( 1 ) State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Singapore

Yangon, 9 Aug- On the occasion of the Anniversary of the National Day of the Republic of Singapore which falls on 9 August 2001, Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar, has sent messages of felicitations to His Excellency Mr S R Nathan, President of the Republic of Singapore and His Excellency Mr Goh Chok Tong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore.

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( 2 ) Opening of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Courses helps develop and flourish traditional medicine and promote public health care
Traditional Medicine Practitioners Course No 3 concludes

Yangon, 8 Aug- Chairman of the National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, accompanied by the ministers, the chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board, the deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and heads of department, left here on 7 August and arrived at Mandalay International Airport in TadaU Township, Mandalay Division, at 3 pm.

The Secretary-1 and party were welcomed at the airport by member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, Mandalay Mayor Brig-Gen Yan Thein, senior military officers and officials. The Secretary-1 and party left for Mandalay by helicopter. The Secretary-1 attended the closing ceremony of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Course No 3 held at the Mandalay Institute of Traditional Medicine and delivered an address. Present were member physicians of Traditional Medicine Council, course instructors and trainees.

The Secretary-1 said Traditional Medicine Practitioners Courses that can promote the skill of the existing traditional medicine are being conducted simultaneously in Yangon and Mandalay with the aims of developing and promoting of Myanma traditional medicine. These courses successfully have concluded, he said. He said the success of the Traditional Medicine Practitioners Courses indicate not only systematic development of Myanma traditional medicine but also the government's determination to make progress of the Myanma traditional medicine sector. He said the genuine Myanmar traditional medicine has developed throughout the nation's long history in accord with Myanma traditional culture, geographical conditions and customs of Myanmar society.

He said the government has been laying down and implementing the national health programmes to promote public health care in accord with the objective Ñ Uplift of the standard of health and fitness of the entire nation. In so doing, it has acknowledged the potency of traditional medicines and systematically laid down plans for the progress and flourishing of traditional medicine, the uplifting of the standard of traditional medicine, and promotion of public health care with indigenous medicine. Time and again, Head of State Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance on the development of traditional medicine; he has already given the guidance to restore and develop the vanishing valuable traditional medical sciences and to upgrade the standard of the traditional medicine through scientific means with the aim of enabling it to be on a par with the western medical science, and to standardize indigenous medicines, he added.

The government has gained success to some extent in striving to promote and disseminate the knowledge of indigenous medicine in accord with the guidance of the Head of State. The State had already sponsored the first Myanmar Traditional Medical Practitioners' Conference and Traditional Medicine and Medical Equipment Exhibition. At the Conference, the participants discussed the raising of the standard of indigenous medicine and laid down future programmes, he said.

He said the traditional medicine practitioners' meetings and paper reading sessions were held annually in states and divisions in turn; the meetings and paper reading sessions have restored and recorded potent medicines and therapies used by different sects of indigenous medicine practitioners. The 50-bed traditional medicine hospitals were commissioned into service in Yangon and Mandalay, and the 16-bed traditional medicine hospitals were opened in major cities in states and divisions. Arrangements are being made to open 16-bed hospitals in Magway, Magway Division, and Hpa-an, Kayin State. Moreover, over 200 township dispensaries and 14 district dispensaries have already been opened. Health care services for the people who rely on Myanma traditional medicine can be promoted, he said.

With the encouragement of the government, not only rural people but also urban people believed and accepted the potency of traditional medicines, he said. Concerning the uplift of the qualifications of the traditional medicine practitioners, the Head of State has given a guidance, saying that a course should be opened to systematically promote of the efficiency of the private indigenous medicine practitioners, who are treating patients through various methods and to present certificates to them. In this context, a one year Traditional Medicine Practitioner Course was opened in Mandalay, he added. After the opening of the third course in Mandalay, similar course was opened in Yangon and the conclusion of the course No 1 was held recently. Three courses for Traditional Medicine Practitioners opened in Mandalay produced altogether 291 traditional medicine practitioners. Traditional Medicine Practitioner Course in Yangon also produced 133.

