In Myanmar history, the First Myanmar Empire was founded in Bagan period; the Second Myanmar Empire, in Toungoo period; and the Third Myanmar Empire, in Konboung period. A study of the history will show that the empires emerged as the nation was fully equipped with the forces of unity and economic and military strengths during the periods. In addition, the citizens were found to be high in nationalism, and they were always trying to strengthen the moral conduct. Hence, we were able to build a powerful nation of Asia for three times in history. Because of these achievements in history, we, the Myanmar people, were able to possess our own traditions and culture and the independence and sovereignty with pride and glory. The British colonialists launched three aggressive wars and occupied Myanmar which had stood as a sovereign nation; thus, the nation lost her monarchy and sovereignty in the 19th Century. During the time when the nation was under the colonialist rule, the people resentful of the servitude were awakened by the strong will to regain independence. Because of the strong desire and firm unity of the people, Myanmar was able to stand as an independent and sovereign nation again in the mid 20th Century in 1948. The world's colonialist empires disintegrated in the 20th Century, and the colonized nations were able to free themselves from subjugation. Soon after Myanmar had set herself free from colonial rule, there surfaced disagreements among the comrades, who had striven together for independence, due to sectarian and ideological problems.

 The disagreements among the comrades had caused dissension among the national races leading to breaking up of national solidarity. This was followed by armed conflicts which led to dwindling of the national force to maintain peace and unity. Under these circumstances, the nation was not able to implement the development undertakings as she had expected before the restoration of independence. The living standard of the people began to decline. The people were longing for peace and stability and progress.

 After taking over the State's duties, the present government has made a firm resolve to meet the strong aspirations of the people and to build a nation with all-round  enhanced capabilities step- by step and in a systematic manner.

Towards this end, the government first laid down plans and programmes aimed at ensuring peace and stability of the State. In line with the experiences and lessons learned from history, it has laid down and implemented the national tasks of non-disintegration of the Union; non-disintegration of national solidarity; and perpetuation of sovereignty. Our Three Main National Causes is the indisputable national ideology of all our citizens.

National Ideology

 In all its activities since assumption of the State duties, the government has always been guided by this national ideology of " Our Three Main National Causes ". The first task that the government undertook was to restore the rule of law and peace and stability. As peace and stability began to prevail in the nation, the government held peace talks with the armed groups with a view to ending armed conflicts that had afflicted the nation for nearly half a century. As the government had concentrated its efforts on peace, amity and unity, and had done so with patience, it had been able to rebuild mutual understanding with 17 armed groups who have now returned to the legal fold and joined hands with the government. With the restoration of peace and stability, the government is now able to turn its attention to national modernization and progress. In this present age, only a nation that can transform itself into a modern one can expect to enjoy sustained development in the long run. Thus, the government has set the emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed nation as its goal and is striving towards this national objective.

Nation-building task

The nation-building task is enormous and arduous. For a developing nation like Myanmar, the tasks that lie ahead are numerous and extensive. To accomplish these tasks, the entire Myanmar society must be peaceful and united and national strength, enhanced. We need to possess sufficient economic infrastructures, and to raise the economic and social strength of the nation. Thus, the government has laid down the 12 objectives to realize the goals in the political, economic and social sectors. While the government was giving priority to restoring stability and consolidating national solidarity during the three-year-period from 1989-90 to 1991-92, it also laid down and implemented plans to halt the economic downturn and to stabilize the economy. The private sector was provided with a wide range of opportunities to realize its full potential. As a firm infrastructure is required in building the political, economic and social systems, the government has made efforts with greater momentum to build the economic infrastructure after achieving peace and stability in the nation.

