THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
(Tuesday, 5 October  1999)

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1.   Deputy Prime Minister meets  Managing  Director of Kerry Investment Management of Hong Kong
2.   Protocol on Sensitive and Highly Sensitive Products signed at AEM Meeting
3.   Minister U Win Aung arrives back from UNGA
4. Minister meets Managing Directorof Nanning Heavy Machinery and Equipment Import and  Export corporation of  PRC
5.   Minister  meets  President  of EXE  Asia Co  Ltd of Japan
6.   Minister inspects  transport works, renovation of  Shwebontha Muni Pagoda
7.   Minister for Transport inspects shipyards
8.   Respects paid to older presents at No 88 LID
9.   Commander inspects cultivation works in  Amarapura
10.  Yangon Division USDA opens Computer Diploma  Course
11.  Htoochar  Service and General Trading Cooperative Society opens showroom
12.  Vietnamese delegation ends visit
13.  Second   South-East   Asian   Wushu  Championship continues
14.  Coordination to  stage  Amara-Keinnayi Maddi-Thanbula duets
15.  58 members resign from Shwedaung Township NLD

(1)    Deputy Prime Minister meets  Managing  Director  of Kerry Investment Management of Hong Kong
 

YANGON, 4 Oct-Deputy  Prime  Minister and Chairman of  Myanmar  Investment  Commission   Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin met  Managing  Director  Mr David Walton Masters of Kerry  Investment  Management of Hong Kong at his office this morning.

They discussed  programmes to increase  investment towards   economic   development  in  Myanmar  and investment opportunities and prospects.

Present on the occasion were Minister at the State Peace and Development  Council  Chairman's  Office and  Secretary  of Myanmar  Investment  Commission Brig-Gen  Maung Maung and officials of Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.

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(2)      Protocol on Sensitive and Highly Sensitive Products signed at AEM Meeting

YANGON, 4 Oct- mar  delegation  led by Minister at the State Peace and Development  Council  Chairman Office  Brig-Gen  Abel  arrived  back  here by air yesterday  evening after  attending the 31st ASEAN Economic  Ministers  Meeting  which was as held in Singapore from 27 September to 2 October.

The  minister  and party also  attended  the l 3th AFTA  Council   Meeting,   the  Fourth   ASEAN-CER Consultations,  the informal meeting between ASEAN economic ministers and trade ministers of dialogue partners-Australia and New Zealand- and the second meeting  between  ASEAN  economic   ministers  and Economic  and  Industrial   Cooperation  Committee (AMEICC) of Japan.

The 31st ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting began on 30  September   in  Raffles   Ballroom  at  Westin Stamford Hotel, with the opening address delivered by Prime Minister of Singapore Mr Goh Chok Tong.

At the  meeting,  as a plan  to  reduce  taxes  in giving  momentum  to set up the AFTA the  original six ASEAN countries  agreed to reduce tax rates to 0-5 per cent on 85 per cent of the  commodities by the year  2000,  90 per  cent in 2001  and 100 per cent in 2002 and the new  member  Vietnam  in 2003 and  Myanmar  and Laos in 2005 to reduce  taxes to 0-5 per cent on  commodities  to the most possible number  in  accord  with  the  agreement   reached between  the  leader of the ASEAN  nations  at the Sixth ASEAN Summit.

The original six countries  agreed to reduce taxes to 0 per cent,  which is the  ultimate  aim of the setting  of the  AFTA,  in 2015  and the  four new members in  2018.
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(3)    Minister U Win Aung arrives back from UNGA

YANGON, 4 Oct-U Win  Aung,  Minister  for  Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar,  arrived  back in Yangon  this  evening  after  attending  the  54th Session of the United Nations General  Assembly in New York.  Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung delivered  a  statement  in  the  afternoon  of 24 September  at the  plenary  meeting  of  the  54th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

On 27  September,  the Minister  also  delivered a statement   at  the   Special   Session   of   the Implementation  of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States.

The   Minister   attended   Non-Aligned   Movement Ministerial  Meeting held on 23 September and made a-   statement.  On  27   September   the  Foreign Minister  together  with Myanmar  Ambassadors  and responsible  officials  attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers'  Meeting  held at the New  York  Palace Hotel.  The ASEAN Foreign Ministers jointly hosted a reception at the UN Headquarters  in the evening of 28  September  to honour the  President  of the 54th  Session  of  the  United   Nations   General Assembly.
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(4)    Minister meets Managing  Director of Nanning  Heavy Machinery and Equipment Import and Export corporation of PRC

YANGON,  4  Oct-Minister  for  Industry-  1 U Aung Thaung met  Managing  Director  Mr Wang Xin Xin of Nanning Heavy  Machinery and Equipment  Import and Export  Corporation  of the  People's  Republic of China and party  who  called  at his  office  this afternoon.  Present   at  the  call  were   Deputy Minister  Brig-Gen  Kyaw  Win  and  the  directors general and managing  directors of departments and enterprises.
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(5)    Minister  meets  President  of EXE  Asia Co  Ltd of Japan

