Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and party inspected the construction site of Myanmar Maritime University (MMU) Construction Project of the Ministry of Transport in Thanlyin-Kyauktan Region Development Zone, Yangon South District on 16 November.

Prime Minister also attended the opening of new school building of the Basic Education Primary School in Shwegon Ward, Kyauktan Township, Yangon South District, on the same day. Chairperson of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Acting Director-General of MMCWA and well-wisher Mr. Luk Hing Too of Luk Hing Too Foundation, Hong Kong, formally opened the new school building and well-wisher Mr. Luk Hing Too explained the purposes of the donation. The acting Director-General accepted document related to the school building and cash donation presented by the well-wisher and his family.

The soft opening ceremony of Monywa airport of Civil Aviation Department under the Ministry of Transport was held at the airport on 16 November. Formerly, the runway was 5,000 feet long, 100 feet wide and nine inches in thickness. Under the supervision of the Civil Aviation Department, Shwe Than Lwin Co Ltd implemented project for the airport to be extended starting from May, 2002.

Now, Fokker-28s can take off and land in the new airport. It is 6,000-foot long and 100-foot wide graveled tarred runway. Moreover, there included a VIP lounge and a 250-passenger capacity lounge and a control tower in the 180 feet long and 60 feet wide airport building. The runway will be upgraded into 8,500 feet long and 100 feet wide as the second phase. There will be two flight schedules a week starting from 27 November.

A ceremony to open Sanepauk Bridge built by Public Works under the Ministry of Construction was held at the pandal near the bridge in Rakhine State on 17 November.

The Sanepauk Bridge is on Yangon-Kyaukpyu Road which is under construction. The bridge is the 164th of the facilities and 26th one in Rakhine State. Construction of the bridge started on 1-3-2001 and it was built at a cost of K 1,239 million plus US$ 0.034 million.

With the length of 789 feet and 4 inches and 24 feet wide motor way, Sanepauk Bridge is built on Sanepauk Creek. It has 2 feet wide pedestrian lanes on both sides. Its upper structure is of steel frame and lower structure is of reinforced concrete type. It can withstand 60-ton loads. Its clearance is 170 feet wide and 6 feet in height from the maximum water level.

The opening of Ye River crossing bridge, built by Myanma Railways under the Ministry of Rail Transportation, was held on 25 November in Ye Township, Mawlamyine District, Mon State. The Ministry of Rail Transportation started the construction of the bridge on 12 July, 2001 and finished on 21 October, 2003. The bridge is 857 feet and 6 inches long and has a 16-foot-wide motor road and railroad with a four-foot-wide pedestrian lane on either side. The bridge is built of iron frames and can stand 60 tons of loads.

At the invitation of Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Vice-Senior General Maung Aye, a goodwill delegation led by Vice-President of the Republic of India Mr Bhairon Singh Shekhawat arrived Yangon on 2 November on a goodwill visit to the Union of Myanmar. The Indian Vice-President was accompanied by Minister of State for External Affairs Mr Digvijay Singh, Member of Parliament (RS) Mr Anil Kumar, Member of Parliment (RS) Mr B.J Panda, Foreign Secretary Mr K. Sibal, Secretary to Vice President Mr Anil Kumar and departmental officials.

In the evening, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye hosted a dinner in honour of the visiting goodwill delegation led by Vice-President of the Republic of India at the reception hall of Pyinthu Hluttaw (People's Parliament) Building inYangon.

A ceremony to sign the bilateral agreement and Memorandum of Understanding between Myanmar and India was held on 2 November in Yangon.

Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win and Mr K Sibal, Indian Foreign Secretary signed the Myanmar-India Agreement on Visa Exemption for official and Diplomatic Passports and exchanged the documents and a MoU between the Ministry of Education, Government of Myanmar, and the Ministry of Human Resoure Development, Government of India, was signed by Education Deputy Minister U Myo Nyunt and Mr K Sibal, it is learnt.

Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe received visiting Indian Vice-President Mr. Bhairon Singh Shekhawat at the diplomatic hall of Pyithu Hluttaw building in Yangon on 3 November.

Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt hosted a working dinner in honour of Prime Ministers of Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Thailand who arrived Yangon to attend the four-country Summit Meeting on Economic Cooperation Strategy at the Executive Club Lounge of Sedona Hotel in Yangon on 10 November.