Therefore, the government presented certificates to 424 traditional medicine practitioners. The one-year courses are being organized with the fine objectives Ñ to raise the qualifications of the traditional medicine practitioners, for harmonious development of the indigenous medicine, drugs and therapies, and for emergence of brilliant indigenous medicine practitioners holding course certificates. In this manner, the courses will help develop and flourish traditional medicine and promote public health care undertakings, he added. He said the development of Myanma traditional medicine is now gaining momentum and opportunities to provide health care for the people by application of traditional medicine have emerged.

In conclusion, he urged them to produce potent traditional medicines, to strive to become qualified traditional medicine practitioners, to use widely the traditional medicine compared with the western medicine, to strive with patriotism for systematic development of the traditional medicine to get abreast with the western medicine, to make efforts to promote traditional medicine while providing public health care services with the unity among the physicians, to strive with national outlook for further development and flourishing of the traditional medicine, to invent potent medicines and to restore and search effective therapies to enable the traditional medicine to be on a par with the western medicine. The Secretary-1 presented prizes to outstanding trainees. Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein presented certificates through a representative. The Secretary-1 then cordially greeted the traditional medicine physicians and the trainees. Altogether 69 trainees attended the course.

Health invaluable gift for entire people Role of regional health committees vitally important Health committees, related bodies urged to ensure healthy environment and life

Yangon, 8 Aug- The review meeting of the regional health committees sponsored by the Health Planning Department (Upper Myanmar) of the Ministry of Health was held in Mandalay yesterday, with an address by Chairman of the National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

The Secretary-1 said he would like to explain the State's priority health policies, aims and programmes and to urge the regional officials, members of the social organizations and the people to cooperate with the State to pay greater attention to promotion of the nation's health sector. The nation's development and strength has direct relations with the health and fitness of its citizens living in the country. The State Peace and Development Council government has been giving priority to the health promotion programmes with national outlook for further improving the health standard of the citizens; as peace and stability is prevailing more and more in the nation, greater efforts are being made in all sectors for emergence of a modern and developed nation. Of the social objectives, the objective Uplift of health, fitness and education standards of the entire nation  has been given special priority.

The National Health committee was formed in December 1989 to give leadership to the progress of the health sector. Later it was reformed and extended. The NHC was reformed with the Health Ministry and the related ministries to effectively implement the health policies and to give leadership to health development tasks. The committee is also giving supervision to drawing and prescribing the policies which are in accord with the changing socio-economic systems. The NHC laid down the national health policies in 1993, which are, to draw a national health plan to materialize the aim "Health for All" and to use the primary health care task as a base in substitution to the health treatment sector, to which the priority was given in the past, in carrying out the health tasks; to produce health experts in the nation in accord with the long-term health development plan; to strictly observe the laws concerning the medical sector; to give encouragement to the health sector of the cooperatives, joint-ventures and the private and non-governmental humanitarian organizations to be in line with the changing economic policy; to find new means and ways in raising funds for the health expenditure; and for the related ministries to make cooperative efforts in implementing the health tasks.

The policies also include giving priority not only to the rural areas but also to the border regions in extending health tasks; and making preparations in advance to control the possible health problems. As the NHC and the Health Ministry are taking the leading role in implementing the health policies at the central level, so also the health committees at state/division, district, township and village/ward levels have been assigned duty to practically materalize the policies in the respective regions. The state/division level committees are led by the respective State/Division Peace and Development Councils; the secretaries are from the State/Division Health Department Offices; and the participants include representatives of the health-related departments, non-governmental humanitarian organizations, such as, the Union Solidarity and Development Association, the Maternal and Child Welfare Association, the Red Cross Society and the Myanmar Medical Association.