Agriculture & Irrigation

Up to now, Myanmar is still an agro-based nation, and agriculture plays a pivotal role in the nation's production sector. Since the availability of adequate water for agricultural purposes is essential for increased agricultural production, special attention is paid to increase the area under irrigation. The government has built new dams, made arrangements to store water fed by the watershed areas, to fully utilize it and install river water pumping stations. Clusters of dams have emerged in the nation as the State has utilized a great deal of financial resources as well as the available machinery and equipment in building them. Moreover, it can be proudly stated that these facilities have been constructed by local engineers. Since 1988, the government has built 129 new dams. Consequently, the irrigated area now covers 4.9 million acres, an increase of 2.4 million acres since the irrigated areas amounted to only 2.5 million acres in the past. One of the dams constructed is the four and a half mile long Thaphanseik Dam, making it one of the longest earth dams in Southeast Asia. The surface area of the reservoir of the said dam is twice the area of Inlay Lake and will be of great benefit to agriculture as well as to environmental conservation. In addition to the construction of dams, the government has also undertaken the building of 262 river water pumping stations, tapping of underground water and digging wells to bring safe drinking water to the rural areas. These projects are now supplying drinking water to 15.15 million people of the rural areas. Thirty-two dams are under construction and another 44 are in planning stage. Thus, more dams will be completed one after another in the coming years. Due to extension of irrigation facilities, total sown acreage of the nation has reached 37.14 million acres as compared to 23.8 million acres in 1988.

Construction

New motor roads, bridges, railroads, port development and airport projects have been implemented and the existing facilities have been repaired or extended with added momentum to help develop the infrastructures of other sectors. To develop and upgrade the transportation linkages is the main sector to be addressed. The network of roads and bridges, on which the government has spent huge sum of money, not only constitutes economic infrastructure but can also be considered as socio-economic structures for the national races to extend relations between each other. As the roads and bridges are the strength of the nation, a large number of transport projects have been implemented during the period of over ten years. Special priority has been given to further improving transport network in order to promote trade and production sectors as well as to uplift the socio-economic life of the people. In the past, the main transport links between the north and south of Myanmar lies on the east bank of Ayeyawady River. The strategy has now been laid down to extend motor roads and railroads to link all the parts of the nation, between east and west and between north and south. In addition, large bridges spanning the rivers have been built at all necessary places. The new roads include:

* Mandalay-Myitkyina motor road on the west bank of Ayeyawady River;

* Mandalay-Bhamo motor road on the east bank of Ayeyawady River;

 * Myitkyina-Putao motor road;

* Hpa-an-Zathabyin- Ma-lamyine motor road;

* Taunggyi-Ywangan-Han-myintmo motor road;

* Pyinmana-Pinlaung motor road;

* Sittway-An-Minbu motor road;

* Kawthoung-Bokpyin-Dawei-Mawlamyine motor road;

* Taungup-Maei-Kyauk-phyu motor road; and

* Monywa-Hkamti motor road.

These facilities have emerged as the Union highways to further strengthen amity and unity among the national races. New motor road facilities such as Minbu-Seikphyu-Pakokku-Monywa motor road and Minhla-Thayet-Pyay motor road have been built on the west bank of Ayeyawady River which has only limited transportation facilities. Monywa-Kalewa motor road; Pyinmana-Taung-dwingyi motor road, Pyawbwe-Natmauk-Magway motor road; and Toungoo-Pyay motor road have been built to connect the east and the west of Myanmar. At present there are 17,874 miles of motor roads in the nation, an increase of 4,239 miles from 13,635 miles in 1988-89. Many more roads linking the northern and southern regions or eastern and western sectors of the nation are under construction at present. New railroads have also been built in the states and divisions where railroads did not exist in the past to improve the transport sector and to develop economic and social sector.

Extension of railroads

 The new railroads are Pyay-Aunglan-Taung-dwingyi railroad which passes through the central Yoma mountain range; Pakokku-Kyaw railroad which cuts through Pondaung-Ponnya mountain range; and Shwe-nyaung-Taunggyi-Hsaik-kaung railroad across the Shan Yoma mountain ranges.

