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(1) Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to President of Swiss Confederation
YANGON, 1 Aug - Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Mr Flavio Cotti, President of the Swiss Confederation, on the occasion of the founding of the Swiss Confederation which falls on 1 August 1998.
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(2) Cash assistance presented to in-service Tatmadawmen who sacrificed their limbs for the nation
YANGON, 31 July - A ceremony to donate cash and present cash assistance to inservice Tatmadawmen who have sacrificed their limbs while discharging national defence duties in the front areas and who are now discharging their duties at Hmawby, Phugyi and Taikkyi Stations, was held at the City Hall this afternoon, and Secretary-2 of State Peace and Development Council Chief of Bureau of Special Operations Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo delivered an address.
Present were Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint, member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe, Chief of Staff (Navy) Captain Myint Swe, Chief of Staff (air) Col Myint Swe, Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, Deputy Minister for forestry Col Thaik Tun, Deputy Minister for Labour U Kyaw Aye, Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, Officer on Special Duty at the Office of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Than Tint and senior military officers, departmental officials, donors, Tatmadawmen who have sacrificed their limbs and guests.
Next, Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister Brig-Gen Pyi Sone and Col Saw Hla Min of Phugyi Station spoke.
Donations were K 3 million by Andaman Club Co Ltd of Thailand, K 2 million each by Asia Pacific Edible Oil Co Ltd, Shwe Thanlwin Co Group, Myanmar Billion Group and U Win Aung-Daw Khin Win Kyi and family, K 1.34 million by Southern Command, K 500,000 each by Yangon City Development Committee, Yuzana Construction Group and Aungmyinthu Gems Co of Mandalay, K 300,000 each by Seven Sun Rays Co Ltd, Diamond Star Co Ltd of Yangon and Mann Myanmar General Trading of Yangon, K 200,000 each by Paragu Aluminum and Glass Enterprise of Yangon, M-3 Food Centre and Leo Express, K 156,000 by Yangon Division Peace and Development Council, K 100,000 each by Mingalar Co, KN Co Ltd, Yung Fa International Co Ltd and Lion Restaurant totalling K 15.896 million.
The Secretary-2, the Secretary-3, Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe, Col Thaik Tun and U Kyaw Aye accepted the donations and presented certificates of honour to the donors.
Five disabled officials and 23 disabled Tatmadaw members who have sacrificed a leg for the country were presented K 50,000-worth share certificates, accounts books to draw K 750 per month for one year and K 5,000 each.
For 106 disabled Tatmadawmen, K 50000-worth share certificates of Myanma Economic Holdings Ltd, accounts books to draw K 750 per month for one year and K 5,000 each were presented to officials concerned.
Then, the Secretary-2, the Secretary-3, ministers and deputy ministers cordially conversed with donors and disabled Tatmadawmen.
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(3) Government taking cautious steps to overcome difficulties likely affect Myanmar due to South-East Asian currency crisis - Economic growth registered at 6 per cent in first two years of current Five-Year Plan
YANGON, 31 July - The Seminar on Development of Economy and Trade commenced at the Ministry of Commerce today with an address by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin 00.
Also present at the opening session were Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint, ministers, deputy ministers, departmental heads, economists, entrepreneurs, the Chairman and CEC members of Myanmar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, guests and participants.
In his address, Lt-Gen Tin Oo said the government has made reforms since 1988 and noted that progress has been made in the tasks and there are also problems to be solved.
He noted that it is intricate and complicated to basically change an old system into a new one, and it is also essential to properly assess the socio-economic life, significant characteristics, natural resources and economic infrastructure and also study economic Situation of the neighbours.
The Secretary-2 cited the four economic objectives and said that these objectives conform to the country's actual situation, and based on these objectives, national economic life must be built firmer and more developed stage by stage through proper means.
He spoke of the important role of the private sector in developing the national economic life and stressed the need for the private entrepreneurs to strive for progress of their services in accord with the government's policy.
The participation of the private sector was registered at 68.6 per cent in GDP in 1986-87 and it had increased to 75.4 per cent in 1997-98, he said, adding in the foreign trade, the volume of the private sector's export and import has considerably boosted, and the involvement of the private sector in the country's export volume had also jumped from 46.3 per cent in 1988-89 to 67.8 per cent in 1997-98, and in the sector's import volume had been enhanced from 40.7 per cent in 1988-89 to 71.9 per cent in 1997-98.
The sector's investment, he said, had been accounted for 53 per cent as it had advanced from K 5.6 billion in 1989-90 to K 75.9 billion in 1997-98 and it was due to increase of foreign direct investment (FDI).
He spoke about the government's support for proper development of the private sector and the incentives to both local and foreign investors.
As a result, national economy has advanced, he said, adding the economic growth rate during the Four-Year Plan (1992-93 to 199596) was registered at 7.5 percent per annum, and the 6 per cent growth rate was achieved in the first two years of the current Five-Year Plan (1996-97 to 20002000.
