(1) Ways and means to be sought for exploitation of rich mineral and fishery resources of Taninthayi  Division for national interests

Secretary-1 inspects regional development work in Myeik Township

YANGON, 8 July-Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt, accompanied by Chairman of Taninthayi Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Coastal Region Command Brig-Gen. Aye Kyway, the ministers, the Chief of Staff (Navy), the deputy  ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and heads of departments arrived  at Bokpyin yesterday morning. First, the Secretary-1 and party toured the town by car.

Then, the Secretary-1 met with members of the Township Peace and Development Council, departmental  officials and service personnel at Thabye Hall of township Peace and Development Council Office.  Member of township police officer Police Captain Chit Swe and officials reported to the Secretary-1 on  development work of the township and the needs to be fulfilled and matters related to health and  education. The ministers, the deputy ministers and officials gave accounts of plans to be carried out for  development of the region.

The Secretary-1 fulfilled the needs and urged the officials to make concerted efforts for development of  the township. Later, Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 presented video cassettes  and teaching aids to Township Education Officer Daw Khin Nwe Yi for Bokpyin Basic Education High  School.

The Secretary-1 and party proceeded to Pathaung bridge construction project near Pathaung village,  Myeik township by helicopter at 11 am. The bridge is being built across Kyaukphya river. At the briefing  hall, Project Engineer Lt-Col Thein Naing reported to the Secretary-1 on progress of work.
 
Then, Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe reported on plans to transport steel frames and  Vice-Quartermaster-General Brig-Gen. Kyaw Win reported on schedules to fulfil the needs.

The Secretary-1 gave necessary instructions and presented text books and stationery for Kyaynandaing  village Basic Education Primary School, medicines for Pathaung village clinic to the headmistress and  officials. Then, the Secretary-1 and party inspected construction work of Pathaung bridge.

The bridge is located on Myeik-Taninthayi road. The 810 feet long, 28 feet wide bridge has two four feet  wide pedestrian lanes. Clearance under the bridge is 20 feet high and the span is 90 feet wide. It will be  built with steel frames on reinforced concrete bore piles.

It can withstand 60-ton of loads. Officials are making efforts for completion of the bridge by the end of  this year. Afterwards, the Secre-tary-1 and party proceeded to Myeik. On arrival at Myeik Airport, they  were welcomed by Deputy Commander of Coastal Region Command Brig-Gen. Tin Latt, Col Khin  Maung Yin, Col Tin Maung Tun and senior military officers of Myeik Station, Secretary of Taninthayi  Division Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Khin Maung Nyo and departmental officials.

The Secretary-1 and party left for Kyweku-Kyaukphya bridge construction project. At the briefing hall,  Superintending Engineer (Project) U Ba Wan of Public Works reported to the Secretary-1 on progress of  work. Deputy Minister for Construction U Tint Swe gave a supplementary report. The Secretary-1 gave  necessary instructions and inspected construction of pillars. The bridge across Kyaukphya river is located  on Myeik-Dawei road.

Total length of the bridge is 3,612 feet. Out of nine bridges to be constructed for development of Taninthayi Division the bridges under construction are Kyweku-Kyaukphya, Nyaungbin  Kwin, Laynya-Mandaing, Pathaung and Pathoke-Lutlut. The bridges opened already are Winwa, Palauk, Palaw and  Taninthayi. Efforts are being made for completion of Kyweku-Kyaukphya bridge in mid-2002. In the  afternoon, the Secretary-1 and party went to 1,000-ton cold storage factory of Pyi Phyo Tun International  Co. Ltd on Pahtet island in Kyunsu Township. First, they inspected fish and prawns. At the briefing hall  of the factory, Managing Director Dr Aung Lwin of the company reported to the Secretary-1 on work. Commander Brig-Gen. Aye Kyway and Minister for Livestock and  Fisheries Brig-Gen. Maung Maung Thein gave supplementary reports. The Secretary-1 left necessary  instructions and inspected the dockyard of the company, processing room and cold storage.

Then, the Secretary-1 and party left for Myanmar International Fish Auction Market of Myanmar International Fisheries Joint Venture Limited at Myeik Industrial Zone. At the administration office, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen. Maung Maung Thein gave preliminary report on Myanmar International Fisheries Joint Venture Limited which is carrying out tasks of bilateral cooperation with Department of Fisheries. Then, member of the Board of Directors U Soe Win and officials reported on progress of work and the needs to be fulfilled. Ministers gave supplementary reports.

