THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
( Monday,   4  April  2000)

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  1. Taw Win Family Co Ltd opens Wood Product an Furniture Factory in Shwepyitha Township
  2. School furniture worth K 5 million  donated to Myanmar Education  Committee
  3. Singapore  Association in Myanmar donates K 1.6m to Myanmar Health Fund
  4. Secretary-2  looks into  requirements of tax-free vegetables, meat and fish markets
  5. Secretary-2 attends opening ceremony of three-storey building of Parami Nunnery
  6. Tatmadaw families, well-wishers donate provisions  to monasteries in Thanlyin
  7. ASEAN member nations, Australia arrive
  8. ASEAN Ramayana troupe gives performances
  9. ASEAN Ramayana troupe members visit National Museum
  10. Minister inspects construction of buildings in NyaungU, Magway
  11. Minister tours NyaungU, Meiktila, Pyinmana and Toungo
  12. Myanma Football team leaves for ROK
  13. Japanese youths conclude visit
  14. 47 Pyay NLD members resign of own accord
  15. WEATHER
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(1) Taw Win Family Co Ltd opens Wood Product an Furniture Factory in Shwepyitha Township

YANGON, 2 April -Wood Product and Furniture Factory of Taw Win Family Co Ltd was opened at Wataya wood-based industrial zone in Shwepyitha Township this afternoon, attended by Secretary- 1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Present were member of the state Peace and Development Council  Chairman  of Yangon  Division  Peace and Development  Council  Commander  and the  managing directors  officials,  construction entrepreneurs, merchants and industrialists guests, Chairman of Taw Win Family Co Ltd U Ko Ko Htwe, Managing Director U Hla Din and members of the Board of Directors and staff of the factory.

At the auspicious time, the Secretary-1  formally unveiled the signboard of Wood Product and Furniture Factory. Managing Director of Myanma Timber Enterprise U Win Tun and Patron of Wood Product and Furniture Factory U Tha Din formally opened the factory. The Secretary-1 performed the rituals of golden and silver showers.

The Secretary-l and party were conducted round the factory by Chairman of Taw Win Family Co Ltd U Ko Ko Htwe.

Next, U Ko Ko Htwe extended greetings and reported on objective of the factory, location, cost, areas, power consumption, staff, installation of machines, fire preventive measures, export items and targets. The factory produces teak plank, furniture made of teak and pyinkadoe, indoor furniture, tongue and groove plank, lum parquet,floor tile, finger-joint plank, decorated patterns of various kinds of wood, fold of doors and others. The products will be sold in local and foreign markets.
 

(2)School furniture worth K 5 million  donated to Myanmar Education  Committee

YANGON, 2 April-Taw Win Family Company Ltd donated school furniture worth K 5 million to Myanmar Education Committee at the building of Thiri Yeiktha Modern Housing Estate Project of Taw Win Family Company Ltd at the corner of Pyay Road and Taw Win Street in Mayangon Township this afternoon.

Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended the ceremony.

Also present were member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and. Development  Council  Commander , the deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, department heads, guests and Chairman of Taw Win Company Ltd U Ko Ko Htwe and members of the Board of Directors and families.

Chairman of Taw Win Family Company Ltd explained the purpose of donation, and handed over school furniture to Minister for Education U Than Aung.

Minister U Than Aung said that the donation of school furniture worth K 5 million to Myanmar Education Committee is not the first made by Taw Win Family Company Ltd.

Previously, Taw Win Family made donations to Myanmar Education Committee with full  goodwill. Today, the Government is making all-out efforts to implement education pro motion programmes.

Bearing in mind the fact that education is the most beneficial investment for the nation, the Government has invested heavily in the education sector. At that time, the public participation in the education sector does  count. About two or three  years ago, the contributions of the people towards the education sector were over K 3,000 billion.

Now, according to the guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe, the special four year education programme is being implemented under the supervision of Myanmar Education Committee with the aim of enabling the education sector of Myanmar to be on a par with that of developed nations in South-East Asia. In addition to investment of the Government, the public participation has an important part in implementation of that programme.