YANGON, 4 Oct-  Minister  for Hotels  and  Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin met  President Mr Hitoshi Tani of EXE Asia Co Ltd and party who called at his office this  afternoon.  Also  present  at the call  were Deputy  Minister  for Hotels and Tourism  Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu,  Director-General of Directorate of Hotels  and   Tourism  U  Khin   Maung   Latt  and officials.
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(6)    Minister inspects  transport works, renovation of Shwebontha Muni Pagoda

YANGON, 4 Oct-Minister for Rail  Transportation  U Pan  Aung,  accompanied  by  officials,  inspected Dahka Bridge across Dahka River between  Kyaunggon and Kangyidaunt  Townships, Ayeyawady Division, on 2  October,  and gave  necessary  instructions  to officials of Myanma Railways Division 9, Hinthada.

The minister  inspected  restoration  of Kanma Myo Hsutaungpyi  Pagoda and lion statues.On 3 October, the minister and party  arrived at freight yard of Road Transport in Padaung and inspected  repair of vehicles and workshop.

In  the   afternoon,   the   minister   and  party supervised all-round renovation of Shwebontha Muni Pagoda in Shwebontha Ward of Padaung Township.
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(7)    Minister for Transport inspects shipyards

YANGON, 4 Oct- Minister for Transport  Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, accompanied by Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint and officials, inspected preparation to open the  course No 2/ 99 for  marine  cadets  and English  proficiency  course No 1/99 for seamen at Dawbon  Shipyard  of  the  Marine   Administration Department this morning.

At the Dawbon  Shipyard,  the  minister  and party heard   reports   on  repair   of   ships,   staff organizational set-up, staff welfare and functions of the shipyard presented by Deputy Director U Soe Tint and  Director-General U Soe Win with maps and charts.  Minister  Maj-Gen  Hla Myint Swe met with personnel of factories and  workshops of shipyard.

At the project to construct  the entrance  road to the shipyard near Maha  Bandoola  Bridge  Project, the minister looked into the  requirements  of the staff.  In the  afternoon,  the minister and party proceeded  to  Ahlon   Shipyard  of  Inland  Water Transport.  The minister spoke of the need to seek funds for staff welfare and the building of modern staff  quarters.
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(8)    Respects paid to older presents at No 88 LID

YANGON, 4 Oct-A  ceremony to pay respects to older persons in commemoration of the Intentional Day of Older Persons, organized by No 88 LID Maternal and Child   Welfare    Association,    was   held   at Aungnainghein Hall of the Command  headquarters on 1 October.  Patron of No 88 LID MCWA Daw Khin Khin Win,  wife  of  the   commander,   and   officials presented  provisions and foodstuff to eight older persons.

The   patron   explained   the   purpose   of  the donations.Then,  they paid  respects  to the older persons.
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(9)    Commander inspects cultivation works in Amarapura

YANGON, 4 Oct-Chairman of Mandalay  Division Peace and  Development   Council  Commander  of  Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint,  accompanied by tactical Operation   Commander  Col  Tun  Kyi  Chairman  of Mandalay  District Peace and  Development  Council Lt-Col Tin Tun and members of Division Agriculture Supervisory  Committee and  officials,  arrived at plot No 570-D in  Tamokhsoe  Village of  Amarapura Township on 2 October.

The commander and party inspected  weeding, use of fertilizers  and  spreading  mixture of EM Bokashi    and humus in monsoon paddy  fields.  They met with farmers  and  discussed  water   availability  for extension of summer paddy  cultivation  and repair of canals.  Amarapura  Township  cultivated 13,991 acres of monsoon  paddy in 1999.  It was 194 acres more     than     last     year's     cultivation.
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(10)    Yangon Division USDA opens Computer Diploma  Course

YANGON,  4  Oct-A   ceremony   to  open   Computer Diploma-Course  organized  by Yangon  Institute of Computer  Science and  Technology  of  Ministry of Science and Technology and Yangon  Division  Union Solidarity and Development Association was held at Yangon Division USDA Office this morning.

Member  of the  Secretariat  In-charge  of  Yangon Division  U  Ko  Lay  gave  an   opening   speech. Professor  Daw  Kyu  Kyu  Swe  accepted  donations including medicines worth K 165,000 by Director Dr Kyaw Thein of Global  Network  Co Ltd, K 50,000 by Patron of  discipline  enforcement  committee  for crab trading U Myat Oo and members and K 30,000 by Director U Tint Lwin of Kyaw Soe Naing Co Ltd.

