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(1) Three objectives set for development of Taninthayi Division
YANGON, 21 July - Chairman of the Regional Development Leading Committee Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo addressed the Leading Committee's meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation at 1:30 pm today. Also present were Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister Brig-Gen Lun Maung, Deputy Ministers for A & I Brig-Gen Khin Maung and U Ohn Myint, Deputy Minister for Mines U Myint Thein, Deputy Minister for PBANRDA U Kyaw Tin, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and departments concerned and those of the Coastal Region Command and Taninthayi Division Peace and Development Council.
Officer on Special Duty at the Office of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Than Tint emceed the meeting.
In his address, Lt-Gen Tin Oo said Taninthayi Division is rich in marine, land and natural resources.
He said the Leading Committee comprising ministers and sub-committees had been formed with three objectives-regional sufficiency of rice, expansion of acreage of oil palm and planting perennial trees like oil palm and rubber in Taninthayi Division.
Officials of the Work Committee and various subcommittees had already conducted field trips and studied progress in implementing regional development projects, he said.
The Secretary-2 invited those present to report the requirements and difficulties encountered in implementing the development projects' of the division so that necessary arrangements could be made.
Next, Secretary of the Leading Committee Brig-Gen Lun Maung reported on the findings during the field trip and requirements.
Officials of the Coastal Region Command and the sub-committees reported on completed and ongoing programmes on cultivation of paddy, oil palm and rubber as well as expansion of the plantations. They also dealt with reclamation of virgin land, requirements of inputs such as machinery, fertilizer and so on, fisheries, mining and bridge construction projects. The ministers, deputy ministers and heads of department concerned replied to the points raised in the discussions.
Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo also fulfilled the requirements by making necessary arrangements and said necessary inputs including machinery for the development of Taninthayi Division had already been provided. He underscored that it would be necessary to use the machinery in full capacity with no damages. At a time when the government is providing all the necessary inputs for regional development, he said, the departments concerned would have to carry out the assigned tasks in all seriousness.
He called for conducting field trips right down to the grassroots levels in order to realize the-three objectives set for the development of Taninthayi Division.
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(2) USDA CEC member inspects Padaung Township facilitles
YANGON, 21 July - Member of Union Solidarity and Development Association Central Executive Committee Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing attended the ceremonies to hand over the school building, to launch operation of generator for village and to present membership USDA applications in Padaung Township, Pyay District, Bago Division, on 18 and 19 July.
Present were Commander of No. 66 Light Infantry Division Col Aung Min, members of Bago Division Peace and Development Council U Htay and Police Col Ba Htoo, Secretary of Bago Division USDA U Saw Maw Tun, executives, commander of Padaung Station, military officers, chairman and members of Pyay District Peace and Development Council, secretaries, executives, organizers and members of Pyay District and Padaung Township USDAs, members of Red Cross, Fire Brigade, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, various social associations and local people totalling over 2,000.
On 18 July morning, the ceremonies to hand over new school building of affiliated middle school, to launch operation of the generator and to present USDA , membership applications were held at the affiliated middle School of Zayathla Village, Padaung Township.
Minister Col Tin Hlaing and Commander Col Aung Min commissioned the building and generator.
Col Tin Hlaing gave instructions on regional development tasks being undertaken by the State and the 12 Objectives laid down by the Government.
The construction committee of new school building handed over related documents to Township Education Officer. Next, Col Tin Hlaing accepted 6,616 USDA membership applications in Padaung Township including 955 membership applications from Zayathla and Tawma Village-tracts, 2,454 from Taloakpin, Yettha and Kaigyi Village-tracts and 3,207 from Kyaukphu, Okshitbin and Makyidon Village-tracts.
Member of USDA CEC Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing called on secretaries, executives and members of Bago Division, Pyay District and Padaung Township USDAs and explained on future tasks of the association. He then fulfilled the requirements of regional USDA officials.
Col Tin Hlaing donated cash assistance and magazines to USDA, Red Cross, Fire Brigade and MCWA.
The minister inspected construction of extension building of Padaung Township Basic Education High School and computer room.
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(3) K 700,000 for restoration of Bagan pagodas
YANGON, 21 July - Ambassador of Myanmar to Thailand U Hla Maung and his wife Daw Thanda Khin, families of Myanmar Embassy and Myanmar families in Thailand donated cash for restoration of Bagan pagodas today.
Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt accepted K 700,000 from U Hla Maung and Daw Thanda Khin at the Ministry of Culture this morning.
U Soe Nyunt thanked the well-wishers.
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(4) Siemens Nixdorf computer for YGH
YANGON, 21 July - Representative Dr Khine Yin May Than of Siemens Medical Systems Engineering Division Myanmar of Siemens AG Medical Engineering Germany, Meditegh Co Ltd, donated a Siemens Nixdorf computer worth US $ 3,200 to Yangon General Hospital this morning Medical Superintendent Dr Taik Wan accepted the donation and presented a certificate of honour to the donor.
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(5) No.1 Tyre and Rubber Products Factory (Thaton) inspected
YANGON, 21 July - Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, accompanied by the managing directors and officials, yesterday inspected No.1 Tyre and Rubber Products Factory (Thaton) of Myanma Tyre and Rubber Industries.
The minister inspected workshops, warehouses, staff quarters and hostels and discussed installation of new machines for increased production of tyres, recruiting new staff, conducting efficiency training courses for staff members.
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(6) Commander's shield boxing championship concludes
YANGON, 21 July - Finals of Yangon Command Commander's Shield Boxing Championship took place at Hline Gymnasium yesterday.
Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, tactical operations commanders, military region commanders, station commanders and commanding officers of battalions and units watched the finals, followed by the prize presenting ceremony.
Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than presented the championship shield to Defence Services Martial Arts and Sports Institute and senior officers to other prize winning teams.
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(7) Deputy Minister inspects Paunglaung Hydel Power Project
YANGON, 21 July - Deputy Minister for Electric Power Brig-Gen Maung Maung, accompanied by officials, inspected Paunglaung Hydel Power Project in Pyinmana Township yesterday.
Deputy Project Manager U Aung Hlaing briefed the deputy minister on progress of the project and the work to be done in the office of the project area.
Meeting officials and employees, the deputy minister gave instructions to complete the tasks as targeted, meeting set standards, to ensure worksite safety, to minimize loss and wastage in using construction materials and to carry out agricultural undertakings for staff welfare.
He then oversaw construction of diversion tunnels No.1 and No.2 with the use of machinery and attended to the needs. Today, the deputy minister went to Taungoo Main Sub-power Station where he inspected, preparations for installing transformers.
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(8) Ninth colour photo contest for 1998
YANGON, 21 July - The ninth colour photo contest for 1998 sponsored by National Motto, Literature and Photo Contest Organizing Committee will be held. The title for contest is 'developing nation'. Contestants may send four photos, each not less than 10"x 12". Entries are to be sent to U Tun Min, Joint Secretary of National Motto, Literature and Photo Contest Organizing Committee, Information and Public Relations Department, not later than 30 August. Winners will be announced in November.
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(9) Spoken English Course in International Relations opens in Bago
YANGON, 21 July - Spoken English Course on International Relations sponsored by Bago Division Union Solidarity and Development Association opened in the hall of Bago Division General Administration Department this morning.
Members of Central Executive Committee of USDA Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung and Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint spoke on the occasion.
They also accepted 1,275 USDA membership applications of Bago Township.
Brig-Gen Ohn Myint then attended the ceremony to open Management Multiplier Course No.2/98 for Executives of Thanatpin Township USDA of Bago Division, and formally opened the ceremony.
He also accepted 3,026 USDA membership applications of Thanatpin Township and 2,769 of Indakaw Station Basic Education High School of Bago Township.
He also donated cash for the township association.
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(10) Air Mandalay to launch new domestic route
YANGON, 21 July - Air Mandalay will launch its new Yangon-Heho-Tachilek- Kentung-Heho-Yangon domestic route for the convenience of travellers in remote areas.
The airline will operate the new route twice a week (Mondays and Thursdays) beginning 27 July.
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(11) Energy Minister receives ROK Ambassador
YANGON, 21 July - Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi received Ambassador of the Republic of Korea Mr. Kyong Bo Choi at his office at 2 pm today.
He also received Managing Director Mr Masao Kanaizuka of Myanmar Yokogawa Electric Ltd at the same venue at 3 pm and Director Mr David A Stanger of Myanmar Fertilizer and Power Development Co Ltd and party at 4 pm. They discussed the energy sector.
Deputy Minster U Tin Tun and Director-General U Soe Myint of Energy Planning
Department were also present.