Pakkoku-ChaungU and Budalin-YeU-KhinU railroads have to be constructed across major rivers. Completion of the Pyay-Aunglan-Taung-dwingyi-Kyaukpadaung-Bagan-NyaungU-Myin-gyan-Mandalay railroad section has led to emergence of a railroad linking Yangon with Bagan-NyaungU, Myingyan and Mandalay. Namhsam-Mongnai, Nyaungshwe-Yaksawk, Aungban-Loikaw, Ye-Dawei, Yemyetni-Gangaw-Kale railroads have ensured smooth and easy transport in the places which were difficult to access. At present, about 998 miles of new railroads have been built, over 164 miles of railroads are under construction and 515 miles of railroad are in planning stage. The State has spent over US$ 398 million and over K 36,005 million on building the facilities of the Myanma Railways since 1988; it has also used US$ 336 million and K 93,634 million in building motor roads and bridges. Major bridges spanning rivers have been built at all necessary places in implementing motor road and railroad projects. There were only four bridges spanning the nation's major rivers, the Ayeyawady, the Chindwin, the Sittoung, and the Thanlwin, before 1988. Nine new river-crossing bridges have been built during the period from 1988 to January 2002. The six new facilities, Magway, Dedaye and Mandalay bridges spanning Ayeyadwady River, Monywa bridge on Chindwin River, Shwekyin-Madauk bridge across Sittoung River, and Mawlamyine bridge crossing Thanlwin River are under construction.

Transport

As progress in the transport sector will lead to promotion of the socio- economic situation of the people, special priority has therefore been given to development of this sector. The transport sector is the nation's strength as well as one of the main economic infrastructures. Even as motor roads and railroads have been built in the entire nation to develop the road transportation sector, efforts are also being made to upgrade the other transport sector as well. New private airlines have been permitted to operate while new airports have been constructed and the existing facilities upgraded. The Mandalay International Airport was built at a cost of over US$ 151 million and over K 6,543 million. The Hanthawady International Airport is still under construction. There are now 12 airports, which can handle jet aircraft compared with only six before 1988. Six more airports are under construction at present. In addition, more jetties are being constructed in the nation to develop the shipping sector. Six container yards have been built at Yangon Thilawa port; two at Ahlon jetty; one at Bo Aung Kyaw wharf; and two at Botahtaung wharf. It can be seen that the purchase of new commercial aircraft and ships, and the construction of new airports, shipyards and jetties have led to the emergence of efficient and smooth transportation linkages in the nation.

Electric power

 One of the main areas which contribute to development of the national economy is the electric power sector and efforts are being made to generate more power in the country. A total of 2,225 million kilowatt-hours of electricity was distributed in fiscal 1988-89. Altogether, thirty-two new power plants 26 hydel power stations and six gas-fired and combined recycle power plants  have been built in the nation after 1988 and power generation in fiscal 2000-2001 reached over 5,024 million kilowatt hours of electricity. Plans are under way to generate 2,000 more megawatts of electricity during the coming five-year period to meet the growing power demand by the agriculture sector, industrial sector, major projects and the public. The plans cover Paunglaung Hydel Power Project which will generate 280 megawatts of electricity; and Yeywa Hydel Power Project of 780 megawatts capacity.

Oil and gas

Oil and gas exploration has been conducted with greater acceleration to fulfill the requirements of all the sectors to build a modern nation. During the period of over 10 years, oil and gas exploration projects have been expanded through the utilization of our own financial resources and technology as well as with the cooperation of the foreign oil companies in accordance with the Foreign Investment Law. The Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise has invited foreign companies to participate in finding new oil and natural gas fields at 47 inland blocks and 25 offshore blocks at Mottama, Taninthayi and Rakhine coastal areas in Myanmar waters. Up to now, 15 joint-venture contracts have been signed with foreign companies to jointly explore offshore fields and 34 contracts for inland fields. The foreign investment in the sectors amounted to over US$ 2,563 million. Due to these efforts, 7 new oil and gas fields have been found at inland blocks including Kyauk-Khwet and Letpando. Similarly, new gas fields � Yadana and Sein-Hninh-Padamya Gas fields  in Mottama offshore area; and Yetagon Gas field off Taninthayi Coast; have also been discovered. Over 1,735 miles of new gas pipe lines, which are the main infrastructure of the energy sector have been laid, both onshore and offshore. At the end of fiscal year 2000-2001, the nation's natural gas production reached about 300,000 million cubic feet and crude oil production exceeded 4.1 million barrels. The combined output of gas and oil equals to over 54 million barrels of crude oil. Thus, there was a 376 percent increase in the oil production when compared with 11 million barrels of crude oil produced in 1988-89. Up to January in fiscal year 2000-2001, the energy sector earned US$ 376 millions and will continue to earn foreign exchange for another 30 years.

