(1) YCDC staff urged to strive for Committee to become model organization in implementing tasks,  management and financial affairs

YCDC responsible to modernize Yangon and produce and distribute food to urbanites at fair prices 

YANGON, 17 July- Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt met  with officials of Yangon City Development Committee at the City Hall here this morning.

Also present were 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,  ministers, the chief justice, the auditor-general, Chairman of YCDC Mayor U Ko Lay, Vice-Mayor Col  Maung Pa, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office, Secretary of YCDC  Col Myint Aung, Joint Secretary U Kyi Win and YCDC members, heads of YCDC departments, deputy  heads of departments, officials of YCDC and YCDC judges and law officers.

Mayor U Ko Lay reported to the Secretary-1 on organizational set-up of the YCDC, staff strength,
targeted income for fiscal 20012002, work projects, work done, fanning projects of YCDC, farming  expenditure, location of the farms and work implementation.

The Secretary-l said in developing the Union of Myanmar to get abreast of the world nations, it is also  required to develop Yangon to have the characteristics of a modern city that could raise the nation's  dignity.  In addition to creating the city to become an economic hub, it is necessary to turn it into the main  centre for national economic progress where all the convenient trade, financial, banking, departmental  and management services are available.  The city should be a place where all the socioeconomic needs  such as trade, business and public recreation are available and where people can enjoy higher standard of  living with peace of mind.

The staff of YCDC which is responsible for implementing projects in all sectors to enable Yangon to stand  with pride as an international level city and the city dwellers to enjoy a higher standard of living should have the conviction that the body is an important organization in all political, economic and social sectors  in striving to realize the Committee's objectives.

Acknowledging the vitality of the YCDC's sector in developing Yangon to have characteristics of a modern city, ensuring public health, cleanliness, traffic safety, free trading in accord with the rules, the  government enacted a specific law to reform the YCDC under the direct supervision of the Chairman of  the State Peace and Development Council.

Thus, it is specially required for the YCDC staff to strive for the Committee to become a model organization in implementing its tasks and management and financial affairs.  In the past, Yangon was a  famous metropolis renowned as a garden city of Asia. But later, slums appeared and created unhealthy  environment and the city lost its cleanliness, pleasantness and urban characteristics.

Today, the government has assigned duties to the YCDC to modernize Yangon to become a clean, and  pleasant garden city endowed with all the characteristics of a modern metropolis; and due to the strenuous  efforts, Yangon has become brilliant again and its dignity restored.

The YCDC has successfully implemented the housing projects, set up new satellite towns, implemented  urban development  projects and city beautifying projects in cooperation with the Department of Human  Settlement and Housing Development.

Thus, Yangon reemerged with glory possessing all the urban characteristics such as high-rise buildings,  advanced condominiums, modern residential neighborhood, world class business centres, grand office  buildings, modern shopping malls, banks, five-star hotels and parks.

As there are new satellite towns, garden towns, parks, international level golf courses and industrial zones  in the suburban areas of Yangon, it now has all the characteristics of a modern metropolis.

At a time when the YCDC is successfully implementing its tasks, Head of State Senior General Than  Shwe has assigned it duties to set up vegetable and livestock breeding farms in the surrounding areas of  the city and to open tax-free markets to distribute and sell vegetables, fish, meat and kitchen crops daily to  the urbanites at fair prices.  The YCDC has successfully set up eight agricultural and livestock breeding  farms including those at Uto, Kyain, Zeegon and Kwingyi regions in Taikkyi Township.  It has reclaimed  nearly 10,000 acres of land against the target of over 10,000 acres, put 2,300 acres of land under monsoon  paddy and 2,000 acres of land under summer paddy, and produced over 100,000 baskets of paddy. It has  also cultivated 300 acres of vegetables and other crops.  It is breeding over 5.91 million fish in over 100  ponds stretching over 1,400 acres.

The Committee has dug 26 two-acre ponds to breed prawns. Over 181,000 prawns are being bred in eight  ponds. YCDC has  conducted poultry farming with greater acceleration. Arrangements are under way to  extend 12,000 acres of cultivable land at Uto-Kya-in region and to put 8,000 acres of land under monsoon  paddy and 5,000 acres of land under summer paddy. YCDC staff should strive to boost food production in  addition to the discharge of their normal duties. Officials should supervise stability of the commodity  prices at the tax-free markets. The ultimate aim of boosting food production and opening of tax-free  markets is to distribute sufficient amount of food to the public at reasonable prices.

