THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

(Sunday, 1 February 1998)

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  1. Secretary-2 attends Basic Education High School Level Computer Application Contest
  2. Banking services expanded in Myanmar for convenience and reliance of clients
  3. Nearly 200,000 baskets of paddy purchased in Mawgyun
  4. Special show of Ahlasone Achein drama
  5. Minister for Commerce inspects paddy purchase in Ayeyawady Division
  6. Second cash donation for construction of Ponnyananmikayama Shwethuwun Kyaungtaik
  7. PRC Vice-FM and party arrive
  8. Secretary-2 inspects construction of Naga Hlainggu Kalaywatawya Kyaung Sarthintaik, Ywama Pariyatti Sarthintaik
  9. Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement offers soon for State Pariyatti Sasana Tekkatho
  10. 1998 Men's and Women's Tournament for Myanmar Basketball Federation President's Cup concludes

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(1) Secretary-2 attends Basic Education High School Level Computer Application Contest

YANGON, 31 Jan - Chairman of Leading Committee for Observance of the 53rd Anniversary Armed Forces Day Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of Bureau of Special Operations Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo attended the Basic Education high School Level Computer Applications Contest held in Anniversary Armed Forces Day at the Institute of Computer Science and Technology this morning.

Accompanied by Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung Minister at the office of the Prime Minister Brig-Gen Lun Maung, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt, Deputy Minister for Science and Technology U Hlaing Win, Deputy Minister for Education Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung, Vice-Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa and officials, the Secretary-2 visited the computer application contest at 9 am today.

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(2) Banking services expanded in Myanmar for convenience and reliance of clients

YANGON, 31 Jan - Asia Wealth Bank Limited opened its branch on Lower Pazundaung Road, Pazundaung Township, today.

The opening ceremony was attended by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung, Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister Brig-Gen Lun Maung, Deputy Minister for Labour U Kyaw Aye, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Commander of No 4 Military Region Col Myo Myint, Captain Naval Staff Captain Kyi Min, Director of People's Militia and Frontier Forces Col San Lin, Joint Secretary of Yangon City Development Committee U Kyi Win, Officer on Special Duty at the State Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Than Tint, Governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar U Kyaw Kyaw Maung, Director-General of Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development U Arnt Kyaw, Senior officers of the Ministry of Defence, district and township authorities, Chairman of AWB U Khon Hsin Ran (a) U Win Maung and Vice-Chairman U Aik Tun and other officials.

Minister U Khin Maung Thein, U Khon Hsin Ran (a) U Win Maung and U Aik Tun formally opened Pazundaung AWB branch.

In his address, Minister U Khin Maung Thein said banking services are being expanded and carried out successfully in Myanmar while some countries are facing problems in banking such as bankruptcies.

He said efforts would be made to improve banking services through innovations.

AWB, founded on 2 May 1995, has now opened 12 branches including those in Mandalay, Taunggyi, Mawlamyine, Pyay, Bago and Kawthoung, and the present one.

According to statistics, AWB had only K 60 million initial capital and now its reserve is K 686.68 million; the deposit is over K 18 billion and loans over K 12 billion, registering as the bank with the largest deposit and loan among the private banks.

Minister U Khin Maung Thein also pointed out the need for the bank to try its best to minimize its running cost.

He said the bank is also using modern banking innovations such as credit cards, smart cards and call deposits for customer satisfaction and convenience and spoke of the need to work together with other private banks in the tasks to be implemented in cooperation with ASEAN members.

Though the current Asian financial crisis affected Myanmar just a little, all must be well-prepared for a worse scenario, he said, noting that all must also overcome the unscrupulous persons' subversive acts spreading rumors to destabilize the money market.

U Aik Tun also spoke.

Afterwards, Lt-Gen Tin Oo, ministers and officials went round in the bank.

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(3) Nearly 200,000 baskets of paddy purchased in Mawgyun

YANGON, 31 Jan - Farmers of Mawlamyainggyun Township collectively sold paddy at six purchase centres from 25 to 27 January.

