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(1) Preparations for hosting 24th FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific coordinated
YANGON, 3 Apr - A work coordination meeting on organizing the 24th FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific was held at the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation this morning, with an address by Patron of the Central Committee for Organizing the FAO Regional Conference Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Also present at the meeting were Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister at the Office of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Brig-Gen Abel, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ohn Gyaw, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Win Tin, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Minister for Immigration and Population U Saw Tun, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyunt Swe, Deputy Minister for Finance and Revenue Brig-Gen Than Tun, Deputy Minister for Education Dr Than Nyunt, Deputy Minister for Construction Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint, Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt, Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries U Aung Thein, Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Deputy Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu, Deputy Ministers for Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung and U Ohn Myint, Deputy Minister for Transport Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint, Resident Representative of FAO Dr Prem Nath, Director-General of the State Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Pe Nyein, departmental heads and officials.
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said preparations for organizing the 24th FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific are nearly completed.
He said that as the Conference is to be attended by the ministers of the countries of Asia and the Pacific, the Work Committee and various subcommittees formed with officials of various ministries have been assigned duties for effective functioning of tasks.
He called for coordination on progress of work in preparing for the Conference and work requirements.
He said invitations have been sent to the ministers and officials of respective countries and spoke of the need to carry out tasks for the convenience of the delegates to the Conference.
The 24th FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific is related to Myanmar's political, economic and social development, he pointed out and urged officials of the Work Committee and various subcommittees to present reports the preparations so far carried out so that the respective ministries could coordinate and fulfil the requirements.
Chairman of the Central Committee for Organizing the Conference Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin presented report on the matters for holding the Conference.
Later, the Work Committee and various subcommittees reported on progress of work, followed by a general round of discussions.
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said preparations are complete and noted that it is an honour for the nation to be able to host the 24th FAO Regional Conference.
The delegates from other countries, he said, will see the real situation such as Myanmar's unprecedented efforts for development of the agriculture sector as the base and all-round development of other economic sectors, rich natural resources, the people's culture and traditions, cultural heritage, high standard of Myanmar scholars and artists and political stability.
He noted that the Conference will also help promote tourism in the country which is peaceful and beautiful.
In conclusion, he urged all officials to coordinate and cooperate in the tasks for successfully holding the Conference.
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(2) Contract signed to build world class hotel in Kawthoung Township
YANGON, 3 Apr - Victoria Entertainment Resort Club Ltd, a joint-venture of Merlion Inter Trade Co Ltd of Singapore and Tetnay Company of Myanmar, has agreed today to build a 250-room world class resort hotel and entertainment related facilities on Noahgyi and Noahlay islands in Kawthoung Township, Taninthayi Division.
The ceremony at Sedona Hotel was also attended by Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe. Minister at Office of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Brig-Gen Abel, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Minister for Labour Vice-Admiral Tin Aye, Minister at Office of Prime Minister Brig-Gen Lun Maung, Attorney-General U Tha Tun, Deputy Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu, Deputy
Commander of Yangon Command Col Hsan Hsint. Ambassador of Singapore Brig-Gen Patrick Choy Choong Tow, Heads of Office of the State Peace and Development Council and departments and other officials.
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(3) Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation tours dam projects in Sagaing, Magway Divisions
YANGON, 3 Apr - Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin inspected Thaphanseik Multi-Purpose Dam Project, South Yamar Dam Project, Mone Creek Multi-Purpose Dam Project and Mann Creek Dam Project in Sagaing and Magway Divisions on 31 March.
At Thaphanseik Multi-purpose Dam Project in Kyunhla Township, Shwebo District, Sagaing Division, he heard reports on progress of work presented by divisional, district and township authorities and departmental officials.
He later inspected the work to build diaphragm cut-off wall and machinery.
The Director of Construction Division 4 briefed on the work and project.
On completion, the dam with a storage capacity of 2.88 million acre-feet will be capable of irrigating over 500,000 acres and generating 117 million kwh per year. It will also ensure increase of storage capacity of Kindat Dam and Kaboe Dam located downstream.
After inspecting some sections of the main dam completed on the eastern bank of Mu River and emergency spillway, he left instructions.
He proceeded to South Yamar Dam Project to be implemented in Myaing Township, Magway Division.
After the dam on the North Yamar Creek had been commissioned, a new dam is to be built on the South Yamar Creek that will irrigate 9,000 acres and distribute drinking water in the dry region.
The Minister later toured Mone Creek Multipurpose Dam Project in Sedoktara Township, that will regulate the storage capacity of the completed Mezali Dam in order to expand irrigated acreage and generate 380 million kwh per year.
He proceeded to Mann Creek Dam Project in Ngaphe Township, Minbu District.
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(4) Mitsubishi to overhaul Thayet Cement Plant kiln
YANGON, 3 Apr - Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan signed a contract with Myanma Ceramic Industries today, agreeing to conduct a major overhaul of No 2 Kiln of an MCI cement plant in Thayet Township, Magway Division.
Managing Director U Than Shwe of MCI and General Manager Mr Hajime Katsumura of the corporation signed the contract in the presence of Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung and Deputy Minister Col Than Zin.
