(1) Co-operative sector gives priority to development of agricultural productivity

1,280 industrial producers' co-operative societies fulfil basic needs of people

YANGON, 7 July-International Day of Co-operatives was observed at the International Business Centre  on Pyay Road this morning, attended by Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council  Adjutant-General Lt-Gen. Win Myint. Also present were ministers, deputy ministers, vice adjutant-general, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, ambassadors  and diplomats, UN officials, directors-general and managing directors of Co-operatives Department,  Cottage Industries Department, and Co-operative Exports and Imports Enterprise, Observance Committee  members, the Central Co-operatives Supervisory Committee chairman and members, chairmen and  members of board of directors of co-operative syndicates and co-operatives, principals and professors of  Central Co-operative College (Phaunggyi) and Yangon Co-operative Degree College (Thanlyin), officials  of Yangon Division Cooperative Department, township co-operative officers, guests and prize winning  students. At the ceremony, Assistant Manager Daw San Yu Yu Ohn of IBC acted as master of ceremonies.

First, Patron of the Leading Committee for Observing the International Day of Co-operatives Minister  for Co-operatives U Aung San delivered a speech.

He said: In honouring the co-operative movements, the United Nations General Assembly in 1994
designated the first Saturday of July as the International Day of Co-operatives. Accordingly, member  nations of the ICA (International Alliance of Co-operatives) all over the world have been observing the  International Co-operative Day celebrations on that day every year since 1995 as a gesture hailing the co-operative movements. The Central Co-operative Society of Myanmar joined the ICA as a member in 1993. Hence, like other member nations of the ICA, Myanmar has been celebrating the International Day of Co-operatives every year on a wide scale for seven consecutive years to honour the co-operative movements.  So, the new Co-operative Society Law (1992) was promulgated to be in line with the market-oriented  economic system. Under the 1992 Co-operative Society Law, new co-operative societies are formed and  the old ones reorganized. So far, altogether 18,129 co-operatives have been formed and they are carrying  out co-operative activities.

The co-operative means making of collective efforts to achieve economic and social development by those  with common aspirations.

In conclusion, I would like to stress that the co-operative movements which emerged through collective  efforts exerted in solving the problems of economic crises and declines of social standards have been  thriving and developing all over the world for over 150 years in accordance with the co-operative basic  principles. Likewise, the co-operative movements in Myanmar is thriving and developing in accordance  with the co-operative basic principles prescribed in the 1992 Co-operative Society Law. Hence, I would  like to urge the co-operative families  to make co-operations and collaborations for constant development  of co-operative movement,  to perpetuate co-operative basic ethics,  to preserve co-operative basic essence  by enhancing co-operations and increasing qualified members in order to become ones loved and
cherished by the people.

Afterwards, Chairman of GEC (Education) Co-operative Syndicate Dr Tun Maung read out the message  sent by International Co-operative Alliance (Reported separately).

Later, Secretary-3 presented prizes to students who passed outstandingly in 2000-2001 academic year first  prize winners; second year student Ma Su Myat Kyaw and first year student Ma Khaing Thazin Tun of  Central Co-operative College (Phaunggyi), third year student Maung Nay Min Aye, second year student  Ma Hnin Nu Aye and first year student Ma Su Su Hlaing of Yangon Co-operative Degree College  (Thanlyin). Then, Director-General Col Soe Win of Co-operative Department presented prizes to staff  officers of outstanding performance award winning townships. Kyauktan Township won the first prize,  Tamwe the second and Kyauktada the third. After the ceremony Secretary-3 and guests viewed  documentary photographs of co-operative activities exhibited at the reception hall of IBC.

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(2) Secretary-3 inspects Hanthawady Tax-Free Market and Hanthawady Model Vegetable Farm of YCDC

YANGON, 7 July - Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Lt-Gen.  Win Myint inspected Han-thawady Tax-Free Market and Hanthawady Model Vegetable Farm of Yangon  City Development Committee this morning. Accompanied by Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen. Thura Myint Maung, Secretary of YCDC Col Myint Aung and Joint Secretary U Kyi Win, the  Secretary-3 arrived at the tax-free market in Kamayut Township and was welcomed by Minister for  Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, Vice-Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Deputy  Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen. Hsan Hsint, officials of the State Peace and Development  Council Office, chairmen of Yangon West District and Kamayut Township Peace and Development Councils and YCDC officials. The Secretary-3 and party inspected sale of goods at shops of the Defence  Services

Industries, No 1 Ceramic ware factory edible oil shop, Indaing Station vegetable shop, umbrella shop of  Nann Yar Co Ltd, vegetable shop of Nyaung-hnapin Cultivation Zone in Hmawby Township, vegetable,  meat, fish and foodstuff shops of YCDC, pork shop of No 303 LIR and other meat, fish, foodstuff shops at  the market. He cordially greeted the shopkeepers and shoppers and asked them about the arrival, sale and  purchase of goods. Secretary-3 Lt-Gen. Win Myint gave suggestions to the officials.