Communication

Communication infrastructure also plays a vital role in developing the nation's sectors including economic and social fields. The government has therefore endeavoured for the progress of the communication sector since its assumption of the State duties. There are now 569 telephone exchange stations and over 280,000 phones in operation in the entire nation, up from 245 stations and over 67,000 phones in 1988. Furthermore, modern digital-auto phone exchanges have replaced the communication system of the past. Two-hundred and five microwave stations and over 33,000 microwave lines have been installed to extend and develop trunk calls in the whole nation including Yangon and rural areas. To bring modern telephone communication to the outlying areas, rural telephone system has been initiated in 250 villages in the various states and divisions. To ensure smooth transport and communication with towns which are remote and difficult of access, local satellite communication was introduced in 1990. Local satellite ground stations have been set up in Yangon, Hkamti, Tamu, Buthidaung, Myawady and Kawthoung. Modern satellite communication system has been installed at Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Mogok, Kunlong, Putao, Mongla, Mindat, Ngwehsaung, Panwa, Myeik and Papun, thereby extending the communication network. In addition, such modern communication system as cellular telephone system, radio telephone system and CDMA telephone system have been installed, and the new GSM telephone system is being installed. Data sending/receiving system has been installed in Yangon and Mandalay, and computers are also being used at banks, transport services, hotels and department stores to facilitate communication. As a result, the network of telephone, telegraph, postal and communication services can now cover the entire nation including far-flung border areas. What I have already said is chiefly concerned with construction of economic infrastructure. As establishment of economic infrastructure is improving, short-and medium-term plans have been implemented to consolidate the economic strength of Myanmar.

 Short-term plans

In implementing a four-year short-term plan from 1992-93 to 1995-96, the economy grew by 7.5% annual against the target of 5.1%. On the basis of the already-achieved progress, a second five-year short-term plan running from 1996-97 to 2000-2001 was implemented. It was targeted to achieve annual economic growth by 6%. In fact, the economy grew by 8.4% surpassing the plan target. This achievement can be attributed to the implementation of the plan in every sector and every region, the effective use of human resources of the nation, participation of the people and the abundance of natural resources. With a view to promoting further economic growth of the nation, a third five-year short-term plan which runs from 2001-2002 to 2005-2006 is in course of implementation.

 The aims of the plan are:

-  to expand the establishment of agro-based industries,

 - to develop the electric power sector and the energy sector in keeping with the expansion of industries,

- to expand the agriculture sector and the livestock and fishery sector for domestic sufficiency and export promotion,

- to strive for all-round development of other sectors,

- to expand the education and health sectors with the aim of developing human resources; and

 - to develop rural areas.

