Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe and party inspected the exhibition to mark the Second Myanmar Information and Communications Technology (MICT) Week at MICT Park in Hline Township, Yangon on 31 January.

At the MICT Conference room, Chairman of Work Committee for e-National Task Force Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw reported that construction of MICT Park in Hline Township started in 2001 and was opened on a grand scale on 21 January 2002.At the opening ceremony, the exhibition in commemoration of the First Myanmar ICT Week was held together with ICT Conference, e-ASEAN seminars and the ICT exhibition. Although the exhibition of the Second Myanmar ICT week was scheduled to be held from 21 to 27 January, the exhibition has been extended till 5 February in response to the wish of large number of interested persons. During the period of the Second Myanmar ICT Week, three new buildings constructed in the second phase in ICT park were opened; conferences, seminars and workshops related to ICT Industry Development and e-Government Initiatives—were held; booths and showrooms were displayed; and cooperation agreements were signed with international ICT organizations.

Arrangement will be made for construction of Cyber Mall, third phase building, at the park. Similarly, tasks are being carried out for establishment of another ICT Park in Mandalay. There were 32 production rooms at MICT Park in previous year; and now there are 68 rooms at the park. The draft of Myanmar Electronic Transaction Law (Cyber Law) have been drawn. The pilot projects—e-Passport Project and Smart Card Project—are being implemented. Similarly, Smart Schools have been opened at Hline Basic Education High School No. 4, Institute of Education Practicing School and Kamayut BEPS No. 2 With the sponsorship of Bagan Cybertech, arrangements have been made for getting IT connectivity at 100 more schools to be able to emerge Myanmar School Net. Chairman of Bagan Cybertech Brig-Gen Thein Swe reported on construction of Bagan Cybertech and progress of works, contact of users at Bagan Cybertech to visit Internet, services of Bagan Cybertech and future tasks.

Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt also reported on matters related to the park. The Senior General and party viewed round the booths of ministries and showrooms of local and foreign companies at the Myanmar ICT Week.

Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe and party arrived at the Ngapali Beach in Thandwe Township, Rakhine State and inspected its environs.They later proceeded to Sandoway Resort Hotel and viewed development of the beach and scenic beauty.

Minister for Hotels and Tourism reported on opening of hotels and inns at the beach, arrival of tourists and local visitors and Minister for Transport on running of flights to Thandwe from various regions. After hearing the reports, the Senior General gave necessary instructions and inspected hostels of Sandoway Resort Hotel. They also inspected Shwewagyaing Camp and the senior general gave guidance on upgrading of the Shwewagyaing Camp into an advanced resort for tourists. At the club house of Ngapali Beach Golf Resort, Minister for Electric Power reported on matters related to Thandwe Creek Hydel Power Project for development of Thandwe Township and more power supply and implementation for other hydel power projects surrounding areas of Thandwe region.

The Senior General gave guidance on feasibility survey on Thandwe Creek Hydel Power Project to be conducted in detail for development of Thandwe Township and the project is to be implemented as soon as possible. In addition, the Senior General gave instructions on greening of Ngapali Beach and keeping the beach clean and pleasant. According to the feasibility survey, Thandwe Creek Hydel Power Project can generate 39 mega-watt of electricity. The project will be implemented after conducting more feasibility survey in detail. There are prospective hydel power projects- Thandwe hydel power project which can generate 100 mega-watt of electricity and Kyeintali hydel power project, 28 mega-watts near Thandwe.

Transportation Plays Vital Role in Regional Development

A ceremony to inaugurate Sittaung Bridge (Shwekyin-Madauk) built by the Bridge Construction Project Special Group-6 of Public Works under the Ministry of Construction was held at the bridge in Shwekyin, Bago District, Bago Division on 11 February.

The Sittaung Bridge (Shwekyin-Madauk) which is important for Bago Division was inaugurated in honour of the State and Bago Division. The bridge had been constructed across Sittaung River linking Shwekyin and Madauk . The 1,500-foot bridge is the third biggest one after Nawaddy and Myitmakha Bridges among the bridges built in Bago Division since 1988. Previously, local people had to rely on Z-craft to travel between Shwekyin and Madauk. Besides, the Nyaunglebin-Madauk-Shwekyin road section was often cut in the rainy season owing to the overflowing of the Sittaung River and torrential downpours.

As a result, the regions on the eastern side of Sittaung River were not as developed as it should be. The regions on the eastern side of Sittaung River found it difficult to travel not only to the western side but also from one place to another on the eastern side because of destructive acts of insurgents who stayed hiding in the regions. Stability of a region and prevalence of law and order play an important role to develop its economic, education, health and transportation sectors.

The length of the bridge is 1,500 feet long. The bridge has 28 feet wide motorway and a four-foot-wide pedestrian way on either side. The clearance is 80 feet wide and 12 feet high. It can withstand 60-ton loads.

Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt and party inspected the Chaungtha Beach Resort in Pathein Township, Ayeyawady Division on 2 February. The ceremony to open Hotel Max constructed by Max Myanmar Co. at Chaungtha Beach Resort was held in front of the hotel, attended by Chairman of Tourism Development Management Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Hotels and Tourism noted the fact that the Chaungtha Resort is not far away from Yangon and arrangements are being made to enable the people to visit the resort in a comfortable manner. Arrangements are also being made for the emergence of the Twin Beaches which will enable the ferries to ply between the Chaungtha Resort and Ngwehsaung Resort in a short period.The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism will take measures for ensuring better transport between Yangon and the resorts and for enabling the tourists to visit the facilities with peace of mind, and it was a great pleasure for the emergence of an advanced resort.

