( 1 ) Senior General Than Shwe inspects station hospital, basic education high schools in Kyaukse Township, Mandalay Division

 Yangon, 29 Nov - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe paid homage to Lawka Manaung Shwegugyi Pagoda in Inyaung Village, Kyaukse Township, yesterday morning.

The Senior General was accompanied by members of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann, Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Quartermaster-General Maj-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, Maj-Gen Tin Aye, Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Kyi Min, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Maj-Gen Myint Swe, ministers, deputy ministers, senior military officers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and heads of department.

On arrival at the pagoda, the Senior General made cash donation to the pagoda funds and paid homage to it. Then, the Senior General and party proceeded to the Station Hospital in Minsu Model Village, where he was briefed on the condition of the hospital by Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint and Deputy Minister for Health Prof Dr Kyaw Myint. The Senior General gave instructions and spoke words of encouragement to the patients.

He inspected operation theatre and medicine storage there, and presented cash assistance for the hospital to Doctor Sai Pan Ohn. Afterwards, the Senior General arrived at the Affiliated Basic Education High School in the village where he heard reports on rural development tasks in Mandalay Division and progress in construction of a new school building by Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint.

Director-General of No 2 Basic Education Department (Upper Myanmar) Lt-Col Win Htain also reported on teaching and learning at the school and condition of the school building. After giving necessary guidance, the Senior General presented cash assistance to be used for the school to Headmaster U Aung Thin and inspected construction of the new school building. The Senior General inspected completion of new school hall and building at No 3 Basic Education High School in Kyaukse and gave guidance to Headmaster U Htay and teachers.

Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, who accompanied Senior General Than Shwe, inspected No 3 Paper Plant and Bandage Factory of Textile and Finishing Plant in Paleik, Singaing Township, Mandalay Brewery and No 1 Distillery in Mandalay yesterday. Central Executive Committee member of the Union Solidarity and Development Association U Aung Thaung, who accompanied the Senior Genera, inspected completion of USDA office in Daewun Ward, Mahaaungmyae Township in Mandalay and site for USDA office of Mahamyaing Ward-2 in the township. Similarly, Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi, who accompanied the Senior General, inspected the fuel division at Mandalay International Airport and the Gasoline Station in Kyaukse Township.

( 2 ) Myanmar on right path to rapid growth Programme of cooperation has nominated next decade of " strategic thrust" forward

Secretary-1 addresses 10th Greater Mekong Sub-region Ministerial Conference

Yangon, 29 Nov - The following is the address delivered by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt at the opening of the 10th Greater Mekong Sub-region Ministerial Conference today. Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said: It is a great honour for Myanmar to host this 10th Greater Mekong Sub-region Ministerial Conference and on behalf of the Government and the people of Myanmar and on my own behalf, I wish to extend our most cordial welcome to all the Distinguished Delegates to the Golden Land of Myanmar. Allow me also to express my sincere gratitude to the Asian Development Bank for extending every possible support for the successful convening of the 10th GMS Ministerial Conference in Yangon.

As you all may very well recall, the ADB, initiated this Sub-regional Economic Cooperation in 1992 to bring together countries along the Mekong River and chart the road map for Peace and Progress in this Sub-region. Moreover, the first meeting in 1992 tasked itself to put together a Sub-regional Economic Cooperation Programme to cover critical sectors, such as transportation, trade, investment, communications, energy, tourism, human resources development and the environment. Subsequently, meetings were convened to identify and programme each country's requirement.

At the same time, it was recognised that investments of multilateral and bilateral agencies as well as the private sectors in funding identified projects was vital. The various yearly conferences and ad hoc meetings helped foster dialogue and understanding among the six countries and continued participation of aid agencies and donor countries in its implementations. The spirit of cooperation and determination to resolve obstacles for development with the joint effort approach was firmly established. Over a hundred projects for the six countries were identified and the much needed projects software was drawn up by expert consultant teams.