He then elaborated on the tasks of the YCDC, saying the scope of the success of YCDC's implementation  of its tasks can be measured with the degree of peace of mind, convenience and satisfaction of the public.  He called for effective supervision at different levels for providing mutual assistance to people in dealing  with them. He spoke of the need for the YCDC staff to exercise restraint, to be dutiful and to be free from  misconduct in dealing with the people. He said arrangements are to be made for better roads, growing of  flowering plants and trees for greening of the environs, installation of lamp-posts in the streets, traffic  lights and road signs for road safety. He said commercial billboards are signs that indicate economic  development of the State in accord with the market-oriented economy, but decoration of these billboards  should not adversely affect the magnificent beauty of the roads and modern buildings, he pointed out.  Plans are to be laid down step by step for better pavements not only in the downtown but also in suburban  areas, he said.

The Secretary-1 spoke at length on proper drainage in suburban areas and low-lying areas, extension of  the house compound to the drains and alleys and development affairs department's failure to take action  against those who break the law, not collecting garbage and lack of pavements and roads in need of repair  in some suburban areas, hazard to health due to throwing of rubbish carelessly in alleys. Systematic  arrangements are to be made for sanitation in alleys and means and ways are to be sought for better  garbage collection system, he said. He said it is necessary to make arrangements for repair of old buildings  and substituting with new ones and major renovation and preservation of ancient buildings.

He said in accord with the law, authority has been invested with Yangon City Development Committee to  collect tax for development of the city, peace of mind and welfare of the people. He urged officials  concerned to see that collection of tax is not a burden on the people, realizing the fact that collecting tax  means to serve the interest of the people. He said after collecting tax, community welfare services are to be  carried out. By doing so, the people in the city and development affairs committees are inter-dependent.  The Secretary-1 called for efficient use of funds for the benefit of the people. He said officials at different  levels including members of YCDC should carry out regular inspection of the accounts.

YCDC has authority and have a great deal of tasks to fulfil the requirements. Therefore, he urged officials  to realize the objectives. To enable the peoples to live in peace and possess high morale and social  qualifications is pivotal for national development. Creating healthy and peaceful environment contributes  towards the producing healthy good citizens with high spirit who can bring about national development.  In the nations of the world today, development of a nation is measured by social development standards  such as life expectancy of the people, high standard of living and sufficient life but not economic data.  The Secretary-1 urged officials of YCDC to make efforts for raising of social development standards while  making the city to be a clean garden metropolis. In conclusion, he urged them to make endeavours to  become a green garden city as a national task, to raise the quality of life of the city dwellers and to implement the cultivation and livestock breeding activities for sufficiency of food.
 

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(2) Secretary-1 Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt receives Vice-Governor of Yunnan Province 

YANGON, 17 July-Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt received  Vice-Governor Mr Shao Qiwei of Yunnan Province of the People's Republic of China and party, who are  currently here, at the Defence Services Guest House here at 4.30 p.m. today. Also present at the call were  Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut, Deputy  Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Deputy Minister for Electric Power U Myo Myint,  Director-General of Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet and Ambassador of China to Myanmar Mr  Li Jinjun.

Secretary-1 Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt receives Chinese Minister 

YANGON, 17 July-Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt received  Minister of Land and Resources Mr Tianfengshan of the People's Republic of China and party, who are  currently here, at the Defence Services Guest House here at 11.30 am today. Also present at the call were  Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Minister for Mines Brig-Gen. Ohn Myint, Deputy Minister for  Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Director-General of Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet and  Ambassador of China to Myanmar Mr Li Jinjun.

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(3) Minister Brig-Gen. Abel meets PRC Minister

YANGON, 17 July-Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen.  Abel met a three-member delegation led by Minister of Land and Resources Mr Tianfengshan of the  People's Republic of China, who are currently here, accompanied by Ambassador of China Mr Li Jinjun,  at his office at 9 am today.

Commerce Minister receives Chinese guests 

YANGON, 17 July-Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen. Pyi Sone met Trade Delegation led by Vice- Governor of Yunnan Province of the People's Republic of China Mr Shao Qiwei, and General Manager  Mr S Rajesh of Modern Trading Ltd, China and party at his office this morning separately. Also present  were Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen. Kyaw Hsan, Director-General of Directorate of Trade U  Nyunt Aye, Director-General of Border Trade Department U Nay Win, Managing Director of Myanma  Agricultural Produce Trading U Min Hla Aung and officials.
 
