(1) Secretary-1 attends opening of new building for No 6 BEMS in Lashio

YANGON, 30 July - Chairman of the Working Committee for development of Border Areas and National  Races Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt left here for Lashio,  Shan State (North) yesterday afternoon. The Secretary-1 was accompanied by the ministers, the deputy  ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and heads of departments. On arrival at Lashio Airport at 2 p.m., the Secretary-1 and party were welcomed by Chairman of Shan State  (North) Peace and Development Council Commander of North-East Command Maj-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, Brig-Gen. Myint Hlaing of Hsenwi Station, members of Shan State (North) Peace and  Development Council, departmental officials and members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association.

The Secretary-1 and party attended the ceremony of handing over a new building of No 6 Basic  Education Middle School to the Ministry of Education in Ward-9, Lashio. Headmistress Daw Khin Hnin Kyi, Chairman of the School Board of Trustees U Sai Kyaw Nyunt and wellwisher Managing Director of  Asia World Co. Ltd U Tun Myint Naing formally opened the school building. The Secretary-1 formally unveiled the stone plaque of the new school building. Then, the Secretary-1 inspected the electronic media  (audio) room, the computer skill room, the electronic media (video) room and the language lab and watched the skill demonstration of the students.

At the ceremony to mark the opening of the new school building, well-wisher U Tun Myint Naing  explained the purpose of donating the school building. Associate Shan State (North) Education Officer U San Shwe spoke words of thanks for the donation. The Secretary-1 accepted donations  K 30.9 million by  wellwisher U Tun Myint Naing for the construction of the new school building and K 3.1 million by the school board of trustees for the multimedia classrooms.

Then, Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council donated K 17.2 million for the opening of  multimedia teaching centres at basic education high schools in Shan State (North); Vice-Chairman of Asia Wealth Bank Ltd U Aik Tun K 5 million; Manager of Kanbawza Bank U Sai Kyaw K 5 million;  Managing Director of Myanmar May Flower Bank U Win Naing K 5 million; Managing Director of Yoma Bank U Ko Lay K 2.5 million, Chairman of Myanmar Universal Bank (Muse Branch) U Pa Shwe 2.5 million and Chairman of Ngwehsin Co. U Soe Myint K 1.5 million.

Next, the Secretary-1 presented video tapes to be used as teaching aids to Headmistress Daw Khin Hnin  Kyi. Wellwisher U Tun Myint Naing handed over documents related to the new school building to  Associate Education Officer U San Shwe, and presented commemorative pennants to the Secretary-1 and  party.

In his address, the Secretary-1 thanked local authorities, wellwishers, parents and the members of the  school board of trustees for their cooperation in opening the new school building. According to the education promotion programme, the government, in cooperation with the people and wellwishers, is  taking the lead in constructing new school buildings, repairing old ones, providing school furniture and  opening multimedia teaching centres all over the nation. At the present ceremony, local people and  wellwishers have made donations to the school. Since the education promotion programme was set into  motion, wellwishers and the people have been actively participating in implementing the programme.

The government and the people have been making concerted efforts for the successful implementation of  the policies of the State. Their concerted efforts are now bearing fruit. The education promotion  programme is being implemented with the aim of turning out outstanding students, promoting education  up to the international level and bridging the gap of education between rural and urban areas. It is found  that over the past three years, respective tasks have been carried out by nearly a hundred per cent. It is  found that the gap between rural and urban areas has become narrower and narrower. Previously, the  majority of students who ranked the top of the matriculation examination results were from Yangon Division.

This year those who were the most outstanding in the matriculation examination results were from states  and divisions. Not only has the condition of individual students improved, but also Mandalay Division is the best in terms of the pass rate.

This success can be attributed to the opening of the multimedia teaching centres and dissemination of  teaching methodology to various states and divisions. Like Yangon, other states and divisions are also  making progress in terms of the education system. The donations of the people and wellwishers have  directly benefited the education sector of Myanmar and students. Therefore, students need to work hard to  become outstanding and efficient with the systematic use of teaching aids provided by the government and  wellwishers.