The hotel with 70 bedrooms is complete with reception hall, office, control room, coral restaurant, coconut cafe, business centre, beauty saloon and Karaoke lounge. Arrangements are being made to add the mini golf course, the tennis court, the swimming pool, the speed boat and jet ski to the facility.

The opening ceremonies of Panglong University, Panglong 500-line Digital Auto Exchange, Panglong Government Computer College, Panglong Government Technological College and Loilem District 200-bed People’s Hospital, which were constructed for the development of Panglong and Loilem Districts, took place at respective places on 11 February, attended by Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Chairman of National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt. The Panglong region has been designated as the special development region. In health sector , the 16 bed-hospitals have been upgraded into the 25-bed ones in townships in Loilem District and the Loilem District and the Loilem District Hospital has been upgraded into the 200-bed specialist hospital.

Foreign relations

Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe received visiting Commander-in-Chief of Royal Thai Army General Somdhat Attanand and party at the Ministry of Defence in Yangon on 31 January.

Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of condolence to the Honorable George w. Bush, President of the United States of America on the tragic disaster of American space shuttle in which seven astronauts have lost their lives.

Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of congratulations to His Excellency Mr. Ariel Sharon, Prime Minister of the State of Israel, who has been re-elected at the general election of Israel.

At the invitation of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe, Thai Prime Minister Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra and party arrived in Putao, Kachin State, by special aircraft on 9 February to pay a working visit in Myanmar.

The Prime Minister and party flew by Tatmadaw helicopter to enjoy snow capped areas along Phongamrazi mountain ranges and Myanma scenic beauty. The Thai guests also visited Mulashide Kachin village in Putao Township. Then, they left Putao for Mandalay International Airport by special aircraft in the afternoon and proceeded to Thandwe, Rakhine State on the same day evening. They were welcomed at Thandwe Airport by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt.

Senior General Than Shwe met with Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra at the Annawa Yeiktha in Thandwe, Rakhine State on 9 February and held talks for about an hour.

At the discussions, leaders of both nations expressed deep satisfaction of the improved bilateral relations between Myanmar and Thailand and stressed the need to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries. Moreover, as Myanmar has excellent prospects in the tourism industry, Thailand wishes to carry out greater cooperation in the tourism industry. Furthermore, considerable success has been achieved in narcotic drug elimination being undertaken by the two countries and they agreed to promote bilateral cooperation in the future. They agreed to work together in international relations. The Senior General also hosted a banquet in honor of the Thai Prime Minister that evening. Thai Prime Minister and party left Thandwe by special aircraft after paying a working visit in the Union of Myanmar.

Commander-in-Chief of Royal Thai Army General Somdhat Attanand and Madame Khunying Suppanapa Attanand and party arrived Yangon by special aircraft of RTAF on 31 January to pay a goodwill visit in the Union of Myanmar at the invitation of Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye.

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife also hosted a dinner in honor of visiting Commander-in-Chief of RTA General Somdhat Attanand and Madame Khunying Suppanapa Attanand and party at the Ministry of Defence on the same day evening. Before the dinner, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye received visiting Commander-in-Chief of RTA and party at the hall of Zeyathiri Brikman.

The Executive Board of World Health Organization held its 111th meeting at WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland from 20 to 28 January.

Chairman of the Executive Board Leader of the Myanmar Delegation Deputy Minister for Health Prof. Dr. Kyaw Myint together with delegation members, Director-General of Health Planning Department and Director-General of Medical Science Department attended the meeting.

On 19 January, the Deputy Minister discussed with officials of the Executive Board at WHO Office. Legal Adviser Mr. Tom Tapping and Dr. Bill Kean explained programmes of the meeting and procedures. On 20 January morning, the 111th Executive Board Meeting was held with an address by Chairman of the Executive Board Deputy Minister for Health Prof. Dr. Kyaw Myint.

On 21 January morning, the Chairman explained procedure at the Executive Board Meeting for electing the Director-General Post of WHO. Members of the Executive Board elected five candidates in the first phase of the secret voting system.In the evening, the Deputy Minister attended the meetings of the Ishan Dogramaci Family Health Foundation Selection Panel and the Sasakawa Health Prize Selection Panel.

On 22 January morning, Implementation of the Minutes of the Special Meeting on AIDS of UN General Assembly, survey of health care capability, development of the traditional medicines sector and appointment of the America Regional Director were discussed. The WHO Director-General and respective directors clarified the discussions. With regard to the traditional medicine sector, the Deputy Minister explained the history of traditional medicine in Myanmar, tasks being carried out for uplift of the traditional medicine, academic matters of Traditional Medicine University and Institute of Traditional Medicine, health care services of traditional medicine hospitals and clinics, research works, future tasks and issue of Traditional Medicine Law. The Deputy Minister also discussed Intellectual Property Rights related to Myanmar traditional medicines. The Executive Board accepted his discussions. As a result of discussions of the Deputy Minister, draft of Traditional Medical Science and Herbal Plants Preservation Board was amended. It is beneficial to the Union of Myanmar. In the evening, the Deputy Minister attended the meetings of the Leon Bernard Foundation Committee and the United Arab Emirates Health Foundation Selection Panel.

On 23 January, Deputy Minister Prof Dr. Kyaw Myint met with WHO Executive Director Dr. David Heyman and discussed projects being implemented by Myanmar in cooperation with WHO and future projects. On 24 January, the Executive Board Meeting continued. Implementation of resolutions on the flu, terrorism and health report, health development tactic for child and youth, traditional medical science and international health bylaw were discussed at the meeting. On 28 January morning, Dr. Jong Wook Lee of the Republic of Korea was elected as the Director-General Post of WHO.

