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YANGON, 4 Feb - Patron of the Union Solidarity and Development Association Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance at the opening of the Management Course No 13 for USDA Executives in the Pyidaungsu Hall of the Central Public Relations Unit in Hmawby, Yangon Division, at 9 am today.
Also present were members of the Central Panel of Patrons Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint, Deputy Prime Ministers Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin and Lt-Gen Tin Tun, members of the State Peace and Development Council, the ministers, the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, the Chairman of the Civil Service Selection and Training
Board, the Acting Auditor-General, other members of the USDA Central Panel of Patrons, members of the USDA Central Executive Committee, the deputy ministers, senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence, the directors-general and managing directors of the departments and enterprises concerned, the guests, In-charge of the Training Course Lt-Col Aung Kyi Tun, course supervisors and trainees.
Highlights of the address
For a nation which is rich in natural resources on land and underground, it is most inappropriate to see its people live in want and in backwardness.
National races urged to cooperate with government in striving for the equitable progress of the entire Union and in minimizing the development gap.
Government will continue to implement major projects in its efforts to bring about infra-structural development.
Farmers and workers urged to try their utmost to achieve significant progress.
USDA members exhorted to always keep abreast of advanced technology in order that they may provide effective leadership in commodity production and service sectors by employing modern technology.
Speedy success of national entrepreneurs will create an increasing number of jobs for nationals and profits thus made will be invested at home thereby contributing directly towards establishment of a modern nation.
Certain projects involving large investment are being implemented but they are not in a position to benefit the country for the time being.
The entire people are to practice thrift as much as possible.
They will have to give priority to local products and buy foreign goods only when there is no choice.
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(2) A meeting of Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development
YANGON, 4 Feb - A meeting was held today at Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development to make assessment on advanced housing projects which are being implemented in accord with the requirements of Yangon city.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said people's life and social standards are significantly improving as DHSHD and Yangon City Development Committee in cooperation with private contractors are implementing advanced housing projects in Yangon, applying the hut-to-high-rise scheme.
The hut-to-high-rise scheme has improved the living standards of city dwellers, ensuring them convenience and peace of mind and enabling them to own houses, he said, adding it is a public welfare programme.
Yangon in the past was not in accord with characteristics of a city as it had squatters and buildings settled on unoccupied State-owned land, he recalled, saying systematic arrangements could be made in relocating people at new buildings which are emerging due to successful implementing of advanced housing projects.
Majority of people are happy with the scheme, which is modernizing Yangon to possess characteristics of a city and raising their social life, he added.
People of some wards in Yangon are requesting to introduce the scheme in their quarters as the system is winning success and markedly uplifting the lives of the ordinary people, he said.
The hut-to-high-rise scheme is a successful programme which is being implemented continuously as it brings better health conditions for the families who have been relocated at the new buildings and the residents of surrounding areas and help promote all-round social development, he said.
Sound and just arrangements are required for the benefit of the majority as the Government is implementing the non-profit scheme but for the betterment of people, he said, urging private contractors to place in the fore the public benefit with sincere goodwill while weighing to have an equal interest-ratio between them and the majority.
Sincere goodwill and united and harmonious efforts among DHSHD and YCDC, key players of the scheme, and contractors and local authorities are required as speedy implementation of the task depends on their collective ability, he pointed out.
Secretary of YCDC Col Myint Aung and Director-General of DHSHD U Arnt Kyaw briefed the meeting on accomplishments sector-wise.
Participants discussed plans to provide construction materials sufficiently and condition of housing projects being implemented by contractors.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended to their needs, saying the hut-to high-rise scheme should be implemented phase by phase in accord with the requirements.
Contractors need to coordinate with the required departments as the Government is providing basic facilities such as water and power supply and roads, he noted.
Population and household increase in Yangon should be calculated systematically to be considered in implementing the scheme, he said.
There are significant changes and developments in the social lives of the city dwellers due to cooperative efforts of DHSHD, YCDC and contractors, he remarked, speaking of the need to strive in harmony and unison for the betterment of the nation, the public and nationality entrepreneurs.
Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Win Tin, Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut, Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister Brig-Gen Lun Maung, deputy ministers, the vice-mayor, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of departments, military region commanders, local authorities, private contractors and other officials were also present.
The Secretary-1 inspected the scale-models of housing projects being implemented in Yangon.
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(3) Ministry of A&I holds third four monthly work coordination meeting on agriculture sector for 1997-98
YANGON, 4 Feb - The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation held the third four-monthly work coordination meeting on agriculture sector for 1997-98 at the Head Office of Myanma Farms Enterprise on Pyay Road this morning.
It was attended by Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Khin Maung and U Ohn Myint, heads of departments under the ministry and chairmen of State/Division Agriculture Supervisory Committees.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister spoke of the need for officials of the ministry to provide supervision at grassroots level as the agriculture sector is the main economic sector of the country.
As the agriculture sector earns fifteen percent of foreign exchange, priority must be given to cultivation of paddy, beans and pulses, Ngwechi cotton and sugarcane which are four main economic pillars, and efforts must be made for boosting rubber and coffee production, he said.