Therefore, the donation made by Taw Win Family today has set an example of public participation in the four-year education special programme.

The school furniture donated by Taw Win Family is. good enough for three thousand students, and this donation is of great value to the education sector. In conclusion, the minister thanked Taw Win Family.

After the ceremony, the Secretary-1, Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and the ministers inspected Thiri Yeiktha Modern Housing Estate Project.

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(3)Singapore  Association in Myanmar donates K 1.6m to Myanmar Health Fund

YANGON, 2 April-The prize presentation for the SAM Golf Tournament to mark the seventh anniversary of Singapore Association in Myanmar (SAM) was held in conjunction with a donation ceremony at the Traders Hotel this evening,  attended by Chairman of National Health Committee  Secretary-  1 of the State  Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt

Also present on the occasion  were Deputy  Prime Ministers Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin and Lt-Gen Tin Tun, ministers, the Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee the Mayor, deputy ministers, officials of the State  Peace  and  Development Council Office, departmental heads, the Ambassador of Singapore and officials of  Singapore  Embassy,  ambassadors  of embassies of ASEAN member nations, the Chairman of Singapore  Association in Myanmar and members and guests.

Chairman of SAM Mr Alvin Law extended greetings. Ambassador of Singapore Mr Simon Tensing De Cruz spoke words of thanks.

Then, Chairman of National Health Committee Secretary- 1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt accepted K 1.6 million donated towards the National  Health Fund  presented by Ambassador of Singapore Mr Simon Tensing De Cruz.

Afterwards, the  Secretary-l  thanked the SAM for donation. He said: The annual golf tournament and dinner organized by the Singapore  Association in Myanmar have come to symbolize  the goodwill and understanding  that exist  between  the  Singapore community in Myanmar and the host nation. But this year's event assumes special significance, as it is the first Annual SAM Golf Tournament Dinner of the new millenium. Allow me to say how happy I am to be among our Singaporean friends once again. As in previous years, the Singapore Association in Myanmar has again made a very noble and generous gesture by donating one point six million kyats to the Myanmar Health Fund therefore feel highly privileged to accept the donation on behalf of the National Health Committee.

I would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt thanks to the Singapore  Association in Myanmar and assure you that the funds will be utilized in promoting health care of the people. In 1997, our region was struck by a  financial  crisis  whose suddenness and magnitude caught many of the nations by surprise. The impact from the crisis was widespread and practically all the countries were affected in varying degrees. Each country tried to cope with the crisis in a manner best suited to its own conditions. In the case of Myanmar, we were able to mitigate the challenges  by  adopting  an  austerity  campaign, productivity drive, export promotion and diversification, import substitution as well as the adoption of special measures.

When the crisis began, there were many dire predictions about the future of the region particularly from sources  outside  the  region. Asian  values  and traditions were attacked and denigrated. But recent developments have proven these critics and doom sayers wrong. Within a matter of two years, the region was able to turn the tide and it is now  generally recognized that it is on the road to recovery. The pessimism of 1997 has now given way to cautious optimism. Although we cannot be complacent and must still be on guard against the return of the conditions of crisis, we remain confident that the region will surely regain its economic dynamism and the 21st century will be an Asia-Pacific century.

As for our country Myanmar, some so called experts from some western countries and institutions are again predicting dire consequences for our economy, saying that it is on the verge of collapse. These suggestions show a lack of understanding of Myanmar's actual situation,  resilience  and  mentality. Clouded by political bias and basing their data on wrong, out dated statistics and false information supplied by unscrupulous sources, they have arrived at very negative and mistaken conclusions. As for us, we are fully confident that Myanmar will be on the verge of economic takeoff stage in the very near future. With the infrastructure nearly in place, the adoption of correct policies, vigorous implementation of projects as well as support for private initiative have all created necessary  conditions  for  economic  growth.  The preliminary figures show that the planned target of 6 per cent for the 1999-2000 fiscal year will surely be surpassed.