The currency crisis occurring in the countries of the South-East Asia affected the economy of other neighbours, decline in the currency prices, high interest, close-down of factories and decline of stock market had impact on the South-East Asian economy, he said, noting that the South-East Asian problem badly affected the world's economy reducing the world's economic growth to 3.5 per cent.
He noted that the government is making systematic plans and taking cautious steps to overcome the effect of the currency crisis while being vigilant against the subversion of the destructive elements within the country and the external forces' disturbances and interferences.
In the globalization period, he said, Myanmar people need to study and assess the world's political, economic and social conditions and find ways and means to make reforms conforming to the national characteristics and stand.
Continuing, the Secretary-2 dealt with the topics to be discussed at the previous seminars and expressed hope that the present seminar will bring out applicable ideas beneficial to the nation.
He stressed the need for all to work harder and constantly study the situation in the neighbours and to be thrifty and prevent loss and wastage without relying much on foreign goods.
Efforts must be directed toward boosting production in various sectors and exporting new items providing more incentives to the private investors, he said.
He emphasized that need for expansion of market and boosting production for industrialization through modem technology and for Myanmar Chamber of Commerce and Industry to cooperate with the government organizations and private entrepreneurs.
Afterwards, Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than spoke.
The paper-reading session and panel discussion of the seminar was held beginning 9:15 am. Retired Ambassador U Hla Maung, Rector of Yangon Institute of Economics U Maw Than, Chairman of First Private Bank Ltd Dr Sein Maung, Governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar U Kyaw Kyaw Maung, Retired Deputy Director-General of Internal Revenue Department U Thein Aung and Associate Professor Daw Khin San May of Yangon Institute of Economics presented papers.
The seminar will continue up to 2 August.
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(4) Secretary-2 receives GMs of Shanghai Diesel Engine Co
YANGON, 31 July - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Patron of Myanmar Industrial Development Committee Lt-Gen Tin Oo received General Managers Mr Xu Wei Da and Mr Horig Ling Bai and party of Shanghai Diesel Engine Co Ltd of the People's Republic of China at Mayor's Parlour of Yangon City Development Committee at 3 pm today.
Present were Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun, Vice-Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa and Lt-Col Yin Maung Sein of the Ministry of Defence.
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(5) Agreement signed with Indonesian company for development of coal resources in Taninthayi Division
YANGON, 31 July - Department of Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration of Ministry of Mines and PT Austindo Nusantara Energi of Indonesia today signed Agreement on Mineral Prospecting, Exploration and Feasibility Study for Development of coal resources in Taninthayi Division.
The signing ceremony at the Ministry of Mines was attended by Secretary of Myanmar Investment Commission Minister at the Office of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Brig-Gen Maung Maung, Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, Deputy Minister U Myint Thein, Deputy Minister at the Office of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council U Hset Maung, departmental heads, the Ambassador of Indonesia and officials of PT Austindo Nusantara Energi of Indonesia.
Minister Brig-Gen Ohn Myint delivered an address. He said: I am much honoured to have the privilege to open this auspicious occasion of Agreement Signing Ceremony for Mineral Prospecting, Exploration and Feasibility Study for developing the coal resources in Taninthayi Division between the Department of Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration of Union of Myanmar and the PT Austindo Nusantara Energi of Indonesia.
First of all I would like to extend my warmest welcome to our partner PT Austindo Nusantara Energi on this occasion as this ceremony is the first agreement signing ceremony between an Indonesian coal mining company and Department of Geological of Survey and Mineral Exploration of Myanmar.
As we all know, the Government of the Union of Myanmar, in accordance with its market-oriented economic policy, has opened up the mineral prospecting-and exploration opportunities to foreign. investors. Accordingly we have provided incentives in the form of initial tax exemption and in addition, option has been given to purchase Government interest at an agreed price after the positive feasibility study. We do hope that this option would be quite attractive to our JV partners.
As such, the Agreements that we are going to sign today would usher in the impetus of mineral resources development through exploration and evaluation of coal deposits widely to be discovered throughout the Taninthayi Division. Since the concession within the geologically favourable rock formations with known occurrences of coal, there exist good prospects for PT Austindo Nusantara Energi to find sizable coal deposits. I do hope that it would be quite beneficial to the State as well as to both joint venture partners.
We are much impressed by the work accomplished by PT Austindo Nusantara Energi in Taka Tindung and Waylinggo Gold-Silver Mining Project in North Bampung Sumatra. With her dynamic drive and dedication, good management and sound application of technical skills, we do believe that the PT Austindo Nusantara Energi will achieve the goal eventually.
It is, however, necessary that all joint-venture partners concerned must cooperate with sincerity, honesty, mutual trust and full understanding at every step to obtain the mutual benefits that we expect fairly and equitably.