Prime Minister of Cambodia Mr. Samdech Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Lao People’ s Democratic Republic Mr. Boungnang Vorachith and Prime Minister of Thailand Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra, who are currently Yangon to attend the Summit Meeting of Economic Cooperation Strategy hosted by Myanmar, paid a courtesy called on Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe at the Credentials Hall of the Pyithu Hluttaw building in Yangon on 11 November.

Also Present together with the visiting prime ministers were Senior Minister Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia Mr. Hornambong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai.

Senior General Than Shwe also hosted lunch in honour of Prime Minister of Cambodia and members, Prime Minister of Lao PDR and members and Prime Minister of Thailand at the same venue on the same day.

Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt met Prime Minister of Thailand Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra who is Yangon to attend the Summit Meeting of Economic Cooperation Strategy at the Kandawgyi Palace Hotel on 11 November.

Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt hosted dinner in honour of Prime Minister of Cambodia Mr. Samdech Hun Sen and party, Prime Minister of LPDR Mr. Boungnang Vorachith and party and Prime Minister of Thailand Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra and party, who attended the Summit Meeting on Economic Cooperation Strategy in Bagan Archaeological Zone in Mandalay Division, at the Thiripyitsaya Sakura Hotel in the Archaeological Zone of Bagan on 11 November.

Secretary of the Yunnan Province Communist Party of the People's Republic of China Mr. Bai Enpei and party paid a courtesy call on Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar at the Credentials Hall of Pyithu Hluttaw Building, Yangon on 14 November.

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt of the Union of Myanmar received Vice-Governor Mr. Zhong Shan of Zhejiang Province and Party at Zeyathiri Beikman, in Yangon on 14 November.

Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, received visiting Thai Defence Minister General Thammarak Isarangura and party at the Credentials Hall of the Pyithu Hluttaw Building in Yangon on 26 November.

In the evening, member of the State Peace and Development Council General Thura Shwe Mann hosted dinner in honour of visiting Thai Defence Minister and party, at Zeya Thiri Beikman Hall in Yangon.

The Second Ministerial Meeting on the Economic Cooperation Strategy between Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand hosted by Myanmar was held at Sedona Hotel in Yangon on 10 November. Present were Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Commerce, the deputy ministers, senior officials of Myanmar, Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cambodia Mr. Hornamhong, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Mr. Chan Sarun, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Tourism Mr. Thong Khon, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport Mr. Tram Iv Tek, Under-Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mr. Long Visalo, Cambodian Ambassador to Myanmar Mr. Hul Phany and senior officials; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lao People’s Democratic Republic Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Mr. Somphong Mongkho Univil, Minister of Industry and Handicraft Mr. Onnuea Phomma Chanh, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Bounkeut Sangsomsak, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Mr. Sitaheng Rasphone, Deputy Minister of Commerce Mr. Siaosavat Saven Gsuksa, Laotian Ambassador to Myanmar Mr. Chanthavy Phothisane and senior officials; Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Soraja Kasemsuvan, Thai Ambassador to Myanmar Mr. Oum Maolanon and senior officials. In the morning, the Second Senior Officials’ Meeting on the Economic Cooperation Strategy between Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand was held at Mindon Room of Sedona Hotel. Delegates discussed drafts of Bagan Declaration and Economic Cooperation Strategy Plan of Action.

After the Summit Meeting on Economic Cooperation Strategy, a ceremony to sign the Bagan Declaration and agreements among the governments of the Union of Myanmar, Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Thailand was held at Bagan Archaeological Museum in Bagan Archaeological Zone, Mandalay Division on 12 November.

Present on the occasion together with Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt were Prime Ministers of Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Thailand. At the ceremony, on behalf of the Government of the Union of Myanmar Minister for Energy of Myanmar and Minister of Energy of Thailand, on behalf of the Government of Thailand signed the Endorsement Documents of Production Sharing Contracts for the Exploration and Production of Petroleum between Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise and PTTEP International Ltd of Thailand for Mottama Offshore Blocks M-7 and M-9 and the Memorandum of Understanding between MOGE and PTT Public Company Ltd of Thailand on Yetagun Gas Utilization Project. Later, Secretary of Myanmar Industrial Development Committee and Governor Mrs. Anchalee Chavanich of Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand signed the agreed minutes between Myanmar Industrial Development Committee and the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand on the Development of Industrial Estates/Special Economic Zones in Myanmar.