I would also like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to our many friends of the region, including Singapore, that have rendered support and assistance during the trying times for all of us. Now that the conditions are again  conducive for economic growth, it is our hope that the mutually beneficial  economic and investment ties with our friends will regain momentum. Permit me to reassure you all that Myanmar is committed to opening up the nation and will not return to isolation. As for relations with Singapore, they continue to strengthen in all aspects. The personal rapport between the leadership of the two nations provides the foundation for the reservoir of goodwill and understanding between the two sides. Singapore  remains the number one investor in Myanmar as well as our largest trading partner. Moreover, we are very  grateful for the Singapore's technical assistance and support in our efforts for human resource development. I am fully confident that our ties will continue to strengthen in the years to come.

In this regard, I wish to pay a special tribute to the Singapore Association in Myanmar which plays a crucial role in promoting the understanding of Myanmar among the people of Singapore. Allow me to congratulate you all for the excellent work done by you and express our confidence that you will be able to do more in the coming years. In conclusion, may I therefore wish SAM continued success in all its endeavours. Officials presented prizes to winners in the SAM golf Tournament. Then a dinner was hosted for participants.

(4)Secretary-2  looks into  requirements of tax-free vegetables, meat and fish markets

YANGON, 2 April-Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development  Council  Lt-Gen Tin Oo inspected the tax-free markets of vegetables, meat and fish producers opened by Yangon City Development Committee in Kamayut Township, Yangon West District, and in Tamway Township, Yangon East District, this morning. The Secretary-2 arrived at the tax-free market of vegetables, meat and fish producers at the corner of Hanthawady  Street and Kyundaw  Street in Kamayut Township at 7.30 am.

He was welcomed there by member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development  Council Commander and Development Council Office Lt-Col Than Tint and  departmental officials.

The Secretary-2 inspected the market and cordially conversed with buyers and shopkeepers. He said that he visited the tax-free  markets  yesterday and gave instructions on sale of fish or shrimp paste, dried fish and prawn at reasonable prices.

He urged shopkeepers to see to it that consumers can buy vegetables, meat and fish at reasonable prices.

Then, the Secretary-2, together with Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, the deputy ministers, the vice-mayor and officials, went to the tax-free market of vegetables, meat and fish producers on Kyaikkasan Street, Tamway Township.

They were welcomed there by Chairman of Yangon East District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Aung Pyi, Executive Committee member of Yangon Division Union Solidarity and Development Association U Min Thein, executives of Yangon East District and Tamway Township USDAs and officials of the Markets of YCDC.

The Secretary-2 inspected the market and attended to requirements.

At the tax-free markets, Livestock, Feedstuff and Dairy Products Enterprise, Off-shore  Trawler  Owners Association, BTB Company and KN Company are also selling chicken, eggs, fish, beef, mutton and pork.

Arrangements are being made to open more tax-free markets.

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(5)Secretary-2 attends opening ceremony of three-storey building of Parami Nunnery

YANGON, 2 April -The opening ceremony of three-story building of Parami Nunnery was held at the nunnery at Bogyoke Village in Thanlyin Township, Yangon South District this morning in conjunction with the third cash donation ceremony for the nunnery, attended by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.

Also present were Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung and Thanlyin Township Peace and Development Councils and well-wishers. The third cash donation ceremony for the nunnery was held on the first floor of the nunnery.

Hmamkyaung Sayadaw of Thayettaw Kyaungtaik Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Pannajota administered the Eight Precepts. Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Minister Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, deputy ministers, Vice-Mayor and Tatmadaw officers presented offertories to members of the Sangha.