The Secretary-1 also urged the teachers to teach their students to become outstanding persons on which  the State can rely. Asia World Co. Ltd donated a new school building 24 feet by 30 feet comprising 14  classrooms for No 6 BEMS, Lashio, repaired old school buildings, made the whole school compound  beautiful and pleasant and provided school furniture, spending K 30.9 million. The school board of  trustees opened the multimedia classrooms and built the playground at a cost of K 3.1 million.

In the evening, the Secretary-1 and party went to Mawkeinnayi Cement Plant, which has recently already  been built at the junction of Lashio-Tangyan eight miles away from Lashio.

The Secretary-1 inspected necessary materials to be used in producing cement at the plant. Commander  Maj-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo reported on the location and area of the plant, progress of  work in building the cement plant, requirements and availability of raw materials, matters related to  investment, the test-run of the cement plant and the quality of cement produced at the plant. The  Secretary-1 gave instructions.

Later, the Secretary-1 and party inspected progress of work in building the cement plant, the quality  control room, the chemistry laboratory and the physics laboratory. Mawkeinnayi Cement Plant can  produce 50 tons of cement a day. Minister for Immigration and Population U Saw Tun, who accompanied  the Secretary-1, together with Director-General Col Maung Htay, met with the employees of the  Immigration and National Registration Department in Lashio. The minister gave instructions on the issuing of national registration cards, and warned the employees that effective action will be taken if any  malpractice and bribery are found out. Afterwards, the minister inspected the cultivation of seasonal crops in the compound of the office, and gave instructions on the extension of cultivation work.

up

___________________________

(2) Industry-1 Minister receives Chinese guests

YANGON, 30 July-Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung received General Manager Mr Zhang  Guodong of the CMC Complete Equipment Engineering I/E Company (Subsidiary of China National  Import & Export Corporation) and party at his office at 4.30 p.m. today. Also present at the call were  Deputy Minister Brig-Gen. Kyaw Win, the directors-general and managing directors from the  departments and industries.

F&R Minister receives Japanese delegation

YANGON, 30 July- Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein received General Manager  of Toyo Engineering Corporation Mr K Hayashi and party at his office at 9 am today. Also present was Governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar U Kyaw Kyaw Maung.

Minister receives foreign guests

YANGON, 30 July- Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen. Maung Maung Thein received Deputy Secretary General of Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Centre (SEAFDEC) Mr Shogo Sugiura and party at his office this afternoon. Also present at the call were Deputy Minister U Aung Thein, directors-general of the ministry and officials.

up

___________________________

(3) Projector donated to Defence Services Academy

YANGON, 30 July-Myanmar national U Soe Hlaing working at the Public Works of Brunei Darussalam  donated a Kodak Projector for the Defence Services Academy through Myanmar Embassy in Brunei Darussalam. On behalf of the donor, General Staff Officer (Grade I) of the Directorate of Defence Services Intelligence Lt-Col Ngwe Tun presented the projector to General Staff Officer (Grade I) of the Officer of  Chief of Armed Forces Training Lt-Col Than Aye at the Defence Services Museum this afternoon. Lt-Col  Than Aye spoke words of thanks.

Myanmar cultural group leaves for ROK

YANGON, 30 July-A Myanmar Cultural delegation, comprising Director of the Department of Cultural  Institute Daw Nu Mra Zan, Writer U Khin Maung Tint (Tekkatho Phone Naing) and Film Director and  Script Writer U Kyi Soe Tun, left for the Republic of Korea under the cultural exchange programme  between ASEAN member nations and the ROK yesterday evening. They were seen off at the airport by  Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt, departmental heads, officials and families.