 In the first decade not many of the projects could be implemented due to financing constraints. However, it remains clear that the gradual build up would occur in the next decade. Looking forward to the development of this great region, it is highly commendable that the programme of cooperation had nominated the next decade as the decade of "strategic thrust " forward. The strategic thrust will include:

-Development of East-West Economic Corridor (linking the China Sea to the Bay of Bengal i.e. from Da Nang in the east to Mawlamyine in the west),

-Power generation and power trade in the region,

- Public-private partnership strategy for telecommunication,

- Review institutional roles in orientation to tourism,

- Adopt a strategy for environment framework,

- Review human resources development,

- Enhance trade and investment,

- Cross border people to people contact and movement. It is incumbent to all member states to see the success of this strategic thrust.

At the same time, it is encouraging to note the keen interest taken by the UN Agencies, ASEAN, International Donor Countries, NGOs and private sector groups to accelerate the implementation of this dynamic region. Although your stay in Myanmar is brief, it is our hope that you will be able to have an insight of our country, a country rich in beauty and culture, a country that is peaceful and economically vibrant in the region. Indeed, in the economic sphere, it is our belief that Myanmar is on the right path to rapid growth. Since 1988, Myanmar has received very little development assistance.

However, by adopting correct policies and by utilizing our economic potentials like strong agricultural base, abundance of natural resources as well as our highly intelligent, skilled and disciplined human resources, Myanmar was able to achieved an average annual growth rate of 8.4 per cent against a target of 6 per cent for the 1996-97 to 2000-2001 Five Year Economic Plan that ended last March. We have now embarked on a new 2001-2002 to 2005-2006 Five Year Plan and we are fully confident that we shall be again able to surpass the planned annual growth rate of 6 per cent.

As a result of the economic advancement in the country, the standard of living and the quality of life of the people have risen dramatically while there have been significant narrowing of the gap between the urban and rural areas. All of this has been achieved by relying entirely on our own resources.

However, I am confident that with increased inputs from abroad, our economic growth would be more rapid and will be able to make a more meaningful contribution to the development and prosperity of the region as a whole. The current global economic slowdown is posing new challenges to the individual nations as well as to our Greater Mekhong Sub-region. Even as each of us try to cope with these challenges, it also becomes imperative that economic cooperation in the region should be intensified.

 At the present moment, our region contains approximately 250 million people with a GDP of US$ 190 billion. I am fully confident that by being bold, pragmatic and result-oriented, we shall surely be able to maintain our goals. On our part, I wish to assure you that Myanmar will continue to participate in GMS programmes to the best of its abilities. In conclusion, permit me to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Asian Development Bank and all delegates participating in this Conference and wish you every success in your deliberations.

( 3 ) Central Committee for Ensuring Smooth and Secure Transport meets

Yangon, 29 Nov- Chairman of the Central Committee for Ensuring the Smooth and Secure Transport Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended the meeting No 6/2001 of the Central Committee at the meeting hall of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) this morning. Also present were ministers, deputy ministers, senior military officers, the director-general of the Office of the State Peace and Development Council, heads of department and national entrepreneurs.

The Secretary-1 said that the task of upgrading Yangon-Mandalay Highway has already been assigned to national entrepreneurs. Local authorities at the division level are to provide necessary assistance and close supervision to see to it that the upgrading of Yangon-Mandalay highway is completed ahead of schedule. Ministries concerned are also to provide assistance for the task.

The national entrepreneurs are required to complete as soon as possible the tasks for which they are taking responsibility. Head of State Senior General Than Shwe has given guidance to upgrade Yangon-Mandalay Highway in accord with the standards of international highways and to assign construction tasks to the national entrepreneurs. As such, the task has been assigned to the private sector.

 In conclusion, the Secretary-1 called for the cooperation of the national entrepreneurs, the ministries concerned and the local authorities in implementing the guidance of the Head of State  the emergence of Yangon-Mandalay Highway. Then, Deputy Minister for Construction Brig-Gen Myint Thein reported on the assistance being provided to the entrepreneurs and matters related to the sections of the highway.

 Next, the entrepreneurs reported on construction work, the drawing of the highway design, the finding of the axis and the bypass, production of gravel, availability of machinery, the tasks being carried out and to be carried out and requirements. The ministers reported on the assistance being provided by the ministries concerned. The meeting ended with concluding remarks by the Secretary-1.