Then, Yangon Division Peace and Development Council presented K 50,000, Yangon South District Peace and Development Council K 50,000, Thanlyin Township Peace and Development Council K 50,000, U Sein Lwin-Daw Phyu Phyu Khaing and family K 1.7 million, U Than Lwin of Steel Stone Co Ltd K 200,000, Myanmar Edible Oil and Dealers Association K 100,000, Myanmar Rice and Paddy Wholesalers Association K 50,000, U Tin Win-Daw San San Win of KN Co Ltd K 200,000, U Thaing Win-Daw Htay Htay Nyunt of BTB Co K 100,000, U Soe Tint-Daw Yin Yin Nu and family K 100,000, Sandi Traditional Medicine family K 100,090, U Khin Maung Tun of Htet Lin Clinic K 100,000, U Hnin Sein -Daw Mya Nyein (Aung Thein Timber Shop) K  100,000,  Thanlyin  Township  Development Committee K 100,000, U Ye Myint Soe and wife K 90,000, Asia Wealth Bank K 100,000, U Than Naing-Daw Kyi Kyi Swe K 60,000, U Hla Htay-Daw Tin Nwe Oo K 20,000, Secretary of Myanmar  Rice and Paddy  Wholesalers Association U Aung Than Oo K 50,000, Yangon Division Salt Mill Association K 300,00, U Tun Shwe-Daw Thin Thin Swe K 20,000 and others donations to Minister Brig Gen Maung Maung Thein, deputy ministers, Vice-Mayor and Tatmadaw officers for the nunnery.

Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and family presented a Buddha Gaya painting to Daw Tirana Nyani. Then, well-wishers presented 52 bags of rice to Nun Daw Tirana Nyani. Then,  Presiding  Sayadaw  of  Thanlyin  Minkyaung Pahtamapyan Pariyatti Sarthintaik Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Indacara delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits. After the ceremony, "Soon" was offered to members of the Sangha.

(6)Tatmadaw families, well-wishers donate provisions  to monasteries in Thanlyin

 YANGON, 2 April- Families of Defence Services (Army, Navy and Air).and well-wishers donated rice, edible oil, medicine, gram and cash to Minkyaung Pariyatti Monastery and Maha Majjhimayon Pariyatti Monastery in Thanlyin Township this morning.

The ceremony was held at Minkyaung Pariyatti Monastery in Thanlyin, attended by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of the Bureau of Special Operations  Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo. Commandant's Office of the Ministry of Defence, senior military officers, departmental heads, Chairman of Yangon South District,Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Maung Maung Sein, officials and well-wishers.

Member of Central Working Committee of the Sangha Presiding  Nayaka  Sayadaw of Minkyaung  Pariyatti Monastery Agga Maha Pandita Indacara administered the Five Precepts.

Then,  Vice-Adjutant  General  Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, Officiating Colonel Air Staff Lt-Col Tin Win and General Staff Officer (Grade1 ) Cmdr Tin Oo presented 20 bags of rice donated by Tatmadaw families.

Afterwards, well-wishers donated rice, edible oil, medicine and gram to Sayadaws. hen,  Director of Resettlements Col Aung Thein supplicated on the purpose of the donations. Next, Sayadaw Bhaddanta Indacara delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of pious deeds.

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(7) ASEAN member nations, Australia arrive

YANGON, 2 April-Representatives of 10 ASEAN member nations and ASEAN partnership nation Australia arrived here by air this morning and evening to attend the 35th Meeting of ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information at the Traders Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road from 3 to 7 April.

The representatives were a four-member delegation led by Deputy Minister Mr Bouabane Vorakhounh of the Ministry of Culture and Information of Lao People's Democratic Republic, a six-member delegation led by Lecturer Professor Dr Edi Sedyawati of the University of Indonesia, a 10-member delegation led by Officer on Special Duty at the Culture, Youth and Sports Ministry Dato Paduka Haji Mahmud bin Haji Bakir of Brunei Darussalam, a four-member delegation led by Deputy Secretary Samuon Don of Ministry of Information of Cambodia, a nine-member delegation led by Deputy Chief Secretary  Asmah Bte Abdule Hamid of Ministry of Information of Malaysia, a seven-member delegation led by  Director-General  Stephen  Joel C Paredes  of Information Agency of the Philippines, a seven-member delegation led by Deputy Secretary Cho Whatt Bin of Ministry of Information and Fine Arts of Singapore, a 10-member delegation led by General Secretary Dr Artorn Chandavimol of National Culture Commission Office of Thailand, a  10-member  delegation  led by Deputy Director-General Mr Nguyen Ban Tinh of International Relations Department of Vietnam and ASEAN and Asian Middle-East Regional Director Mr Guy Petherbride of Australia, which is a dialogue partner of ASEAN. They were welcome at Yangon  International  Airport by officials of Ministry of Information and Ministry of Culture.

