(1) Secretary-1 attends first time cash donation ceremony for construction of three-storey Thiri Yadana building at Thiri Mingala Mahasi Yeiktha
YANGON, 26 July - The first time cash donation ceremony for the construction of three-storey Thiri Yadana building in Thiri Mingala Mahasi Yeiktha and the fourth Waso robes offering ceremony were held at Thiri Mingala Mahasi Yeiktha on No.1 Myawady Mingyi Street in Ward 51 in Dagon Myothit (North) at 9:30 am today, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Present also were Ovadacariya Sayadaw of Bahan Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha Agga Maha Kammathanacariya Bhaddanta Samvara, Presiding Sayadaw of Tipidhaka Maha Gandayon Kyaungtaik Tipidhakadhra Tipidhaka Kovida Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Sumingalalankara, Patron Sayadaw of Thiri Mingala Mahasi Yeiktha and members of the Sangha, Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Minister for Cooperatives U Aung San, Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, 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 for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, officials of the Office of the State Peace and Development Council, heads of department, members of district, township and ward Peace and Development Councils and well-wishers.
The Secretary-1 and party received the Five Precepts from Tipitakadhara Tipitaka Kovida Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Sumangalalankara.
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(2) Secretary-1 inspects renovation of MyoU Pagoda in Dagon Myothit
YANGON, 26 July - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt this morning inspected renovation of MyoU Pagoda in Dagon Myothit and gave instructions to officials.
Accompanied by officials of the Office of the State Peace and Development Council, Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt arrived at Dhammayon of MyoU Pagoda at 11 am and was welcomed by Commander of No.2 Military Region Lt-Col Soe Naing, Chairman of Yangon East District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Aye Lwin, members of Township Peace and Development Council and member of Board of Trustees. The Secretary-1 and party paid homage to Buddha image.
Then, Lt-Col Soe Naing briefed the Secretary-1 on construction of archway, the wall, pillar, flag mast, Aryonkhan Tazaung and renovation work at the pagoda. The Secretary-l gave instructions.
Secretary-1 and party paid homage to MyoU Pagoda and inspected renovation of the pagoda.
Well-wishers may donate cash- for the construction of Mahayan Thading (wall) and Aryonkhan Tazaung in MyoU Pagoda.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt proceeded to construction site of Ngamoeyeik Bridge (Thingangyun) and inspected progress of construction work and left there in the afternoon.
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(3) Secretary-2 visits Yuzana Plaza
YANGON, 26 July - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo inspected Yuzana Plaza jointly built by Yangon City Development Committee and Yuzana Construction Group on Banyadala Road this afternoon.
Accompanied by Minister at the Office of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Secretary of Myanmar Investment Commission Brig-Gen Maung Maung, Minister for Cooperatives U Aung San, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut, Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister Brig-Gen Lun Maung, Chief of Staff (Navy) Captain Kyi Min, Chief of Staff (Air) Col Myint Swe, Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, Deputy Minister for Labour U Kyaw Aye and officials, the Secretary-2 toured Yuzana Plaza.
The Secretary-2 met shopkeepers and entrepreneurs on the second floor of Yuzana Plaza.
Chairman of Yuzana Construction Group U Htay Myint explained about construction of Yuzana Plaza and Mingalar Market.
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(4) Machinery exhibition highlights farming equipment
YANGON, 26 July - A machinery exhibition sponsored by Tong Tah Company Ltd (Myanmar) and Koshin Ltd (Japan) was held at the Hotel Equatorial on Alanpya Phaya Road this evening, attended by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.
Present also were Minister at the Office of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Brig-Gen Maung Maung, Minister for Cooperatives U Aung San, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut, Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister Brig-Gen Lun Maung, Chief of Staff (Navy) Captain Kyi Min, Chief of Staff (Air) Col Myint Swe, Vice-Adjutant General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, senior military officers, department heads, officials and guests. Brig-Gen Lun Maung spoke on the occasion.
