(1) State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends congratulations to Australia

YANGON, 29 June- His Excellency Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development  Council of the Union of Myanmar has sent a message of congratulations to His Excellency Dr Peter Hollingworth  AO OBE on His Excellency's assumption of the office of Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.

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(2) Tax collection contributes to balanced budget, inflation control and adjusting of domestic consumption, investment and savings

Customs staff warned against corruption, bribery and abuse of authority

YANGON, 28 June - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt met with staff  of Customs Department at the Ministry of Finance and Revenue this afternoon.

Also present were ministers, Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen.  Than Tun, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, the Governor of the Central Bank of  Myanmar, heads of departments under the ministry, the director-general and the deputy director-general of the  Customs Department and officials. Minister U Khin Maung Thein explained the organizational set-up of the  ministry, history of the Customs Department, staff strength, objectives and other points.

The Secretary-1 said the State Peace and Development Council laid down and has been implementing the political,  economic and social objectives for enabling the nation to stand tall among the world nations. The national policies  have been laid down in all the spheres including the economic, education, health and social sectors and duties have  been assigned to all the State departments in order to fully implement the national objectives.

Thus, the departmental personnel should discharge their duties in accord with the national policies and outlook. In  laying down and practising the national economic policies in accord with the market-oriented economy, the State is  giving priority to the progress of the nation's international economic and trade relations, proportionate  development of exports and imports, acquiring of international techniques and investments and emergence of  national entrepreneurs who will contribute to the progress of the national economy.

Promotion of international trade relations has led to development of the transport and flow of goods. Launching of  regular trade and border trade with the neighbouring countries has increased the number of border points and the  trade volume and entries and exits at the points.

Thus, the duty of the Customs staff has become more important. The main duty of the department is to levy taxes  on the exports and imports n accord with the law. Concerning the duty, targets on foreign exchange revenues have  been set. In general, collecting of taxes is to earn revenues for management tasks and national development  projects of the State. But the tax collectors and tax payers are required to clearly understand that the aim of  collecting taxes is not only to earn revenues for the State. The basic principles of tax collection is for ensuring the  proportionate budget system, controlling inflation and adjusting the domestic consumption, investment and  savings.

The function of the department is for flourishing of foreign trade in accord with the law and other trade activities  which are in line with the national economic policy. Controls and amendments are required for progress of the  national economy in accord with the correct trend before the market-oriented economic system has been fully  materialized. It is also required to protect the domestic market by further developing the national productivity. In  addition to collection of taxes, the department should strive for development of foreign trade in accord with the  national economic policy and rules and regulations. The Secretary-1 then explained the aims of the department,
saying, it has the duty to levy taxes on the exports and imports in accord with the law, to ensure that export and  import of goods are being conducted in accord with the existing principles, to prevent and expose illegal exports  and imports, to compile data on exports and imports and to help promote foreign trade.

As regards the department's duties, he said that it has the duty to collect taxes in accord with other existing laws,  to make supervision in line with the import and export acts and foreign exchange acts, to prevent smuggling of  arms, ammunition and explosive, and drugs, to curb smuggling of wildlife, ancient artifacts and valuables and to  search and seize items or printed materials which are counter to Myanmar culture.

The duty of the department is to safeguard the national interests in all the spheres including the State security,  defence, economic, social and cultural sectors. The Secretary-1 then elaborated on the authority of the Customs  Department which include seizure and taking of action against the smugglers. As the State has invested them with  the duties and authority with trust, the Customs officers should be loyal to the State, should use their authority only  in the service of the national interests and should restrain from abusing power.

The misconduct of the Customs staff who gang up to abuse authority and practise bribery as a regular job are still  found. In one incident, it has been found that about 20 Customs officers have been involved in taking bribes to let  various kinds of illegal goods pass through the Customs gate for several times at the airport since 1996.

In another incident, many Customs staff were involved in passing the high taxable goods as goods taxed at low  Customs duty rates for 21 times in eight months. Some customs officers did not systematically examine the gems  and allowed them to be taken out of the country by assessing customs duties less than the actual amount to be paid  in US dollar. Such cases were exposed. Some customs officers at the port took bribes and allowed some items  illegally imported together with legally-permitted items. Some customs officers, after taking bribes, frequently  allowed more than permitted tons of teak to be exported. Some customs officers accepted bribes and allowed motor cars loaded with illegal goods to pass through the border gates.