(8) ASEAN Ramayana troupe gives performances

YANGON, 2 April-The visiting 27-member ASEAN Ramayana Troupe  performed  Ramayana Drama at the National Theatre, Myoma Kyaung Street this evening. The troupe including two Myanmar  dancers is here under the programme to perform Ramayana Drama in ASEAN member countries which is jointly organized by Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture and ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information.

Episodes of archery,  founding palace of Ayodaya, Dasagiri's taking away of Maithida, the fight between Thukyeik and Bali, the fight between Rama and the right between Rama and throne of Rama were presented.

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(9) ASEAN Ramayana troupe members visit National Museum

YANGON, 2 April-The visiting 27-member ASEAN Ramayana troupe,  currently  here, under the  entertainment programme of ASEAN member countries,  visited the National Museum on Pyay Road, this morning.

The troupe  viewed the show rooms and  officials conducted them round the museum. The troupe also observed the second Pyokinthit Arts and Sculpture Exhibition there.

(10) Minister inspects construction of buildings in NyaungU, Magway

 YANGON, 2 April-Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, accompanied by Deputy Director-General Dr Maung Maung Win of Medical Science Department, yesterday arrived at Bagan-NyaungU where they were welcomed by Head of Magway Division Health Department Dr San Shwe Win and officials.

The minister inspected the patient ward being built and site for construction of operation theatre at NyaungU District Hospital.

At construction site of University of Primary Health in Magway,  Project  Engineer U Thein Zaw of Myanma Industrial Construction Services, Pro-Rector Professor Dr Than Myint of the University and officials reported to the minister on construction, academic matters at the University, greening tasks of the University and its environs and road construction. The minister gave necessary  instructions  and  inspected  into  the construction site.

(11) Minister tours NyaungU, Meiktila, Pyinmana and  Toungoo

YANGON, 2 April - Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone, accompanied by officials, met Director General of Arid Zones Greening Department  directors and heads of Mandalay and Magway Division Forest Department at NyaungU on 31 March. They discussed greening and forest works.

Then, Minister U Aung Phone inspected  Lawkananda Sanctuary and ring road of Tuyintaung mountain, sinking of tube-well and water supply for the greening of Tuyintaung. Then, Minister U Aung Phone inspected ring road of Popa mountain, water camp and water supply at Natkanle.

Minister U Aung Phone met  officials at Meiktila yesterday. They discussed greening of Meiktila and forest works. The minister also met timber extraction managers in Pyinmana and Toungoo yesterday and today. They discussed  review of timber  extraction  for 1999-2000  and target for 2000-21 . The minister attended to their needs.

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(12) Myanma Football team leaves for ROK

 YANGON, 2 April? Myanma Football team led by Col Thaung Htaik, General Secretary of Myanma Olympic Committee and Director General of Sports and Physical Education Department left for Republic of Korea by air to take part in the Asia Cup Football matches which will be held from 3-9 April in Seoul, Korea, today. The team has altogether 25 members including the captain, the manager, coaches, medical officer and the players.

(13) Japanese youths conclude visit

YANGON, 2 April-The nine supervisory members and the 15 Japanese youth led by Mr Yoshimichi Masue, on a visit here under the arrangement by the Ministry of Education and Asia-Pacific Children' s Convention APCC, Fukuoka, Japan, this after- noon,  arrived at No I Basic Education  High School, Dagon where they observed multi-media classroom, language classroom and arts room.

They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by Director-General U Bo Win of Education Planning and Training Department and officials, Myanmar students who looked after Japanese youth students and families.

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(14) 47 Pyay NLD members resign of own accord

YANGON, 2 April-Forty-seven members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Pyay Town- ship, Bago Division.

Forty-seven  members of Pyay  Township  NLD, Bago Division, of their own accord, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Pyay Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Sub-commission and the party concerned on 22 October 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.

(15)WEATHER

Maximum temperature on 1-4-2000 was 37.0C (99F)
Minimum temperature on 2-4-2000 was 24.2C (76F)
 

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