At the Hanthawady Model Vegetable Farm, the Secretary-3 and party observed the thriving crop fields  including beans and pulses, lady's finger, chilli, brinjal, ridged gourd and water convolvulus. Yangon  Division Development Committee officials explained points of the farm. The Secretary-3 discussed with  officials the distribution of the produce to the tax-free markets. The farm is selling crop produce such as  bitter gourd, ridged gourd, Chinese kale, cucumber, lettuce, corn, radish plant, cauliflower, lady's finger,  water convolvulus, papaya, gourd, brinjal, beans and pulses, mustard, amaranth, etc to the tax-free  markets and individual buyers.

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(3) Minister inspects roads and bridges in Bago Division

YANGON, 7 July-Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, accompanied by Deputy Minister Brig-Gen. Myint Thein and officials inspected construction of roads and bridges in Bago Division this morning. First, the minister and party arrived at the construction site of new Yenwe Creek bridge. At the  briefing hall, Senior Engineer Daw Si Si Than reported to the minister on work. The minister said it was  being built by Myanmar women engineers for the first time. He then gave necessary instructions. The  four-lane bridge will be 360 feet long. Afterwards, the minister and party proceeded to Phyu Creek bridge.  Senior Engineer U Han Soe reported to the minister on progress of work. The minister left necessary  instructions. The four-lane bridge will be 468 feet long. The minister and party also inspected Baida  Creek bridge. Deputy Superintending Engineer U Soe Myint reported to the minister on progress work.  The minister gave necessary instructions. The four-lane bridge is 300 feet long.

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(4) Indian think tank meets film artistes

YANGON, 7 July - Members of Bengal Initiative, a think tank of Calcutta, India, met executives of
Myanmar Motion Picture Asiayon at MMPA this afternoon. They discussed matters relating to film
industries of the two nations. The MMPA executives also conducted the guests around the Myanmar  Motion Picture Museum. On arrival at the MMPA at 2 p.m., the Indian guests were welcomed by Vice-Chairmen of the Asiayon U Myint Naing and A1 U Hla Myo, executives and film artistes.

UMFCCI and Bengal Initiative meet

YANGON, 7 July-The Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry President  U Win Myint, Vice-President U Htein Win and U Win Aung, General Secretary U Zaw Min Win and  executives met Leader of Bengal Initiative of India Mr Amiya Gooptu and party at UMFCCI building at  No 504/506 on Merchant Street yesterday. They discussed matters related to cooperation between  UMFCCI and Bengal Initiative in investment, border trade, textile industry and the trading of medical  equipment.

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(5) Military attaches visit Drug Elimination Museum

YANGON, 7 July - Military attaches and families led by Dean of the Military Attaches of foreign
missions in Yangon Defence Attaché of Lao People's Democratic Republic Col Phanh Sone-phachanh  visited the Drug Elimination Museum this morning. Accompanied by officials of the Ministry of Defence,  the military attaches arrived at the museum at the corner of Hanthawady and Kyundaw roads in Kamayut  Township at 9 am. Director of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Police Col Sit Aye  conducted them around the museum.

MoU between cooperatives signed

YANGON, 7 July-Thiha Swanyi Construction Cooperative Society Ltd and Civil Engineering
Cooperative Ltd, hailing the International Day of Cooperatives, signed a Memorandum of Understanding  at Yangon Division Cooperatives Department at the corner of Shwedagon Pagoda Road and Strand Road  yesterday morning. It was attended by Deputy Director of Divisional Co-operatives Department U Sein  Win, Assistant Directors U Htein Win and U Maung Maung Than Tin, staff officers of township co-operatives, Chairmen of the two Cooperative bodies U Win Kyaw Oo and U Han Nyein and members of  Board of Directors.

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(6) Commander tours Thabeikkyin, Madaya Townships

YANGON, 7 July-Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of  Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, members of Division Agriculture Supervisory Committee, Chairmen of Township Peace and Development Councils and officials arrived at Thabeikkyin Township on 5 July. The commander met township departmental officials at Township Peace and Development  Council Office and discussed promotion of work efficiency and cooperation in agriculture, education,  health, communications and transport sectors. The commander inspected new building for No 1 Basic  Education High School, Township People's Hospital and post offices. He fulfilled the requirements. The  commander and party went to the construction site for 360-foot Tangar Bridge on Mandalay-Madaya- Mogok road. Deputy Superintending Engineer U Hsan Win reported on progress of work. The commander  then gave instructions. The commander and party inspected successful cultivation of pedisein and weeding  in Letpanhla Village Tract in Singaing Township, harvesting of summer paddy, winnowing and land  preparation for monsoon paddy in Kyauksayit (South) village-tract, Madaya Township. The commander  met local farmers. Altogether 7,729 acres of pedisein have been cultivated in Singaing Township for  2000-2001.