The health committees at different levels have been formed with the aim of promoting the national health standard with the ardent participation of the State, the departments, the humanitarian organizations and the public. The main duty of the health committees is to successfully implement the health policies at their levels based on the regional requirement and the available forces and to render supervision in implementing the health plans and programmes at their levels in accord with the aims. Moreover, duties have been assigned to the committees to seek means to win the cooperation of the departments and organizations and the required forces. Members of the committees are urged to have mutual respects and confidence between the persons as well as between the departments and organizations and to serve from the respective sectors the interests of the nation and the majority without having any extreme attachment to self- importance.

Experts in the medical field such as the physicians and the nurses will contribute their skills in the treatment sector and the health-related departments and the health committees will render leadership in the public health care and disease control tasks. Concerning the formation of the health committees at different levels, the sector of the health-related departments, the humanitarian organizations and the public is vital for progress of the health field. In accord with the teaching of the Buddha "Arojan paraman labham", Health is an invaluable gift for the entire people. The Health Department alone is not enough to fulfil the health requirements; in addition to health activities, other factors such as clean water, clean and healthy environment, knowledge of the people including the parents, nutritious food are also important requirement to uplift the health standard.

The departmental personnel and members of the humanitarian organizations of the health committees are the bodies to ensure a healthy life in helping to fulfil the requirements. Systematic efforts should be made to narrow the health gap between the regions, the towns and villages and the central areas of the nation and the border areas in striving to uplift the public health standard. It is important for the committee members to practically study the weaknesses and the advantages of the regions to give the best health management services. The role of the regional health committees is vitally important and the scope of their duty is great. Head of State Senior General Than Shwe has said in his guidance that Myanmars were not able to live to their expected life span as they lacked health knowledge; that in this context, the health inspection centres similar to the diagnosis laboratories within the public reach, where the public could undergo medical check-up at reasonable prices, should be opened.

The Senior General also give a guidance, saying "The body build-up and the fitness of the Myanmars is slow and not in a satisfactory position and this was the result of the improper diet ratio. Research should be made to produce food that is easily available and less expensive and to give health education to the public." Thus, the officials at different levels should pay serious attention to materializing the guidance. The Secretary-1 said members of the health committees including the participants at the meeting and the entire people should harmoniously and actively cooperate with the State in laying down and implementing the health plans and projects in accord with the guidance occasionally given by the Head of State and the State's health polities and goals. Only when the individuals and communities at ward/village and township levels are dutiful, will the healthy and fit people and the developed and strong nation emerge.

It is required to uphold the conviction "Health by All" and to strive with the force of the masses for health and fitness of the individuals, families and the entire nation. In conclusion, the Secretary-1 urged all the health committees to play a leading role in joining hands with the public to uplift health and fitness of the entire people as the healthy and fit people and the developed and strong nation is the foundation for the emergence of a modern and developed nation; and to organize the people for flourishing of a health environment and a healthy lifestyle.

Also present at the meeting were member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, ministers, the chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board, deputy ministers, the Mandalay mayor, the deputy commander of Central command, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department, the deputy resident representative of UNICEF, division level officials, departmental personnel of Chin State, Shan State (South), Shan State (East), Sagaing Division and Magway Division, and members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, the Maternal and Child Welfare Association and the Red Cross. The meeting continues for three days.

( 3 ) Minister inspects jute factory in Myaungmya

Yangon, 8 Aug- Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, departmental officials, Myaungmya District Peace and Development Council Chairman Lt-Col Tin Aye and members of Ayeyawady Division Agricultural Coordination Committee inspected Myaungmya Jute Mill in Myaungmya yesterday. The minister inspected production process of gunny bags and weaving machines. The minister was conducted round by Managing Director of Myanma Jute Industries U Myint Maung and the factory manager.