On-job training courses for assistant engineer (civil) and junior engineer-2 (civil) open

YANGON, 30 July-A ceremony to open on-job training courses for assistant engineer (civil) and junior  engineer-2 (civil) of Public Works under the Ministry of Construction was held at the Central Training
School of the ministry this morning. Present were Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Deputy  Minister Brig-Gen. Myint Thein, Managing Director of Public Works U Nay Soe Naing, Director-General  of the Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development U Arnt Kyaw, departmental heads,  officials, Principal of Thuwunna Central Training School U Saw Kya Wa Mu, course instructors and  trainees. The minister gave an opening speech and cordially greeted the trainees. A total of 181 trainees  are attending the three-week courses.
 
Minister for Livestock and Fisheries meets heads of state, division and district Fisheries Departments 

YANGON, 30 July- Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen. Maung Maung Thein met heads of  state, division and district Fisheries Departments at the meeting hall of the Fisheries Department in Ahlon
Township this morning. Also present were Deputy Minister U Aung Thein, directors-general, directors  and head of state/division/ district Fisheries Departments, and officials. The minister said as the  government is striving for the development of fish and meat sector in the states, divisions and districts,  departmental personnel need to work harder. He urged the personnel to render assistance for the  development of livestock breeding and production in the private sector, for the production of fingerlings at  respective camps, for taking measures to bring down the price of fish. The deputy minister also gave a  speech.

up

___________________________

(4) Those who participated in Myanmar Women's Day activities honoured

YANGON, 30 July-A ceremony to honour those who took part in the activities organized by Myanmar  National Committee for Women's Affairs to mark Myanmar Women's Day, which falls on 3 July 2001,
was held at Thida Hall of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement on Swedawmyat Pagoda  Street, Mayangon Township, here, this afternoon.

It was attended by Chairman of Myanmar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs Deputy  Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement U Hlaing Win, Vice-chairperson Professor Daw May May Yee, member Chairperson of Working Committee for Holding the Myanmar Women's Day Dr Daw  Khin Win Shwe and members of the Working Committee, sub-committees, Adviser of Education Group Daw Khin Than Nwe, Adviser of Young Women Group Daw Khin Cho Oo, advisers, member of Yangon  Division Working Committee for Women's Affairs Daw Khin Malar Tlint, Working Committee for Tree- planting to mark Myanmar Women's Day, officials of Planning and Statistics Department, Forest  Department, Parks Department of YCDC, those who presented performance in Yangon Division Shwe La Min Anyeint, members of Committee for Publishing Annual Magazine, Working Committee for Holding  Photo Contest to mark Myanmar Women's Day Activities, participants in video play "Myanmar-lo-hla-ze-gin-the" and guests. Assistant Director of Myanma Radio and Television Daw Than Than Win acted as master of ceremonies. Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe spoke on the occasion and presented certificates of honour to the participants in the activities to mark the Myanmar Women's Day. Shwelamin Anyeint presented K  150,000 for MNWCWA to Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe. After the ceremony, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe cordially greeted those who helped to hold the ceremony.
 
Completion certificates presented 

YANGON, 30 July- The ceremony to present basic education high school level completion certificates of  No 2 Basic Education High School, Kengtung, Shan State (East), for 2000-2001 academic year was held  at Thanlwin Hall on 27 July morning. Present on the occasion were Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace  and Development Council Commander of Triangle Region Command Maj-Gen Thein Sein, staff officers,  departmental officials, the associate education officer of Shan State, township education officers,  Headmaster U Pa Than, teachers, students and members of the School Board of Trustees.

The ceremony was opened by singing the national anthem. Then, the headmaster made a speech. Next,  the headmaster presented certificates to 101 students who completed the basic education high school level education in 2000-2001 academic year. Afterwards, the girls students entertained the guests with songs.  After the ceremony, the commander had a cordial meeting with the teachers and the members of the  School Board of Trustees. The commander gave instructions on the development of the education sector,  and attended to the needs.

up

___________________________

(5) Myanmar Products Expo 2001 opened

YANGON, 30 July-With the permission of the Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council, the  Myanmar Products Expo 2001, Monywa, sponsored by the Dragon Exhibitions Ltd, was opened at the City Hall in Monywa on 25 July morning.