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(7) Commander inspects regional development in Tanai region

YANGON, 7 July-Chairman of Kachin State Peace and Development Council Commander of Northern  Command Maj-Gen Kyaw Win and officials inspected construction of Enkhankha Bridge on Namti-Tanai  Road on 3 July. The commander and party went to Naungmyee Village in Phakant Township and  discussed with members of District and Township Agriculture Supervisory Committee on meeting  agricultural targets, applying modern cultivation methods and fulfilling requirements.

The commander also met members of Phakant and Tanai Township Peace and Development Councils and  discussed extending of farmlands, cooperation with regional authorities, boosting production of paddy  with the use of quality strains and assistance provided by departments concerned.

On 4 July, the commander, accompanied by Brig-Gen. Kyaw Oo Lwin of Tanai Station, inspected
construction of Tanai Bridge on Tanai-Nanyun Road. Officials reported on progress of work. The
commander fulfilled the requirements. In the evening, the commander formally opened the two-storey  building for affiliated Basic Education Middle School in Tanai Township. The commander delivered a  speech and presented a certificate of honour to donor U Yut Zaw Khaung. U Yut Zaw Khaung presented  documents related to the school to Kachin State Education Officer. The two-storey building was  constructed by Chairman of Jade Land Myanmar Co Ltd U Yut Zaw Khaung-Daw Sha Dong Khaung  Taung at a cost of K 2 million. Exercise books were provided to students to mark the opening ceremony.  Jade Land Myanmar Co Ltd presented gifts to the commander and officials.

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(8) Preparations under way to open multimedia teaching centres at schools in Kyonpyaw, Ngathaingchaung, Yekyi

YANGON, 7 July - Chairman of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council Commander of  South-West Command Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann inspected putting of 400 acres of land under monsoon  paddy at Kaingchaung village-tract, Yekyi Township, Pathein District, on 5 July. At the model farm  supervisory office, the commander met with departmental personnel and farmers, explaining the importance of using natural fertilizers to boost crop yield, and looking into the requirements put forward  by them. Accompanied by officials, the commander inspected preparations being made to open a  multimedia teaching centre and musical performance of the students at the basic education high school in  Ngathaingchaung Township.

The headmaster and the chairman of the school board of trustees explained efforts being made to open the  multimedia teaching centre. After accepting the cash donations for the school together with the officials,  the commander spoke of the need to make cooperative efforts in implementing the education promotion  programmes.

At Myeyedaung village-tract, Kyonpyaw Township, the commander and party met with local farmers and  discussed extended utilization of natural fertilizers and reduction of wastage, and attended to their needs.  During the inspection of the basic education high school in Kyonpyaw, they inspected the preparations to  open a multimedia teaching centre and enjoyed the musical performance presented by the students. The  headmaster and the chairman of the school board of trustees explained efforts being made to open the  multimedia teaching centre. Cash donated by the Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council  for education, health and social associations were handed over to the respective officials.

The commander then spoke of the need to make cooperative efforts in implementing the education
promotion programmes. In the afternoon, the commander inspected the preparations being made to open a  multimedia teaching centre at the basic education high school in Yekyi. After enjoying the musical  performance of the students, the commander and party heard a report on arrangements being made to  open the centre. Officials presented the financial aids provided by the Ayeyawady Division Peace and  Development Council to health, education and social organizations. The commander explained the aims  of the education promotion programmes.
 
New products launched

YANGON, 7 July-A ceremony to establish Join Venture of JEL Trading Pte Ltd of Singapore and
Myanmar Indobest (Consumers Division) Co Ltd was held in conjunction with launching of new products  at hotel Equatorial on Alanpya Pagoda Road yesterday. Present were officials of supermarkets in Yangon  City, sale managers of companies executives of Myanmar Dentists Association, heads of departments of  Institute of Dental Medicine and guests. Managing Director of JEL Trading Pte Ltd Mr Eric Tan and  Managing Director of Myanmar Indobest Co Ltd U Zaw Lin extended greetings. Then, Oral-B Brand  tooth brushes Vision Classic and Exceeb, and Dvra 2X zinc chloride battery were introduced. Later, MDA  executive and Head of the Institute Dr Saw Tun Aung spoke of the importance of health of tooth and oral  cavity and the need to use quality tooth brushes.

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(9)  Tour promotion paper reading session on 17 July

YANGON, 6 July - The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism will sponsor a tour promotion paper reading  session to help develop tourist destinations in Myanmar, future prospects of which are bright for the  industry's progress. The tourism industry of Myanmar enjoyed a six percent increase in tourist arrivals  during the year 2000 due to efforts of the ministry. During the year, Putao, Kengtung, Innlay-Kalaw,  Bagan and MraukU ancient cultural zones, Ngapali beach and Myeik archipalago were the most attractive  tourist destinations. Officials of the ministry will present nine papers at the seminar which will be held at  Asia Plaza Hotel on 17 July. Because of seat limitations, all interested persons except the invited guests,  may contact the Tour Promotion Branch of the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism not later than 14 July.

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