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(1) Deputy Prime Ministers visit Mingaladon Industrial Zone Project, Mingaladon Garden City Project
YANGON, 20 Jan - Chairman of Myanmar Investment Commission Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin and Vice-Chairman of the Commission Deputy Prime Minister Lt-Gen Tin Tun this morning inspected progress in the establishment of Mingaladon industrial Zone jointly undertaken by the Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development and Mitsui & Co Ltd and Mingaladon Garden City and Golf Course Project being implemented jointly by the DHSHD and Zaykabar Co Ltd.
On arrival at the Mingaladon Industrial Zone Project site, they were welcomed by Ministers at the Office of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Min Thein and Brig-Gen Maung Maung, Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein, Deputy Minister for Electric Power Brig-Gen Maung Maung, Director-General of DHSHD U Arnt Kyaw and officials.
At the Industrial Zone Management Office later, Industrial zone by U Arnt Kyaw.
Director (Civil) of DHSHD U Win Myint and Managing Director of Mingaladon Industrial Zone Co Ltd Mr Rocky Irie reported on the construction projects.
They said the total area of the zone is 220 acres and that DHSHD and Mitsui & Co Ltd are implementing the joint venture project-to establish an international standard Industrial zone to enable foreign entrepreneurs to invest in Myanmar and set up industries.
They said the project began in February 1996 after obtaining permit from MIC and the project is almost cent per cent complete. They said drainage system at the zone was undertaken to meet the world class and that foreign investors have contacted to establish industries in the zone.
The Deputy Prime Ministers and ministers gave counsel and made arrangements to fulfil the requirements. They then toured the zone.
They proceeded to the Mingaladon Garden City and Golf Course Project, a joint venture undertaking of the DHSHD and Zaykabar Co Ltd.
Managing Director of Zaykabar Co Ltd U Khin Shwe reported that the total area of the Garden City and Golf Course Project is 286 acres. He said implementation of the project began in February 1997 and the project includes an 18-hole international class golf course, one swimming pool, four tennis courts, modern single-unit housing complex, roads, telephone lines, electrical installation, drains, water supply, area beautifying arrangements and others.
The project is due to complete in five years, he said.
He added that the project is being implemented to enable foreign investors to live in modern housing complex.
The Deputy Prime Ministers and ministers then toured the area and gave counsel before their departure at noon.
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(2) Minister inspects salterns, mines in Mon State
YANGON, 20 Jan - Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint inspected salterns and township mining camps in Mon State from 17 to 20 January.
Accompanied by Managing Director U Kan Gyi of Myanma Salt and Marine Chemicals Enterprise and officials, the minister inspected salterns in Setse on 17 January and in Kyaikkhami on 18 January.
He gave instructions on exceeding the target set for salt production and called on private entrepreneurs to be honest.
On 18 January afternoon, the minister inspected the private-run enterprise which produces iodized salt in Mudon and gave instruction to make quality iodized salt and to provide technological assistance to private salt makers.
He also told officials of MSMCE to regularly provide inspection for meeting the set standards.
Minister Brig-Gen Ohn Myint who also is Central Executive Committee Member of the Union Solidarity and Development Association met authorities and USDA executives and members of Thanbyuzayat and Mudon Townships.
He told USDA members to strive to be good citizens, participating irk tasks for national peace and development and not to lose sight of political and economic progress.
In the evening, he met Chairman of Mon State Peace and Development Council Commander of South-East Command Brig-Gen Myint Aung at the guest house of the command headquarters and discussed mining sector of the region.
Yesterday morning, the minister inspected Mawlamyine Branch of MSMCE, and met employees and told them to be loyal to the country, to work hard and to be frugal.
The minister then inspected the mine in Bantbwaygon, Paung Township, where granite is being jointly produced by No 3 Mining Enterprise and Myanmar BPL on production-sharing system and heard the report by Project Director Dr Win Naing and gave instructions.
He also met departmental officials and USDA members in Thaton yesterday and Bago today.
While in Bago, he inspected construction of Division USDA office building
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(3) Minister calls for compiling authentic, complete Facts About Myanmar
YANGON, 20 Jan - A coordination meeting on compiling Facts About Myanmar took place at the Ministry of Information at 10 am today and Chairman of Facts About Myanmar and Nation Building Endeavours (Vol III) Publishing Leading Committee Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung delivered an address.
It was also attended by Vice-Chairman of the Leading Committee Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Chairman of Facts About Myanmar Compiling Work Committee Managing Director of News and Periodicals Enterprise U Tin Kha and Work Committee members, Translation Work Committee members, Head of Office of the Ministry of Information U Khin Maung Myint and officials.
Speaking at the meeting, Minister Maj-Gen Kyi Aung said the meeting was called to discuss facts already collected for the Facts About Myanmar. He said the first meeting on publishing the Facts About Myanmar and Nation Building Endeavours (Vol III) had formed the Facts About Myanmar and Nation Building Endeavours (Vol III) Publishing Leading Committee, Manuscripts Scrutiny Committee, Facts About Myanmar Compiling Work Committee, Nation Building Endeavours (Vol III) Compiling Work Committee, Photos Collection Work Committee, Translation Work Committee and Printing Work Committee. He noted that the Leading Committee, Manuscripts Scrutiny Committee and various work committees would compile facts about Myanmar comprehensively and correctly and publish it.
He called on the Facts About Myanmar Compiling Work Committee members to include complete topics and facts about Myanmar. He spoke of the need to complete the book in a short period and make sure that the size of the book and presentations in it are proper. He invited all to offer their suggestions.