In view of these cases, it is found that a lot of customs officers including the seniors allowed illegal goods valued at  hundreds of million in kyat for a long time. Supervision is to be provided at various levels to make sure that  customs officers who are discharging duties such as levying customs duties, issuing seized goods and exposing  malpractices are of good character and abide by the laws and rules and regulations.

It is also found that there are customs officers who are duty-conscious, loyal and upright. The majority of customs  employees who are discharging duties at Yangon Port, for example, have exposed and seized goods and spare parts  of motor cars imported illegally by unscrupulous businessmen. The employees who are discharging duties honestly  and correctly should be praised and honoured in a fitting manner.

Due to the market economic system which is now being practised, the number of commercial activities and export  and import activities have increased, and so has the participation of private businessmen in these activities. To  ensure smooth commercial activities which are on the increase, to make commodity flow smooth and swift and to  fulfil the requirements of private business and production sector, just as importers are to do their business in accord  with the laws and rules and regulations, so the Customs Department is to work exactly and correctly in accord with
the laws. Laws and rules and regulations are not designed to have a detrimental effect on public interests but are  aimed at promoting public interests.

Therefore, it is the duty of government employees to organize the people to abide by the laws. Therefore, efforts  are to be made to ensure the right cooperation of the people who pay customs duties and employees who assess  customs duties. By making the work smooth and swift, free commercial activities can be encouraged in the  framework of the law. In order to ensure that people have the habit of paying customs duties willingly, the  organizations which assess duties are required to carry out their work correctly. Government employees who have  to deal with the people for monetary matters need to have social graces, to be helpful, honest, modest and dutiful and to bear good moral character.

Therefore, customs employees who are dealing with the public are required not only to have high morals but also to  safeguard national interests with patriotic spirit. They are to prevent the entry of commodities into the nation with  clear national outlook from the health, educational, cultural, moral, security and administrative points of view.

Commodities banned by the government from time to time are directly concerned with the policy of the State and  national interests. In addition, when it comes to dealing with insincere trade partners, it is required to safeguard  the nation with fervent patriotism. It is the main duty of the Customs Department to prevent the smuggling of  ancient cultural artifacts, valuables, endangered species and forest products as well as valuable resources of the  nation. All the employees are to perform respective duties systematically and correctly with the aim of ensuring the  flourishing of the market economic system and success of foreign commercial activities and at the same time to  contribute to the development of production work and export activities.

Today international communication is becoming easier and easier. So it is found that the number of transnational  crimes has increased. As Myanmar is cooperating with other nations in preventing and suppressing these crimes,  customs officers are to cooperate with members of police forces and security personnel in this regard.

The Customs Department is a member of the World Customs Organization and is working in accord with the  criteria of international customs laws. Efforts are to be made to link customs tasks with those from other nations  with the use of information and communication technology and modern electronic equipment. Now the committee  for ensuring the swift and smooth handling of freight at the port has been formed and assigned duties.

It is known to all that customs officers, cooperating with departments concerned and acting under the supervision  of that committee, are performing customs tasks concerning import and export services. Similarly, border  inspection and supervision organizations have been formed and assigned duties in order to supervise the flow of  commodities and vehicles in accord with the laws and rules and regulations and to prevent the trafficking of  animals and animal products and goods through border gates. Customs officers are members of these  organizations, and they are to cooperate with departments concerned.

Therefore, all the employees are required to accept supervision and duties assigned by these organizations and  committees. In conclusion, the Secretary-1 urged all those present to contribute to development of national  economy and foreign commercial activities by carrying out customs tasks correctly and swiftly, to perform customs  tasks with national outlook for the sake of national defence and security and national interests, to provide services  for the people to be able to do commercial activities freely and peacefully, to strive to earn more foreign exchange  by providing proper services and to assess customs duties in accord with the laws and rules and regulations and to contribute to the flourishing of the market economic system. Then, the ceremony came to a close.

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(3) Cash donated to Myanmar Education Committee

YANGON, 28 June- International Nippo Trading (INT) Co. Ltd in Osaka City, Japan, donated cash to Myanmar  Education Committee today. The donation ceremony was held at Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road this  evening, attended by Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development  Council Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt. Also present were Minister for Education U Than Aung, Deputy Ministers for  Education U Myo Nyunt and Brig-Gen. Soe Win Maung, officials of the State Peace and Development Council  Office, Ambassador of Japan Mr Shigeru Tsumori, wellwisher Chairman of International Nippo Trading (INT) Co.
Ltd Mr Takayasu Ise and members and officials.