( 4 )  Greater Mekong Sub-region Ministerial Conference on Sub-regional Economic Cooperation opens

Yangon, 29 Nov-The opening ceremony of the 10th Greater Mekong Sub-region Ministerial Conference on Sub-regional Economic Cooperation was held at the Sedona Hotel on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road here at 8.30 am today with an address by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present on the occasion were ministers, deputy ministers, Minister of Commerce of Cambodia Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia and Minister in charge of GMS Programme Mr Cham Prasidh, Deputy Administrator of General Administration of Customs Mr Duanmu Jun, Minister to the Prime Minister's Office of Laos Mr Somphong Mong-khonvilay, Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Abel, Minister to the Prime Minister's Office of Thailand Mr Chaturon Chaisang, Minister of Transport of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Mr Le Ngoc Hoan, Vice-President of the Asian Development Bank Mr Myoung-Ho Shin, ambassadors of foreign embassies in Yangon, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, local and foreign journalists, officials of UNDP, experts who participated in Economic Cooperation Project among the Mekong Sub-region, donor countries, representatives of non-governmental organizations, senior officials of Cambodia, the People's Republic of China, Lao People's Democratic Republic, the Union of Myanmar, Thailand and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and delegates.

 First, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Counicl Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt made a speech on the occasion. Vice-President of ADB Mr Myoung-Ho Shin made an opening speech and the opening ceremony came to a close. After the ceremony, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt had a documentary photo taken together with leaders of the delegations and the Vice-President of ADB.

Then, the Secretary-1 cordially greeted the delegates to the 10th Greater Mekong Sub-region Ministerial Conference on Sub-regional Economic Cooperation. The conference successfully ended at 3.55 pm today. After the conference, the ceremony to sign a landmark Cross Border Agreement to facilitate the flow of people and goods under Sub-regional Economic Cooperation Programme was held at Mindon Hall of the Sedona Hotel at 4 pm today and the delegates from Lao People's Democratic Republic, Thailand and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam signed the agreement. Then, the articles of association of Cambodia was signed.

 A Press conference on the Greater Mekong Sub-region 10th Ministerial Conference on Sub-regional Economic Cooperation was held at Hall No 3 of the Sedona Hotel at 4.30 pm. Vice-President of the Asian Development Bank Mr Myoung-Ho Shin explained the purpose of the Press conference. In replying to the queries raised by local and foreign journalists, ADB Vice-President Mr Myoung-Ho Shin and Minister Brig-Gen Abel said

"ADB Vice-President has already explained the GMS programme. The programme was initiated by ADB. The main objective of the programme was to bring all the GMS countries together and to enhance regional development in economic cooperation, trade, investment, etc. In 1995 at the Sixth Ministerial Conference in Kunming, the ministers unanimously endorsed ADB as a lead agency in strengthening GMS partnership. Again in this meeting we have also reiterated that ADB be the lead donor agency for strengthening the GMS partnership programme.

I think we have achieved a lot in this meeting. First ten years we have done a lot of work on software, and as you all well know, the 1997 economic crisis, temporary world recession caused the programme to slow down. But in this new decade, the second 10 years of the Greater Mekong Sub-region Economic Cooperation Programme is the strategic thrust forward. Well, earlier the Vice-President has mentioned the five principal areas where concentration should be placed on the 10 flagship projects.

It's a very significant meeting in that preparations for the GMS countries meeting to be held in Cambodia in the year 2002 have been made. It will be hosted by the Royal Cambodian Government. Senior officials of GMS countries have done a very good job identifying various areas that the ministers discussed and endorsed later on. I think we have one year to work on and to present a very tangible and sustainable programme to our leaders who we will endorse GMS framework programme. The ultimate objective in this task-forward strategic move is to integrate much more closely the countries of GMS, to alleviate poverty, to develop human capacity and of course to guarantee people better quality of life. So, with this, I think that this meeting was a resounding success. I would like to tell the

press this on behalf of the government of Myanmar, the people of Myanmar and myself. I would also like to thank all the excellencies of GMS countries, especially the Vice-President and all the senior staff of GMS who have come all the way from Manila to participate in this meeting, to help us make this meeting a resounding success. I think your press reports will carry what I have said. Thank you very much." Then, the Press conference came to a close.