The Secretary-1 gave instructions on making efforts for emergence of firm fish market in the country in  accordance with the objectives of opening of the auction market. Later, Director Col Kyi Myint Aung of  Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited reported to the Secretary-1 on of livestock and fisheries work being  carried out in Taninthayi Division. The Secretary-1 gave necessary instructions.

Then, the Secretary-1 signed in the visitors' book of International Fisheries Joint Venture Limited and  inspected the fish auction market and construction of the jetty. The Secretary-1 and party visited  Laykyunsemi Pagoda in Myeik in the evening. Then, the Secretary-1 presented cash donation to the  pagoda through the Pagoda Board of Trustees, and signed in the visitors' book. They paid reverence to the  Buddha images in the ordination hall of the pagoda, and went round the pagoda clockwise. They spent the  night in Myeik.

Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of the Office of Strategic Studies and  Director of Defence Services Intelligence Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt met with the officers and other ranks and  their families of Myeik Station at the meeting hall of Coastal Region Command Headquarters this  morning. He told them on politic and economic conditions of the State, and cordially greeted them.

Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and party inspected hospital (200-bed) project under construction at Ponhton  Ward in Myeik. At the briefing hall, Divisional Superintending Engineer of Public Works U Kyaw Min  Tun reported on the project and work done. Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Mya Oo and  Commander Brig-Gen. Aye Kyway gave supplementary reports on the project, and the Secretary-1 left  instructions. Later, cash presentation ceremony for educational plans of the Division followed. Managing  Director of Pyi Phyo Tun International Co. Ltd Dr Aung Lwin and Director U Hla Than presented K  39,705,000  K 20 million donated by Pyi Phyo Tun International Co. Ltd, K 3 million by Taninthayi  Fishery Co. Ltd and over K 16.7 million by the public to Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee  Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. They next inspected progress of construction of the hospital.

They also met with chairmen of District/Township Peace and Development Councils in Myeik and Dawei Districts, Division/District/Township level departmental officials and members of social organizations at Pale Yadana Hall in Myeik at 10 am. Commander Brig-Gen Aye Kyway reported on area  of Taninthayi Division, formation of the districts and townships, making efforts for regional development,  work being done for extension of cultivated acreage for rice sufficiency in the region. Chairman of Paddy  Cultivation Sub-committee under Divisional Leading Committee for Regional Development Divisional  Manager of Myanma Agriculture Service U Soe Myint said that in the Taninthayi Division, the fiscal year  1998-99 was designated as the basic year for regional rice sufficiency plan. Accordingly, success was  achieved in ensuring self-sufficiency of rice in the Division, he said. Efforts are thus being made to ensure  self-sufficiency of rice in the division within the five- year plan period beginning 2001-2002 fiscal year, he explained.

Next, Mineral Exploitation Sub-committee Chairman Divisional General Manager of No 2 Mining Enterprise U Khin Maung Lay reported matters on mines in the division and situations on mining of minerals year by year, plans to be extended in mining of minerals, production of pearls and coal production projects. Then, Superintending Engineer U Khin Maung Kyaw of Taninthayi-Bokpyin road  construction project explained that the road section from Taninthayi to Bokpyin is 93 miles and 3 furlongs  long and so far 14 miles of road had been tarred and 9 miles of road paved with gravel. The remaining  parts of the road section had been divided into three parts and each is being constructed under the close  supervision of a chief engineer, he said.

He continued to say that of the remaining parts, 45 miles 2 furlongs of road had been turned into gravel  one. And bridges of small and medium sizes were also built along the road, he said. Fishery Sub-committee Chairman Divisional Fisheries Department Head U Tint Swe reported matters on boosting fish  and prawn production sector; conservation of marine and fishery resources; collection of revenues and  taxes in accord with laws and rules concerned; distribution of fish fry and prawn fry; providing training  and dissemination of techniques; proper undertaking of research works, etc.