It was attended by wife of member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of the Sagaing  Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West Command Maj-Gen Soe Win member of the Division Working Committee for Women's Affairs Daw Than Than Nwe, Deputy  Commander Big-Gen. Soe Myint and wife Daw Sao Thida, Secretary of the Division Peace and  Development Council Lt-Col Ye Htut and wife, departmental heads, members of social organizations, the  Monywa Institute of Nursing, the Weaving School, towns elders, Managing Director of the company U  Aung Aung and members and officials.

The deputy commander and the managing director formally opened the expo. Then, the attendance  looked around the expo. At the expo, textiles, cosmetics and personal goods manufactured at home and
abroad, plastic wares, foodstuff, electronic devices and gadgets, construction goods, stationery and sport  equipment were jointly displayed with the sale promoting goods of the Talents & Models Co. Ltd there.  The expo closed yesterday.
 
Ministry of Labour holds waso-robe offering ceremony

YANGON, 30 July- With the patronage of Minister for Labour Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe and wife Daw Hla Hla  Thein, Ministry of Labour held its third waso-robe offering ceremony at the ministry's Dhamayon this  morning.

The congregation opened the ceremony reciting Namo Tassa three times. Member of State Central  Working Committee of the Sangha Presiding Nayaka of Pancanikaya Sasana Beikman Kyaungtaik Agga  Maha Pandita Agga Maha Gandavacaka Pandita Sayadaw U Tejowbhasa administered the Nine Precepts.  With the patronage of the minister and wife Daw Hla Hla Thein, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen. Win Sein and wife Daw Wai Wai Thin, department heads and their wives and personnel offered waso-robes and offertories to members of the Sangha. Member of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Presiding Nayaka of  Ngwekyayan Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Rewata delivered a sermon followed by sharing of merits gained. After the ceremony, soon was offered to members of the Sanghas.

up

___________________________

(6) Kamayut Township USDA holds annual general meeting

YANGON, 30 July - Kamayut Township Union Solidarity and Development Association of Yangon  North District held its annual general meeting for 2001 at No 2 Basic Education Primary School, Kamayut Township, this morning. Member of the USDA Central Executive Committee U Pan Aung  addressed the meeting.

Also present were the executives of Yangon Division USDA, the secretary and executives of Yangon  West District USDA, the chairman and members of Kamayut Township Peace and Development Council, Secretary of Township USDA U Myo Aung and executives, township level departmental officials, the  members of Township USDA and guests. CEC member U Pan Aung made a speech. He presented a photo copier worth K 450,000 for the office of Kamayut Township USDA.

He then accepted donations  K 20,000 by Chairman of Kamayut Township Peace and Development  Council U Wai Myo Khaing and K 5,000 by U Kyaw Htain Lin of Shwephala Tea Shop and U Tin Soe of Ward No 3. Afterwards, the officials presented awards to members of Township USDA who were  outstanding at the summer cultural courses. CEC member U Pan Aung presented K 100,000 for Kamayut Township USDA. Then, the annual meeting was held.
 
Commander inspects vegetable and poultry farms

YANGON, 30 July-Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division  Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than inspected cultivation and livestock breeding work at Yangon Division Vegetable Cultivation and Poultry Farm Special Zone near  Nyaunghnapin Village in Hmawby Township this afternoon.

The commander met the members of the special zone supervisory committee and entrepreneurs. The  commander inspected the raising of layers at Taingmyankyaw Poultry Farm where officials reported on
the production of eggs.

The commander gave instructions. The commander inspected the raising of chicken by the battery cage  system at poultry farms of U Min Min Soe. He also inspected the breeding of chicken and broi-lers at Myomyintkyaw and Myanmar Shwetharaphu Co. Ltd. The commander fulfilled the requirements.