During the period of the five-year short-term plan, measures are to be taken to increase GDP considerably. The agriculture sector will continue to make progress. Likewise, the volume of investment in the industrial sector will increase substantially. After touching on the efforts of the government for national solidarity, peace and stability of the State, development of economic infrastructures and generation of economic growth, I would now like to continue to elaborate on a task which has been undertaken to fulfill the need of the region. It is the promulgation of a law and the laying down of aims and objectives for progress of border areas and national races. The Central Committee for Progress of Border Areas and National Races, the Work Committee and the Sub-committees have been formed to undertake development tasks in the border areas where the national races reside. To ensure the successful realization of the set aims, the Government has also established a separate ministry called the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs. First, the most fundamental tasks such as construction of roads and bridges have been undertaken using a large sum of money. Up to the end of 2001, altogether K 12,188 million had been used in building and repairing roads and constructing bridges, big and small, in border areas. In the education sector, 366 primary schools, 48 middle schools and 19 high schools have been opened since 1988. Moreover, 17 youth training schools and 12 women's domestic science training schools have been opened in order to enable poor and needy children in border areas to have access to education and vocational training. With respect to the health care for the national races in border areas, 46 hospitals, one township health centre, 74 clinics, 18 rural health centres and 30 sub-rural health centres have been opened after 1988. To supply electricity to the border areas, eight hydroelectric power projects have been implemented. With respect to public relations, 85 TV relay stations have been set up. For the development of the agriculture sector, 31 agricultural offices, 113 agricultural stations, 4 canals and 11 tractor stations have been opened. Moreover, some 40 dams have been constructed or are in the process of construction while feasibility studies have been conducted for 17 other dams.

 Communication

In the communication sector, post offices, telegraph offices and satellite stations have been built, and radio telephones and trunk call lines, installed. During the period of the present five-year plan, work programmes for various sectors have been already worked out for further uplifting of the conditions in the border areas. During the period from 1989 to 2001, the Government spent over K 22,852 million on the development of border areas and national races.

Greening projects

One of the tasks which protects the environment is Nine-District Greening Project. Greening work has been carried out in Sagaing and Monywa Districts in Sagaing Division, Myin-gyan, Meiktila and Yamethin Districts in Mandalay Division, Magway, Pakokku, Minbu and Thayet Districts in Magway Division. Although originally intended for nine districts, greening work has now been extended to 13 districts. According to the project, over 200,000 acres of forest plantations have been established, and over 600,000 acres of remaining natural forests have been conserved and protected. Furthermore, the tasks for extension of use of wood-substitute fuel and water supply have been carried out. The arid zone greening work is being done in accordance with a 30-year master plan. During the implementation period, 7.5 million acres of green and lush forests will emerge. The Nine-District Greening Project will surely prevent desertification of dry regions. As an area of over 130,000 square miles of Myanmar, 50.81% of the total area of the nation, is covered with forests. To keep forests in Myanmar green and lush for ever, a 30-year master plan is being implemented in the forest sector. Due to this plan, over 66 million acres of land will always be covered with forests. Just as regional development tasks have been carried out, so measures are also being taken for the development of respective sectors. While Myanmar is an agricultural nation, efforts are also being made for the development of the industrial sector.

 Industrial development

To increase the momentum of industrial development, a Myanmar Industrial Development Committee was set up, and measures have been taken for industrial development. Investment Law has been enacted, and the private sector, the cooperative sector and the foreign investment sector are being encouraged. To increase the volume of investment in the industrial sector, Myanma Investment Commission has been formed and scrutiny work is being carried out. The Government is building medium- and large-sized factories in accord with the requirement of the nation. As encouragement is being given with the aim of ensuring emergence of an industrialized nation, it is found that the number of factories and plants, employment opportunities and the GDP ratio of the industrial sector have increased. In 1988-89, there were over 42,000 small-, medium- and large-sized factories and plants. In 2000-2001, the number grew to over 57,000, by an increase of over 15,000.

Employment opportunities

The increase in the number of factories and plants as well as the growth of the private sector has resulted in a lot of employment opportunities. In 1988, there were over 18 million employees in the State sector, the cooperative sector and the private sector; now the number rises to over 25 million. In other words, seven million more people got employment. The net value of goods produced in the industrial sector amounted to K 4,094 million in 1988-89, and the amount increased 2.5 times up to K 10,204 million in 2000-2001. To be able to provide assistance for private industries with the aim of promoting industrial development, the government has established 18 industrial zones in nine states and divisions, and altogether 4,496 factories and plants have been set up in these industrial zones. To promote investment, the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd has been established, and is now participating in industrial development tasks. It is running 49 enterprises including joint-venture enterprises with respect to production, trading, services and investment.