The Joint Statement of the Governments of Cambodia and Thailand on energy cooperation, Development of Industrial Estates/Special Economic Zones in Cambodia and the Joint Statement between the Government of LPDR and the Government of Thailand on Energy Cooperation Strategy were also signed respectively, it is learnt.

The opening ceremony of the First ASEAN-India Tourism Consultation was held at the Bagan Hotel in Bagan, Mandalay Division on 31 October. It was attended by Minister for Hotels and Tourism, representatives of tourism industries from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thai, Vietnam, and the ASEAN Secretariat, Joint-Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism of India Mr. Amitabh Kant and guests.

Myanmar being a country abundant in resources for tourism industry, the government is exerting efforts for the development of the industry. It is also cooperating with Visit ASEAN Campaign and BIMST-EC.

The 8th Meeting of the Task Force on Tourism Investment was held at the Bagan Hotel in NyaungU Township, Mandalay Division on 30 October. It was attended by delegates of tourism industries from ASEAN countries, the ASEAN tourism industry and the ASEAN Secretariat. At the meeting matters related to the long term development of tourism investment, promotion of cooperation, enhancement of economic sectors of ASEAN countries were discussed.

With the arrangement of Panorama Adventure Co., Ltd and under the aegis of companies including the Thailand travels industry authority, for smooth communication between countries of Mekong region and to welcome the Bangkok-Kuming highway project 2003, the Economic Quadrangle Overland Caravan will be passing through Myanmar from 12-12-2003 to 22-12-2003.

The caravan will leave Bangkok, Thailand, to commence the four-nation trip of Thailand, Laos, China and Myanmar and on 21-12-2003, via Kyinton, China, it will travel into Myanmar on Mongla-Kengton trip and on 22-12-03, it will arrive Tachileik from Kengtung and thence, from Tachileik it will travel on to Maesaing, Thailand.

Altogether about 200 members including the Thai Deputy Prime Minister who will be traveling as Honorary Patron will lead the trip with members of Thai traders Association, members of Asia-Pacific Commercial Association, members of Thai Export Promotion Department, members of Investment Commission and entrepreneurs on 66 vehicles will be included in the trip, it is learnt.

The third experts' meeting was held to work out agreement on implementing the free trade area of the Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand (BIMST) at the Hotel Nikko on 18 November attended by senior officials and delegates from Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand. During the meeting, matters related to trade, services for trade and investment in the region were discussed. It continues up to 20 November.

General Khin Nyunt, Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of congratulations to His Excellency Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who has been appointed as Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt received visiting Southeast Asian Regional Director of the World Health Organization Dr. U Ton Muchtar Rafei on 7 November in Yangon.

Under the supervision of the Ministry of Hotels & Tourism, with the assistance of Ministry of Transport and under the programme of EPG Travel & Tours Co Ltd and Taipan Touristik and Austrian Airline, tourists arrived at Yangon International Airport by a chartered flight on 4 November. During the open season of 2002-2003, there is a chartered flight every Wednesday. Starting from 4 November, there is a similar flight Vienna-Yangon-Phukhet-Vienna flight on Tuesday.

Course No.4 on WTO Valuation Agreement Workshop for Private Sector organized by the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) and the Customs Department was opened at UMFCCI Training centre in Yangon on 5 November. A total of 41 trainees are attending the course.

At the invitation of International Friendship Association of the People’s Republic of China, the delegation led by Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) Chairman Mayor of Yangon and Mandalay City Development Committee (MCDC) Chairman Mandalay Mayor on 5 November left Yangon for China to study the development measures there.

The study group comprising military attaches and their families led by Brig-Gen Thein Swe of the Ministry of Defence and Dean of the Military Attaches Malaysian Military Attache Col. Harun Bin Hitam, together with senior military officers and their families of the Ministry of Defence, left Yangon on 5 November and visited Northern Command Region.

Jointly-organized by the Department of Health under the Ministry of Health, the Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association and World Health Organization, Prevention of Chemical Effects on Health and the Women Sector were clarified at MMCWA in Yangon 17 November. Lectures on ‘Prevention of Chemical Effects on Health and the Women Sector’ will be given to members of the MMCWA at the MMCWA’s building on 19 and 20 November.

A chartered flight carrying tourists mostly Americans arrived in Yangon on 16 November International Airport. The tourists will visit Yangon and Bagan NyaungU. They will leave for Beijing, the People’s Republic of China, on 19 November. The package tour was arranged by Adventure Myanmar Travels & Tours Co Ltd, under the supervision of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism and with the assistance of the Ministry of Transport.