The Myanmar delegation arrived back on 31 January, 2003.

On the occasion of the Anniversary of the Independence Day of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka which falls on 4 February 2003, Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar, has sent messages of felicitations to Her Excellency Madame Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and to His Excellency, Honourable Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

The opening ceremony of the 22nd Executive Committee Meeting and the 10th General Assembly of Association of Food and Agricultural Marketing Agency (AFMA) in Asia and the Pacific and FAO and AFMA and Myanmar Regional Seminar on Improving Agricultural Marketing Information System hosted in Myanmar was held at the Traders Hotel in Yangon on 3 February.

Present were Minister for Commerce, Ministers, Myanmar Ambassadors from member countries of AFMA, delegates from Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, resident representatives of FAO and officials, delegates from AFMA, resource persons, heads of departments of the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and officials. Minister for Commerce extended greetings and resident representative of FAO Mr. Bhaskar Barua and Executive Director Mr. M R Satyal spoke on the occasion.

The Seminar on Improving Agricultural Marketing Information System was also held at Konbaung Hall at the hotel. Senior Marketing Officer of FAO Dr. Andrew Shepherd submitted the paper on Making Market Information Services Relevant to Farmers and General Manager of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading U Thein Lwin and Deputy Director of Directorate of Trade Daw Thin Htut Thida paper on Analyzing Marketing System to Understand Market Information Needs. Delegates of FAO, Bangladesh, China and India also submitted regional papers and participants took part in the discussions.

Health Ministers and delegations of the member nations of WHO have arrived Yangon by air to attend the third meeting of Global Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy (GAEL) to be hosted by Myanmar at the Sedona Hotel from 6 to 8 February. On 5 February Health Minister Dr. Upendra Devkota and delegates of Nepal, President Mr. Yohei and delegates of Sasakawa Foundation, South East Asia Regional Director Dr. Utom Muchtar Rafei and delegates of WHO, and Health Minister Prof. Rasamjndrako Troka and delegates of Madagascar arrived at Yangon International Airport where they were welcomed by the Minister and Deputy Minister for Health, directors-general of the department under the Ministry of Health, Resident Representative of WHO and officials, and heads and officials of the embassies concerned.

A ceremony to open Third ASEAN ISIS-JCIE-Myanmar ISIS Workshop on Macro-economic Policies and Challenges of Globalization was held at the Traders Hotel in Yangon on 7 February. It was attended by Chairman of Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies (Myanmar-ISIS) Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman’s Office Brig-Gen Abel, Chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board, members Myanmar-ISIS, ASEAN-ISIS and Japan Centre for International Exchange (JCIE), officials of Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ambassadors from ASEAN countries and participants. The Minister for Foreign Affairs made an opening speech and Chairman of JCIE Dr. Tadashi Yamamoto and Representative of ASEAN-ISIS Mr. Yusuf Wanandi made speeches on the occasion. After the opening ceremony, the workshop followed and will continue on 8 February.

Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win and Myanmar delegation arrived back Yangon by air on 8 February, after attending the Third Meeting of Myanmar-Lao Border Authorities at Central Level held in Lao People’s Democratic Republic from 6 to 8 February 2003. The meeting focused on matters relating to cooperation between border authorities, such as maintenance of peace and stability, law and order, boundary inspection, navigation on the boundary river, upgrading of border checkpoints, promotion of border trade, upgrading of road linkage between the two countries and promotion of bilateral cooperation. After the meeting, the two leaders signed the Agreed Minutes of the Third Meeting of Myanmar-Lao Border Authorities at Central Level on 7 February 2003. While in Laos Deputy Minister paid courtesy calls on Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad, deputy Prime Minister, Minister of foreign Affairs, and Dr. Siene Sphangthong, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of the Lao PDR separately.

The visiting study group including ambassadors, diplomats and their families of foreign embassies in Jakarta, Indonesia left Yangon by air on 13 February. Under the arrangement of Myanmar Embassy in Indonesia, they arrived Yangon to observe the progress in Myanmar. The study group comprising ambassadors of Mozambique, Chile, Bosnia, Herzegovina and Brazil to Indonesia and their wives, wife of Hungarian ambassador to Indonesia, military attache of Portuguese and Italian Embassies, diplomats of Germany, French and Italian embassies, led by wife of Myanmar Ambassador to Indonesia, arrived Yangon on 9 February. During their tour in Myanmar from 9 to 13 February, they visited pagodas, museums and production of Myanmar traditional handicraft in Bagan, NyaungU and Mandalay.

Organized by Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) and Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), a ceremony to open the 5th Joint Meeting of Myanmar Japan CCI Business Cooperation Committees was held at Traders Hotel in Yangon on 10 February. It was attended by Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman’s Office Brig-Gen Abel, senior officials, rectors, departmental officials, Japanese ambassador to Myanmar Mr. Yuji Miyamoto, the entrepreneurs led by Chairman of Japan-Myanmar CCI Business Cooperation Committee Mr. Jomoo Takahara, President of UMFCCI, advisers, central executives, Myanmar entrepreneurs and guests. President of the UMFCCI and JMBCC and Chairman of JMBCC made opening speeches on the occasion. Those present joined in the discussions and Chairman of JMBCC and Vice-President UMFCCI presided over the meeting and officials concerned read out papers and those present raised the queries.

A combined team acting on information, intercepted Thai national Aik Owi(a)Htila Whit, 36, of No.207, Block-6, Pagway Ward, Chiang Rai, Thailand, who is making his way from Maisai to Tachilek, on the Tachilek-Maisai friendship bridge on 29 January and seized 9,800 stimulant tablets concealed in his jacket. Further information led to the arrest of the ten suspects together with 610,000 stimulant tablets at the house of Aik Owi in Weinkyauk Village, Honglek Village-tract, Tachilek Township on 30 January. Action is being taken against the suspects under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law by the police station concerned in Myanmar.