Chairman of Tong Tah Company Ltd (Myanmar) Mr Peter Loh and Chairman of Koshin Ltd (Japan) Mr Tsutomu Kohara extended greetings.
Then, the Secretary-2 and the ministers viewed the machinery on display. The Secretary-2 gave instructions.
Regional Manager of Koshin Ltd (Japan) Mr Fujimiya explained the machinery on display, and replied to the queries raised by those present.
Machinery on display is available at the showrooms of Tong Tah Company Ltd on Botahtaung Pagoda Road in Pazundaung Township, Bogyoke Aung San Road in Mingalar Taungnyunt Township, on 82nd Street between 32nd and 33rd Streets in Chanayethazan Township, Mandalay Division, and on Bogyoke Aung San Road in Taunggyi, Shan State.
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(5) Minister inspects new dredger
YANGON, 26 July - Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe inspected new Thihadipa Dredger at Nanthida Jetty this morning.
On arrival there, he was welcomed by Deputy Minister for Transport Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint, Managing Director of Myanma Port Authority Col Thein Htay, Director-General of Waterways Department U Pe Than and officials.
The minister and party were briefed by Col Thein Htay, Deputy General Manager U Myint Thaung and Civil - Chief Engineer U Khin Maung Zaw on the new Thihadipa Dredger, condition of dredgers being used and dredging work.
Then, the minister inspected machinery installed in the navigation bridge, differential global positioning system and drag arm control system of the dredger.
The new dredger, 68.13 metres long and 14 metres wide, has a draught of four metres and two 1,500 HP engines, and can cruise at a speed of 10 knots. It costs about US s 15 million.
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(6) Official leaves for Sri Lanka
YANGON, 26 July - Director-General of Border Areas and National Races Development Affairs Department Col Wunna Maung Lwin left here to attend seminar on training method for-integrated local community development-international trainers' training local social development to be held in Sri Lanka from 27 July to 8 August.
He was seen off at the airport by Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, Deputy Minister U Kyaw Tin and officials.
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(7) Entrepreneurs urged to strike balance between self-interest and common good
YANGON, 26 July - Myanmar Edible Oil Dealers Association held its sixth annual general meeting for 1997 at Oriental House Restaurant on Myomakyaung Street this evening with an address by Secretary 2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.
Present also were Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than, Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister Brig-Gen Lun Maung, Chief of Staff (Navy) Captain Kyi Min, Chief of Staff (Air) Col Myint Swe, Vice Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo department heads, guests, chairman and members of the Central Executive Committee of MEODA and members.
Chairman of the Conference Chairman of MEODA U Than Oo delivered an opening speech. In his address, Lt-Gen Tin Oo urged executives and members to foster the unity of the association all the more in unison and with farsightedness. It is usual for business to be up and down, he said and added we have already known that it is not a strange thing for entrepreneurs to feel the economic impact, good or bad.
Nowadays, South-East Asian nations are encountering the economic crisis and financial stringency, he stated and said the economic crisis can impact on the nation to some extent. It is of great importance for all to work harder, be thrifty and avoid too much reliance on foreign goods, he said and added it is necessary for the entire nation to establish a healthy economy.
He spoke of the need for the private sectors, especially for the merchant associations, to cooperate with the Government in striving for the national economic development and the better conditions of food, clothing and shelter of the people. He said in doing business, entrepreneurs should avoid causing any adverse effect on the people, and urged them to serve the interest of the people and strike a balance between self-interest and common good.
In conclusion, he called on them to be thrift, minimize loss and wastage,
produce import-substitute goods and boost productivity.
Maj-Gen Kyaw Than, Brig-Gen Lun Maung and guests also spoke. Then, the report of the CEC for 1997 and the financial statement were at proved.
The meeting ended with the concluding remarks by the chairman.