The 77-member Thai delegation led by President of Thai-Myanmar Cultural and Economic Cooperation Association General Pat Akkanibut and General Secretary General Sanan Kajornklam arrived in Yangon on 23 November to attend the third meeting of Thai-Myanmar and Myanmar-Thai cultural and economic cooperation associations.

A dinner to mark the conclusion of Master of Business Administration (MBA) Course No.7 of Yangon Institute of Economics was held at the Dusit Inya Lake Resort on 1 November, attended by Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt, Secretary-1and Secretary-2, the ministers, deputy ministers, rectors, professors, MBA degree holders and guests.

The Minister for Education noted the fact that the MBA course was first conducted in Yangon Institute of Economics in 1995. Everyone who is qualified can take the course. Beginning 2002-2003 academic year, evening MBA course was opened. Yangon Institute of Economics produced 323 MBA graduates including 57 from the present course. In upper Myanmar, Monywa Institute of Economics opened MBA course in April 2000 and it produced 45 MBA graduates. The number of MBA graduates and economic management experts has increased day after day and it is seen that they work in government departments, local and foreign companies, banks and economic enterprises as managers. Some run their own business, he said.

He said their efforts made at the various economic sectors contribute towards the stronger national economic life of the State. The Government firmly believes that development of the nation relies on expertise of Myanmar citizens, efforts and efficiency in keeping with the international communities

. NCCC, Work Committee, Management Committee Meet

The work coordination meeting of the National Convention Convening Commission(NCCC), the National Convention Convening Work Committee and the National Convention Convening Management Committee was held in Yangon on 5 November.

Chairman of the NCCC Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein, Chairman of the NCC Work Committee Chief Justice and Chairman of the NCC Management Committee Auditor-General Maj-Gen Lun Maung and committee members attended the meeting. Secretary-2 briefed on the matters on organizing the National Convention and functions of the Work Committee and Management Committee. Secretary and Joint Secretary of the NCCC reported on formation of the commission, work committee and management committee. Chairman of the NCC Work Committee Chief Justice U Aung Toe and Chairman of the NCC Management Committee Auditor-General Maj-Gen Lun Maung also reported on National Convention tasks and management affairs.

"Myanmar Fishery and Livestock Fair 2003" was opened on 31 October at the Yangon Trade Centre in Yangon on 31 October.

In the Trade Fair, 133 foreign and local companies are participating with 229 booths at the indoor and outdoor spaces. They are displaying wide range of fisheries and livestock related products, such as, feedstuff and veterinary medicines, live fish and shrimp, frozen fish, prawn and crab, locally produced machinery for fishery, cold storage facilities, motors, pumps, fishing nets, etc.

There are six countries participating in this fair. They are 20 companies from Thailand, 6 companies from China, 8 from Singapore, 2 from South Korea, one company each from Malaysia and Hong Kong. Apart from the foreign companies, 95 local companies are also participating with the various livestock and fisheries related products. The trade fair will be kept open from 9 am to 5 pm till 4 November.

Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt attended opening ceremony of the 13th Asian Archery Championships and Continental Qualification for 2004 Athens Olympic held in National Indoor Stadium-1 in Yangon on 3 November.

Team leaders and athletes from Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Hong Kong, China (Taipei), India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Myanmar took their positions at the designated places in the stadium.

Chairman of committee for holding the tournament Minister for Sports made an opening speech on the occasion. Vice-President of Asian Archery Federation and Vice-Chairman of International Archery Federation extended greetings on the occasion. To mark the opening the competition, athletes of Myanma Martial Arts(Thaing) Federation demonstrated Myanma Thaing skills and Myanmar national races presented traditional cultural dances to those present. The competition will be held from 4 to 9 November.

The opening ceremony of the first Anti-AIDS Exhibition was held at the Tatmadaw Convention Centre in Yangon on 3 November, attended by Chairman of Myanmar Health Committee Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt.

Prime Minister and guests observed booths at the exhibition. Eight booths from the Ministry of Health, 17 from state and division health departments, six from the UN Agencies, six from departments related to the Ministry of Health, seven from Myanmar National Working Committee for Women’s Affairs and local social organization, eight from international NGOs and six from traditional and western medicines are on display. Educative programmes on HIV/ AIDS are also shown. Arrangements are made for those who wishing to take part in computer quiz on HIV/ AIDS. The exhibition is kept open from 9 to 6 pm daily till 9 November.

