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(1) Senior General and Madame Than Shwe host reception and dinner to mark 51st Anniversary Union Day
YANGON, 12 Feb - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General and Madame Than Shwe hosted a reception and dinner to mark the 51st Anniversary Union Day 1998 in the compound of the President's Residence on Ahlon Road today.
Senior General and Madame Than Shwe arrived at the President's Residence at 6.30 pm.
They were welcomed by Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council General Maung Aye, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint, members of the State Peace and Development Council Rear-Admiral Nyunt Thein, Maj-Gen Kyaw Than and Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Deputy Prime Ministers Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin and Lt-Gen Tin Tun and ministers.
Then, Senior General and Madame Than Shwe greeted cultural troupes of the national races from States and Divisions and the cultural troupe of Taninthayi Division and representatives of Union Solidarity and Development Association.
The reception and dinner was also attended by members of the State Peace and Development Council and their wives, ministers and wives, the Chief Justice and wife, the Attorney-General and wife, the Acting Auditor-General and wife, the Chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board and wife, the Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor of Yangon City and wife, members of the 51st Anniversary Union Day Observance Central Committee and Management Committee, deputy ministers, Supreme Court justices, Deputy Attorney-General, Deputy Auditor-General, members of CSSTB, Vice-Mayor, senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence, members of the National Convention Convening Commission, Work Committee and Management Committee, members of Yangon City Development Committee, members of Information Committee of the State Peace and Development Council, senior officers of Myanmar Police Force, directors-general and managing directors, members of cultural troupes of the national races from States and Divisions and cultural troupe from Taninthayi Division, representatives from State and Division Union Solidarity and Development Associations, local and foreign journalists, rectors of the Institutes and Universities, medical superintendents of the hospital, representatives of Myanmar History Commission and Myanmar Language Commission, chairmen of Myanmar War Veterans Organization, Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Myanmar Medical Association, Myanmar Red Cross Society, Myanmar Nurses Association, Myanmar Health Assistants Association, Myanmar Thabin, Motion Picture and Music Asiayons Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association, Myanmar Artistes and Artisans Asiayon, Myanmar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and guests.
During the reception and dinner, Myanmar Athan Modern Music Troupe entertained the guests with music and songs.
Afterwards, cultural troupes of the national races from States and Divisions and cultural troupe from Taninthayi Division and first prize winners in amateur level and professional level of the fifth Myanma Traditional Performing Arts Competition entertained the guests with songs and traditional dances.
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(2) Over 115,000 attend 51st Anniversary Union Day Flag-Hoisting Ceremony at people's Square
YANGON, 12 Feb - The 51st Anniversary Union Day Flag-Hoisting Ceremony was held at the People's Square here this morning.
After the State Military Band took its designated place, the Union Flag which rested one night each in Yangon South District, Yangon West District, Yangon North District and Yangon East District, reached the People's Square at 7.22 am by the Union Boat.
Chairman of Yangon East District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Aye Lwin conveyed the Union Flag from the Union Boat to the Union Flag Relay Team led by Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay.
The Union Flag was conveyed by the team made up of members of the Panel of Patrons of the 51st Anniversary Union Day Flag-Hoisting Ceremony member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister for Education U Than Aung, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, Leader of the Union Flag Relay Team Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay, the Union Day delegate U Saw Hta Lon from Hpaan Township of Kayin State, Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and Police officers, Union nationals and members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association to the strains of the royal drum troupe of the State Orchestra.
At 7.30 pm, the Union Flag was planted in the silver bowl on the dais the backdrop of which was decorated with the emblems of the states - Manaw column of Kachin State, Keinnaya bird of Kayah State, Phasi drum encircled by two buffalo horns of Kayin State, Horn-bill bird of Chin State, Hintha mythical bird of Mon State, Thiriwitsa and conch shell of Rakhine State and Shan man playing the long drum of Shan State.
Afterwards, members of the Panel of Patrons took their designated places on the stage.
Also present were USDA CEC members, members of Division and District Peace and Development Councils, senior military officers, heads of central organizations, directors-general and managing directors, deputy directors-general, officers on special duty, heads of office of the ministries, members of YCDC and departmental heads, rectors and principals, medical superintendents, members of the Work Committee for Organizing the Ceremony, divisional departmental heads, township education officers of Yangon City area, officials and members of Myanmar War Veterans Organization (Central), Myanmar Red Cross Society, Picture Asiayon, Myanmar Artists and Artisans Asiayon, Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association, Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Myanmar Medical Association, Myanmar Dental Association, Myanmar Nurses Association, Myanmar Engineers Association, Myanmar Assistant Health Officers Association, Myanmar Anti-Narcotic Drugs and Anti-AIDS Association, Myanmar Women's Entrepreneurial Association, Myanmar Floriculturalists Association, National Commission for Environmental Affairs, Myanmar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, couples of nationalities of Fine Arts Department, local and foreign journalists, members of Yangon Division USDA, cultural troupe members and Union Day delegates of states and divisions, trainee USDA members attending the course at Hmawby Central Public Relations Unit, USDA members of Yangon East, West, South and North Districts, teachers, pupils, members of Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigades, nurses, and members of Ward Peace and Development Councils totaling over 15,000.