The minister gave instructions on worksite safety, maintenance of machines, production of high quality goods and minimizing of wastage and loss. The minister met industrialists of Myaungmya industrial zone and departmental officials. Chairman Lt-Col Tin Aye reported on production of crops and industries in the district . The industrialists reported on requirements. The minister gave instructions on crops production in the agriculture sector, water availability in the region, establishment of crops special zones, production of farm equipment and application of innovative methods. The minister went to the Agricultural Institute in Myaungmya and met teachers and students. The minister discussed agro-based economic undertakings with the use of water and land resources. He gave instructions on making efforts for agricultural development. The minister and party went to No 4 workshop of the Agricultural Mechanization Department and inspected farm equipment. Director-General U Win Maw and officials explained points about the equipment.

The minister inspected tractors under repair and gave instructions on innovation. The minister and party proceeded to Central Agriculture Farm where General Manager Dr Min Aung reported on quality and reproduction of paddy and matters on quality control of glutinous rice. Managing Director of Myanma Agriculture U Tun Than reported on high yield paddy, research and control of strain and farm manager on cultivation. The minister inspected cultivation of glutinous rice and reproduction, experimental plantation. The minister inspected cutting of jute and cultivation of monsoon paddy. The minister and party inspected jute bailing and grading factory.

Maung Myanmar landing crafts handed over, contract for vest factory signed

Yangon, 8 Aug- A ceremony to hand over two landing crafts built by Myanma Annawa Swanar-shin Co for 200-ton Pulp Project (Thabaung) of Myanma Paper and Chemical Industries was held at Myanma Sethmu Port in Ahlon Township this morning. Present on the occasion were Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Lt-Gen Min Thein, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Deputy Ministers for Industry-1 Brig-Gen Thein Tun and Brig-Gen Kyaw Win, Deputy Ministers for Transport Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint and U Pe Than, directors-general and managing directors of the Ministry of Industry-1 and others. Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung formally started the engines of Maung Myanmar-1 and Maung Myanmar-2 landing crafts.

Myanma Annawa Swan-arshin Co Managing Director Captain U Ko Ko Htoo explained matters on the landing crafts and handed over the documents relating to them to Managing Director of Myanma Paper and Chemical Industries U Than Shwe. Next, Minitser U Aung Thaung handed over two radio double cassette components to crew of the watercrafts. Each landing craft is 164 feet long, 35 feet wide and 7 feet high. Moreover, each landing craft is facilitated with two 350-hp twin engines. Each can bear 450 tons of load and carry 100,000 gallons of stroking oil. Both landing crafts were built locally without spending foreign exchange.

At 9 am, Minister U Aung Thaung, accompanied by Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Kyaw Win and Brig-Gen Thein Tun, attended the signing ceremony of contract for Kyaukse vest factory project. Myanma Textile Enterprise Managing Director U Oo Thein Maung and China Worldbest Group Co Ltd Chairman's representative Mr Jiang Chengxun signed the contract and exchanged it. The Kyaukse vest factory project is located near Shan village, 33 miles 5 furlongs east of Kyaukse in Mandalay Division. It is to be built on 26.17-acre plot. The factory will be facilitated with modern machines and equipment. After completion of the project, the factory will produce 1.2 million of vests, 0.6 million T-shirts and 0.18 million sports shirts annually.

Transport Minister inspects department, port

Yangon, 8 Aug- Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, accompanied by Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint, arrived at the Main Broadcasting Station of the Department for Civil Aviation in Dagon Myothit (South) where Director-General of the department U Win Maung and officials reported on greening tasks, renovation of staff housings, and paddy plantations with the help of charts this morning. The minister and party inspected broadcasting room and heard the reports on condition of engines and communication equipment. After giving instructions there, the minister proceeded to the Theinbyu Dockyard and heard the reports on work of the dockyard by Managing Director of Myanma Port Authority U Thein Htay and officials. The deputy minister gave supplementary report. The minister also inspected freight handling of the Mandalay, Bago, Magway ships of Myanma Five Star Line at Bo Aung Kyaw Port. He gave instructions on systematic freight handling of goods, greening tasks and beautifying tasks of the port.

( 4 ) Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung sends felicitations to Singapore

Yangon, 9 Aug- On the occasion of the Anniversary of the National Day of the Republic of Singapore which falls on 9 August 2001, U Win Aung, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Prof S Jayakumar, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore.