A press conference regarding the goodwill visit of the Indian Vice-President and his entourage to Myanmar took place at the Traders Hotel in Yangon 3 November. At the press conference, Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of India Mr. Kanwal Sibal, who accompanied Visiting Vice-President of India, made clarification on their visit.

In his clarification, Mr. Kanwal Sibal noted the fact that the visit of the Indian Vice-President to Myanmar would give further impetus to the bilateral relationship. The leaders of both sides discussed on economic development projects, in which India was involved. These projects covered the Kalatan project, the Htanmanthi hydel power project, and the project for construction of Kale-Tamu-motor road and the trilateral-highway project involving Myanmar, India and Thailand. The ministers concerned of the three countries would meet at the coming ministerial level meeting to be held in New Delhi in December. The foreign minister of Myanmar would also attend the meeting.

Matters relating to the human resource development are also included in the economic development projects. The Indian Vice-President offered to increase the number of trainees to be sent to India by 25 per cent next year and would accept up to 152 trainees and the Myanmar side also appreciated the offer. For upgrading the Yangon-Mandalay railway, the Myanmar side requested US$ 57 million to which, the Indian side replied with a positive response.

The leadership of Myanmar briefed on the political and economic situation of their country. India, as a friend of Myanmar, is homing in on measures being taken for national reconciliation and restoration of democracy in Myanmar. As for economic cooperation, the leadership of both countries had a desire to work hard to reach the target of up to US$ 1 billion bilateral trade by 2006. As part of widening the scope of India-Myanmar trade, arrangements are under way to launch a "Made-in-India Exhibition", under the sponsorship of CII, in Yangon next year in February. Both sides also discussed matters related to stability and tranquility to be maintained in the border shared by India and Myanmar.

The 8th Myanmar-Thailand Senior Officials Meeting on Drug Law Enforcement Cooperation was held at the Aye Thar Yar Golf Resort Hotel, Taunggyi in Shan State on 11 November. Present on the occasion were Myanmar delegation led by Secretary of Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Director General of Myanmar Police Force, Thai delegation led by Secretary-General of ONCB Police Maj-Gen Chidchai Vanasatidya and heads of department.

At the meeting, the two sides discussed matters on drug seizures in the two countries, measures taken for the 15-year drug elimination plan in Myanmar, assistance provided by Yongkha project of Thailand, destruction of poppy seeds and prevention of poppy cultivation according to New Destiny Project, decreasing of cultivation and production of poppy according to data collected by the United States of America and UNODC, Moreover, they also discussed drug control and prevention, development of poppy-substitute and future tasks. Similar meeting at low level was held on 10 November 2003.

The Myanmar Wushu team won another gold medal at the end of yesterday evening’s programmes of the 7th World Wushu Championship, which is being held in Macao.

The athlete who took the second gold medal for the Myanmar Wushu team is Khine Khine Maw, who won the medal in Taiqijian event. Athletes from Japan and Vietnam stood second and third respectively in the event. Maung Zaw Zaw Moe of Myanmar fetched a grade-4 honourable award in Nanchun event, and Hong Kong, Malaysia and Vietnam stood first, second and third respectively.

In Sans event, Ma Thinza Soe (YCDC) of Myanmar hammered her Philippine rival 2-0 in the women’s 48-kilo category of Sanso semifinal. She will meet the Chinese athlete in the final. The Myanmar Wushu team has so far bagged two gold, two silver and one grade-4 honourable award in the championship.

The famous pagodas, monasteries and religious buildings in Yangon were crowded with devotees performing meritorious deeds on 8 November, Full Moon Day of Tazaungmon.

The pagodas were bustling with devout laity the whole day. Among them, some practised meditation while some offered flower, water, lights and cash to the pagodas. In the evening, the Buddhist associations offer lights to the pagodas. While pious people were doing meritorious deeds at religious buildings, Yangon Zoological Gardens, Hlawga Wildlife Park, Kandawgyi Gardens, Inya Lake, the People’s Square and People’s Park, amusement parks and playgrounds were bustling with holidaymakers.

The 10th Country Co-ordinating Mechanism Meeting for Global Fund to Fight Against AIDS/TB/Malaria was held at the National Health Committee of the Ministry of Health in Yangon on 11 November. It was attended by Minister for Health, departmental heads, resident representatives of UN agencies, and officials of international and local NGOs.