To achieve success in realizing objectives of the agriculture sector, the five reforms-reclamation of fallow and virgin land, sufficient water supply for crops, use of machinery, technical reform and production and distribution of quality strains will be implemented, believing them as essentials for success of the agriculture sector, he said.
In realizing the objectives, officials at different levels are needed to do their best and not to choose easy ways without making efforts in carrying out agriculture work, he said.
He told officials to avoid applying red tape system in implementing the agriculture development projects, to be accurate in data on the projects and to work through coordination and cooperation between groups included in agriculture committees.
The minister urged them to strive to exceed the target set for cultivation of summer paddy, saying officials have to do their best with their own conviction in carrying out their work while the Government is providing necessary assistance to respective regions for development of agriculture sector.
Officials of State/Division Agriculture Supervisory Committees presented reports on production of monsoon paddy for 1997-98, cultivation of summer paddy, cultivation and production of beans and pulses, Ngwechi cotton and edible oil crops and provision of machinery and water supply.
Director-General Dr Mya Maung of Agriculture Planning Department gave suggestions on the reports.
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(4) 35th Myanma Gems Emporium 4-9 March
YANGON, 4 Feb - A meeting to review Mid-year Myanma Gems Emporium held in October took place at Myanma Gems Emporium Hall on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road today in conjunction with a coordination meeting on the 35th Myanma Gems Emporium to be held in March.
Present on the occasion were Patron of Myanma Gems Emporium Central Committee Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, Chairman Deputy Minister U Myint Thein, Vice-Chairman Deputy Minister for Transport Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint, Secretary Managing Director of Myanma Gems Enterprise U Khin Oo, committee members and secretaries o f subcommittees.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Brig-Gen Ohn Myint urged officials to give suggestions on the previous mid-year gems emporium and the 35th Myanma Gems Emporium to be held in March at the meeting.
The 35th Myanma Gems Emporium to be held in March will be the first in the time of the State Peace and Development Council, he said, urging members of subcommittees concerned to make arrangements to be able to display various items of gems at the emporium.
Myanma Gems Emporium has been held over 30 years ago, he said, telling officials to make innovation in display of the gems at the forthcoming gems emporium.
He called for cooperation of the subcommittees to be able to hold the emporium On grand scale as a world-class gems emporium and told them to be economical in expenditure.
As gems emporiums contribute toward the economic development of the country through foreign exchange earnings, he urged the committee members to give suggestions on emergence of a gems market in the country.
Afterwards, officials concerned presented reports on the mid-year gems emporium and arrangements for gems to be displayed at the 35th Myanma Gems Emporium.
Members of the Central Committee gave suggestions on the 35th Myanma Gems Emporium.
The meeting approved that the 35th Myanma Gems Emporium will be held from 4 to 9 March.
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(5) Farmers collectively sell over 70,000 baskets of paddy in Mawgyun
YANGON, 4 Feb - Six paddy purchase centres in Mawlamyinegyun Township, Myaungmya District, had purchased over 70,000 baskets of paddy from 31 January to 2 February.
Chairman of Township Peace and Development Council Chairman U Tun Tun, Secretary U San Htay and members, Township Manager of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading U Mya Hlaing and heads of depots welcomed the farmers and looked into the requirements.
On 31 January, 498 farmers sold 23,655 baskets of paddy by 78 boats.
Altogether 384 farmers collectively sold 15,826 baskets of paddy by 52 boats at the purchase centres on 1 February. Likewise, 680 farmers collectively sold 31,232 baskets of paddy by 104 boats at the depots on 2 February. So far, a total of 287,719 basket of paddy have been purchased in the township.
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(6) Minister for Commerce receives Ambassador of Singapore
YANGON, 4 Feb - Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than received Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore Brig-Gen Patrick Choy Choong Tow at his office at 3 pm today.
Present also were Deputy Minister Commodore Myo Tint and officials.
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(7) Resident Representative of FAO calls on Minister for A & I
YANGON, 4 Feb - Resident Representative of Food and Agriculture Organization Mr Prem Nath together with officers-in-charge U Nay Myo Hla and Mr Frank J Dent of Office of Asia and the Pacific Region paid a courtesy call on Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin at the office of Myanma Agriculture Service at 9-miles, Pyay Road, at 3 pm today.
Present also were officials of Agriculture Planning Department and Myanma Agriculture Service.
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(8) Ambassador of Vietnam calls on Minister for Commerce
YANGON, 4 Feb - Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Mr Nguyen Dang Khoa called on Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than at his office at 4 pm today.
Present also were Deputy Minister Commodore Myo Tint and officials.
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(9) Minister for L & F receives Chairman of CP Agro Business Group
YANGON,. 4 Feb - Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein received Chairman Mr Prasert Poongkumarn of CP Agro Business Group of Thailand and party at his office at 2 pm today.
Present also were Deputy Minister U Aung Thein, Director-General U Kyaw Lwin of Directorate of Livestock and Fisheries, Managing Director of Livestock, Foodstuff and Dairy Products Enterprise and Director-General of Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department U Maung Maung Nyunt, Deputy Director-General U Than Tun of Fisheries Department and Head of Office U Myint Shwe.
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