships, and the project will be expanded in some other townships. (April 17 news

The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 27 (April 6-12)

·         Price of physic nut seed increases to K80,000 from K20,000 per bushel since January this year due to its popularity among government and private sectors. (April 3 news)

·         The Japan International Cooperation Agency donated bird flu awareness pamphlets and posters to the Department of Livestock Breeding and Veterinary to help educate people for controlling the disease. (April 3 news)  

·         The Myanma Posts and Telecommunications begins international mail and goods express transportation service that reaches to 32 countries since April 3. (April 2 news)

·         The Korea International Cooperation Agency will donate US$30,000 worth computer accessories to the Department of Medical Research (Lower Myanmar). (April 2 news)

·         UMFCCI and the Nippon-Keidanren International Cooperation Centre in Japan have discussed on March 16 for training managerial level Burmese company staff in Japan. (April 2 news)  

·         Burma is still included in the list of tuberculosis-rate highest countries even though its tuberculosis-rate is decreasing. (April 2 news)

The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 26 (March 30-April 5)     

 ·         Tun Foundation is planning to establish a mobile health care unit to provide free health care services throughout the country. (March 26 news)

·         GATI Coast to Coast Company is providing Rangoon-Chennai (India) direct container transportation service three times a month. The direct route takes four days only and it is comparatively faster compared to the previous route transiting in Singapore that took about three weeks. (March 26 news)

·         Officials from the Ministry of Commerce in Rangoon and Naypyidaw hold co-ordination meetings with the assistance of video conferencing system. (March 26 news)

·         The Burmese government earns more than Euro10million annually from gems taxation. (March 26 news)

·         Burma has an annual gold production of about 10,000 ounces. (March 25 news)

·         Air Mandalay begins three-day a week Rangoon-Mandalay-Naypyidaw flight since March 15. (March 25 news)

The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 25 (March 23-29)

• International airlines including Thai International Airways, Silkair, Myanmar Airways International and Bangkok Airways that are operating flights to Burma will change their flight schedules since March last week. (March 18 news) 

• The Myanmar Medical Association will organise training on anti-retroviral therapy for private sector for practitioners in Rangoon, Myeik and Lashio. The training will help improve doctors for providing medication to HIV/AIDS patients. (March 18 news)     

• The Myanma Posts and Telecommunications begins leasing 10,000 Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) to the public with raffling system. (March 17 news)

• The Department of Fisheries established two groups for monitoring the live fishery product exporters' warehouse in order to prevent stocking and exporting restricted live products. (March 17 news)

• An authentic 33.39-carat Burmese ancient ruby set with a floor price of Euro3.5million will be auctioned at the 43^rd gem emporium. (March 17 news)

• The British Council in Rangoon will hold an Education UK Exhibition in collaboration with Mentor International and Regent Consultancy Services Co., Ltd in Traders Hotel on April 2. The exhibition is the fourth in its kind in Burma and representatives from the 18 UK colleges and universities will provide the enthusiasts information on UK education. (March 17 news)

• An official from the Ministry of Information's News and Periodicals Enterprise said the state-owned three newspapers were modifying their presentations since early this year in an attempt to attract readers' attention. (March 17 news)

• The Myanma Agriculture Produce Trading begins monitoring since March 16 at the Thaton Township's Mayanchaung station for preventing onion smuggling to Thailand via border. (March 17 news)         

The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 23 (March 9-15)

• The Tourism Myanmar Co., Ltd plans to provide Dutch tourists a tour package to Mergui Archipelagos from March 12 to 18. A local travel agency said the archipelagos attracted more tourists this year than the previous years. (March 5 news) 

• The Myanmar National Commission for Environmental Affairs will conduct a study on the air quality in Rangoon in March in collaboration with the United Nations Environmental Program. (March 4 news)

• The United Nations Children's Funds plans to spend US$0.75million this year for four cleaning projects that are to be conducted for 2006 to 2010. (March 4 news)

• The Myanmar Fishery Products Processors and Exporters Association will open 1200 tonnes processing plant since March first week in Muse 105^th mile trading zone. The plant will help Burmese export to keep and trade fishery products systematically. (March 4 news)

• Kobe-Myanmar Friendship Association donated six cameras to the Department of Forestry for use in tiger and crocodile conservation activities. (March 4 news)