Minister for H & T receives Chinese guests

YANGON, 17 July-Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin met Trade Delegation led by Vice-Governor of Yunnan Province of the People's Republic of China Mr Shao Qiwei at his office this  afternoon. Also present on the occasion 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 of the  PRC Embassy.

Minister for F & R receives Japanese guest

YANGON, 17 July-Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein met General Manager of  Nichimen Corporation of Japan Mr Susumu Sano at his office this afternoon. Also present on the occasion  was Governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar U Kyaw Kyaw Maung.

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(4) Delegation leaves for Malaysia

YANGON, 17 July-Vice-Chairman of the Myanmar Engineering Association Chairman of ASEAN Affairs Dr Sein Myint and CEC member U Than Myint left for Malaysia to attend the meeting of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organizations (AFEO) to be held in Malacca, Malaysia from 18 to 21  July, this morning. They were seen off at the airport by Chairman of the association Rector of Yangon  Technological University Dr Pe Win, Secretary Dr Hla Than and officials.

UMFCCI president receives guest

YANGON, 17 July-Marketing Manager Ms Eun Hee Kwon of Small and Medium Business Administration, Republic of Korea called on President U Win Myint of the Union of Myanmar Federation  of Chambers of Commerce and Industry at his office on Merchant Street here this morning. They  discussed matters related to mutual interest between the two countries.
 
Finance & Revenue Minister receives guests from Yunnan Province

YANGON, 17 July-Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein met Vice-Governor of Yunnan Province of the People's Republic of China Mr Shao Qiwei and party at his office this morning.  Also present at the call were Governor of Central Bank of Myanmar U Kyaw Kyaw Maung and Adviser to  the Ministry of Finance and Revenue U Kyi Shein.

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(5) Minister receives PRC guests 

YANGON, 17 July-Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha met visiting  Chinese Minister of Land and Resources Mr Tianfengshan and party at his office this morning. Also  present were Director-General of the Central Statistics Organization Dr Sein Tin, Director-General of  Foreign Economic Relations Department U Soe Lin, Director-General of Planning Department Daw Than  Nwe, Ambassador of China Mr Li Jinjun and officials.

CPT Minister inspects ground satellite stations

YANGON, 17 July - Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen. Thein Zaw met  officials at the Ground Satellite Station in Toegyaunggalay this morning. The officials presented reports  on greening of the environs and repair of the staff quarters. During inspection of Pyindaung Kyaung  Ground Satellite Station in Thanlyin Township, the minister heard a report on facts about the station and  maritime communication system presented with the help of maps and charts. Afterwards, the minister  inspected installation of machines and emergency power generators at the station. He also inspected the  poultry farms in the compound.

USDA trainees tour Yangon 

YANGON, 17 July - Trainees of Myanmar and International Studies Course No 3 of the Union Solidarity  and Development Association toured Yangon today. Accompanied by course in-charge Lt-Col Sein Win  and supervisors, the trainees visited Hlinethaya Industrial Zone. Deputy Director-General of the  Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development Col Tin Tun explained the points about the  department and the industrial zones. The trainees also visited the Drug Elimination Museum in Kamayut  Township, the New Century Resource Centre, the Centre for Ancient Myanmar Manuscripts and the  Myanmar International Terminals Thilawa.

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(6) PRC Minister visits Bago 

YANGON, 17 July-Minister of Land and Resources Mr Tianfengshan of the People's Republic of China  and party, accompanied by Deputy Minister for Mines U Myint Thein, the directors-general, managing  directors and officials, visited the Shwemawdaw Pagoda and King Bayintnaung's Kanbaw-zathadi Palace  in Bago this afternoon. Member of Pagoda Board of Trustees U Tun Nyunt and officials welcomed and  conducted the guests around the pagoda.

The visiting minister and party paid homage to the pagoda and visited the museum on the pagoda platform. After signing in the visitors' book there, the Chinese minister donated cash for the pagoda. They  then proceeded to the Kanbawzathadi Palace where Deputy Director U Myat Swe of the Archaeology  Department of the Ministry of Culture and officials welcomed and explained facts about the palace. The  guests also visited the museum and observed the Bamarathana throne and left there.