I would like to thank all of you who have participated in the discussions and Negotiations in bringing the signing of the agreement to a successful conclusion.
Last but not least, I am deeply grateful to Mr Tahija from the PT Austindo Nusantara Energi and his colleagues for being with us here today at the Signing Ceremony.
Director-General of GSMED U Soe Myint and President Director of PT Austindo Nusantara Energi Co of Indonesia Mr George Santosa Tahija signed the agreement and exchanged documents.
Brig-Gen Maung Maung and Brig-Gen Ohn Myint then presented the MIC permit and the Ministry's permit to Mr Tahija.
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(6) Deputy Prime Minister receives President Director of Mykoin Kartika Truba Engineering
YANGON, 31 July - Chairman of Myanmar Investment Commission Deputy Prime
Minister Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin received President Director Mr Mansyur
Tampubolon and party of Mykoin Kartika Truba Engineering Co Ltd of Indonesia at
his office at 10:30 am today.
Present were Minister at the Office
of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman Secretary of Myanmar
Investment Commission Brig-Gen Maung Maung and officials of MIC Office.
They discussed investment opportunities in production of electric power.
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(7) Chief of Staff (Army) attends cash donation ceremony for Defence Services Sports and Physical Education Management Committee
YANGON, 31 July - A ceremony to donate cash toward fund of Defence Services Sports and Physical Education Management Committee was held at the Mayor's Parlour of Yangon City Development Committee this afternoon, attended by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of Bureau of Special Operations Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo.
Present also were Chairman of Defence Services Sports and Physical Education Management Committee Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint, Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister at the Office of Prime Minister Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe, Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay, Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun, Deputy Minister for Labour U Kyaw Aye, Vice-Adjutant General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, senior military officers, Officer on Special Duty at the Office of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Than Tint, officials, donors and guests.
Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo accepted K 500,000 donated by Forestry Joint Venture Company, K 300,000 by Chairman U Htay Myint of Yuzana Construction Group and K 300,000 by Zaw The Aung Company, and presented certificates of honour to the donors.
U Htay Myint, on behalf of all donors, briefed those present on the purpose of the donations.
Brig-Gen Maung Nyo thanked the donors.
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(8) Secretary-2 receives delegation of PRC Ministry of Agriculture
YANGON, 31 July - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo received delegation of the Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Agriculture led by Mr Zhang Tian Zhen of the People's Republic of China at Mayor's Parlour of Yangon City Development Committee at 3 pm today.
Present on the occasion were Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun, Vice-Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa and Lt-Col Yin Maung Sein of the Ministry of Defence.
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(9) National Convention Convening Commission holds meeting
YANGON, 31 July - The National Convention Convening Commission held its coordination meeting at the hall of NCCC at 2 pm today.
Present were Chairman of NCCC Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Vice-Chairman Brig-Gen Pyi Sone and members. National Convention Convening Work Committee and National Convention Convening Management Committee reported the meeting on the matters related to the National Convention.
Members of NCCC gave supplementary reports to the meeting.
The meeting ended with the remarks by Chairman Maj-Gen Saw Lwin.
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(10) Minister for Commerce inspects bran oil mill, rice mill in Nyaunglaybin
YANGON, 31 July - Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than, accompanied by the managing director of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading and officials, arrived at No.08 bran oil mill and No.92 100-ton rice mill in Nyaunglaybin Township yesterday afternoon.
Bago Division Manager U Aung Khin and officials welcomed them. The factories managers briefed the minister on progress of respective factories and warehouses.
The minister gave instructions on boosting triple exports, minimizing loss and wastage, systematic storage, accurate accounts, preventive measures against natural disasters, security, milling and producing goods more than the target, planting teak and shadow trees for greening and sanitation of the factories, mills and offices and its environ and staff welfare.
Minister Maj-Gen Kyaw Than proceeded to the office of Division Manager of MAPD and gave instructions.
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(11) Minister for Construction tours Hsinbyushin Bridge Project
YANGON, 31 July - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun inspected the projects being implemented in Sagaing and Mandalay Division on 28 and 29 July.
He arrived at Hsinbyushin Bridge Project in ChaungU Township, Sagaing Division, on 28 July.
Superintending Engineer U Win Tin briefed him on progress of work.
The piers and approach structures of the bridge, which will' span the Chindwin River, have been completed and the iron beams installed to Pier No.8. The bridge will link Tawkyaunggyi Village of ChaungU Township, Sagaing Division, with Minywa Village of Yezagyo Township, Magway Division.
The minister gave instructions on completion of the project and worksite safety and later inspected the site.
The minister attended a cash donation ceremony for allround renovation of Candamuni Pagoda in Mandalay on 29 July.
He later toured Kyaukse and inspected Mandalay-NahtogyiMyingyan-MahlaingMeiktila Road.