Divisional Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department Head Dr Hla Thein reported matters on extended breeding of broilers and layers of chicken, increase in chicken and eggs production in the Division, and encouragement being provided for breeding RIR chicken. Land Reclamation Sub-committee  Chairman Myeik District Peace and Development Council Chairman Lt-Col Khin Maung Kywe reported  matters on land reclamation projects being implemented in Taninthayi Township and progress of work.  Assistant Director of Border Trade Department (Myeik) U Than Win reported on measures on shipping  FOB.

Head of Division Planning Department U Kyi Shein reported on implementation of the objectives of the  2001-2002 plan based on the objectives of the plan implemented in 2000-2001.

The Secretary-1 said he and the ministers came to Taninthayi Division to fulfil the requirements for implementation of regional development in Taninthayi Division and economic enterprises. According to  the reports, he said, step-by-step efforts are being made for rice sufficiency in the region and he called for  speedy implementation of the objectives. He said in the past Taninthayi Division was an important region  for its minerals and rubber products.

Therefore, ways and means are to be sought for exploitation of rich mineral resources of the division in  the interests of the nation, he said. He said pearl production is successful and spoke of the need to make  efforts for exceeding the targets. He said in the past, the division depended only on air and water  transport. Therefore, Head of State Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance on construction of Dawei- Kawthoung road.

According to his guidance, Dawei-Myeik Road and Myeik-Bokpyin Road have been built and bridges are  under construction. He said roads were destroyed due to the rain and spoke of the need to repair them at  the end of the rainy season. Fisheries, he said, is the main economy of Taninthayi Division. Continued  efforts are to be made to effectively contribute towards development of the national economy. Myanma  waters is rich in marine resources and they could not be exploited in full yet, he said.

National entrepreneurs are permitted to undertake fishery production in order to serve the interests of the  country, he added. He went on to say that the government would provide assistance for boosting of fishery  production. National entrepreneurs are to work hard and correctly, he said. Regarding the border trade in  Myeik, he spoke of the need for departmental officials to cooperate with national entrepreneurs for  progress of trade in relations with Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.

The government has been given encouragement to the development of Taninthayi Division and regional  economy, he said. Depart-mental officials and local people in the division are to implement the regional  objectives which are included in national economic plans laid down by the State, he added. In the  international situation globalization is taking place. Some developed big nations that are superior in  economy and technology are trying to control the progress of small developing nations and make them  under their influence, he said. In order to narrow the development gap and catch up with progress of  other, the developing nations are to speed up their efforts, overcoming much difficulties.

The Secretary-1 said efforts are to be made for keeping abreast with the community of the world with the  determination to work for exceeding the targets of the national economic plan. States and Divisions are  the most basic regions in implementing the plan for national economic development.

The Secretary-1 urged departmental officials to work for exceeding the targets of the national economic  plans and success of activities that would contribute towards the economic development after accepting  the close supervision of regional authorities. The Secretary-1 and party went to Shwedu Village and  inspected projects for human resources development.

The Secretary-1 and party arrived back here in the afternoon. Yesterday, General-Secretary of USDA U  Than Aung and CEC members Col Tin Hlaing, Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, U Thaung and Brig-Gen Kyaw  Hsan met secretaries and executives of Myeik District and Township USDA and members at Myeik  District USDA Office and discussed functions of the association. Minister for Communication, Posts and  Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw inspected Myeik microwave and exchange building. Deputy Minister for  Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung and Managing Director of Myanma Perennial Plants  Enterprise U Myint Oo met members of Taninthayi Division and Myeik District Agriculture Supervisory  Committee and officials. The deputy minister gave instructions on agriculture and urged service personnel  to abide by rules and regulations at MAS in Myeik. Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Mya Oo  inspected People's Hospital in Myeik and met staff yesterday. The deputy minister also inspected the mid-wifery training school.

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(2) Construction Minister inspects roads and bridges

YANGON, 8 July-Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, together with officials from PublicWorks, inspected the Yangon-Thanlyin-Thongwa-Kayan-Thanatpin-Bago road this morning. The
minister arrived at the briefing hall of Public Works at the junction of Thanlyin-Thongwa road where Chief Engineer U Ye Tun reported on project of 6-lane road from Yangon-Thanlyin Bridge No 2 to Thilawa Industrial Zone, construction of small bridges, land reclamation and collecting of stones to the minister.

