THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

(Sunday, 18 January 1998)

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  1. State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe receives Chairman and Editor in Chief of Leader magazine
  2. Myanmar Integrated Port Services Pte Ltd launches edible oil wharf at Thilawa Port
  3. Coord meeting on third London-Myanmar Open Professional Golf Tournament
  4. MBA graduates enjoined to do more for nation
  5. Department under Ministry of F&R inspected
  6. Minister for Energy visits Indaing gas and oil field
  7. USDA Secretary-General hosts dinner in honour of LPDR Youth delegation
  8. Paddy purchase centres inspected in Kyauktan, Thanlyin
  9. Short-term instructor Buddhism course opens
  10. Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union Delegation meets USDA CEC members
  11. Minister for Rail Transportation inspected Minhla-Pyay Railroad

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(1) State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe receives Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Leader magazine

YANGON, 17 Jan - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe received Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Leader magazine of New York Mr Henry O Dormann and his assistant International Projects Manager Mr Michael S Leforce at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence at 3 pm today.

Also present together with Senior General Than Shwe were Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ohn Gyaw and Director-General Thura U Aung Htet of Protocol Department.

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(2) Myanmar Integrated Port Services Pte Ltd launches edible oil wharf at Thilawa Port

YANGON, 17 Jan - The soft-opening of Wharf 4 (Edible Oil Wharf) of Yangon Thilawa Port was held there this morning, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present were Ministers at the Office of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Brig-Gen Abel and Brig-Gen Maung Maung, Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Ministers at the Office of the Prime Minister Brig-Gen Lun Maung and Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe, deputy ministers, senior military officers, Ambassador of Singapore Brig-Gen Patrick Choy Choong Tow, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, Managing Director Mr Soon Kim Ing of Myanmar Integrated Port Limited, officials and guests.

On behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint delivered an address.

He said Myanma port Authority of the Ministry of Transport entered into contract with Myanmar Integrated Port Services Private Ltd of Singapore on 10 July 1996 to build a modern wharf at the fourth quay of Thilawa Port.

He noted that the organization which undertook construction of the wharf was the first one allowed to handle edible oil shipping in Thilawa Port Development Project, and it was the third organization to which permission was granted for undertaking services for the project and the second organization to open the completed wharf.

At the new wharf, 15,000-ton freighters, each with a drought of 30 feet, can be moored and it can boost freight-handling of Yangon Port, he said.

He attributed Myanmar's development in shipping to introduction of market economy and added that in accord with the economic objectives, ports are being integrated in Yangon and Thilawa areas.

Under the 25-year land-lease contract, Myanmar Integrated Port Services Private Ltd has undertaken construction and will continue with freight-handling of edible oil using modern equipment and also produce edible oil in the wharf yard, he said.

Afterwards, Director Mr Chong Choon Nean of Myanmar Integrated Port Services Private Ltd spoke salient points about the wharf.

Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt accepted K 30 million donated by Asia Pacific Edible Oil Co for renovation of 103 primary schools, four middle schools and four high schools in Kyauktan Township.

Next Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint and Managing Director Mr Soon Kim Ing of Myanmar Integrated Port Services Private Ltd formally opened the wharf.

Later, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, ministers and party inspected edible oil storage tanks and the drum filling operation.

Myanmar Integrated Port Services Pte Ltd built the modern wharf, 198 metres long and 17 metres wide with two approach bridges 108 metres long and eight metres wide each.

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(3) Coord meeting on third London-Myanmar Open Professional Golf Tournament

YANGON, 17 Jan - A coordination meeting on the third London-Myanmar Open Professional Golf Tournament to be jointly organized by Myanmar Golf Federation and Asian Professional Golfers Association (APGA) took place at the Office of Commander-in-Chief (Army) of Ministry of Defence this morning.

Chairman of National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended it.

It was also attended by Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay, Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt, Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung, Deputy Minister for Transport Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint, Deputy Minister for Finance and Revenue Brig-Gen Than Tun, Deputy Minister for Immigration and Population U Maung Aung, senior military officers, President of Myanmar Golf Federation Brig-Gen Win Hlaing, officials of Office of the State Peace and Development Council, heads of departments and guests.

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(4) MBA graduates enjoined to do more for nation

YANGON, 17 Jan - Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended the dinner hosted in honour of graduates, who got Master of Business Administration degree in the first batch of the Institute of Economics, at the Mya Yeik Nyo Royal Hotel this evening.

Present also were Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than, Minister at the Office of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Brig-Gen Abel, Acting Auditor-General Brig-Gen Tin Aye, Deputy Minister for Education Dr Than Nyunt, Deputy Minister for Finance and Revenue Brig-Gen Than Tun, department heads, economists, Rector of the Institute of Economics U Maw Than and faculty members and guests.

Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said it was a significant day for Myanmar, and economists should be proud as the Institute of Economics could confer the MBA degree.

It- was the first ever course opened in Myanmar with 50 trainees beginning 5 June, 1995, he stated.

Myanmar is practicing the market-oriented economic system, he said and noted that a lot of economists are required.

Only when economic development of the nation is achieved, will there be progress in other sectors including political and social sectors, he remarked.

Since 1988, the market oriented economic system has been practiced in Myanmar.

Myanmar being a resource rich country, there are a lot of prospects for economic development, he said.

Therefore, it is necessary to produce economists who will contribute to the economic development of the nation, he stated.

MBA degree holders engaged in practical work are experienced persons, he said and expressed his belief that they will be well known as outstanding economists not only in Myanmar business circles but also in the international business circles.