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(8) Deputy PM attends Fourth ASEAN Heads of Investment Agencies (AHL&) Meeting in Singapore
YANGON, 26 July - Myanmar delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of Myanmar Investment Commission Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin, comprising Minister at the Office of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Secretary of MIC Brig-Gen Maung Maung, Director-General of Directorate of Investment and Companies Administration U Maung Maung Yi and PSO to the Deputy Prime Minister Captain Aung San Win as members, left Yangon on 23 July to attend the Fourth ASEAN Heads of Investment Agencies (AHIA) Meeting held on 24 July in Singapore.
The delegation was welcomed at Singapore Changi Airport by Minister Counsellor and officials of Myanmar Embassy and officials of Economic Development Board of Singapore.
Managing Director of Economic Development Board Mr Ho Meng Kit hosted dinner in honour of leaders of the delegations and senior officials on 23 July. They discussed the meeting's agenda and important issues.
On 24 July, AHIA Meeting was held at the Westin Plaza. It was attended by delegates of ASEAN members, Deputy Director-General Dr Suthad of ASEAN Secretariat and officials. Mr Ho Meng Kit extended greetings and Minister of International Trade and Industry Mr Lee Yock Suan delivered an opening speech.
Mr Ho Meng Kit was unanimously elected as Chairman of ASEAN Heads of Investment Agencies and General Secretary of Investment Board of Thailand Mr Staporn Kavitanon as Vice-Chairman.
The meeting was presided over by Chairman Mr Ho Meng Kit. The meeting focused
on the impact of regional financial crisis on direct foreign investment of
ASEAN, draft for agreement on ASEAN Investment Area AIA, promotion of foreign
investment within and the outside the ASEAN region, cooperation among ASEAN
nations, training and discussions for ASEAN investment senior officials, methods
for collecting accounts on investment and fixing order, investment issues under
discussion at OECD and World Trade Organization (WTO) and preparations for the
Sixth ASEAN Summit Meeting to be held in December.
Seeking ways and means to promptly respond to less direct foreign investment in ASEAN nations due to regional financial crisis was discussed. With the suggestions and attitudes of private entrepreneurs and investors, preliminary discussions will be made at the seventh meeting of Work Committee on drafting agreement fol ASEAN Investment Area to be held in August in Yangon. These issues will also be reviewed in detail at AHIA Meeting to be held in Singapore in September.
Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Admiral Maung Maung, Khin, accompanied by Minister Brig-Gen Maung Maung and Minister Counsellor U Naing Tun of Myanmar Embassy, called on Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore Brig-Gen (NS) Lee Hsien Loong at his office on 24 July. They discussed bilateral cooperation.
On 25 July, Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin and Minister Brig-Gen Maung Maung met executive officers of Keppel Land and Kuok Group separately and discussed investment and future tasks of the organizations.
The delegation arrived back here on 25 July.
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(9) Myanmar delegation visits cement plants in China
YANGON, 26 July - Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung arrived at Kunming of Yunnan Province on 15 July.
Deputy Governor of Yunnan Province called on the minister and discussed industries in cooperation with the province. On 16 July, the minister visited Kunming Cement Plant.
On 17 July, Vice-Mayor of Shanghai called on the minister and explained development of Shanghai and industries.
The minister observed production at cement plant, Chemical Factory and toothpaste and tooth-brush factory in Shanghai.
On 18 July, the delegation visited Nangxing cement plant, No.1 sericulture factory, glass factory of Jiangsu Hua Run Group in Gangatang. In the evening Vice-Mayor of Nangtong called on Minister U Aung Thaung.
On 19 July, the minister visited pharmaceutical factory, towel factory, No 1 textile factory in Nangtong. Governor of Hai-an district called on the minister.
On 20 July, the delegation visited machinery factory of Peng Fei Group in
Hai-an. The minister and Chairman of the group discussed supply of required
machinery for Thayet cement plant.
Vice-Mayor of Nanjing called on the
minister.
On 21 July, the minister visited Jingnan Onada cement plant and Nanjing Cement Plant Design Research Institute.
On 22 July, Mayor of Tianjing called on the minister and the delegation visited Tianjing Cement Design Research Institute a cement plant in Beijing. The minister met Myanmar Ambassador and embassy staff and presented gifts.