 At night, the Secretary-1 hosted a dinner in honour of the leaders of delegations to the meeting and delegation members at the Karaweik Palace. Also present were ministers, deputy ministers, ambassadors, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department, officials of UNDP and guests.

( 5 )  Daw Kyaing Kyaing attends Kathina robes offering ceremony at Taunggyi Pariyatti Sarthintaik in Bahan Township

Yangon, 29 Nov - Under the patronage of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing, the 38th Kathina robe offering ceremony of Taunggyi Pariyatti Sarthintaik on Sasana Yeiktha Street in Sasana Yeiktha Ward, Bahan Township, was held at the Sarthintaik at 10 am today. Daw Kyaing Kyaing attended the ceremony and presented Kathina robes and offertories to the Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw.

 Also present were Presiding Nayaka of the Sarthintaik Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Ottama and members of the Sangha, Daw Mya Mya San, wife of Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, wife of Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Daw Khin Than Nwe, wife of late Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Daw Malar Tint, wife of member of the State Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay and wife Daw Khin Khin, senior military officers' wives, YCDC Vice-Chairman Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa and wife, YCDC Secretary Col Myint Aung and wife, Joint-Secretary U Kyi Win and wife, members and their wives, and guests.

The ceremony was opened with three-time recitation of Namo Tassa. Taikok Sayadaw of the Sarthintaik Bhaddanta Kalyana Dhamma invested the congregation with the Five Precepts. Members of the Sangha recited parittas. Daw Kyaing Kyaing presented Kathina robes and offertories to the Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw.

Then, Daw Mya Mya San, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Daw Khin Than Nwe, the Mayor, the Vice-Mayor and those present presented Kathina robes and offertories to members of the Sangha. The Taikok Sayadaw delivered a sermon, followed by the sharing of merits gained. After the ceremony, Daw Kyaing Kyaing and those present performed rituals of golden and silver showers, and "soon" was offered to members of the Sangha.

Yangon, 29 Nov - Regional Director Mr Robert Tay of Philip Morris companies group hosted a dinner in honour of members of the support group to hold the Myanmar Asean Art Awards at Traders Hotel on 22 November evening. The Myanmar Asean Art Awards was organized by Philip Morris group of companies under the assistance of the Office of the chief Military Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence and ASEAN Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 Also present at the dinner were Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Secretary of Myanma Traditional Artists Asiayon U Hla Tin Tun and executives, members of the judges committee including Artist U Lun Kywe, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and OCMI, U Sein Myo Myint, Bagyi Soe Moe and U Min Wai Aung of the support group and guests. Accompanied by members of the support group, Mr Tay and party visited Bagan on 23 and 24 November. The judges committee tentatively selected 28 artists for the awards on 27 and 28 November. Mr Tay and party left Myanmar by air today. The names of the 28 persons will be announced soon.

Dobat Competition to hail World AIDS Day held

Yangon, 29 Nov-The Dobat Competition to mark the World AIDS Day which falls on 1 December 2001 sponsored by Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association was held at the meeting hall of MMCWA at the corner of Parami and Thanthuma Roads, South Okkalapa Township this afternoon. Present on the occasion were Chairperson of MMCWA Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, Vice-Chairperson Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, CEC members, patrons of the supervisory committee, the chairperson of Yangon Division MCWA Supervisory Committee and members, members of panel of judges and competing associations. MMCWA Chairperson Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe made a speech on the occasion. Dobat teams from MCWAs of Kamayut, Dagon, Dagon Myothit (South), Dalla, Mingaladon, North Okkalalpa, Thanlyin and Insein townships took part in the competition. Dagon Myothit (South) Township MCWA team stood first, Dagon Township MCWA second and Thanlyin Township MCWA third. Prizes will be given on World AIDS Day ceremony that will be sponsored by MMCWA on 1 December.