A combined team, acting on information, searched Room No. 804 of the December Hotel in Dagon Township and seized Ma Aye Aye Mon (a) Ma San with 2,800 stimulant tablets in her handbag on 22 December 2001. On 27 December 2002, the Yangon West District Court handed down 5 years imprisonment on her under Section 15 and 20 years’ imprisonment under Section 19(a) separately.

A combined team, acting on information, searched the house of Sein Hlaing of Aunkkalahmaw Village, in Phakant Township, on 30 December 2002 and seized 694.5 grams of opium. Further information led to the arrest of suspect Ma Thein Nyo, 32, of the same ward. Action is being taken against the two under section 15/19 (A)/21 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law by Phakant Police Station.

A combined team acting on information raided and combed the area at the map reference (P 605380) near Ahlarbye Village in Laukkai Township on 12 January. The team seized two huts used as opium refinery 504 litres of fethylalcohol, three litres of hydrochloric acid, eight kilos of bone charcoal, two flasks, one large steel funnel, two large enameled bowls, one balance, 32 wooden trays used in drying out heroin and five inflators. Action is being taken in connection with the seized items under the narcotic drugs and Psychotropic substances Law by the police station concerned.

With the aim of enhancing of national education, Electronic Data Broadcasting System was launched on 1 January 2001 after opening of learning centres at the universities, institutes, degree colleges, colleges and basic education schools. Professors of the universities will give talks on respective lessons for students who will be taking the 2003 matriculation examination through the learning centres in February.

The opening ceremony of the educative child rights course No.1/2003, organised by Ayeyawady Division Childs Rights Committee, was held in Pathein on 20 January. Altogether 60 trainees from 26 townships are attending the course.

Education and Training Department of the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs opened the advanced course No.3/2002 and the basic course No 7/2002 at Domestic Science Training School in Monghsat, Eastern Shan State on 25 January. Altogether 30 trainees from Monghsat, Mongtung, Mongpyin and Mongkhok townships are attending the 14-week course. Tailoring, handiwork, embroidery and bakery courses will be conducted.

A combined team comprising members of local intelligence unit and Myanmar Police Force, acting on a tip off, searched the house of U Wular Hauk in Chinshwehaw, Shan State (North), on 26 January and confiscated 17.2 grams of heroin and 34,200 stimulant tablets. In connection with the case, action is being taken against him by the police station concerned under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.

The 40th Myanma Gems Emporium will be held at the Myanma Gems Mart from 15 to 23 March in 2003. Local gem merchants will be invited to attend and buy gems and jewellery in competitive bidding with the intention to study foreign gem markets, to deal and discuss with foreign merchants on gem industry in accord with the market economy.

Chairman of Shan State (East) Work Committee for Drug Elimination Minister for Labour and party arrived in Wanlan Village in Tarlay Township on 25 January. The Minister discussed drug elimination issue with village people.

In 2003, the New Destiny Project is being implemented for decline of poppy cultivation. It is expected that poppy cultivation will fall to 90 per cent due to the efforts of the Ministers and the deputy Ministers concerned and public cooperation. Poppy cultivation declined because of cooperation of local people. The Government not only destroyed the poppy plantation but also organized local people for cultivation of poppy substitute crops. And it also made arrangements for transport of regional products to markets. Poppy was grown on 28 acres in Monglin Village, Tarlay region, this year. These poppy plantations were destroyed in November and December. Tachilek District Peace and Development Council and District Anti-narcotics Association provided poppy substitute crops and animals to poppy growers. Now there is no cultivation of poppy and no production of heroin in Tachilek District but there is still trafficking of Kenglat region to Laos crossing Mekong River. The Minister spoke of need to actively take part in efforts to prevent stimulant tablets from flowing into the region.

The Minister also met with Tachilek District Peace and Development Council Chairman, Chairman of the Tachilek District Anti- Narcotics Association and members at the office of the Special Anti-Drug Squad in Tachilek. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said he recognized the organizational work carried out with the active participation of district chairman and the anti-narcotics association that led to the successful opening of a self-reliant Community-Based Drug Addicts Treatment Centre. Organization tasks to establish similar centres in other townships and village-tracts must be carried out, he urged.

The Myanmar canoe team participated in 18 events in the 4th South-East Asia Canoeing Contest in Thailand from 27 January to 3 February. The Myanmar team won five gold, 10 silver and two bronze medals. The team bagged five gold medals in the canoe men’s two oars 1000-metre event, the men’s two oars 500-metre event, the men’s two oars 200-metre event, the kayak men’s two oars 200-metre event and the kayak women’s one oar 200-metre event, 10 silvers in the canoe men’s one oar 1000-metre event, the kayak men’s one oar 1000-metre event, the kayak men’s one oar 1000-metre event, the kayak women’s two oar 1000-metre event, kayak women’s one oar 1000-metre event, the canoe men’s one oar 500-metre event, the kayak men’s two oar 500-metre event, the kayak men’s one oar 500 metre event, the kayak women’s two oar 500-metre event and the kayak women’s one oar 500-metre event; and two bronzes in the canoe men’s one oar 200-metre event and the kayak men’s one oar 200-metre event.

The Myanmar team was formed with B class players. They left for Malaysia on 3 February to take part in the International Canoeing Contest and will arrive back Yangon on 10 February.