Extended Meat & Fish Production Committee meets

Yangon, 8 Aug- The Extended Meat and Fish Production Committee held its coordination meeting at the meeting hall of the Fisheries Department on Hsin Min Road, Ahlon Township, yesterday afternoon. Chairman of the Committee Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe and Vice-chairman Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein attended the meeting, and discussed extended production of meat and fish State and Division wise for the development of rural areas and cooperation in carrying out work of the Myanmar Fisheries Federation and the Myanmar Livestock Breeding Federations sectorwise.

Then, members of the sub-committees reported on extended breeding and production of prawns; those in-charge of the States and Divisions the deputy ministers on extended production of meat and fish state and divisionwise and members of sub-committees for livestock breeding on extended production of quality breeds and feedstuff. Secretary of the Committee Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries U Aung Thein gave a supplementary report. The meeting came to a close with concluding remarks by the chairman and the vice-chairman. In the evening, the chairman and the vice-chairman, accompanied by officials, headed for the Institute of Fisheries Technology on West Gyogon Road, Insein Township, and urged the trainees of advanced prawn breeding course to become outstanding and dynamic prawn breeders. Later, they inspected sea prawn production station jointly run by the Institute of Fisheries Technology and TZ Co, and prawn breeding camp of BTB Co.

Yangon-Mandalay railroad inspected

Yangon, 8 Aug- Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung together with officials inspected the Yangon-Mandalay railroad and gave instructions on maintenance tasks for the rail road and bridges yesterday. The minister met with engineers and officials at Taungoo Station and gave instruction to them.

( 5 ) CEC member attends annual meeting of Thayet District USDA

Yangon, 8 Aug- Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, accompanied by officials, arrived at the Planning Office in Thayawady District where the head of the office and heads of Thayawady, Okpo, Nattalin, Gyobinkauk township Planning Offices reported on work being carried out during the first quarter to the minister who gave instructions to them, on 6 August. Member of the Central Executive Committee of the Union Solidarity and Development Association U Soe Tha attended the annual meeting 2001 of the Thayet District USDA in Magway Division and delivered an address on 7 August.

Also present on the occasion were chairmen and members of district and township Peace and Development Councils, executives of division/district/township USDAs, guests and outstanding students. The CEC member made a speech on the occasion. The CEC member and officials presented prizes to 17 outstanding students in the district who won distinctions in 2000-2001 matriculation exam. Then, the Secretary of the division USDA accepted 5,500 membership applications of Thayet Township and 5,250 of Aunglan Township. Afterwards, the meeting was held and implementation of seven future tasks laid down at the general meeting 2000 were discussed.

The executives from district USDA reported on progress in organizaing tasks, administration, social welfare and cultural tasks, and development tasks for rural areas. Findings on the reports were discussed and approved. The minister also met with the staff of township Planning Offices in the district at the hall of Thayet District Planning Office and gave instructions. The minister met with the heads and officials of district/township planning offices at the hall of Bago Division (West) Planning Office in Pyay this morning and gave a speech. After hearing the reports of the officials, he attended to the needs.

Commander attends book-presenting ceremony

Yangon, 8 Aug- A ceremony to donate books and furniture to the Ayeyawady Library in Pathein, Ayeyawady Division was held at the library yesterday morning, attended by Chairman of the Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council Commander of South-West Command Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann. Also present on the occasion were Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Tint Swe and senior military officers of the command, Director-General of Information and Public Relations Department U Chit Naing (Chit Naing-Seikpinnya) and officials, division level departmental officials, donors and invited guests.

The donors presented books for the library to Head of the Division General Administration Department U Than Win, and Director-General U Chit Naing (Chit Naing-Seikpinnya), on behalf of the Ministry of Information, handed over books to the officials. The director-general explained the purpose of the donation and the commander spoke words of thanks. In the afternoon, the commander attended the ceremony held at Meeting Room-1 of Division Peace and Development Council to honour the victorious Ayeyawady Division Women's Sepak Takraw team who stood first in the ISD Sepak Takraw tournament 2001. The players were introduced to the minister who later spoke words of honours. The team handed over the championship shield to the commander. The players were presented honourable cash and the ceremony came to close.