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(3) Secretary-l looks into progress of construction and renovation at Shwedagon Pagoda
YANGON, 12 Feb - Patron of Leading Committee for All-round Renovation of the Shwedagon Pagoda Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt held discussions with the officials on construction and renovation of the Shwedagon Pagoda this morning.
Accompanied by officials of the Office of the State Peace and Development Council, he arrived at Southern Stairway of the Shwedagon Pagoda at 9 am today.
They were welcomed by member of the State Peace and Development
Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Chairman of the Leading Committee for All-round Renovation of the Shwedagon Pagoda Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung and committee members, members of Board of Trustees and officials.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspected arrangement for renovation of guest hall at southern stairway of the pagoda.
The Secretary-1 and party proceeded to platform of the pagoda and inspected renovation of the Aryonkhan Tazaung at southern stairway and renovation of the thathanika buildings.
He gave necessary suggestions and also inspected renovation of northern stairway of the pagoda.
Then, the Secretary-1 inspected Dhammazedi Kyauksartaik at eastern stairway and left there.
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(4) Secretary-1 inspects extension of Yangon International Airport
YANGON, 12 Feb - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspected extension of Yangon International Airport and greening of its environs this morning and gave necessary instructions.
Accompanied by officials of the Office of the State Peace and Development Council, he arrived at the construction site of reception hall at 11.30 am today.
They were welcomed by Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, Deputy Minister for Transport Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint, heads of departments and officials.
Heads of department and officials briefed the Secretary-1 on construction work and greening work such as planting of trees in the environs, electricity and water supplies, progress of construction at reception hall, interior and exterior decoration and Myanma architectural design.
The Secretary-1 looked into the requirements.
Then, the Secretary-1 inspected construction of reception hall and renovation of VIP hall.
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(5) 1,000 acres of wetlands for paddy cultivation in Maubin inspected
YANGON, 12 Feb - Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun inspected 1,000 acres of wetlands in Maubin Township this morning.
Paddy will be cultivated on the land owned by the Ministry of Forestry.
Township authorities and officials of Township Forest Department briefed the deputy minister on the land.
The deputy minister gave instruction to implement paddy cultivation as soon as possible.
In Nyaungdon, he met executives of Nyaungdon Township USDA and FD personnel and had a meeting with them.
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(6) MEPE, YMEC sign $ 250m MoU for implementation of Paunglaung Hydropower Project
YANGON, 12 Feb - Memorandum of Understanding for implementation of Paunglaung Hydropower Project involving a loan of US $ 250 million was signed between Myanma Electric Power Enterprise and Yunnan Machinery and Equipment Import and Export Corporation (YMEC) at MEPE Head Office this morning.
The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Attorney-General U Tha Tun, Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut, counsellors and officials of Chinese Embassy, crew of Yunnan TV and correspondents of Yunnan Daily, and officials from MEPE and Irrigation Department.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Maj-Gen Tin Htut mentioned that the discussion for that project has been going on for long time and that day's signing was an important milestone for the implementation of that project which is of great importance for the economic development of the country.
This cooperation between YMEC and MEPE will strengthen friendly relationship between the two countries.
MEPE, Managing Director U Zaw Win and Mr Lin Zai You, President of YMEC also made speeches.
After signing the MoU, U Zaw Win and Mr Lin Zai You exchanged documents.
Paunglaung Hydropower Project is situated near Pyinmana in Mandalay Division.
It has an installed capacity of 280 MW and will annually generate over 900 million Kwh which will be distributed through the national grid.
The project will jointly be implemented by Myanma Electric Power Enterprise and Irrigation Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation.
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(7) Myanmar Carbonix produces carbon dioxide for industrial use
YANGON 12 Feb - Myanmar Carbonix Ltd, a Joint-venture between Myanma Petrochemicals Enterprise and Nur Investment and Trading Pte Ltd of Singapore, opened a factory producing liquid and solid carbon dioxide for industrial use.
Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo attended the opening ceremony in the compound of No 1 Thanlyin Refinery this morning.
The factory using carbon dioxide waste from industries will produce 24 tons of liquefied carbon dioxide and six tons of solidified carbon dioxide (dry ice) per day for domestic industrial use, said Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi.
The factory's products will be used in welding, producing fire extinguishers, soft drinks and beer and storing and exporting fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and fish, he explained.
It will help reduce air pollution and develop industries using carbon dioxide, he noted, saying Myanmar has plans to use dry ice on extended scale.
MPE is planning to set up more factories manufacturing formalin, polyester, tar and other chemical goods, he said.
Chairman of Myanmar Carbonix Ltd Managing Director of MPE U Kyaw Shein and Managing Director of MCL Mr Bruno Desies also spoke.
Minister Brig-Gen Lun Thi, U Kyaw Shein and Mr Desies formally opened the factory.
Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Sein Win, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Deputy Minister for Industry-2 U Thein Tun, Deputy Ministers for Energy U Tin Tun and Brig-Gen Thein Aung, officials of State Peace and Development Council Office, senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence, heads of departments under the Ministry of Energy, Ambassador of Singapore Brig-Gen Patrick Choy Choong Tow, officials of Myanmar Carbonix Ltd and guests were also present.
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