On 25 January, altogether 376 farmers sold 1 3,795 baskets of paddy at Tantaya, Thirimandaing, Aungthiri, Beikhaung, Thangyodaing and Kyaikpi centres by 48 boats. On 26 January, 780 farmers collectively sold 20,238 baskets of paddy by 66 boats. Similarly, the centres purchased 9,938 basket of paddy on 27 January.

Mawlamyainggyun Township had purchased 199,091 baskets of paddy at the centres up to 29 January.

Chairman of Myaungmya District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Win Htein, Township Peace and Development Council Chairman U Tun Tun, Secretary U San Htay and members, Township Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading Manager U Mya Hlaing, and members of paddy purchase supervisory committee welcomed the farmers at the purchase depots and looked into the requirements.

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(4) Special show of Ahlasone Achein drama

YANGON, 31 Jan - A special show of Ahlasone Achein drama-directed by Bogale Tint Aung and Gitalulin Maung Ko Ko, story by Tekkatho Swe Thet Way, script by Thu Maung and action script by Myat Phone Mo, presented by Myanmar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs was held at National Theatre on Myoma Kyaung Street at 7 pm today.

It was attended by Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Win Myint, Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, ministers, Chief Justice, Attorney-General, deputy ministers and their wives, Chairperson of MNWCWA and members, leaders and members of the work groups, departmental officials and guests.

Film stars Lwin Moe, Tun Tun Win, Tint Tint Tun, Htet Htet Moe Oo, U Palartar, Moe Di, Nyi Gyaw, Ayine, Kutho, Maung Oo, Khin Moe Moe Aye, Khin Lay Swe, Nwe Nwe San, Khin Aye Han, Jolly Swe, Htoo Tha, Phohsogyin Khin Maung Nyunt and Yebaw Khin Maung Hla are taking part in the drama with fashion show using local made clothes.

Swe Hein, Wa Wa Win Shwe, Khin Yu May, Tun Eindra Bo, Kaw Ni, Nandar Hlaing, Soe Myat Thuzar, Khine Thin Kyi, Hla Inzali Tint, Yadana Khin, Sabei Aung Hlaing, Zin Min Myo, Pa Pa Kyu Htwe, Nu Yin Than Win, Tin Zar Maw, Chan Nyein Zaw, May Sandi Khin Zaw, Wut Yi Khine Min Shein and Thazin participate in the fashion show.

The drama will be presented daily between 7 pm and 10.30 pm from 1 to 4 February.

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(5) Minister for Commerce inspects paddy purchase in Ayeyawady Division

YANGON, 31 Jan - Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than, accompanied by Deputy Minister Col Kyaw Shwe, Managing Director of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading U Saw Aung and Managing Director of Stationery, Printing and Photographic Stores Col Min Hla Aung, toured paddy purchase centres in Ayeyawady Division yesterday. He arrived at Thabyu paddy purchase centre in Danubyu Township yesterday morning.

He was welcomed there by Chairman of Danubyu District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col J Han Shein, township authorities and officials.

Officer-in-charge of the paddy purchase centre briefed the minister and party on purchase of paddy from farmers of Thabyu, Yayle, Nyaungchaung, Kondantaung and Tawgyi village-tracts and on storage.

Meeting the farmers there, the minister attended to their needs and urged them to expand acreage under cultivation and grow quality strains next year.

He noted that as paddy is being purchased at the prevailing prices this year, it is a golden opportunity for farmers and that the time has come to create better living standard for farmers.

He proceeded to Danubyu and met district and township authorities and departmental officials at No 621 100-ton Rice Mill.

They discussed the new paddy purchase system.

Divisional Manager U Soe Myint briefed them on paddy purchase target in Ayeyawady Division and the amount of paddy purchased so far, and the manager on milling.

The minister gave instructions on maintenance of rice mills in order that they may be operated in full capacity.

He later inspected the rice mill and paddy purchase station in Danubyu and Myoma-2 paddy purchase centre and storage of paddy in Zalun.

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(6) Second cash donation for construction of Ponnyananmikayama Shwethuwun Kyaungtaik

YANGON, 31 Jan - With the patronage of Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, the second cash donation for construction of Ponnyananmikayama Shwethuwun Kyaungtaik was held at the Kyaungtaik in Kyeepwayay Ward in Thingangyun Township this morning.