As MBA degree holders, they will contribute greatly to building a peaceful, modern and developed nation, he stated.

The institute of Economics conferred MBA degree on 38 persons, he said, pointing out in comparison with the population of Myanmar, the number of MBA degree holders is not adequate for the nation.

It is necessary to continue to conduct many similar courses and produce many economists, he noted.

He urged MBA degree holders to raise momentum in striving for economic development of the nation when they take up jobs.

Rector U Maw Than also spoke.

Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Maj-Gen Kyaw Than and Dr Than Nyunt presented certificates conferred by the Institute of Economics to MBA graduates.

U Than Tun thanked the officials on behalf of graduates.

Later, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt had dinner together with MBA degree holders who donated K 20,000 each to Myanmar Education Committee and the MBA course.

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(5) Department under Ministry of F&R inspected

YANGON, 17 Jan - Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein, accompanied by Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Than Tun and Governor of Central Bank of Myanmar U Kyaw Kyaw Maung and officials, inspected Customs Department Head Office, Pension Department, Myanma Insurance Head Office, Internal Revenue Department Head Office Budget Department and Myanma Investment and Commercial Bank under the ministry today.

Directors-general and managing directors of departments concerned reported on their functions. The minister fulfilled the requirements and discussed efforts for exceeding finance and revenue targets in accord with rules and regulations.

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(6) Minister for Energy visits Indaing gas and oil field

YANGON, 17 Jan - Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi, accompanied by

Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thein Aung, Director-General of Energy Planning Department U Soe Myint, Managing Director of Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise U Kyaw Nyein and officials, arrived at Indaing gas and oil field this afternoon.

They were welcomed there by Tactical Operations Commander of No 11 LID Col Khin Maung Than and officials of MOGE.

The minister and party were briefed by U Kyaw Nyein and directors on production of gas and future tasks.

The minister gave instructions on boosting of gas production, and called on employees to honestly and diligently discharge their duties.

Later, the minister and party inspected Gas Well Nos 6,4 and 8.

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(7) USDA Secretary-General hosts dinner in honour of LPDR Youth delegation

YANGON, 17 Jan - The seven-member delegation of Lao People's Democratic Republic led by Secretary-General of the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union Mr Bounpone Bonttanavong arrived here by air yesterday evening.

The delegation was welcomed at Yangon International Airport by CEC members of Union Solidarity and Development Association U Than Shwe and U Aung Khin, officials of the Headquarter of USDA, EC members of Yangon Division USDA, Ambassador of Laos Mr Ly Bounkham and embassy staffs.

Secretary-General of USDA U Than Aung hosted dinner in honour of the Laos delegation at Mya Yeik Nyo Royal Ho yesterday.

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(8) Paddy purchase centres inspected in Kyauktan, Thanlyin

YANGON, 17 Jan - Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than, Deputy Minister Col Kyaw Shwe and officials of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading inspected Padagyi No 3 paddy purchase centre in Kyauktan Township this morning.

Yangon Division Manager and Assistant Division Manager and officials reported on storage of paddy and purchase.

In meeting with farmers, the minister said paddy purchase on mutual agreement would be practiced and it would be purchased at fixed price according to its types.

He urged the farmers to cultivate quality strains of paddy in the coming year.

The minister went to No 1 Myoma purchase centre and discussed sale of paddy with farmers.

He proceeded to No 242 100-ton rice mill in Thanlyin where the manager reported on purchase and milling.

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(9) Short-term instructor Buddhism course opens

YANGON, 17 Jan - A short-term instructor course on Buddhism (high level) sponsored by Ministry of Religious Affairs was opened at State Pariyatti Sasana Tekkatho (Yangon) this morning.

Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin and Adviser U Sao Tun Hmat Win spoke on the occasion.

Present also were Director-General of Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana U Sann Lwin, directors, course instructors and trainees.

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(10) Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union Delegation meets USDA CEC members

YANGON, 17 Jan - The delegation of Lao People's Democratic Republic led by member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Secretary General of the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union Mr Bounpone Bonttanavong met Secretary General of Union Solidarity and Development Association U Than Aung and CEC members at the USDA Headquarters this morning.

U Than Aung explained the aims, functions and future programmes of the Union Solidarity and Development Association.

Mr Bonttanavong also explained the youth union.

Then, they discussed friendly relations, cultural exchange and exchange of youth delegations between the two associations.

Present also were CEC members U Than Shwe, U Tin Hlaing, U Thein Sein, U Aung Khin, EC members of Yangon Division USDA and officials of the USDA Headquarters.

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(11) Minister for Rail Transportation inspected Minhla-Pyay Railroad

YANGON, 17 Jan - Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung, Managing Director of Myanma Railways U Kyaw Hsan and officials inspected quarry near Bantbwegon Village in Minhla Township which supplies laterite for Yangon-Pyay railroad section on 15 January.

The minister and party inspected the railroad section from Minhla to Pyay

The minister visited Shwebonthamuhti Hsutaungpyi Pagoda in Padaung Township yesterday. He fulfilled the requirements on renovation of the pagoda.

The minister inspected construction of 13-mile road linking Kanma in Magway Division and Padaung in Pyay District for development of west bank of Ayeyawady River. Seven miles of the road has been completed.

The minister met local people participating in construction of the road and fulfilled the requirements.

ln meeting with staff of MR, Road Administration Department and Transport Department, the minister spoke of convenience of traveling public and called for working with new outlook.

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