The commander met the members of the special zone supervisory committee at Hmawby Hsan Hall. Yangon Division Agricultural Manager U San Maung, District Commissioner of the General  Administration Department U Saw Hla Myint in charge of the special zone-2 and Head of Yangon  Division Settlement and Land Records Department U Naing Win in charge of the special zone-3 and  Director of Yangon Division Forest Department U Ko Ko reported on cultivation of vegetables, livestock breeding, land preparation, the digging of fish ponds, the growing of flowering plants and the planting of  shade and windbreak trees.

The commander called on the members of the special zone to cooperate with national entrepreneurs to  ensure success of livestock breeding work and proper drainage in the zones. The commander then  inspected the zone. In the rainy season, vegetables have been grown on 2,000 acres of land. Over 103,000 chickens are being raised at the farm. A total of 300 ponds have been dug.

up

___________________________

(7)  Commander attends ceremony marking completion of ploughing work in Mohnyin Townhip

YANGON, 30 July- A ceremony to mark the completion of ploughing work in Mohnyin Township for  Year 2000-2001 was held in conjunction with a transplanting skill contest at Zone No 1 of Modern Model Farming Project in Balu Village, Mohnyin Township, on 25 July. It was attended by Chairman of Kachin State Peace and Development Council Commander of Northern Command Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, high-ranking officers, the secretary of the council, departmental heads, members of Kachin State Agricultural  Supervisory Committee and social organizations, 25 transplanting teams in the township and local residents.

The commander spoke on the occasion. Then, the agricultural manager of Kachin State explained rules  and regulations about the contest. After the contest, the commander and officials presented prizes to the winning teams. Next, the commander met with departmental officials and farmers in the township at Balu  Village Special Cultivation Zone No 1. The commander gave instructions on extension of cultivation and
livestock breeding tasks and regional development, and fulfilled the needs.

Commander inspects regional development tasks in Ye Township

YANGON, 30 July - Chairman of Mon State Peace and Development Council Commander of South-East  Command Brig-Gen. Myint Swe, together with departmental officials, inspected the rubber wood factory at Motkanin Village, Chaungtaung Bridge Project and Chaungtaung Railway Station in Ye on 26 July  afternoon.

The commander also donated K 20,000 to the fund of Ye People's Hospital and spectacles to elderly  people who came to hospital to undergo the eye test. On 27 July, the commander inspected the site chosen  for the breeding of prawns at Asin Village, Ye Township. The commander then attended the ceremony to  mark the completion of ploughing work at Abaw Village, Ye Township. The commander also inspected  the sea prawn breeding ponds of Winminzin Prawn Breeding Company at Palaingkee Village, Ye  Township.

up

___________________________

(8) Armed group members exchange arms for peace

YANGON, 30 July-The State Peace and Development Council, upholding Our Three Main National  Causes, is striving for national recon-solidation with might and main and genuine goodwill to ensure the emergence of a new, modern and developed nation. Realizing their past misdeeds and understanding the genuine goodwill and correct endeavours of the government, remaining armed group members have been
exchanging arms for peace individually or in groups. Pvt Kyaw Tun Oo (a) Kyaw Kyaw Moe of No 3  Battalion of ABSDF in the South-East Command area and Pvt Saw Ruby and Aung Nge (a) Saw Nge of No 7 DO Battalion, Aung Toe of No 10 Battalion and Chan Min (a) Dha of No 11 Battalion together with one M-16 automatic rifle, five magazines, 70 rounds of ammunition, two hand grenades in the Coastal Region Command from 1 to 30 June. Officials concerned warmly welcomed these five persons who exchanged arms for peace and attended to their needs. More persons of armed groups are going to swap arms for peace.