First, Chairman of International Nippo Trading (INT) Co. Ltd Mr Takayasu Ise explained the purpose of the  donation. Then, Mr Takayasu Ise presented US $ 30,000 to Secretary-1 Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt for Myanmar  Education Committee. Afterwards, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt spoke words of thanks.

He said the State is seriously undertaking the basic level and higher level education promotion programmes with  the participation of the people; in this context, the cash donations made by the company from Japan is worthy to be  honoured. Various organizations and individual well-wishers have made donations to Myanmar Education  Committee; these donations will be used in providing teaching and learning facilities and making arrangements for  enabling all school-age children to go to school, he said.

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(4) Secretary-3 inspects Yankin tax-free market

YANGON, 28 June-Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Lt-Gen. Win Myint  inspected Yankin tax-free market on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Yankin Township, and gave instructions this  morning.

The Secretary-3 arrived at the market at 8 am, and was welcomed there by member of the State Peace and  Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon  Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, Minister for Livestock and  Fisheries Brig-Gen. Maung Maung Thein, Vice-Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Vice-Mayor  Col Maung Pa, officials of the Office of the State Peace and Development Council, Joint-Secretary of YCDC U Kyi  Win and departmental officials.

The Secretary-3 and party inspected sale of vegetables at fair prices shops of Hmawby Station, chicken and egg  shop of Yangon Command, Pyitha Thetthar shop of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the shop of Ceramic Factory of  Myanma General and Maintenance Industries of the Ministry of Industry-1 and vegetable shops from Taikkyi  Township.

They then inspected sales of meat, fish, household goods and consumer goods and cordially greeted the customers.  Afterwards, the Secretary-3 visited the customers who were buying goods at edible palm oil shop and vegetables  shop of the local battalion, the vegetables, meat, fish, household goods, eggs, chicken, groceries and beef of shop  YCDC and the consumer goods and foodstuff shop of the Ministry of Industry-1. After giving instructions to the  officials concerned, the Secretary-3 left the market at 8.30 am. The price of one viss of edible palm oil is 335 kyats,
one viss of chicken is 350 kyats and an egg ten kyats at the market where vegetables are sold at fair prices.

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(5)   Minister U Tin Winn receives Japanese Ambassador

YANGON, 28 June-Minister at the Prime Minister's Office U Tin Winn received Ambassador of Japan Mr Shigeru  Tsumori at his office at 3 p.m. today. They discussed matters related to friendship between the two countries.

Minister U Soe Tha receives Indian Ambassador

YANGON, 28 June-Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha received Ambassador  of India to Myanmar Mr Shyam Saran, who had completed his tour of duty in Myanmar, at his office at 4 p.m.  today. Also present on the occasion were officials of the Ministry of National Planning and Economic  Development.

Home Affairs Minister receives Indian guest

YANGON, 28 June-Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing received Joint-Secretary Mr Pramatash Rath of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, India, at his office at 3 p.m. today. Also present at the call were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen. Thura Myint Maung, Director-General of the General Administration Department U Aung Thein and Head of the Office U Thet Tun.

Minister Brig-Gen. Thein Zaw receives guests

YANGON, 28 June- Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen. Thein Zaw received General  Manager Mr T Arai of Sumitomo Coporation (Yangon Branch) of Japan at his office at 3 p.m. today. The minister  also received Deputy Chairman Mr Carmel Dahan of Astraco Asia Trading (Thailand) Co. Ltd of Thailand at the  same vanue this afternoon.
 
Minister U Than Aung receives Indian ambassador

YANGON, 28 June-Minister for Education U Than Aung received Ambassador of India Mr Shyam Saran, who has  completed his tour of duties in Myanmar, at Kanthaya Hall of the Inya Lake Hotel this afternoon. They discussed  matters related to educational cooperation between the two countries. Also present at the call were Deputy  Ministers Brig-Gen. Soe Win Maung and U Myo Nyunt, the directors-general and chairmen of departments and  boards under the ministry.

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(6) News briefing on the 89th Session of ILC and Myanmar-Thai relations held

YANGON, 28 June- A news briefing on the 89th Session of the International Labour Conference and Myanmar-Thai relations was held for the heads of diplomatic missions in Yangon at Wunzin Minyazar Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this morning. Present were Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Ambassador of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Ly Bounkham and other heads of missions. Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win briefed the diplomats on positive developments in Myanmar-Thai relations and Director-General of the Department of International Organizations and Economic U Win Mra related experiences at the recently-held 89th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC).