Then,  Secretary  of  Yangon  Division  USDA U Aye Myint accepted K 20,000 donated by Global  Network Co Ltd, K 30,000 by Myabayin Dairy  Products and K 20,000  by  Kyaw  Soe  Naing  Co  Ltd.  After  the ceremony,   Secretary- General   U  Than  Aung  and officials looked around the computer training room and cordially met  with trainees.
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(11)    Htoochar  Service and General Trading Cooperative Society opens showroom

YANGON, 4 Oct- A ceremony to open the  showroom of Htoochar  Service and General Trading  Cooperative Society Ltd was held at the  showroom on West Race Course  Road  in  Tamway  Township  this  morning. Minister for Cooperatives U Aung San and Secretary of   Htoochar    Service   and   General   Trading Cooperative Society Ltd U Khin Maung Than formally opened the showroom.  Afterwards, the minister and officials  and  guests  looked  round the  Myanmar handicrafts,   wooden   sculptures  and  furniture displayed in the  showroom.  Htoochar  Service and General  Trading  Cooperative  Society  Ltd  sells souvenirs   -   Myanmar    handi-crafts,    wooden sculptures and furniture  from 9 am to 5 pm daily.
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(12)     Vietnamese delegation ends visit

YANGON, 4 Oct- The  Vietnamese  delegation  led by Deputy Director  Senior Col Tran Ngoc Oanh of Drug Control  Bureau  of  the  Socialist   Republic  of Vietnam   visited  the  Shwedagon   Pagoda  on  30 September.  The  delegation  visited the Office of Chemical  Examiner,  Yangon Division  Police Force (Traffic  Branch),  Development  Committee  Police Force,   Rehabilitation   Centre  in  Yangon   and Research Centre.

On  1  October,  the  delegation,  accompanied  by officials  of  Central  Committee  for Drug  Abuse Control  visited  anti-drug  squad in Lashio where officials  reported  on drug  control  activities. The delegation  visited  Police  Central  Training School in PyinOoLwin Township.

Director-General  of Myanmar  Police  Force Police Maj-Gen  Soe Win  hosted  dinner in honour  of the delegation at Kandawgyi Palace Hotel on 3 October. The  delegation  left here for home this  evening. They were seen off at the airport by officials  of CCDAC and SRV embassy.
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(13)     Second   South-East   Asian   Wushu  Championship continues

YANGON, 4 Oct- The  final-day  matches  of  Second South-East Asian Wushu Championship 1999 continued at National  Indoor  Stadium- 1 in  Thuwunna  this morning.  In  women's  Taekyikyant  event,  Khaing Khaing Maw of  Myanmar,  Chandra  Linda  Sagita of Indonesia  and Jennee Sae Tang of  Singapore  were joint   first  and   Hersheyann   Oranga   of  the Philippines  and  Trinh  Thu Hoa of  Vietnam  were joint third.

Nguyen Anh Minh of Vietnam  was first,  Boby Co of the  Philippines  and Lee Beng  Hoong of  Malaysia were  joint  second  in men's  Taekyikyadt  event. Tran Trong Tuan of Vietnam won first, Ho Ro Bin of Malaysia  second and Le Quang Huy of Vietnam third in men's Nando  event.Swe Swe Thant of Myanmar and Nguyen Thi Phoung Lan of Vietnam  were joint first and Teo Swee Shang third in women's Nansun event.

After the matches, the Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee  presented  prizes to winners in women's
Taekyikyant event.

President of Asia Wushu  Federation  President  of  Vietnam  Wushu  Federation  Mr Hoang  Ving  Giang, President of Singapore  Wushu  Federation Mr Chang Han Chwee and Secretary-General of Myanmar Olympic Committee  Col Thaung  Htaik  presented  prizes to winners.
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(14)    Coordination to  stage  Amara-Keinnayi Maddi-Thanbula duets

YANGON,4Oct-Coordination   meeting   No   2/99  on presentation     of    Mandalay     Thein    Zaw's Amara-Keinnayi-Maddi-Thanbu  la duets  was held at Social  Welfare   Department  this   afternoon.The programme  sponsored by Myanmar National Committee for Women's  Affairs  will be staged with the help of Fine Arts  Department,  Myanmar  Thabin Asiayon and Myanmar  Motion  Picture  Asiayon  hailing the 1999 Seventh Performing Arts Competitions.

Vice-Chairperson   of  Myanmar   National  Working  Committee for Women's  Affairs  Professor Daw May  May Yi, member of Myanmar National  Committee for  Women's Affairs Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and members,  Work  Committee,  officials  of the  Ministry  of  Information  and  Ministry of Culture  and guests  were  present.  Professor  Daw May May Yi  made a  speech.U   Sit  Myaing  then   reported  on  work  done.Those    present    discussed    decoration,  invitation,     accommodation,     entertainment,  reception and transport and sale of tickets.  The  meeting ended with the concluding  remarks by Daw  May  May  Yi.
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(15)    58 members resign from Shwedaung Township NLD

YANGON, 4  Oct-Fifty-eight  members  resigned from National   League  for   Democracy   of  Shwedaung Township,   Bago   Division.  Three   members   of Shwedaung  Township  NLD, Bago  Division, of their own  volition,  resigned  by  sending  letters  of resignation  to  Shwedaung   Township   Multiparty Democracy  General  Election  Commission  and  the party  concerned  on 6 August 1999 and  fifty-five members   followed  suit  on  14  September   1999 totalling   58  as  they  no  longer   wished   to participate in party politics of NLD.