The meeting chairman Minister of Health made a speech on the occasion. Director (Disease Control) Dr. Ye Myint gave an account on reports for the global fund; UN Resident Representative to Myanmar Mr. Charles Petrie, on future tasks of the CCM; and officials of AIDS control Project and Malaria Control Project, on matters related to the global fund. Next, a general round of discussions followed.

The World Food Programme of the United Nations presented 760 tons of rice on 15 November to farmers in Kokang region who no longer grow poppy. Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs said that due to the 15-year drugs elimination programme and the New Destiny Project of Myanmar, no poppy is grown in Kokang region in 2003. The international community acknowledges it and the WFP presents 760 tons of rice to former poppy growers.

Kokang National Race leader U Phon Kyar Shin pledged to continue cooperating with the State and international institutions for the region to remain as opium free zone. The donated rice was distributed to the farmers by World Vision in Kongyan Township, by ADRA in Shaukkai and Care Myanmar in Tashwehtan Station.

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt attended a ceremony to hand over ASEAN engineering outstanding awards won by the Myanmar Engineering Society (MES) to the Ministry of Construction (MOC) held at the Traders Hotel in Yangon on 20 November.

The awards were presented at the 21st Conference of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organizations. MES Chairman Dr. Sein Myint made an address and pointed out the fact that MES has an opportunity to hand over to Public Works the two ASEAN Engineering Outstanding Awards, which MES received at the 21st Conference of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organizations (AFEO) held in Indonesia on 23 last October. As a member of ASEAN, Myanmar is engaged with numerous tasks of ASEAN in cooperation with other ASEAN member countries. Likewise, Myanmar Engineering Society jointed the AFEO in 2000 and is working together with member engineering associations for the development of engineering technology.

Not only did delegates of MES attend the 20th conference of the AFEO held in Cambodia in September 2002 and the 21st conference held in Indonesia in October this year, they also submitted their papers. At the 20th conference, the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation of Myanmar received an ASEAN Engineering Outstanding Award for its excellent performance in construction of irrigation facilities nationwide.

Also this year, the MES had opportunities to present its strenuous efforts to ensure better transport system and the efficiency of Myanmar women engineers. The conference held this year presented two ASEAN Engineering Outstanding Awards to MES. Likewise, the MES also won two Energy Saving Awards in 2002 for its skills in construction of the Kambawza Building on Pyay Road in Yangon and Maha Thanti Thukha Kyaungdawgyi with the assistance of the Ministry of Energy.

It is obvious that the skills of Myanamr engineers have reached the level recognized by regional countries of the ASEAN. Nowadays, the Government is also giving encouragement to the MES. Myanmar will host the 22nd conference in 2004, and the chairman of MES took over the presidency of the AFEO at the last conference. Total length of roads in the country, which stood at 13,635 miles in 1988, increased to 18,112 miles, up 4,477 miles of new roads. A total of 164 bridges, each of which is 180-foot long and above, had been constructed all over the country including 37 bridges of 1,000-foot and above in length. Another 31 bridges were under construction, he said. The bridges were constructed on a self-reliant basis. General Secretary of the MES reported on the 22nd conference of AFEO to be hosted by Myanmar in 2004.

Organized by Myanmar ASEAN Women’s Friendship Association-MAWFA, a ceremony to open International Fair was held at the Mya Yeik Nyo Hotel in Yangon on 22 November.

Daw San Yon, member of panel of patrons of the MAWFA and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, wife of Singapore ambassador, Vice-President of the MAWFA Mme Poh Choo de Cruz formally opened the fair. The fair displayed handicrafts of international and various kinds of products and food stalls and it was teeming with the visitors. The earnings from the fair will be donated to social organizations by the MAWFA and foreign embassies.

The 15th e-ASEAN Working Group (EAWG) meeting hosted by Myanmar was held on 21 November at MICT Park in Mandalay.

At the meeting, a total of 34 delegates from ASEAN member nations took part in the discussions. The discussions focused on development of e-Commerce tasks, free trade of equipment of ICT and making more investment in communication and ICT tasks.