Then, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win and Director-General U Win Mra answered to the queries from the heads of missions.

Cash donated to MMCWA, MNWCWA

YANGON, 28 June-A ceremony to donate cash to the Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association and the  Myanmar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs was held at the building of MMCWA at the corner of  Thanthuma Street and Parami Road in South Okkalapa Township this afternoon. Present on the occasion were  Chairperson of MMCWA Prof. Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, Vice-Chairperson Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and executives and  donors. Donor Chairman Mr Takayasu Ise of the International Nippo Trading Group (INT Co. Ltd) explained the  donation and presented $ 3,000 for MMCWA to Chairperson Prof. Daw Kyu Kyu Swe and $ 3,000 for MNWCWA  to member of the Working Committee Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe who accepted the donation and presented  certificates of honour to the donor. Then, Prof. Daw Kyu Kyu Swe and Dr Daw Khin Win Swe spoke words of  thanks.

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(7) CRE-CO meeting of Ministers' Office held

YANGON, 28 June- The eighth annual meeting for 2000-2001 of Credit Cooperative Society of Ministers' Office  was held at YMCA at the corner of Maha Bandoola and Theinbyu Roads this afternoon. Chairman of Credit  Cooperative Society Head of Division of Information Minister's Office U Kyi Than made a speech. Staff Officer of  Botahtaung Township Cooperatives Department U Than Swe spoke on the occasion.

Executive Committee member Staff Officer of Higher Education Department U Tin Myint presented annual  report of the society. Then, Chairman U Kyi Than and eight EC members were re-elected for fiscal year from  2001-2002 to 2005-2006.

Minister inspects maxillo-facial and oral surgical operation

YANGON, 28 July-Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, accompanied by Director-General of Health  Department Dr Wan Maung arrived at Department of Maxillo-facial and Oral Surgery of Yangon General Hospital  on Bogyoke Aung San Street this afternoon. They were welcomed there by Medical Superintendent Dr Teik Wan  and officials.

The minister and party inspected maxillofacial and oral surgical operation being performed by Myanmar surgeons  and members of Australia Interplast. Then, the minister, conducted round the ward by Professor Dr Khin Maung  Lwin, inquired after the patients who had undergone the surgical operations.

Next, the minister met with members of Australia Interplast led by Mr Michael Mc Glynn. Twenty members led by  Head of Department of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery Professor Dr Khin Maung Lwin and five members led by  Mr Michael Mc Glynn of Australia Interplast carried out the surgical operations at YGN beginning 23 June. The  surgical operations will continue until 5 July. Altogether 22 patients had already undergone the surgical  operations, and another 50 will have similar operations.
 
Peasants Cooperative Bank holds special meeting

YANGON, 28 June - A special meeting of shareholders of the Peasants Cooperative Bank Ltd took place in the  meeting hall of the Ministry of Cooperatives this afternoon. It was attended by Minister for Cooperatives U Aung  San, Director-General of the Cooperative Department Col Soe Win, Director-General of the Cottage Industries  Department U Sein Than, Managing Director of the Cooperative Export and Import Enterprise Daw Khin Swe  Soe, shareholders, members of the board of directors of the bank and the bank employees. Chairman of the meeting  Chairman of the Board of Directors U Than Aung made an opening speech. The minister called on all the
employees to strive for the realization of the objectives of the bank and to make concerted efforts for the emergence  of a bank which provides the best services. Shareholder from Kayin State U San Lwin put forward a motion for the  modification of the memorandum and article of associations. Shareholder from Shan State U Soe Nyunt seconded  the motion. The meeting ended with concluding remarks by the chairman.

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(8)  Cash donated to State Pariyatti Sasana University (YGN)

YANGON, 28 June-The 17th cash presentation ceremony for the trust funds of the State Pariyatti Sasana  University (Yangon) was held at Mogok Sonsarsaung on Kaba Aye Hill this afternoon. Present were Minister for  Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen. Thura Aung Ko, directors-general and directors of the  Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana, departmental staff and wellwishers. Vice-Chairman of  the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Kesara (Thayet Sayadaw)  administered the Five Precepts. The minister, the deputy minister and Directors-General U Sann Lwin and Dr Myo Myint presented offertories to the Sayadaw, and accepted the donations.