Painting contest of children aged 12 and under from ASEAN nations to be held

YANGON, 30 July-A painting contest of children aged 12 and under from ASEAN member nations will  be held in September 2001. The theme of the painting contest is kindness. Students aged 12 and under from basic education schools under the Ministry of Education can take part in the contest. The size of the painting is 15-inch by 20-inch and every student can send up to four paintings. The entries are to be sent to the Myanmar ASEAN Culture and Information Committee Office at the National Museum on Pyay Road by 15 September. Those who want more information can contact basic education departments.  Twenty best paintings will be selected and handsome prizes will be awarded. These paintings will be sent to the paintings exhibition to be held at the ASEAN summit in Brunei Darussalam.

up

___________________________

(9) Myanmar London Golf Tour starts

YANGON, 30 July-The opening of the first leg of the Myanmar London Golf Tour 2001-2002, organized  by Myanmar Golf Federation and Myanmar Professional Golfers' Association, and mainly sponsored by Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar Pte Ltd was held at Bagan Resort Golf Club, attended by Chairman of  Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen. Thura Aye Myint, President of MGF Brig-Gen. Win Hlaing, invited guests and golfers this morning.

Golfers took position at 10th tee. Then, the MOC chairman, the MPGA president, Chairman of NyaungU  District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Khin Maung Oo, Special Project Manager of RPMM U Myint Thein and Chairman of the Kanbawza Bank Ltd U Aung Ko Win teed off and opened the tour. After the first round, Aung Zaw Moe was leading with 69 strokes in the Professional Golfers' level. The runners-up were Soe Kyaw Naing with 70, Maung Pyone with 71, Myint Thaung and Aung Win with 72 and Than Aung with 73.

Zaw Min Lay (YCDC) and Myat Htut Lwin shared the first place with 74 strokes each in the Men's  Amateur level, followed by Nay Lin Tun and Myo Min Aung with 76 each, and Zaw Zaw Latt and Aung  Kyaw Myint with 77 each. Yangon Airways, Canon, Kaung Myat Co. Ltd, Pan-West (Callaway), Wilson,  Ping, Bagan Resort Hotel, Sun Far Travels and Tours and Kanbawza Bank Ltd also co-sponsored the  tournament with the aim of turning out golfers all over the country and raising the standard of Myanmar  golf. Han Golf Masters Pte Ltd takes responsibilities for holding the tournament. The second round  continues tomorrow.

Myanmar-Vietnam goodwill pencak silat contest continues

YANGON, 30 July-The Myanmar-Vietnam goodwill Pencak Silat contest continued at the National  Indoor Stadium-1 in Thuwunna today. Present were Director of Medical Services Brig-Gen. Mya Thein Han, Director-General of Sports and Physical Education Department U Thaung Htaik, Chairman of  Myanmar Thaing Federation Col Thet Htut and others. Myanmar beat Vietnam 5-2. In men's match, Tran Thanhmnh (B 50-55) Kilo (Vietnam) beat Tun Tun Win (A 45-50) Kilo (Myanmar), in women's match,  Tin Tin Aye (B 50-55) Kilo (Myanmar) beat Yu Thanh Huong (A 45-50) Kilo (Vietnam), in men's match,  Tin Oo (B 50-55) Kilo (Myanmar) beat Nguyen Trome Toan (C 55-60) Kilo (Vietnam), in women's  match, Nyein Nyein Aung (A 45-50) Kilo (Myanmar) beat Nguyen Phi Yen (B 50-55) Kilo (Vietnam), in  men's match, Zaw Win (D 60-65) Kilo (Myanmar) beat Le Tuan Anh (E 65-70) Kilo (Vietnam), in women's match, Trinh Thi Nga (C 50-55) Kilo (Vietnam) beat Khin Mar Nyo (D 60-65) Kilo (Myanmar)  and in men's match, Aung Khaing Min (E 65-70) Kilo (Myanmar) beat Trinh Dinh Long (F 70-75) Kilo (Vietnam).

up