Surgical operation performed by combined team comprising Myanmar specialists and obstetric and gynaecologists from Singapore at North Okkalapa General Hospital and Sanpya Hospital in Yangon on 25 November. The surgical team at North Okkalapa General Hospital comprises Dr. K K Chow from Singapore led by Head of Obstetric and Gynaecology Department Daw Khin Saw Hla and the surgical team at Sanpya Hospital comprises Professor Dr Ko Ko Maung and Professor Dr. Ozeki of Japanese Cleft Palate Foundation (JCPF).

The team will perform operation on 27 cleft lips and cleft palate patients in five days with the cooperation of JCPE.

Under the programme of ASESN/Japan Follow-up Seminar on Industrial Relations, jointly-organized by the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Welfare of Japan, continued for the second day in Yangon on 25 November. Under the programme, the paper on "Wages and productivity" has been discussed.

The Vice-President of the ILO Association Japan Mr. Tadashi Nakamura discussed the above paper and experience of Japan. The three groups including the representatives of government, employers and employees discussed the paper on "Wages and productivity’ and the seminar ended in the evening. The programme of the third and last day of the seminar continues on 26 November at the Traders Hotel in Yangon.

Chairman of the Work Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt received Kachin national race leaders U Lamon Tujaing, U G Zaw Saing and party of Kachin State Special Region-2, and peace negotiators Dr. Zabwe Jan and U Khun Myat at the Zeya Thiri Beikman in Yangon on 29 November.

The national race leaders express their support for the seven-point future policy programme of the State clarified by the Prime Minister and informed of the fact that they would attend the National Convention. Afterwards, they discussed matters related to education, health, construction of roads and bridges, hydel power generation, and economic enterprises for regional development tasks.

The artifacts denote the fine cultural heritage and customs of the country. Myanmar arts and crafts are being produced many years ago since the days of yore, but only after 1995 this industry has developed extensively. Because of the improved workmanship and designs, a place has been attained in the international market.

For the convenience of foreign visitors to get all the arts and crafts they want in one place, the Ministry of cooperatives and the arts and crafts entrepreneurs has opened the Myanmar arts and craft sales center at Saya San Plaza in Bahan Township.

Myanmar arts and crafts include brass wears, wood furniture and ivory handicrafts, arts and crafts made by jade stones and jade embedded paintings, cane wears, tapestries, handicraft made by mother-of-pearl and silver wares are being displayed at the plaza and arrangements are being made if the buyers want to take them out of the country.

Myanmar handcrafts are being bought mostly by westerners and in the eastern countries like South Korea, Belgium and Singapore. Private entrepreneurs are entitled to sell privately and if they prefer to join Ministry of Cooperatives in selling their products, they are welcome to do so.

Myanmar handicrafts are popular not only locally, but also to foreign countries. Before, they were exported for home decorations only but now they are also used as household utensils, the products are now being produced with new designs.

Foreigners love the handmade handicraft and therefore, new and standardized own designs are being created to supply their needs. For necessary raw materials permits are being applied to and granted by the Ministry of Cooperatives and the Cottage Industry gave necessary support and help to achieve this purpose.

Curtains, settees decorated and made with Myanmar designs and Myanmar handicraft and embossed with a touch of Myanmar culture are well liked by foreigners and these are being exported as ordered by foreign customers.

After 1988, more western industrialists visited Myanmar more and having found that the workmanship and quality of Myanmar arts and crafts have vastly improved in quality and designs the order of these products have increased day by day. Most of the products favoured and ordered by foreigners and light and portable products, it is learnt.

For heavy products, foreign forwarding companies collaborated with export permit holders companies to export these products. Entrepreneurs mainly export these products to wholesale sellers and to home decoration companies.

The prices depend on the workmanship and the size of the product ranging from five to 1000 dollars. For domestic sales, the sales increase 40% more at the peak season when there are many foreign visitors visiting the country. For tourists visiting the country, they can buy these products not only with foreign currencies but also with Myanmar currency too.

Myanmar traditional arts and crafts can never ceased to be adored by all and therefore for the expansion of this industry mainly depend on foreign countries. Myanmar arts and craft are being exhibited trade fairs home and abroad and collaborated were made by to improve the designs and quality with foreign essence.

Myanmar handicraft has penetrated the world market as Asia design that attracted many people. Before, lacquer wares were mainly depended upon foreign attraction but now foreigners better like wood products, it is learnt. Foreign Trade Fairs now are like customer finding fairs for Myanmar entrepreneurs to let the world know more about the hidden treasures of Myanmar.