53rd birthday ceremony of Myainggyingu Sayadaw held

Yangon, 8 Aug- The 53rd birthday ceremony of Myainggyingu Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sujana was held in conjunction with the third offering of "soon" to 1,000 members of the Sangha to mark peace of Sonnathamyaing Swaymyodaw (Myaing-gyingu special region) at the Aungmingalar Kyaungthit two-storey soonsarsaung in the special region, Hlaingbwe Township, Kayin State, yesterday morning. It was attended by 1,000 members of the Sangha led by the Sayadaw, Chairman of Kayin State Peace and Development Council Col Maung Shein, Director-General of the Office of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Pe Nyein, local authorities, departmental personnel, wellwisher Shwe Than Lwin Co family, members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees, lay persons and local national race residents.

Next, the prize presentation ceremony followed. Col Maung Shein presented honorary awards to outstanding trainees who passed Year 2000 Visuddhimagga exam and Abhidhamma exam (honours class and ordinary class) held by the Religious Affairs Department and course instructors. Lt-Col Pe Nyein presented awards to Saw Kyaw Lin Soe, who won the second prize at basic education level dance contest (10-15 aged division) of the Eighth Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competition, Saw Htein Lin, who won the third prize at the painting competition to mark the World Population Day, Saw Tun Tun Lin, who won the special prize at basic education level dance contest (5-10 aged division) and Saw San Aye, who won the special prize at amateur level composing competition. U Tha Htoo Kyaw presented awards to outstanding trainees in Literature and Culture Course and 15 students of Myainggyingu Affiliated Basic Education High School, who passed matriculation exam for 2000-2001 Academic Year. Chairman U Kyaw Win presented K 5 million for local residents, government staff in Myainggyingu Region, and construction of purified water factory for regional development.

( 6 ) Minister receives Thai guests

Yangon, 8 Aug-  Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein received Governor of the Central Bank of Thailand Mr Pridiyathorn Devekula and party at his office at 1.30 pm today. Also present at the call were Governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar U Kyaw Kyaw Maung and Adviser to the Ministry U Kyi Shein. After the call, Myanmar team led by U Kyaw Kyaw Maung and Thai team led by Mr Pridiyathorn Devekula discussed cooperation in banking servises.

H&T Minister receives Indian TV crew

Yangon, 8 Aug- Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin received Indian Television crew led by Ms Archana Kapoor of Archana Kapoor Production of New Delhi, India, at his office this morning. Also present were Deputy Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu, Director-General of Directorate of Hotels and Tourism U Khin Maung Latt, Managing Director of Myanma Hotels and Tourism Services U Kyi Tun and officials.

Pakistani Ambassador calls on Minister

Yangon, 8 Aug- Minister at the Prime Minister's Office U Tin Win received Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Union of Myanmar Mr Mian Yusuf Shah at his office this morning.

Industry-1 Minister receives Chinese guests

Yangon, 8 Aug- Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung received President Mr Lin Gang of China Machinery Complete Equipment Engineering Corporation (CMCC), China, and party at 2 pm and President Mr Ma Yanli of the China Metallurgical Construction (Group) Corporation, China, and party at his office 3 pm today separately. Also present at the call were the directors-general and managing directors of the ministry.

( 7 )  Deputy Minister U Soe Nyunt meets German Ambassador

Yangon, 8 Aug- Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt met Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany Dr Marius Haas at the minister's office this morning. During the meeting, the Ambassador, Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission Retzlaff and Third Secretary Ms Vera Gebhardt presented DEM 64,500 donated by the German government for renovation of nine brick buildings of Sinphyushin Kyaungtaik cluster in Bagan to the deputy minister who expressed words of thanks. Also present at the call were heads of department under the ministry and officials.