The ceremony at the Ministry of Industry-l was also attended by Director-General U Win Zaw Nyunt of Directorate of Industries, Director-General U Tin Hlaing of Directorate of Regional Industrial Coordination and Industrial Inspection, Managing Director U San Kyi of Myanma Textile Industries, Managing Director Col Myint Oo of Pharmaceutical Industries, Managing Director U Zaw Sein Win of Myanma Paper and Chemical Industries, General Manager of the Japanese corporation Mr Yamanokuchi and other officials.
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(5) Minister for Science and Technology receives Ambassador of India
YANGON, 3 Apr - Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung received Ambassador of Republic of India Mr Shyam Saran at his office at 10 am today.
Present also were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Director-General Col Tin Htut of Myanma Science and Technology Research Department, Deputy Director-General Dr Chan Nyein and Director Dr Hla Nyunt.
They discussed mutual cooperation and friendly relationship between two countries.
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(6) Foundation laid for Soonsahsaung of Sasana Zeya Mingala Kyaungtaik
YANGON, 3 Apr - Foundation was laid for building a two-storey Soonsahsaung of Sasana Zeya Mingala Kyaungtaik in Natchaung Ward, Tamway Township, this morning, attended by Daw Kyaing Kyaing, wife of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe.
She presented a silver casket containing nine kinds of gems to Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay who laid it together with the foundation stone.
Daw Mya Mya San, wife of Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council General Maung Aye, Dr Khin Win Shwe, wife of Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Daw Khin Than Nwe, wife of Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Daw Khin Cho Oo, wife of Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint, Daw Marla Tint, wife of the Council member Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, wives of ministers, Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Vice-Chairman of YCDC Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, Secretary Col Myint Aung, Joint Secretary U Kyi Win and committee members and their wives, Director-General of Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana U Sann Lwin, officials and guests were also present.
Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, U Ko Lay, Col Maung Pa, Col Myint Aung, U Kyi Win, YCDC members U Aung Soe and Col Thaung Wai and U Sann Lwin laid corner stones.
U Ko Lay erected the plaque.
Daw Kyaing Kyaing, the minister, the mayor, the vice-mayor, the YCDC secretary, the joint secretary, YCDC members and the director-general sprinkled scented water.
Daw Kyaing Kyaing and guests showered confetti.
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(7) Agreement signed to distribute Maha Buddhology Multimedia CD
YANGON, 3 Apr - The Young Men's Buddhist Association (YMBA) today signed an agreement with Myanmar Inforium Co to distribute Maha Buddhology Multimedia CD to the world.
The signing ceremony held in conjunction with the presentation on Maha Buddhology Multimedia CD at YMBA was attended by Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Commander of No 4 Military Region Commandant of Defence Services Record Office Col Myo Myint, Director-General of Department for Promotion and Propagation of Sasana U Sann Lwin, Patron of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club U Sein Win and Chairman U Sao Kai Hpa, journalists, and officials of YMBA and Myanmar Inforium Co.
Vice-Chairman of YMBA Naing Ngant Gon Yi (Grade I) title recipient retired Ambassador Thakhin Chan Tun, General Secretary U Khin Maung Lay (a) Po Thauk Kya, Executive Director of Myanmar Inforium Co U Chit Tun and Minister Maj-Gen Sein Htwa spoke.
Afterwards, U Khin Maung Lay and U Chit Tun Pe signed the agreement.
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(8) Deputy Minister for Education inspects schools of Basic Education Department in Htantlang
YANGON, 3 Apr - Deputy Minister for Education Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung, accompanied by Director-General of Basic Education Department U Bo Win, Chin State Education Officer U Salai Tun Hlaing, arrived at Htantlang Township yesterday.
He inspected buildings and furniture of Basic Education High School, Middle School and No 2 primary School in Htantlang.
He met Township Education Officer, school heads and teachers.
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(9) Deputy Minister for Industry-1 inspects No 2 Match Factory
YANGON, 3 Apr - Deputy Minister for Industry-1 Col Than Zin, accompanied by Managing Director U Zaw Sein Win and officials, inspected No 2 Match Factory at Setsan in Mingala Taungnyunt at 8.30 am today.
Factory Manager U Soe Win briefed him on production, finance and welfare for service personnel.
Then, the deputy minister gave instruction to boost production in beginning of 1998-99, to take fire prevention and safety measure and priority for staff welfare, and fulfilled the requirements.
The deputy minister looked into servant quarters and stressed the need to clean the quarters' environ for health improvement.
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(10) Seminar on Currency Risk Management and Loan Risk Management held at CBM
YANGON, 3 Apr - The Seminar on Currency Risk Management and Loan Risk Management/ Dealing with Non-performing Loans co-sponsored by the Central Bank of Myanmar and the Dresdner Bank AG of Germany was held at the Central Bank of Myanmar in Yankin Township today.
Governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar U Kyaw Kyaw Maung delivered the opening address.
Ambassador of Germany Dr Wolfgang Wiesner and Dr Manfred Barth also spoke.
Also present were Vice-Governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar U Than Lwin, departmental heads and officials of the Ministry of Finance and Revenue, officials of OAV German-Pacific Region economic organization, observers and trainees.
Mr Vosshenrich and Dr Kruse of German-Pacific economic organization lectured on currency risk management and loan management dealing with non-performing loans.
Dr Barth responded to questions.