• The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation will officially hand over the US$0.1million worth milk products equipment to the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department on March 15. (March 4 news)

• Under the BIMSTEC member countries development program the TERI group from India will contribute for utilising the electricity and Internet connection in the basic education schools in rural areas throughout the country. (March 1 news)

The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 22 (March 2-8)

• A public company with 14 directors is proposed to be established in order to share public the opportunities received from fisheries export sector. Public will enable to buy the company's shares once it is registered, and the company expects to begin its operation in March. (February 25 news)

• The Japanese experts will collaborate in building the Phyuu-chaung multipurpose dam project in Bago Division to withstand the earthquakes. (February 25 news)

• The Myanma Economic Bank and Myanma Investment and Commercial Bank will jointly provide money transfer services by using facsimile, and the depositors of each bank will enable to transfer money to the branches of its counterpart bank. (February 25 news)

• The UNAIDS said it had provided AVR to more than 2,500 HIV/AIDS patients for free till the end of last December. (February 25 news)

• An official from the WIPO office in Rangoon said Burma was eligible to use for free the bio-diesel technologies that are registered for patent in WIPO. (February 25 news)   

• Work on expansion of the Yangon International Airport is completed more than 60 per cent and the whole project is to expected to complete later this year. (February 18 news)

The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 21 (February 23-29)

• Due to the gem paintings' high popularity in international markets the local gem painting businesses become producing massive number of their products. Most of gem paintings are exported to the United States and Japan. (February 19 news)

• The United States-based passenger cruise, Carnaval Cruise Line will recruit about 200 Burmese in March for the positions of cook, cleaner, waiter, cabin crew, Steward and laundry man. About 80 Burmese are working at the cruise line. (February 18 news)

• The Greater Mekong Sub-region countries will issue a report on GMS environmental outlook late this year. (February 18 news)

• Myanmar CP Company will import 0.6million fingerlings of new tilapia species to breed in Burma. (February 18 news)

• The first Drums of Asia Contest will be held in Burma late March. (February 18 news)    

• The Department of Archaeology has found a Burmese stone inscription that is earlier than Myazedi stone inscription, which is previously regarded as the earliest Burmese stone inscription made in about 1112. (February 18 news)    

• The spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Mr Kong Quan told the press conference held on February 7 that anything happened in Burma was its internal affairs and should be solved by its own government and people themselves. He also said China was willing to see the international community, especially Burma's neighbouring countries, to help it advance the process of national reconciliation with an active and constructive attitude on the basis of respecting Burma's sovereignty and national dignity.

The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 20 (February 16-22)

• According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation listing Burma ranked sixth among the world's top freshwater fish producing countries. (February 12 news)  

• Burmese workers who are going to work in Malaysia are only allowed to have visa issued by the Malaysia Embassy in Rangoon once they have passport with more than one-year validity. (February 11 news)

• Bangkok Airways, which previously opened its ticketing office everyday, will close the office on Sunday. (February 11 news)

• A blind school in Monywa that is accommodating blind children ageing between six and 20 years is asking for donations for the welfare of the children. (February 11 news)

• The new model motor cycles produced in the Yenangyaung industrial zone will soon be exported to Bangladesh, Laos and Cambodia in addition to marketing locally. (February 8 news) 

• The baskets and Ka-latts (small circular tray with a stem) made with copper wire by a local handicraft expert are exported to Japan and Thailand. (February 8 news)

• A local entrepreneur funded K10million for establishing a foundation for the development and social welfare of the disabled persons. (February 8 news)

• The Buddhist four offerings (monastery, robes, food and medicine) donating group (Burma and UK) has donated more than K8million to the monasteries throughout the country during 2005 and 2006. (February 7 news)

The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 19 (February 9-15)

• Since Burma is free from the bird flu outbreaks US$ 16,000 worth more than 0.3 million eggs are exported to China via border checkpoint. China is also importing the day-old-chicks from Burma. (February 4 news)

• Burma was conducting bird flu prevention throughout the country in collaborating with the international organisations and other countries even though there was no report of the disease, the Minister for Livestock and Fisheries said, adding that it also received testing equipment from the international organisations and local livestock and pharmaceutical companies. (February 4 news)