On 23 July, the delegation visited cement plant in Green Island in Hong Kong.
They arrived back here yesterday.
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(10) Minister meets Bangladesh bound entrepreneurs
YANGON, 26 July - Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than met Chairman of Olympic Co Ltd and Vice-Chairman of Asia Wealth Bank U Aik Tun, who will lead Myanmar economic delegation to Bangladesh, at the Ministry of Commerce this afternoon.
He urged the delegation member entrepreneurs to strengthen the existing relations between the two countries and promote bilateral trade. He also told them to invite Bangladeshi investors to Myanmar and initiate direct trade. He gave suggestion on expansion of the private sector and the areas in which the private sectors of the two countries can participate extensively .
Also present at the meeting were departmental heads and officials of the ministry.
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(11) Minister for RT inspects rail section
YANGON, 26 July - Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung, Deputy Minister Thura U Thaung Lwin and Managing Director of Myanmar Railways U Kyaw San and officials inspected rail beltway section from Ahlon Station to Insein Station this morning.
The minister visited Railways Hospital (50-bed) in Insein. He went to locomotive workshop where General Manager U Hla Yi reported on the condition and requirements.
The minister gave instructions on discipline, appointment of staff, promotion and taking action and fulfilling requirement of staff. He spoke of repairing engines for durability and railroad section and inspected products and the workshop.
On 26 July, the minister and party inspected railroad from Ahlon to Danyingon Stations and Danyingon to Taikkyi Stations.
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(12) Minister for Foreign affairs of Bangladesh makes stopover at Yangon International Airport
YANGON, 26 July - Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Mr Adbus Samad Azad made one-hour stopover at Yangon International Airport this afternoon on his way to Colombo, Sri Lanka, to attend the Summit Meeting of SAARC.
He was accompanied by Director General (South Asia) Mr M Seragul Islam and Director of Foreign Minister's Office Mr A K M Atiqur Raham. They were welcomed at the airport by Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyunt Swe, Director-General of Foreign Languages Department and Political Department U Mya Than, Deputy Director-General of Political Department U Aung Bwa and Charge d' Affaires of the Bangladesh Embassy Mr Mohammad Azizul Haque.
During his short stopover at Yangon International Airport warm hospitality and courtesies were extended to the Bangladesh Foreign Minister and party at the VIP Lounge by the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyunt Swe and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Bangladesh Foreign Minister and party left here by air at 2 pm.
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(13) PRC military delegation tours Central Eastern Commands
YANGON, 26 July - PRC Military Delegation led by Political Commissar of Chengdu Military Command of People's Liberation Army of People's Republic of China General Zhang Zhijian, accompanied by Director of Artillery and Armour Brig-Gen Kyi Win, left here by Tatmadaw flight for Mandalay on 24 JULY morning.
They were welcomed at Mandalay Airport by Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Yan Thein and Tatmadaw officers. The delegation, accompanied by Acting Tactical Operation Commander Lt-Col Kyaw Thu, visited Defence Services Academy and Defence Services Institute of Technology in PyinOoLwin.
Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint hosted dinner in honour of the military delegation at Nantwin Guest House and exchanged gifts.
General Zhang Zhijian and party visited Myanansankyaw Shwenandawgyi, Mandalay hill, Maha Muni Pagoda and Yadanapura Myanma handicraft and Arts Centre yesterday morning.
The PRC delegation left Mandalay airport by Tatmadaw flight for Heho where they were welcomed by Commander of Eastern Command Brig-Gen Maung Bo and Tatmadaw officials.
Then, they also visited Inlay Lake. Afterwards, the Commander hosted dinner in honour of General Zhang Zhijian and party at Thanlwin Hall in the evening They arrived back here this morning.
General Zhang Zhijian and party later visited the Defence Services Museum
where Director of Defence Services Museum and Historical Research Institute Col
Ye Htut conducted them round the museum.