Besides, in this trade fairs, visitors can find variety of Myanmar arts and crafts easily and conveniently at one place, by showing the traditional arts and crafts of all nationalities of the country proving the oneness and unity of the country.

Not only that, by viewing the Myanmar handicraft of the nationalities from various places of Myanmar could invoke the interest of viewers to wanting to see the place of origin urging them to wanting to visit Myanmar and through tourists, Myanmar arts and crafts could eventually penetrate the world market enhancing foreign exchange income for the country too. Therefore, it is necessary to strive hard to improve the quality of these products that is in fact the foreign exchange earner of the country.

The law emphasizes maintenance and restoration of habitat, protection of endangered and rare species of both fauna and flora launching of new parks and naturally protected areas, and buffer zone management.

Almost 360 known mammal species, more than 300 reptiles and amphibians and about 1,000 bird species dwell in Myanmar’s forest in which about 10,000 plants including 1071 endemic species sprawl. More than 1,200 species of butterfly including six identified as globally rare species.

In launching to protect ecosystem of Myanmar, 28 wildlife sanctuaries, 2 nature reserves and 2 parks, and 6 national parks have already been established, composing 4.72 percent of total land area according to existing Protected Area System (PAS). Additionally, new proposals are in progress. In the short term, the coverage of the PAS will be increased to 5% and in the long term it will be 10 % of the country.

These gifts from Mother Nature provides Myanmar a variety of opportunities to visualize nature tourism or ecotourism which brings income and economic activity to forest people and rural population.

While earning a huge amount of income, ecotourism also makes biological resources preserved. Protected Area System was began in 1981 for conservation of ecosystem of critical ecosystems, and development of ecotourism or nature tourism. The 2900 km long coastline of Myanmar also provides a good ground for the development of marine tourism, sharing four coastal region of the country, namely Rakhine State, Ayeyarwaddy Division, Mon State and Taninthayi Division.

There are about 800 islands at the sea along Taninthayi Division. Myeik(Mergui) Archipelago’s shallow coastal area accounts for 228,781 km.

The seas, islands, coral reefs, seagrass beds, estuaries upwelling areas and mangrove eco-system are significant in Myanmar. Furthermore, only the low level of the marine pollution in Myanmar has taken place due to lower scale on industrialization and minimum use of chemical in agriculture.

For the purpose of preventing and protecting marine pollution, Myanmar endeavors to coopearte with international community, including the signing of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1992. In 1998, Myanmar agreed to the International Convention for the Prevention of pollution from Ships 1973 and the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 1973/78).

Domestically, Myanmar also enacted laws and regulations for preventing the marine pollution. The pesticide law in 1990 also plays a pivotal role in monitoring and control of selection, storage, transportation and use of pesticide to protect people, crops, other biological entities and the environment.

The Myanmar Investment Commission in June 1994 notified that all permitted enterprises shall compulsory install Sewage Treatment Plant, Industrial Waste Water Treatment Plant and other pollution control procedures and abide with the sanitary and hygienic rules and regulations set by the authorities concerned.

The Law Relating to the Fishing Rights of Foreign Fishing Vessels, 1989 and the Myanma Marine Fisheries Law, 1990 have also been enacted. These laws prohibit operation of fishing without a lisence, causing water pollution, harassing fishes and other marine organisms and using explosive substance, poisonous chemicals and dangerous materials in fishing.

The Terrestrial Sea and Maritime Zones Law, 1997 defines and determines maritime zone, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in respect of preservation and protection of marine environment, its resources and prevention of marine pollution.

To preserve coral reefs is also important. The growth of coral is relatively slow; only one-tenth to ten centimeters per year in length. The net primary production of the reef supports diverse and large animal populations, providing habitats for breeding, spawning, nursery, feeding, foraging and preying and filtering the waters circulating over and within the reefs.

The coral reefs also maintains the quality of coastal water, weakens wave forces, protect land and beaches, repair own reef structure and produce white sand for beaches and small island.

The government agencies and private sector take responsibility for protection and preservation of marine environment of Myanmar. While introducing marine tourism in order to earn foreign exchange and to promote the living standard of the local people, systematic measures for keeping the marine environment undisturbed should be taken by learning experiences from some tourism sites under serious threat in other countries.

Information Officer

Embassy of the Union of Myanmar

2300 S Street NW

Washington, D.C. 20008

Tel. (202) 332-9044, 332-9045

Fax. (202) 332-9046