With the aim of widening the scope of knowledge of students and the public in Internet and information technology, the IT Caravan comprising computer experts of Myanmar Computer Federation (MCF) and Myanmar Computer Industry Association and youths of IT companies, led by the President of MCF, Vice-President Former rector of University of Computer Studies Adviser to the Ministry of Education Dr. Kyaw Thein and arrived at Taungdwingyi in Magway Division on 29 January.

They demonstrated the linking between Bagan Gateway and Internet with the use of telephone line there. The IT Caravan also arrived at Bagan-NyaungU on the same day evening. On 30 January morning, they gave talks on the use of IT at the Basic Education High School in NyaungU. The IT Caravan was also arranged under the supervision of Myanmar e-National Task Force and organization of MCF. Centre of International Cooperating for Computerization of Japan sponsored the programme.

Organized by All Myanmar Tamil (Hindu) Foundation held in commemoration of Pongal Celebration at the Inya Lake Hotel in Yangon on 2 February. Present on the occasion were Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs, Director-General of Department of Religious Affairs, Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Mr. Rajiv Kumar Bhatia and wife, staff of embassy, staff of Nepali embassy to Myanmar, Patron of All Myanmar Tamil (Hindu) Foundation and Chairman of Certral Hindu Religious Organization, Chairman of All Myanmar Tamil (Hindu) Foundation and executive committee members, festival organizing committee members, responsible personnel of Christian Religious Organization and Islam Religious Organization and guests.

Joint-Secretary of All Myanmar Tamil (Hindu) Foundation and Chairman of festival organizing committee explained the purpose of the celebration. Tamil (Hindu) cultural troupe entertained those present with dances. Indian musician Mr. Gagangai Amaran sang songs to the accompaniment of his band.

The Third Meeting of Global Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy hosted by Myanmar was held at Sedona Hotel in Yangon on 6 February. The Chairman of National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt delivered an address at the opening ceremony. First, delegation member of the Union of Myanmar Minister for Health Professor Dr. Kyaw Myint extended greetings and pointed out the fact that in Myanmar, the leprosy prevalence rate has fallen dramatically from 39.9 per 10,000 population in 1988 to less than 1 per 10,000 population at the end of January 2003. Thus have achieved the goal of elimination of leprosy. It has taken Myanmar more than a decade to attain this goal. A significant step was taken in 1991, when the 44th World Health Assembly passed a resolution for eliminating leprosy as a public health problem, at the global level by the end of the year 2000.

On behalf of the chairman of the Global Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy Leader of the Brazilian delegation, Coordinator of Ministry of Health Dr. Gerson Fernando Mendes Pereira made an opening address. Afterwards, WHO SEA Regional Director Dr. Uton Muchtar Rafel and special representative of the Global Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy Chairman of the Nippon Foundation Mr. Yohei Sasakawa gave speeches. WHO Headquarters Executive Director Dr. David Heymann said that Myanmar is a leprosy free nation as the leprosy prevalence rate in Myanmar has reached to less that 1 per 10,000 populations of leprosy patients. WHO acknowledged Myanmar as a nation free from polio wild virus and appreciated her health care endeavors.

The leaders of Nepalese and Brazilian delegations handed over duties to Myanmar delegation leader Minister for Health Professor Dr. Kyaw Myint as the meeting chairman and leader of the Mozambican delegation Minister of Health Dr. Franisco Songane as the vice-chairman. Special Representative Mr. Yohei Sasakawa reported on leprosy elimination campaign being undertaken by nations on the world. Afterwards, participants discussed leprosy prevalence rate in the respective countries, present works for leprosy elimination and difficulties, aims for future tasks based on their experience and requirements of global alliance for elimination of leprosy in all the countries in 2005.

Executive Director of WHO Head Office Dr. David Heymann said that Myanmar had arrived at the stage of a leprosy free nation; and that it could be also acknowledged as a nation that was free from polio wild virus. Dr. David Heymann was speaking at the Third Meeting of Global Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy in Yangon on 6 February. He also told the delegates to the meeting that the WHO had acknowledged and honored Myanmar’s health care activities for her successful elimination of the two diseases. The meeting began on the same day morning at Sedona Hotel.

The Third Meeting of Global Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy of the health ministers of WHO member countries held a press conference at Sedona Hotel in Yangon on 7 February. In answering to questions raised by journalists, Executive Director of World Health Organization (Headquarters) Dr. David Heymann said, target has been set in the world to reach 1 case per 10,000 populations. It is set by Health Ministers after meeting in Geneva. Last year in Myanmar, that was 1 case per 10,000 populations. This month it is 0.9 cases per 10,000 people. The Minister for Health said Myanmar is a developing country. With the assistance provided by the Ministry of Health and active and enthusiastic participation of the people, the program was implemented in cost effective way. Strenuous efforts were made indeed to achieve this success. Myanmar health staff had to go to remote areas and comb the areas thoroughly. It is due to the active public participation and assistance of local authorities and NGOs. This is in fact the achievement of the State, the Government and the entire people. Manager of the National Leprosy Elimination Project of Myanmar said Mr. Sasakawa’s Nippon Foundation is one of the first and foremost foundations who supported Myanmar’s leprosy elimination program and WHO is the main supporter for the program. Apart from this, the American Leprosy Mission, the Netherlands Leprosy Mission and some other international NGOs are also the participants in the program.