Yangon Division Superintending Engineer U Soe Nyunt presented a supplementary report. The minister gave instructions and attended to the needs. Then, Yangon South District Chief Engineer U Kyi Hlaing  reported on progress of repairing of the Yangon-Thanlyin-Thongwa-Kayan road and future plans to the minister. After leaving necessary instructions there, the minister inspected the road by car and was welcomed by Bago Division Superintending Engineer U Kyaw Lwin and engineers at the border of  Yangon and Bago divisions. The minister also inspected the Tawa-Thanatpin road and gave instructions to the officials.

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(3) Commander attends opening of multimedia teaching centres

YANGON, 8 July- Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West Command Maj-Gen Soe Win, accompanied by departmental officials, attended the opening  ceremony of multimedia teaching centres of Mingun village Basic Education High School in Sagaing  Township on 4 July. Headmistress Daw Khin Mar Yu and Chairman of School Board of Trustees U Soe  Naing opened the ceremony. The commander formally unveiled the signboard of the centre by pressing  the button.

The commander explained the plan being undertaken to promote the education standard in Sagaing Division and donated books and cassette tapes for language labs. Next, the commander and party proceeded to Shwemyinmi Hill Greening Project and inspected the planting of trees. Then, the commander and party attended the opening ceremony of multimedia teaching centres of Nyaungbinwon  Basic Education High School.

Headmaster U Hla Thaung and Chairman of School Board of Trustees U Win Maung opened the ceremony. Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West  Command Maj-Gen Soe Win formally unveiled the signboard. Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and  Development Council Commander of North-West Command Maj-Gen Soe Win heard the reports on  opening of the multimedia teaching centres presented by the officials and attended to their needs.

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(4) Commander attends conclusion of Mandalay abbot training course

YANGON, 8 July-A ceremony to conclude course No 7 of Mandalay Division Abbots Training School  was held at the Sasana Vilasini Ordination Hall of the school in Aungmyethazan Township, Mandalay  Division, on 6 June. Present at the ceremony were member of the State Ovadacariya Agga Maha Pandita  Bhaddanta Vicitta Vice-Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Sayadaw Agga Maha  Pandita Bhaddanta Sirinda-bhivamsa, Chairman of Mandalay Division Sangha Nayaka Committee Agga  Maha Pandita Agga Maha Sad-dhammajotikadhaja Bhadanta Sasanabhivamsa and members of the  Sangha, 52 trainee Sayadaws, Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council  Commander of Central Command Maj. -Gen Ye Myint, the mayor of Mandalay, the deputy commander,  senior military officers, Secretary of Divisional Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Tin Ohn,  departmental officials, members of Upatthambhaka Association of the School, wellwishers and guests.

The vice-chairman Sayadaw of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee invested the congregation  with the Five Precepts. Members of the Sangha recited the parittas. The commander supplicated on  religious matters. The commander, the mayor and wellwishers presented offertories to the Sayadaws, and  four members of the Sangha who passed the exam outstandingly. Afterwards, the Sayadaws presented  certificates to the trainee members of the Sangha.

The chairman Sayadaw of Mandalay Division Sangha Maha Nayaka delivered a sermon. Offertories were  presented to trainee Sayadaws, and " soon " was offered to the members of the Sangha. The donations  totalling K 195,000 and robes including 81 sets of robes and K 40,000 donated by Mandalay Division  Peace and Development Council, K 100,000 for a day's meal for members of the Sangha by U Myo Nyunt- Daw Khin Hta Yee and family.

Next, the commander, together with officials, inquired after Ovadacariya Sayadaw of Yangon Mahasi  Sasana Yeiktha Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Bhaddanta Panasippa at Nyein Special Clinic in  Chanayethazan Township, Mandalay Division, and fulfilled the requirements of the Sayadaw.

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(5) Commander inspects cultivation and livestock breeding tasks 

YANGON, 8 July-Member of the State Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than inspected Yangon Division Vegetable Cultivation and Poultry  Farming Special Zone near Nyaung-hnatpin Village in Hmawby Township this afternoon. He inspected  plantations and livestock breeding tasks and gave instructions. The commander inspected Taing Myan  Kyaw Poultry Farm and inspected raising of chicken and gave instructions on cultivation of vegetables on  the free land in the compound.