 Industry

 In the State sector, the Ministry of Industry-1 built 33 new factories during the period from 1988 to 2001 with a view to boosting the production of consumer goods for the people. During the period of the present third five-year economic plan, another 78 factories will be built and consumer and household goods, produced. Included in these factories are Pwintbyu Textile Factory, Pakokku Textile Factory, Salingyi Textile Factory, paper mills under construction in Thabaung and Yeni, pharmaceutical factories, soap factories and cement plants. The Ministry of Industry-2 is producing automobiles, tractors, power tillers, pumps, machinery and electrical appliances with the aim of developing the agriculture sector, the transport sector and small- and medium-sized industries. Up to 1988, there were only nine factories. Now there are 19 factories  seven new factories in Yangon Division, four new factories in western Bago Division and eight new factories in eastern Bago Division. Among these factories, the diesel engine plant in Indakaw Industrial Zone, Bago Division, is already producing eighteen-horsepower diesel engines. Diesel engines will be produced not only to be utilized in agriculture but also for generation of power. To produce engines in the country, a 2,000-ton smelting plants will be built. During the implementation period of the present Third Five-Year Plan, 40 projects will be implemented for production of transport vehicles, and equipment for agricultural purposes and power supply.

Health

Another sector which has received priority is the health sector. To provide health care for the entire nation, existing hospitals have been extended and upgraded, new hospitals opened and specialised hospitals, also extended. In 1988, there were 631 hospitals; at present the number has grown to 750. In border areas, 13 hospitals and 37 station hospitals have been opened. Similarly, new clinics and rural health centres have been opened. To provide health care of high standard for the people, new institutes of medicine and health-related institutes have been opened. In 1988, there were three institutes of medicine and one institute of dental medicine; now there are five institutes of medicine and two institutes of dental medicine in addition to three institutes of nursing, two institutes of pharmacy, two institutes of pharmacology and one university of primary health care. In the same way, there were previously 28 nurses training schools in states and divisions; now, up to 43 nurses training schools have been opened. The institutes and universities are now offering seven medical doctorate courses, seven basic doctorate courses, 20 medical master courses, six medical diploma courses and four diploma courses in pharmacy and pharmacology. To provide effective medical treatment for the people, specialists have been appointed for six specialized subjects in district-level hospitals and for 12 specialized subjects in state / division hospitals. As hospitals have been provided with modern medical equipment, effective treatment is now available to the people across the country. Complex surgical procedures such as heart operations and kidney transplant operations can now be performed in the nation. Another sector is development of traditional medicine. In 1988, there were only two traditional medicine hospitals; there are now 10 traditional medicine hospitals. The number of traditional medicine clinics rose from 109 to 214. To produce potent traditional medicines, nine herbal gardens have been established. To promote the quality of traditional medicine practitioners, the Institute of Traditional Medicine has been upgraded to the university. To preserve and maintain traditional medicine, treatises and remedies, the national-level traditional medicine practitioners conferences and the traditional medicine and medical equipment exhibitions are held every year. With respect to public health, effective measures concerning health education, disease prevention through mass activities, high-level modern treatment and higher standards of teaching in the field of medicine, have been undertaken.

Human resources development

The next sector which I would like to touch upon is development of human resources. To build a modern, developed nation which can face possible challenges at present and in future rests on development of necessary human resources. A national education promotion plan is being implemented to develop highly-qualified human resources for the State and for respective regions. The Ministry of Education takes charge of the basic education sector and the higher education sector while the Ministry of Science and Technology is responsible for the development of engineering and computer technology education. Other ministries are also teaching respective subjects in the higher education sector.