Dr. Heymann said leprosy is called one of our neglected diseases. For this reason, there are many international development agencies that have avoided founding the leprosy elimination program. This is why the Nippon Foundation’s assistance is very important. He said leprosy elimination means that will be reduced to a level that we hope we can maintain. So., leprosy elimination will not be finished in 2005. We must continue our efforts. In some countries, where leprosy has been treated and where programs will continue to decrease less than this number. It won’t disappear spontaneously. We must continue to fight against leprosy. There are many other neglected diseases and we need to somehow make sure that we are addressing these diseases along with leprosy. Because there are diseases such as lelphantiasis, cholera. Now, Myanmar has a very excellent public health system. She has arrived two years having been free of polio. On 13 February, Myanmar will announce 2 years being free of what we call the wild polio virus. Myanmar just last month reached the global target elimination for leprosy. Myanmar now is working with increased vigour on TB, and winning international support. South East Asia Regional Director of WHO Dr. Uton Muchtar Rafei said I have been to Myanmar for more than ten times since 1981. The health system performed in Myanmar is excellent.

The Myanmar Health Minister said the success achieved by Myanmar in health care system is due to active participation of the people and assistance rendered by NGOs. Some countries admitted that in their countries, it would not be possible to get such active participation of the people. WHO provides technical assistance and medicines. Nippon Foundation has assisted funds in millions. Other NGOs also gave assistance. And we have active public participation as a mass movement. They are to be attributed.

Dr. Heymann said we had a very good trip to the health center Indagaw this morning. In Myanmar, you place very much importance on community action. And community volunteers are taking part in health care activities. This is the way WHO had recommended the community’s participation in health. They decide what is the priority in the community and they then work on those priorities. It cannot be forced from the top down it must come from the community itself. We saw today the perfect example how health care can work because those involved in the community already all the way up to the minister who accompanied me to the health centre today. This is the way the health care must be developed.

Talks on Violence Against Women Held

Under the supervision of Myanmar Women Entrepreneurs Association (MWEA), talks on violence against women were held at the office of MWEA in Yangon on 9 February. Present on the occasion were MWEA Chairperson Daw Sein Sein, Vice-Chairpersons Daw Thet Yee and Daw Khin Myint Myint, executives and members. MWEA founder Adviser Prof Daw Yi Yi Myint and Adviser Prof Daw Khin Aye Win gave talks on violence against women on the occasion. They then replied to the queries raised by those present.

Invitational Canoe Competition Putrajaya 2003 was opened by Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir and held from 6 to 8 February. A total of 11 nations including all the members of ASEAN except Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, and the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Taipei(China) and Mongolia took part in the competition. Myanmar took part in 10 out of 12 events. After the last day of the competition, Myanmar won 5 golds and 1 silver in Men’s event and one silver and 3 bronzes in women’s event. Myanmar team also secured first position out of the 11 participating teams.

The 56th Anniversary Union Day Flag Hoisting Ceremony was held at the People’s Square on Pyay Road on 12 February attended by the senior officials, officials concerned of the ministries, representatives of 16 NGOs, and representatives of peace groups totalling over 10,000.

In the evening, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing hosted the 56th Anniversary Union Day (2003) reception and dinner on the lawns of President’s Residence Compound in Yangon on the same day.

A meeting assessed the MICT Week 2003 on 12 February at MICT Park in Yangon. The IT is developing and changing in leaps and bounds in the world countries at present. In this regard, the leaders of the ASEAN countries signed the agreement with the aim of enhancing the IT knowledge among the youths, enabling them to enter the international IT area, and extending cooperation and mutual help among the nations.

The MICT Week 2003 has promoted the youths’ interest in the IT and their IT knowledge. The exhibition has also enabled computer entrepreneurs to estimate the IT operation method in the future, the limit of IT extension and the means to impart IT knowledge among the youths. The entrepreneurs also shared knowledge with their foreign counterparts, and sought areas where extension of links is possible.

As a means to disseminate the IT among the youths in the upper Myanmar and on a national scale, the MICT Part extension project must be launched based, with Mandalay as the centre.

Chairman of the National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt attended the opening ceremony of the fourth annual meeting of the Myanmar Academy of Medical Science (MAMS) held at the Institute of Nursing in Yangon on 13 February.

The Secretary-1 delivered a speech at the opening ceremony and noted the fact that now is the time when the Government is striving on all fronts for the development of the State to shoulder with other nations of the world. Science and technologies in each and every sector are now experiencing rapid development and therefore the Union of Myanmar, being a developing country, is having to make every endeavour to catch up with the development of other nations. At a time like this, the efforts of the national intellectuals and intelligentsia play a pivotal role for the development of the nation. This being so, the Government is taking all the necessary measures to pave the way for the progress of the nation through science and technology and to be able to turn out highly-qualified human resources for generations to come. With this end in view, Head of State urged that various think-tanks including MAMS be formed so as to ensure the effective development of various sectors, the key to the emergence of a modern and developed nation. Government is giving a special emphasis to improving health care services nation-wide for the uplift of health and fitness of the entire people. The endeavours of MAMS which was formed especially for the health sector, are very important in the realization of the aims and objectives of the health sector.

MAMS came into being more than three years ago and it is very encouraging to note that the Academy is actively operating in line with its fundamental principles and rules and regulations. In the book title "The Conquest of Scourges in Myanmar", published by the MAMS in 2002, salient points on collective efforts of health staff and the people under the leadership of the Government for eradication of smallpox and leprosy, prevention of trachoma and disease related to iodine deficiency and total eradication of polio have been presented. As the book is not only important and useful to medical experts and health staff but also a record of endeavours made by the Govenment. The Secretary-1 also urge the medical experts to try to publish similar books in the future.

As regards health care services, tasks for disease control, giving treatments, rehabilitation and positive health care services are being carried out and it can be seen that members of the MAMS are taking part in the respective sectors where they are in. They have also been taking part in laying down the 30-year long-term health plan and the four-year special education plan (health sector) and giving advice to the projects such as HIV/AIDS prevention, polio eradication, setting a standard for private hospitals and basic medicine work project. As projects are being expanded gradually, the strength of executives and members are also extended with a view to speeding up implementation of work. Thirteen new members were appointed in November 2002 and thus, there are 214 members and 15 executives now. The Secretary-1 urged the medical experts to apply their skills to be able to achieve the goal of the State in the health sector.