Entries invited for Armed Forces Day Poetry Competition

YANGON, 17 July-Hailing the 57th Anniversary Armed Forces Day which falls on 27 March 2002, the  Poetry Competition Organizing Sub-committee of the Work Committee for Poetry and Art Competition  chaired by Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt announced rules for the poetry competition. All  works must be based on the national objectives and those of 57th Anniversary Armed Forces Day and  twelve noble traditions of the Tatmadaw.

The competition will be categorised into the open long poem level-1 and level-2. Those who won first,  second and third prizes in the previous competitions are to enter the level-1 and those have not won prizes  are to enter the level-2. The competitors may portray the work based on not only historical features of  Konbaung Period (AD 1824-1885), British Period (AD 1885-1948), Independence Period (1948-1988),  the State Law and Order Restoration Council Period and the State Peace and Development Council Period  (1988 to date) but also nation-building endeavours, peace efforts and narcotic drugs eradication and tasks  of the State Law and Order Restoration Council and the State Peace and Development Council. The  competitors must send in two copies of the work together with curriculum vitae, two passport-sized  colour-photos to Lt-Col Ohn Maung (Retd) Chief Editor, Naing-gan Gonyi Book House, Sarpay Beikman No 529/531, Merchant Street, not later than 31-1-2002.
 

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(7) Transport Minister attends opening of Office Computer Course

YANGON, 17 July-Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe attended the concluding ceremony of  Basic Office Computer Course No 2 and opening ceremony of Basic Office Computer Course No 3 held at  the meeting hall of the Myanma Shipyards on Bayintnaung Road here this morning. Also present on the  occasion were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen. Kyaw Myint, the departmental heads, course instructors and  trainees.

The minister made a speech and presented honourian cash to Secretary of Supervisory Committee for the  computer course U Myo Nyein Aye for the course instructors. The deputy minister and Chairman of the  committee Managing Director of the Myanma Shipyards U Percy Maung Maung presented certificates to  the trainees. After the ceremony, the minister and party inspected the completion of tugboat, preparations  for installation of engines, construction of Sun Shine yacht and heard the reports by the officials. After  attending to the needs, he left there.

Winthuza Shops Management Course opens

YANGON, 17 July - The Winthuza Shops Management Course No 1 of the Ministry of Industry-1 was  opened this morning at the training hall of the ministry. Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung delivered  an address on the occasion. Also present were Deputy Ministers for Industry-1 Brig-Gen. Thein Tun and  Brig-Gen. Kyaw Win, directors-general and managing directors of departments and enterprises, general  managers, in-charge of the Winthuza Shops, staff and trainees and course instructors. The minister said in  accord with the guidance of the Head of State, the ministry is producing goods and selling its products at  fair prices to the public through the Winthuza Shops. Sixty-one trainees are attending the three-week  course.
 
Information Ministry meets

YANGON, 17 July - The Ministry of Information held the first four-monthly coordination meeting for  2001 at Myanma Motion Picture Enterprise this morning with an address by Minister for Information  Maj-Gen Kyi Aung. Also present were Deputy Ministers for Information U Thein Sein and Brig-Gen.  Aung Thein, directors-general and managing directors of departments and enterprises under the ministry,  advisers, deputy directors-general, general-managers, the chief engineer, deputy general-managers, chief  editors and others.

Director-General of Myanma Radio and Television U Khin Maung Htay, Director-General of Information  and Public Relations Department U Chit Naing, Managing Director of Printing and Publishing Enterprise  Col Myint Thein, Managing Director of News and Periodicals Enterprise U Tin Kha and Managing  Director of MMPE U Bo Kyi presented special projects of their departments and enterprises and future  programmes. Deputy Minister Brig-Gen. Aung Thein joined in the discussion. After attending to the  needs, the minister gave the concluding remarks.

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(8) Paper reading session on development of tourist destinations held  

YANGON, 17 July-The paper reading session on development of tourist destinations organized by the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism was held at Asia Plaza Hotel on Bogyoke Aung San Street this morning.  It was attended by Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister for Transport Maj-Gen  Hla Myint Swe, Deputy Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen. Aye Myint Kyu, directors-general and  managing directors of directorate and services under the ministry, State / Division Peace and  Development Council secretaries, officials, entrepreneurs, resource persons, guests and observers.

First, Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin delivered a speech. He said that tourism business is a new global social and economic sector and is developing gradually every year. It is the main  foreign currency earning source for developed countries as well as for developing ones. The Government  is providing assistance for development of tourism in Myanmar where resources for tourism abound.  Ministry of Hotels and Tourism was formed in 1992 with the aim of effectively undertaking tourism  business. Ministry of Hotels and Tourism is making efforts for tourism development with a view to  interest of the State, the entrepreneurs and the people in accord with Myanmar Hotels and Tourism Law  enacted in 1993.

The objectives of the law are; to cause a systematic development of the hotel and tourism industry, to  enable tourists to observe Myanmar cultural heritage and natural scenic beauty, to prevent destruction and  damage of Myanmar cultural heritage and natural scenic beauty due to the hotel and tourism industry, to  contribute to international friendship and understanding through the hotel and tourism industry, to  develop technical knowledge relating to the hotel and tourism industry and to open up more employment  opportunities and to provide security and satisfaction of tourists.

Entry of tourists through Yangon and other entrances has developed by six percent during one year period from 1 January to 3 December 2000. The ministry, with a view to tourism development, has organized private entrepreneurs for participation in tourism fairs held yearly in Thailand, Singapore, Hongkong, Berlin, London, France and Republic of Korea.

After Myanmar has become a member of ASEAN in 1997, it has been cooperating with other ASEAN  tourism authorities in activities in ASEAN region such as cooperation programme for tourist destinations,  market promotion activities of nations in great Mekhong region and Gangas-Mekhong cooperation  programmes.

It has also been cooperating in programmes of development of tourism, providing technical assistance and  human resources development singing agreements with Singapore, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and  People's Republic of China. Moreover, private entrepreneurs are making efforts for making tour programmes be more successful doing market research with the assistance of Ministry of Hotels and  Tourism, ministries concerned and local authorities, he said.

The objectives of holding the paper reading session are; to enable officials of the ministry to understand  their duties more exactly and to enable them to present papers with confidence in international paper  reading sessions, to make discussions on development of tourist destinations from tourism point of view  and revealing tasks carried out by the ministry for human resources development.

Therefore, the ministry had the papers on development of tourist destinations written based on advice of  entrepreneurs, techniques from international training schools and guidance papers of WTO by the officials  of the ministry as tourism promotion programmes. In conclusion, the minister urged officials of the  ministry, tour operators, travel agents, tour guides, the people, ministries concerned and local authorities  to make concerted efforts for the development of tourism industry.

Then, Managing Director U Khin Zaw of Tour Mandalay Co., on behalf of entrepreneurs, presented  honorarium for resource persons to Deputy General Manager U Ye Myint. Afterwards, Deputy Director U  Myo Lwin of Directorate of Hotels and Tourism presented a paper on development of tourism in Inlay-Taunggyi region with the use of video slides and responded the queries raised by attendance.

Next, papers on development of tourism in Kengtung, Putao, Kawthaung, Chaungtha, Ngapali, MraukU,  Mandalay and Bagan were presented with the use of video slides. Then, queries were answered. The paper  reading session came to an end with a speech delivered by Deputy Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen. Aye Myint Kyu. In the evening, entrepreneurs of hotels and tourism hosted a dinner in honour of  guests form States and Divisions and resource persons who attended the session at Nawayat Hotel.

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(9)  Woman drug user gets 18 years

YANGON, 17 July-Members of local intelligence unit and Myanmar Police Force, acting on information,  searched the house of Ma Haung Sein (a) Ma Haung Sey (a) Ma Mar Htet, 38, of Ward 5 in Lashio and  arrested her together with 15 grams of heroin hidden in the ground near the fence on 8 February morning.  On 27 June, she was sentenced to five years' imprisonment under Section 15 of the Narcotic Drugs and  Psychotropic Substances Law and 18 year's imprisonment under Section 19 (A) to serve separately.

1.00288 kilo of heroin seized in Lashio

YANGON, 17 July - A combined team comprising members of local intelligence unit and Myanmar
Police Force, acting on information, searched No 132 Down-train going from Lashio to Mandalay at  Lashio Station and arrested Kyaw San Oo of Oak Set Ward in Maha Aungmyae Township, Mandalay,  and Thura of Region 4 in Ward 7, Lashio, who were in No 3 Carriage of the train, together with 1.00288  kilos of heroin kept in 55 soap boxes on 28 June morning. The police station concerned filed them under  the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.

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