• The Japanese Nippon Foundation will organise oil spill preparedness and response seminar for Burma, Cambodia and Vietnam in Grand Plaza Parkroyal Hotel on February 17. (February 4 news)

• Burma expected to earn more than US$100 millions from exporting more than 0.5 million tonnes of onion in this fiscal year. (February 4 news) 

• China offers to buy as many castor seeds as possible from Burma. Though castor seed cannot produce bio-diesel like physic nut can it can be used for producing engine oil and lubricating oil. (February 4 news)

• The Japan Association for Aid and Relief will provide free tailoring and hairdressing training for disabled persons since late February and the trainees will also have chance to learn computer skills, Japanese and English languages, and leadership skill. (February 3 news)

• The United Nations Development Programme's assessment mission group said the UNDP's micro-financing project conducted in Ayeyarwaddy Division, central dry region and Shan State was the most successful project throughout the world. The project is begun since 1997 in 11 cities and it is extended in another 11 cities since last April. (February 3 news)   

• UNICEF's communication officer said it was operating normal functions in Rangoon and still had no plan to move to Pyinmana. The government ministries are relocated in Pyinmana since last November and while the move of the remaining ministries are proceeding the international non-government organisations and embassies are still in Rangoon. (February 3 news)  

The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 18 (February 2-8)

• Thanakha (traditional make-up obtained from the barks of Thanakha plant) is exported to Philippines since last October. The packages of Thanakha are also exported to Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. (January 29 news)

• Work on reconstruction of the main hall of the ancient Bagan Palace, begun since late 2003, is almost completed and the whole project is expected to complete in mid 2007. (January 29 news) 

• The Ministry of Co-operative said its export earning till late last December of more than US$12.73million had exceeded the target earning of $7.19million set this fiscal year. (January 29 news)

• The British Council Rangoon will award bursary to thirty students who are going to attend three LCCI diploma courses to be opened by the MCC computer centre. The bursary will exempt the students for course and examination fees. (January 29 news)

• Cologne-based Malteser International will conduct humanitarian activities including establishing and maintaining the clinics, toilets, lakes and reservoir in Htan-ta-bin Township's 25 villages. (January 29 news)   

• More than 3600 tonnes of watermelon are exported to China before Chinese New Year festival. (January 28 news)

• Numbers of city buses in operation again increased as more buses have completed their conversion to be operated on compressed natural gas. (January 28 news)

• The Myanmar Overseas Seafarers Association and Chinese (Taipei) National Chinese Seamen Union will sign a collective agreement in February. The agreement will help Burmese seafarers to have employment in Taipei shipping lines. (January 28 news)    

The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 17 (January 26-February 1)

• Local-made 1KW and 500W inverters are exported to India via border checkpoints during December. During December 11 to 17 Burma exported more than K213million worth export commodities and imported about K202million commodities via two border checkpoints with India. (January 22 news)   

• The Myanmar Livestock Entrepreneurs Association will establish a nursery centre for conducting researches on breeding indigenous fish species and other fisheries studies. (January 21 news)

• Anyone can borrow for free at the UNICEF library, which so far has about 400 books in Burmese and more than 5,000 books in English. (January 21 news)

• The production and export of freshwater and saltwater shrimps would increase in 2006-07 fiscal year, chairman of the Myanmar shrimp entrepreneurs association said. According to the figure there are 11,600 freshwater shrimp breeding acres in Burma. (January 21 news) 

• The Ministry of Commerce's website said the Myanmar Happy Cook Co., Ltd would export a range of kitchen utensils as the country's new export commodities to South Korea for the first time. (January 19 news)

• The cultivation of Taiwanese honey-orange in Northern Shan State is successful and the sale income generates about K100million a year. (January 19 news)      
  
  
  

The Yangon Times Vol.1, No.16 (January 19-25)

• Myanma Posts and Telecommunications said in its website the upcoming introduction of a new service for GSM mobile phones users to enable using Internet. (January 15 news)

• A local company is collecting ten of thousands tonnes of dried tapioca to export some ASEAN countries. (January 15 news)

• An expert group from Japan Geologist Survey will visit Burma in February to study feasibility of earthquakes that would generate Tsunami. (January 14 news)