The ICT Professional Training Course, jointly organized by Myanmar Economic & Management Institute (MEMI) and Myanmar Computer Federation (MCF) and sponsored by Mr. Toshio Matsui of Japan, was opened at Myanmar Information and Communication Technology Park in Hline Township on 14 February. Mr. Toshio Matsui explained the purpose of the donations for the training and President U Thein Oo of MCF extended greetings. Next, Mr. Toshio and U Thein Oo formally opened the course. The minister, the deputy minister and officials viewed round the training hall. Altogether 30 trainees are attending the three-month course.

A combined team comprising members of the local intelligence unit and Lashio Special Anti-drug Squad, acting on information, on 3 January 2003 searched the Hilux vehicle near Hopate Village in Lashio Township and seized 2.649 kilos of heroin in soapboxes. Similarly, a combined team comprising members of the local intelligence unit and Lashio Special Anti-drug Squad, acting on information, on 18 January morning searched a van driven by Sai Kyaw (a) Aung Mya on Bogyoke Street in Lashio and seized 67 bags of morphine powder, 20 bags of solid morphine weighing 73.95 kilos. Action is being taken against them under the narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Law by police station concerned.

Special features

Chairman of the Central Committee for Organizing the 56th Anniversary Union Day Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt extended greetings to Union Day delegates who will attend the 56th Anniversary Union Day ceremony at National Indoor Stadium-1 in Yangon on 8 February. The Secretary-1 urged all to serve the interest of the Union and all national people as national duty with the Union Spirt in accord with the 56th Union Day objectives:

* for all the nationals to safeguard the national policy---non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of the national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty

* to keep Union spirit always alive and flourishing among the entire national people

* for all the nationals to strive in harmony for the emergence of an enduring State Constitution that will pave the way for the building of new discipline-flourishing nation; and

* to ward off, with national solidarity, the danger of destructionists from inside and outside the nation who are disturbing the stability, peace, modernization and development of the State.

Myanmar Welcomes Constructive Commentary and Looks Forward to a Free and Open Dialogue

The Government of Myanmar was pleased to have Amnesty International visit Myanmar last week. The trip was a positive step in developing constructive dialogue on human rights issues and the Government looks forward to studying A.I’s recommendations and observations.

Amnesty International’s, independence, honesty and integrity are well known throughout the world, and their visit to Myanmar will, it hopes, result in deeper understanding of the issues facing the country.

Myanmar welcomes constructive commentary, from the international community, and looks forward to continuing the free and open dialogue with Amnesty International that began with their visit.

As Myanmar moves towards multi-party democracy, the current government is laying a foundation of peace and stability, and is ensuring that all 10 political parties in Myanmar may act freely and without interference within the framework of the law.

The Government therefore appreciates that the 10 political parties are helping with this transition, by working peacefully and by legal means. The Government therefore regrets very much when individual members of some parties, acting in violation of their own party’s regulations, deliberately break national law.

Myanmar law treats all its citizens equally, and membership in a political party does not give any citizen special status. Members of political parties, in particular, should take special responsibility for helping Myanmar make a peaceful transition to democracy, by respecting the rule of law.

The Government regrets that a small group of political figures were recently arrested for violating national laws. They will, of course, be tried fairly in a court of law, and are considered innocent until proven guilty. But the Government would also like to extend its thanks to the vast majority of political figures in Myanmar, who are acting responsibly and with dignity to bring multi-party democracy to our country.

Htamanai can be called as Hnanmanai because it is made up of sesame seeds. Htamanai is regarded as remedial diet for cold and cough because of the change of weather from cold to hot season.

Htamanai Festival is held in communally throughout the country. Boys and girls, damsels and lads, young and old gather and volunteer for this meritorious deed. One large pan requires 4 small baskets of sticky rice, 20 coconuts, one small basket each of peanut and sesame seeds, 2.5 visses of oil, 20 tickals of ginger and 15 tickals of salt.

Good preparation is necessary to make Htamanai - Fry coconut slices, soak the sticky rice for a night, peel and pound ginger and roast sesame and peanut for colour and fragrance.After the preparation, put the pan on the fire and pour the oil… when the oil is boiled, add ginger, later on sticky rice and stir them well.

After that, add water and cover the pan. When the rice is soft enough, add sesame, peanut and coconut slices and stir them well once more.As the mixture got oily and brown, remove the pan from the fire and continue the stirring. It requires two strong men to crush the rice between laddles.

In order to get the rice stickier not only sheer strength but also skill and technical is required. While Htamanai is being prepared, the guests are entertained to Myanma orchestra and music. Then, Htamanai is donated to hospitals, schools, orphanages, home for the aged, psychiatric hospital and other social organizations.

The nature of Htamanai festival means a big gathering because many hands are required. Thus, Myanma traditional custom of Htamanai festival is in essence an occasion for unity and friendship in the community.

MRTV-3: Tradition

Geographically Myanmar has 2832 km of coastlines . Both the Bay of Bengal in the west and the Adaman Sea in south provide bathe Myanmar’s silver beaches.

Ngwe Saung beach is located in Ayeyarwaddy Division . One can get there by land or by water -way from Yangon . The newly built bridges make the Ayeyarwaddy delta region more accessible than ever . From Yangon just four hours leisurely drives is needed to get to Pathein, the capital town of Ayeyarwaddy Division .Then cross the Nga Wun River by local ferry before continue an hour drive to Ngwe Saung beach.