Present were Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun and wife Daw Myint Myint Ko, Director-General of Religious Affairs Department U Arnt Maung, Maj-Gen Myint Lwin (Retd) of Myanmar Friendship International Co Ltd, personnel of construction organizations, Managing Director of Public Works U Tint Swe, Director-General of Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development U Arnt Kyaw, officials and donors.

Sayadaw Agga Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Bhaddanta Saddhiya (MA, Nalanda University) administered the Five Precepts.

The minister and well-wishers presented offertories to the members of the Sangha.

A total of K 12,702,000 including K 150,000 donated by the minister and family was presented to the minister and officials.

Sayadaw Bhaddanta Saddhiya delivered sermon and merits gained were shared.

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(7) PRC Vice-FM and party arrive

YANGON, 31 Jan - At the invitation of the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar U Nyunt Swe, a goodwill delegation led by Mr Tang Jiaxuan, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China arrived here by air this evening.

The Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister and party were welcomed at Yangon International Airport by Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyunt Swe, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Liang Dong and staff of the Chinese Embassy in Yangon.

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(8) Secretary-2 inspects construction of Naga Hlainggu Kalaywatawya Kyaung Sarthintaik, Ywama Pariyatti Sarthintaik

YANGON, 31 Jan - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo inspected construction of Naga Hlainggu Kalaywatawya Kyaung Sarthintaik in Mayangon and Ywama Pariyatti Sarthintaik in Insein Township this morning.

Accompanied by Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister Brig-Gen Lun Maung, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, officials of the Office of the State Peace and Development Council and departments, the Secretary-2 inspected construction of Ottamapuritha Dipani three-storey building in Naga Hlainggu Kalaywatawya Kyaung Sarthintaik in Mayangon Township at 11 am today.

The Secretary-2 gave instructions to officials.

The Secretary-2 and party then paid homage to the Presiding Sayadaw of the Sarthintaik member of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Dwipitakadhara Dwipitaka Kovida Bhaddanta Jagarabhivamsa and supplicated on construction of the building to the Sayadaw.

They proceeded to Ywama Pariyatti Sarthintaik in Insein Township and inspected construction of Maha Sandawwin three-storey building at the Sarthintaik and gave instructions.

Then, the Secretary-2 and party paid homage to Presiding Sayadaw of Ywama Pariyatti Sarthintaik Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Nandavamsa.

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(9) Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement offers soon for State Pariyatti Sasana Tekkatho

YANGON, 31 Jan - The families of department of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement offered soon and alms to the learning members of the Sangha, lecturers and administrative Sayadaws of State Pariyatti Sasana Tekkatho there this morning.

Present were Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, Acting Director-General of Fire Services Department U Aung Soe, directors, Acting Director-General of Social Welfare Department Lt-Col Khin Aung, Director-General of Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana U Sann Lwin, Principal of Central Fire Services Training School Col Hlaing Tun and families.

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(10) 1998 Men's and Women's Tournament for Myanmar Basketball Federation President's Cup concludes

YANGON, 31 Jan - The final events and prize presentation ceremony of 1998 Men's and Women's Tournament for Myanmar Basketball Federation President's Cup was held at Kyaikkasan Basketball Gymnasium this evening.

It was attended by Secretary-General of Myanmar Olympic Committee Director-General of Sports and Physical Education Department Col Hla Myint Kyaw and officials, President of Myanmar Basketball Federation Dr Sein Myint, Secretary-General U Myint Thein and executives.

After the final events, Assistant Head of Department of Yangon City Development Committee U Myint Thein presented third prize to Tatmadaw New Generation team in men's junior event. In women's event, Maj Maung Maung Gyi of Directorate of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers of the Ministry of Defence presented second prize to Yangon team and first prize to YCDC team. President of the federation Dr Sein Myint presented second prize to Yunnan team and first prize to Ministry of Defence in men's senior event.

Then, Col Hla Myint Kyaw presented championship trophies to first prize winners Defence Services Self-defence and Sports Institute (Yemon) team in men's junior event, YCDC team in women's event and Ministry of Defence in men's senior event.

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