Cash presented for RO Machine

Yangon, 8 Aug- A ceremony to present cash for RO Machine of Yangon General Hospital of the Ministry of Health was held at the Hospital this morning. It was attended by Director-General of the Health Department Dr Wan Maung, departmental officials and wellwishers.

Vice-Chairman of Asia Wealth Bank U Aik Tun, on behalf of the wellwishers, explained the purpose of the donation. Vice-Chairman U Aik Tun, Ma Hnin Yadana Oo, Maung Hein Htet, U Aye Lwin (SZE Ltd) and U Myo Thant (Soe Moe Kyaw and Waing Waing Le) presented K 500,000 each; Dr Myat Thu (Asia Tawwin Special Clinic), Dr Sai Hsam Tun, U Khin Toe, U Myo Hein, U Ko Ko Htoo and Daw Sanda Aung K 300,000 each; U Kyaw Myint, U Hla Than, U Kyaw Aung, U Aung Thein, Daw Nan Ohn Kyi, U Htay Myint, U Myint Swe, U Thein Han, U Aung Tha Latt-Daw Hla Hla Yee and U Kyaw Khaing (Shay Hsaung Offset) K 200,000 each and U Myo Thant, U Hla Soe, U Nay Win, U Sein Thit, U Bo Thein, U Myint Shwe-Daw Khin Khin Pyone Myint, U Aik Yee, U Htay Khaing, Daw Khin Mar Swe, U Myo Myint Aung and U Myat Min K 100,000 each to Director-General Dr Wan Maung and Director-General of Medical Research Department (Upper Myanmar) Professor Dr Paing Soe who presented certificates of honour to them. Donations are being made for renal patients, and today's donations amounted to K 6.3 million.

MMB explains banking services in Kengtung, Tachilek

Yangon, 8 Aug- Ceremonies to explain the modern banking services of the Myanmar Mayflower Bank Ltd to the local people was held at Kengtung and Tachilek in Shan State (East) on 4 and 5 August. Chairman of district Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Myo Myint attended the ceremony held at Talok Ward in Tachilek. Also present on the occasion were departmental officials, Executive Director U Win Naing of MMB, Managing Director U Khin Maung and Division Manager (Admin) U Aung Kyaw Soe, branch Manager U Myint Swe and staff, entrepreneurs and invited guests. Executive Director U Win Naing explained policies of the bank, investment, loans and savings of the public with the help of video slides. Managing Director U Khin Maung explained in detail the modern banking services being carried out by the bank and answered the quarries raised by the attendance.

Then dinner was hosted. A similar ceremony was held at the hall of the New Kengtung Hotel in Kengtung, attended by Secretary of the Shan State Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Aung Soe, Chairman of district Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Khin Maung Kyaw, Police Col Khin Maung Maung of Myanmar Police Force (East), state level departmental officials, and officials of the bank and invited guests.

( 8 )  Malaysia beat Myanmar in Sepak Takraw friendly

Yangon, 8 Aug- The Myanmar-Malaysia Sepak Takraw friendly match continued for the third day at the National Indoor Stadium-1 in Thuwunna this afternoon. Among the spectators were Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint, Vice-Chairman Vice Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, member of MOC Director of Medical Services Brig-Gen Mya Thein Han and members, members of Leading Panel of Patrons of Myanmar Women's Sports Federation, officials and guests. The players, the managers and the coaches of both teams took position in the ground, they were introduced to the spectators. Then, the players shook hands. In the match, Malaysia national team beat tentatively selected Myanmar team 3-0.

Korean and Chinese volleyball teams arrive

Yangon, 8 Aug- A 17-member Kyonggi men's volleyball team from the Republic of Korea and a 19-member Jiang Su men's volleyball team from the People's Republic of China arrived here by air today to play friendly volleyball matches with Myanmar team. They were welcomed at Yangon International Airport by officials of the Ministry of Sports and the Myanmar Volleyball Federation.