As the Ayeyarwaddy delta is rich in its fertile soil, healthy paddy fields carpet most of the region.The rich soil with a maze of small streams and creeks, provides happy home for water birds such as ducks, egrets, gooses, and heron. The regular steamer running between Yangon and Pathein takes about sixteen hours to make its journey .It is ,however , pleasant to take a steamer after relaxing at the beach and leisurely wonder as the countrysides slips by.

Much sightseeing can be done on the way to Ngwe Saung . After two hours drive from Yangon, there is a small town called Pan Tanaw where most of the people live by making reed mats.It is well worth a stop to admire the dexterity of this handcraft .Pathein Umbrella making is one of the famous hand skill of Myanmar. They are made of special bamboo and cotton sheet. In order to resist the rain, they are lacquered. People use the Pathein Umbrella mostly as both interior and exterior decoration. One of the more fascinating places to visit is the elephant training camp located 16 km before Ngwe Saung beach. The forestry department catches the wild young elephants from the jungle to t rain them for logging.

These intelligent giants are trained for human profit,pulling and prodding the huge and heavy logs in the jungle being main task.Most of the elephants in this camp are under eighteen years old .Once this age, they are sent into the forest for serious work. The visitors can see how the young elephants are trained to haul and push the logs,and to crawl and bow in order to let their handlers mount them. The visitors can also have a round trip in the jungle by taking a ride on an elephant. They are incredibly tame! At the edge of the Rakhine mountain range, the Ngwe Saung beach and its drowsy fishing village has been lying by the Bay of Bengal graciously and quietly for centuries.The villagers of the Ngwe Saung beach had never expected to have luxury bungalows besides their rustic huts,as they had never dreamed of running a restaurant or a souvenir shop.In the same way,no tourists have ever suspected the existence of this hidden paradise.

However,very recently the modern hotels with fully amenities, but which blend into the nature, have appeared along the beach, just beside the villag e.The villagers have rapidly opened very simple but clean ,fresh, delicious and friendly seafood restaurant . It is not easy to describe the beauty and peace of Ngwe Saung beach. Swaying coconut palms offer the village a thick blanket of green. The silver sand bank stretches out for miles with mountain range as backdrop.Brilliant sunshine glazes the swelling surface of the sea while the sea and the sky compete in their beauty of crystal blue.The white crested waves run back and forth as if greeting and welcoming all visitors.A melodious fresh breeze caresses everything it passes by.The swallows fly round and round to hunt their prey by singing while the sparrows twitter and titter. Hundreds of reddish crabs run in a flurry while the hermit crabs leave their tracks on the wet sand bank of the beach.

Fishing boats slip into the sea at night .They came back just after dawn with the night time catches fresh. In the canoes, there are fishes of all colors and sizes;red snapper , garfish,sea perch, striped perch, pomfret, and sea bass. Some are brightly yellow stripped, some sliver lined,some orange and red spotted,and others a shinning blue .On luckydays,the fishermen catch ten to twenty kg of fresh fish. The proud housewives with bamboo basket balanced on their heads carry the catches and march to village. Another interesting fishing method takes place in the morning around seven o’clock. The fishermen keep a good watch on the surface of the sea.They can see a school of fishes passing near the shore.

They row into the sea,drop the huge net systematically near the shoal. of fish.In all there are twelve to fifteen villagers, ten or twelve of them pull the net under the instruction of their leader who stays on the boat,one of them dives into the sea and plays the drum in order to attract the fishes moving into the direction they want.The dark back of villagers are perspiring and shining under the morning sunshine after an hour of pulling and yelling.Buying and selling are taken place on the spot .Heaps of little silver shinning "brown meager" fishes disappear into the bamboo baskets in a few minutes. They will be transformed into fish paste and fish sauce in a few days. The beach is totally quiet from late morning to mid afternoon. The fishermen fall into deep sleep.The children are in the school.The women take a nap after dealing with their simple housework.

Nobody is at the beach.You will not anybody sharing the beach with you for a kilometer or two. It is the best time to have a swim in a sea as warm as the air and to play in the surf just before a fresh sea food lunch with a sip of local beer in a village restaurant.

Imagine, however,every single hotel full. The beach would no doubt be crowded.Ngwe Saung would turn into a busy and noisy village.Villagers could make more income by selling food and souvenir to visitors, and could get more job opportunities by working in hotels.At the same time, city people would bring a new culture to this little village; bottled water,plastic utensils,modern cosmetic and costume.Visitors and hoteliers have to be very careful with their behavior.

They can keep the beach as virgin as it is,at the same time they can turn the beach as polluted as the cities are.Imagine one day that the silver sand bank will be dotted by old sandals and sun cream cans, that the hermit crabs will drop into a plastic bottle by mistake and die,that the singing swallows stop coming to hunt their quarry at the beach and that the waves bring back pieces of plastic waste to the beach, just ,because of the carelessness of each.To promote the Ngwe Saung beach resort is important for growing tourism.To educate the people how to respect the nature and the environment is more importent in the developing scheme of the Ngwe Saung beach resort.

Just before it sinks into the horizon, the sun turns the beach golden.The sky is golden, the sand is golden,the sea is golden,even the coconut palms are golden.The fishing boats float quietly near the shore.The silhouette of far away islands afloat against the orange glow of the golden sky .The fascinating patterned shells and rocks are scattered along the beach.The birds roost.The golden color dramaticallty changes into dark blue when the night falls rapidy. The little stars twinkling in the dark blue sky provide a benign light to the pounding sea. Everything stays still in peace!

Myanmar Business Tank January 2003

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