• There are total of ongoing 635 gems mining blocks and 1202 jade mining blocks in Burma, and gems 61,232,000 carat and jade 14,436,000 kilos are produced from those mines. (January 14 news)

• The primary students and expectant mothers throughout the country are having worm vaccinations as part of worm-disease protection. (January 14 news)

• The Minister for Forestry, Brig-Gen Thein Aung said logging and forest conservation work would be strictly controlled in an attempt to protect illegal logging and to have sustained benefits from the utilisation of forest resources. (January 14 news)

The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 15 (January 12-18)

• A local co-operative association invented the water pumps with traditional technique that are less oil consumption than the motor pumps, which are now widely used by the farmers. (January 8 news) 

• A private pharmaceutical company, FAME, signed a memorandum of understanding with DIDUS Co., Ltd from Korea that enabled the Burma company to export US$1million worth its natural medicines. (January 7 news)

• Hlaingtharyar Industrial Zone will establish an industrial network by the end of this year that would link its seven sub-industrial zones with information and communication technology system. (January 7 news)  

• The Highline Community College in US's Seattle Washington will award scholarships to Burmese students and two college directors will visit here in January for selecting successful candidates. (January 7 news)

• Ten Burmese students won scholarships awarded from the American Grambling State University in Louisiana and more students will be chosen for the scholarships in June. (January 7 news) 

• Burma's intellectual property rights laws were likely to be completed before WTO's extended deadline in 1013, an official from the Myanmar IP office said. So far Burma is almost ready to enact the IP laws by striving to meet the first deadline in 2006. (January 7 news)      

• The Myanmar Medical Association is conducting HIV/AIDS and venereal diseases prevention training to the general practitioners in Hinthada, Sittwe, Pyin-oo-lwin and Nyaung-U. (January 7 news)

• An a bilateral goodwill commemoration Rangoon mayor Brigadier General Aung Thein Linn donated a seven feet high standing Buddha alabaster statue to a China's Buddhism university in Jiangsu province. (January 7 news)

• The Department of Health is introducing a tobacco free initiative project in the states and divisions with the assistance of WHO since 2000. (January 7 news)         

• Eels, which are to be exported via Muse105th mile trading zone, are checked and issued assurance certificates at the quality control laboratory in the zone. (January 7 news)

• Some HIV patients have reduced their positive status to the negative status by also taking HIV virus medicines available in Burma. (January 7 news)      

• Burma surgeons are successfully operating knee transplants since 1994. Previously French AMFA visited here for knee transplant operations since 2000. (January 6 news)

• Investors are invited to invest at the fishery zone in Muse 105th mile trading zone and the Myanmar crab traders association will provide capital investment assistance for the interested ones. (January 6 news)        

The Yangon Times Vol. 1, No. 14 (January 5-11)

• The Myanmar Intellectual Property Office will be officially open soon and it will conduct seminars and workshops widely to broaden intellectual property rights knowledge among public and social and business organisations. (January 1 news)

• The Ministry of Industry No (1) will soon market locally produced disposable needles, which are now being manufactured on trial basis in the ministry's pharmaceutical factory in Kyaukse Township. (December 31 news)

• Farmed fish export from normal trade became twofold compared to export from border trade and China became a good purchaser for Burma fisheries products, a director from the Department of Fisheries said. (December 31 news)

• The chairman of the Yangon City Development Committee said water distributed from Ngamoeyeit Dam had 6.7 PH level and public could consume securely. The newly opened Ngamoeyeit Dam will distribute 45million gallons of water a day to the public. (December 31 news)

• PSI/Myanmar will distribute its locally produced water purification liquid mainly to Ayeyarwaddy and Tanintharyi divisions and Rakhine State during 2006. PSI distributed 92,000 bottles of water purification liquid in 232 townships throughout the country during 2005. (December 31 news)

• UNDP is conducting HIV/AIDS awareness training for project staff and volunteers from remote areas to help develop the socio-economic situations of those areas. (December 31 news)

• Rangoon YMCA and Yokohama YMCA from Japan will jointly open mobile clinics in the villages in delta region during 2006 and interested general practitioners are invited for the clinics. (December 31 news)     

• The National Blood Bank enabled to distribute total of more than 21,000 blood bottles to the needy patients in 2005. (December 1 news)