Education

 To provide equal opportunities of pursuing education all over the nation, 144 universities and colleges have been opened. It may be recalled that in 1988, there were only 32 universities and colleges in the country. Therefore, 112 new universities and colleges have been opened during the time of our government. Moreover, the University of Marine Technology and the Aerospace Engineering University will soon be opened, the first of its kind in the nation. In various fields of study, master courses and doctorate courses have been conducted. At the universities under the Ministry of Education, Ph.D courses for 20 branches of study have been offered; at the universities under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ph.D courses in engineering, applied science and computer technology are being conducted. With regard to opening basic education schools, in 1988, there were 33,747 basic education schools. Now there are 39,970 schools. Therefore, 6,223 new schools have been opened. In order to enable students in rural areas to continue to pursue education, post-primary schools have been opened starting from this academic year. To improve the standard of education, electronic teaching aids are now being used in basic education schools, universities and colleges. Altogether 304 e-learning centres which can receive data broadcast through satellite have been established all over the nation. From the above-mentioned endeavours, it can be seen that both the Government and the people are paying special care and attention to striving for the improvement of national education. All in all, it is evident that the country has been able to achieve progress and advancement in every sector and every region in a very short period of time. To develop the State sector, the cooperative sector and the private sector, laws have been enacted and revised, and investment has been made. These efforts are aimed at building a modern, developed nation. For the all-round development of the State and the citizens, a 30-year long-term plan has been formulated in every sector. The long-term plans are to be implemented by means of laying down short-term plans. In implementing the third five-year short-term plan, priority is to be given to five rural development tasks. The government will also be concentrating its efforts on fulfilling of the basic needs of rural areas such as transportation, water supply, education, health and economic livelihood including agriculture and livestock breeding.

Practical deeds

In conclusion, I would like to urge all those attending the Special General Meeting which begins today to work for the successful realization of rural development working programmes as well as for the development of the State in accord with the future tasks laid down by the Association. The new generation needs to be able to preserve historical traditions, maintain the good legacy and improve the social status of Myanmar society. It is not for nothing that we are now in the present position in the country. We are working day and night as best we could for the emergence of a peaceful, modern, developed nation. It can be achieved not by words but by practical deeds. We are fully aware that there can be difficulties and obstacles ahead. There are a lot of disturbances from inside and outside the country. Against all the odds, we are working because of our love of the nation. If there are no disturbances and obstacles, the pace of development of the nation will be quicker and so will the work to build a democratic nation. More disturbances and blockages will only mean that it will take longer to reach that objective. Efforts are being made for the modernization and development of the future nation and also to make sure that the new generation is free from any hardship and troubles. Efforts are being made to ensure non-disintegration of the Union and non-disintegration of national solidarity and to safeguard the sovereignty of the nation, thereby making sure that the nation is not at the beck and call of others. Therefore, in conclusion, I would like to urge all of you to develop patriotic spirit; to strive for the development of the Union and safeguard it with your lives; and, as befits the members of the USDA, to nurture strong will and determination so as to overcome any difficulty whatsoever.

Excerpts from Senior General Than Shwe's address

- With the restoration of peace and stability, the government is now able to turn its attention to national modernization and progress.
- The nation-building task is enormous and arduous.
- Myanmar is still an agro-based nation, and agriculture plays a pivotal role in the nation's production sector.
- Since 1988, the government has built 129 new dams.
 - Consequently, the irrigated area now covers 4.9 million acres, an increase of 2.4 million acres since the irrigated areas amounted to only 2.5 million acres in the past.
- Due to extension of irrigation facilities, total sown acreage of the nation has reached 37.14 million acres as compared to 23.8 million acres in 1988.
 - At present there are 17,874 miles of motor roads in the nation, an increase of 4,239 miles from 13,635 miles in 1988-89.
 - The State has spent US$ 398 million and K 36,005 million on building the facilities of the Myanma Railways since 1988; it has also used US$ 336 million and K 93,634 million in building motor roads and bridges.
- Major bridges spanning rivers have been built at all necessary places in implementing motor road and railroad projects.
- Nine new river-crossing bridges have been built during the period from 1988 to January 2002.
 - The Mandalay International Airport was built at a cost of US$ 151 million and over K 6,543 million.
- There are now 12 airports, which can handle jet aircraft compared with only six before 1988. Six more airports are under construction at present.

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