The commander also inspected Myo Myint Kyaw Poultry Farm and inspected raising of RIR poultry and  heating system for chickens. The commander met with members of Supervisory Committee for Special  Zone at Hmawby San Hall and heard the reports on construction of roads in the zone, growing of flowers  and trees along the road by Deputy Director U Myo Win of Yangon North District Forest Department, on  land reclamation, work done and poultry farming in Special Zone-1 by Manager U San Maung of Yangon  Division Agriculture Department of Myanma Agriculture Service, on land clearance, reclamation and  cultivation tasks in Special Zone-2 by U Saw Hla Myint of Yangon North District General Administration  Department, and on land reclamation, cultivation tasks and poultry farming and digging of fish breeding  ponds in Special Zone-3 by U Naing Win of Settlement & Land Records Department. The commander  gave instructions and inspected the cultivation tasks and left there in the evening.

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(6) Co-ord meeting for regional development held

YANGON, 8 July- A coordination meeting for regional development of Shan State (South) was held at  the City Hall in Taunggyi on 5 July. It was attended by Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development  Council Commander of Eastern Command Maj-Gen Maung Bo, senior military officers of the command,  local authorities, members of Agriculture Supervisory Committee, departmental personnel, Executives of  Union Solidarity and Development Association and guests. The commander explained the objectives of  the State, projects, implementation of regional development tasks and efforts being made for development  of the regions. Agriculture Supervisory Committee members reported on the work done and future plans  to the commander. The commander attended to their needs. Departmental officials reported on prevalence  of law and order, the situation of agriculture, education and social affairs and the ceremony ended with concluding remarks by the commander.

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(7) 165 Malaysian insurance agents arrive

YANGON, 8 July-Under the supervision of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, and co-sponsored by  Myanmar Tourex Travel Services Ltd, Myanmar and MCIS Insurance Co, Malaysia, 165 insurance agents  arrived here today. They were welcomed at the airport by officials of the ministry and MTTS. They will  attend the Agency Dealers Conference 2001 to be held at Kandawgyi Palace Hotel here tomorrow. They  will also go sightseeing in downtown Yangon and Bago on 10 and 11 July and will leave for home on 12  July.

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(8) Tree-planting ceremonies held 

YANGON, 8 July-Under the guidance of Yangon Command, tree-planting ceremonies are being held at  the stations at weekends. A tree-planting ceremony was held at the local battalion in South Okkalapa  Township this morning, attended by Deputy Commander of the command Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint, Commander of No 4 Military Region Commander of Yangon Station Brig-Gen Myo Myint, Commander  of No 2 Military Region Col Tin Oo Lwin and members. Over 25,000 trees were planted on the occasion.  Similarly, over 30,000 plants were grown at No 3 local regiment under Mingaladon Station today. Vice- Chairman of YCDC Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa accompanied by officials attended the ceremony to plant  trees at the roadsides of Industrial Zone Road linking Yangon-Pyay Road and No 3 Highway yesterday  morning. Over 500 people planted about 24,00 saplings on the occasion.

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(9)  Students tour Yangon 

YANGON, 8 July-Ten students from States and Divisions who will attend the 13th Get-together of
Children of Asia and the Pacific to be held in Fukuoka, Japan, together with the supervisor Headmistress  Daw Tin Aye Sint of Basic Education High School in Kamayut and officials of Education Planning and  Training Department and No 1 Basic Education Department visited the Memorial for Fallen Heroes, the  Shwedagon Pagoda, the Buddhology Museum, Planetarium and Seasons of Yangon Hotel at Yangon  International Airport today. In the morning the students visited the Memorial to Fallen Heroes and laid a  wreath. They then visited and paid homage to the Shwedagon Pagoda. They donated K 10,000 and visited  the Buddhology Museum. They also visited Planetarium and Seasons of Yangon Hotel at Yangon  International Airport.

3,514 people visit Drug Elimination Museum 

YANGON, 8 July- The Drug Elimination Museum at the corner of Hanthawady and Kyundaw Roads,  Kamayut Township, here, is being kept opened daily except Monday from 9 am to 4 p.m. Staff officers of  General Administration Department of States and Divisions who were here to attend first four-monthly  meeting of GAD visited the museum today. A total of 3,514 people including members of the Sangha and  tourists visited the museum today.

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