Minister U Pan Aung inspects bridges and railroads

YANGON, 28 June - Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung, together with Managing Director of Myanma  Railways Col Min Swe and officials, inspected bridges and railroads along Ywahtaung Station up to Htantabin  Station on 24 June and gave instructions on maintenance work. On 25 June, the minister inspected the sections  eroded by floods along the railroad from Htantabin Station up to Naba Station. The minister also inspected the  railroads along Naba Station to Mawhan Station and the railroad eroded by water along Pinse Station and Mawlu  Station. The minister visited Kawlin Coach Workshop yesterday and gave instructions on repair work.
 
Auditor-General tours Mon State

YANGON, 28 June- Auditor-General Brig-Gen. Tin Aye, accompanied by Director-General of the Auditor-General's Office Daw Thin Thin and officials, met staff of the accounts offices in Kyaikto and Thaton Townships on 25 June. The Auditor-General and party also met staff of accounts offices in Thanbyu-zayat, Mudon and Kyaik-maraw Townships and inspected the new office of Kyaikmaraw Township on 26 June. The Auditor-General then met township accounts officers in Mon State at Mon State Accounts Office in the afternoon. Auditor-General Brig-Gen. Tin Aye inspected the offices of Mawlamyine and Bilin Townships yesterday morning and gave instructions to the staff. The Auditor-General arrived back here in the evening.

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(9)  Mayor U Ko Lay visits Uto-Kya-in Farming Project

YANGON, 28 June - Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay inspected the farming  project in Uto-Kya-in region in Taikkyi Township this morning. Accompanied by officials, the mayor inspected the  fish and prawn hatchery of the project.

Efforts should be made to timely distribute the fish and prawn fry to breeding ponds of the project area and to  reduce production cost and wastage, said the mayor. At the perennial plants farm, the mayor spoke of the need to  conduct weeding regularly and to take preventive measures against infectious diseases. He then inspected monsoon  paddy fields and cultivation of beans and pulses at Gyogon farm. During the inspection of monsoon paddy  cultivation fields at Hsingaung farm, he urged officials to strive for the success of the project which is a model farm  of the nation.
 
Prizes presented to new generation golfers

YANGON, 28 June-The prize presentation of the Fourth Leg of Han Golf Masters' New Generation Age Group Golf Tournament, organized by Myanmar Golf Federation and mainly sponsored by Pan-West and Han Golf Masters Pte Ltd, and the Olympic Day Commemorative Golf Tournament was held at Yangon Golf Club, Danyingon here this afternoon.

After the tournament, on behalf of President of Myanmar Golf Federation Brig-Gen. Win Hlaing, General Secretary U Aung Kyi gave a speech. Executive of MPGA U Ko Ko Lay presented the third prize to Sandy Toe Saung, the second to Hnin Marlar and the first to Miss Ji Hyui Lee (Korea) in the under-18 women's tournament. General Secretary of YGC U Aye Cho presented the third prize to Thein Than Htay, the second to Nyan Lin Thant and the first to Phone Myat Min Khaing in the under-10 tournament. General Secretary of MPGA U Chan Han presented the third prize to Kaung Myat Win (YCDC), the second to Lin Moe Tun and the first to Nay Bala Win Myint in the Age 11-12 tournament. U Thant of Pan-West (Myanmar) presented the third prize to Htein Win, the second to Yan Naing Phyo and the first to Yan Myo Aye in age 13-14 tournament. Then, on behalf of the president of MGF, General Secretary U Aung Kyi presented the third prize to Bo Bo Thon, the second to Naing Naing Lin and the first to Nay Lin Tun in the age 15-17 tournament. Canon, Rapier, Wilson, Rapier, Star Ice-cream, Fantasy Soft Drink, Academy Science Co Ltd and Green Sea Co Ltd also co-sponsored the tournament.

Myanmar beat China 3-0 volleyball match

YANGON, 28 June-The second-day friendly volleyball matches of Myanmar and China were held at stadium-1 in Thuwunna at 4 p.m. today, attended by Chairman of the Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen. Thura Aye Myint. Also present on the occasion were Deputy Minister for Industry-2 Brig-Gen. Aung Thein Lin, Vice-Chairman of MOC Vice Adjutant-General Brig-Gen. Maung Nyo, patrons of Leading Committee of Myanmar Women's Sports Federation, the director-general of the Sports and Physical Education Department and
officials, the staff of the Embassy of China, the president of the Myanmar Volleyball Federation and executives, invited guests and players. The Myanmar Selected Volleyball team beat the Guang Dong Province Selected team 25-18, 25-20 and 25-12. The third matches will be held at the same stadium at 4 p.m. on 30 June.
 

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