Next, Facts About Myanmar Compiling Work Committee Secretary Adviser to Printing and Publishing Enterprise U Myo Thant (Maung Hsu Shin) reported on the facts already compiled and Translation Work Committee Chairman Chief Editor of the New Light of Myanmar U Kyaw Min explained translation agenda. Those present then joined in the discussions on compiling Facts About Myanmar.
Minister Maj-Gen Kyi Aung gave suggestions in connection with the discussions.
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(4) Seminar on Interaction between JCIE and MISIS held
YANGON, 20 Jan - The Seminar on the Interaction between the six-member study mission from Japan Centre for International Exchange (JCIE) and Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies (MISIS) was held at the Conference room of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, here at 10 am today.
The Study Mission paid a courtesy call on U Ohn Gyaw, Chairman of the MISIS and Minister for Foreign Affairs, shortly before the Seminar.
At the seminar, U Aye Lwin, Director-General of ASEAN Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and member of MISIS delivered a welcoming address.
Next, Mr Makito Noda, Chief Programme Officer of Japan Centre for International Exchange (JCIE), made introductory remarks and briefing on the purpose of the Study Mission. The seminar was attended by responsible personnel from Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Institute of Economics.
During the course of the seminar, discussions revolve around "Prospects of ASEAN 10 and Implications for the Regional Economy and International Relations" were discussed. The seminar came to a successful conclusion at 12.30 pm.
The Study Mission includes Mr Chikayochi Sacki, Professor, Faculty of Economics, Kyushu University, Mr Takeshi Takano, Associate Professor of International Relations, Kumamto Prefectural University, Mr Fumio Yoshino, Associate Professor of Economics, Takushoku University, Mr Takahiro Kashiwagi, Assistant Manager, Legal and General Affairs Department, Furukawa Electronics, Co Ltd, Mr Makito Noda, Chief Programme Officer and Director for Research Coordination, Japan Centre for International Exchange Mr Ryo Furuya, Programme Assistant, Japan Centre for International Exchange.
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(5) Minister visits construction site of Taungdwingyi-Magway Railroad
YANGON, 20 Jan - Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung, together with officials of Myanma Railways, visited Taungdwingyi-Magway railroad construction site and encouraged the Tatmadawmen, who are participating in construction of the railroad, on 17 January morning.
Then, they went to Magway.
At the office of the Yin Creek Bridge Project, the minister was briefed by officials on the project.
The minister inspected the site chosen for construction of new Magway Railway Station on 18 January morning.
Commander of No 88 LID Brig-Gen Aye Kywe and Deputy General Manager U Moe Naing reported on progress of work in construction of Taungdwingyi-Magway railroad and machinery and financial requirements.
The minister inspected the work to pump water from the Ayeyawady River and produce pure water for students and staff families of Magway Teachers Training Institute, and gave instructions.
Later, the minister and party went to Yin Creek Railroad Bridge Project.
He gave instructions on work-site safety and timely completion of construction work.
The minister met Head of Meiktila Central Transport and Communications Training School U Aye Kyaw and instructors, division officers of Division-4 of Myanma Railways and officials of Road Transport Administration Department Road Transport and Transport Planning Department at the training school yesterday.
He called on all to diligently discharge their duties, conduct inspection tours and work for staff welfare within the framework of rules and regulations.
Afterwards, the minister and party proceeded to Pyawbwe Station.
Division Commander Col Tin Soe reported on progress of work in construction of Pyawbwe-Yanaung railroad, financial requirements and production of gravel.
Later, the minister and party went to Taungkantlant Hill about 8 miles from Yamethin, and inspected the site temporarily designated for production of gravel.
Then, they inspected production and sale of gravel at the place about 7 miles from Tatkon.
Afterwards, they inspected Pyinmana-Kyitaungkandwe railroad and Pyinmana-Taungoo railroad.
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(6) Shwedaung Textile and Finishing Mill inspected
YANGON, 20 Jan - Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung met staff of Shwedaung Textile and Finishing Mill in Bago Division on 18 January.
The minister heard reports presented by officials and gave instructions.
On 19 January, the minister inspected process of production at mill, finishing process and packaging and spoke of adjoining market dad creation of new designs.
He also inspected making of brick for staff welfare and warehouses and ice factory.
The minister inspected ceramics factory in Thayawady and extension under construction.
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(7) Minister for Commerce receives GM of Toyota Tsusho Corporation
YANGON, 20 Jan - Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than received General Manager Mr S Kassi and party of Toyota Tsusho Corporation (Yangon Branch) at his office at 10 am today.
Present were officials of the ministry.
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YANGON, 20 Jan - The Seminar "An Analysis and Assessment of the Current Economic Situation in Myanmar", co-sponsored by the Office of the Strategic Studies of the Ministry of Defence and the Tun Foundation Bank, continued for the third day at the Defence Services Guest House on Inya Road this morning.
Present were Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, deputy ministers, officials of the Office of the Strategic Studies, department heads, economists, private entrepreneurs, faculty members of the universities and guests.
Managing Director of Win Trading Co Ltd U Hla Myint Thein, retired Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation U Tin Hlaing, Director of Agriculture Planning Department U Tin Htut Oo and retired member of the Council of the State Dr Mahn Thet San submitted papers on the agriculture sector.
Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung, retired Senior Officer of UN Dr Maung Myint, Directors-General of Agriculture Planning Department (Retd) U Hla Moe and Dr Myint Thein, Managing Director of Myanma Perennial Crops Enterprise U Tun Than took part in the discussions.
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YANGON, 20 Jan - Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations Mr Alvaro de Soto arrived here by air this morning.
Mr Soto was welcomed at Yangon International Airport by Director-General U Nyunt Maung Shein of International Organizations and Economic Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and officials.
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